Takeaways from Costa Rica trip

This trip was about the 3 or 4th longest international trip I've taken in my recent memory. Up to this point, I've never been outside of Europe or the US before, so a different culture, people and experience all around.

Here are some of my takeaways from this trip...

• Language - This was the first time I embraced the local language in my travels and it was awesome! It really helps you connect with the people, whose land you are visiting. Next time, I want to get a head start on the language learning, so that I can arrive in the country, ready to get better. I definitely plan on learning Spanish in the coming years.
• Colonization by Spain - its an interesting dynamic to visit the countries that were the colonized (besides from living in one). Up to this point, Ive only visited the colonizing countries. Its interesting to see those influences spread across the globe. Also interesting about the arrogance of humans: I show up to your land and then "teach you" how to live, religion, architecture, food, etc. It is pretty cool on how things fuze with the local influences to create an "influenced uniqueness"
• Ideas for future travel - Next trip I would do through Costa Rica, Isla del Coco, Corcovado National Park, and come down the pacific side. I would also bump South America and Spain up on the travel list due to the language. Want to learn Espanol!
• Hostels - Staying in hostels is a lost art. We didnt stay in any in Europe and most of my hostel experience has been while hiking the AT. Hanging out in hostels in Costa Rica reminded me of the unique experiences you can come across in a hostel. There is a solidarity of foreign travelers that exists in hostels. Def plan on a lot of hostel living in my future travels!
• Dollars and Colognes - country accepts both, but everything is similarly priced, its not "cheaper" there
• Time estimate given at hostels for transportation seems way off, I think they shave an hour or two off that "private transport" to make it sound more attractive, but then you are 2 hrs late
• Ticos are friendly people, as is the Spanish culture in general, felt very welcomed
• Wet season (we went in July) means its going to rain all the time. Beware. Its still warm and nice most of the places, and eventually you get used to it. I was told that Costa Rica is a bunch of micro climates (which is true)
• Food is not that great. rice and beans and most places and dishes are not that great. We got lucky w/ some seafood in Manuel Antonio, and on the Seguare river trip, but other than that, no bueno. There is a lot of fresh fruit, mangoes, bananas, papaya, which is nice!

Different Level of Emotional Intelligence

• I have found that if you are able to really immerse in the culture and language it can open up the empathy and compassion part of your being. The experience took me back to my younger days when one of my good friends mom only spoke Spanish. I really missed the opportunity to learn the language and connect with her and an entire slice of the world. My advice for the younger generations would be to embrace those opportunities to learn and connect
• Also, travelling with my dad at my age, was also a learning and empathetic experience. I feel like I've done a lot of work in this area in the last 4-5 years and have become very patient, understanding and calm.... until I get around my parents :) I guess since all our issues somehow stem from childhood, becoming patient with your parents is graduation day and the last in your serious of lifes tests. Be mindful of this and try to remind yourself that while most of the time you cant change people around you, you can be more understanding and accepting of them. Especially when they are the ones you love!