Summary: Romain describes his first days in Costa Rica, "Of course, I haven't yet met any scary snakes or spiders bigger than my hand, but I'm not afraid any more. Do you know why? Because this country gives you confidence. Because people here give you faith in what you can accomplish."

Just arrived from an impersonal and industrialized European country, my apprehension concerning Costa Rica was all about animals biting me or about my Spanish, so hard to understand for local people. I could not imagine how far I was from the truth…

Actually, just a couple of days have been enough for me to consider things differently. Of course, I haven't yet met any scary snakes or spiders bigger than my hand, but I'm not afraid any more. Do you know why? Because this country gives you confidence. Because people here give you faith in what you can accomplish. Because nature here gives you a reason to fight. All my apprehension and my fears completely disappeared after a few steps into this culture, this lifestyle.

When you first arrive in a country you have never been before, you wonder how people are going to welcome you. You hope you won't hurt any tradition or any habit they have. Ticos are wonderful for helping you deal with that. I spent my first night in a hostel in San José, close to the Costa Rican University and I had really no idea about where I was. I didn't even need to ask. People just helped me out. While I was waiting for a bus which didn't want to come, a boy just dropped me to place I wanted to go. I didn't even need to ask. The day after, I wanted to have lunch in a typical local restaurant while avoiding the pest Mc Donald's and I found in San Pedro what I was looking for. Inside the restaurant, all the meals names looked the same to me, and a man came to me (I obviously looked as a tourist!) and told me, have a "casado". I didn't even need to ask. I don't know how people here can anticipate all your needs, but as long as it is possible for them, they will give you everything.

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About the Author The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a non-profit organization providing volunteer tour packages for individuals, families and groups interested in exploring the culture, language and natural beauty of Costa Rica.

First Published: Jun 24, 2009