Thanksgiving in Costa Rica

By:

Zachary Tanner

Published:

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So what is your favorite holiday? Is it Christmas, Valentines day, or maybe even the great Columbus Day? If your anything like me you love Thanksgiving day. Well this year I spent Thanksgiving in Costa Rica where they don’t even celebrate it. It’s funny because in the US Christopher Columbus is believed to have discovered America but really he landed in Costa Rica first. Shouldn’t have the Pilgrims with the Indigenous people from Costa Rica had a fellowship over turkey and some delicious delicacies. Well anyway the day of turkey here was an experience. First we had a round table talk session about what we missed most about thanksgiving dinner. Then we got into a talk about the country delicacies such as chitterlings, pig foot, and one guy even brought up raccoon. After the day passed and I facetimed my family to wish each one of them a happyThanksgiving, I went to an Thanksgiving dinner at a Hotel.The dinner really surprised me because they had a beautiful spread. I must admit the turkey with the cheese potatoes and the salad was really good. It also reminded me how blessed I am because some people were at the restaurant of the hotel as well and it just reminded me of people on holidays who don’t have family to spend it with.Honestly it was my first holiday away from family and I honestly can say I would never want to do it again. Honestly the food is great but food can always be cooked but family and fellowship is priceless and is not promised. Well I can say that for Christmas it’s going to be one of the best holidays ever. Be blessed and Pura Vida.

Zachary Tanner

Hello, my name is Zachary Phillip Tanner. I am a junior Political Science student at North Carolina A&T State University. I never thought I would study abroad; I was under the impression that anywhere other than America had nothing to offer me. I grew up in Washington D.C and the rising Hispanic population always caught my attention. Realizing that this isn’t a black and white world but a world filled with different kinds of people and culture, I came to the realization that the world outside of America did have something to offer something America couldn’t. I choose to study abroad in Costa Rica because I wanted to go to Latin America and experience the “Pura Vida” life style. I also want to graduate from College fluent in Spanish; being immersed in the Costa Rican environment and culture will surely help my development. After I graduate from college I plan to give back by applying for a teaching position with Teach for America. I want to be an example to my peers and other young adults; showing them that stepping outside the box is extremely cool and being linguistically diverse is possible and rewarding. Studying abroad will give me the opportunity to have that connection with Hispanic students because I will know their native language and I will have experienced a part of their culture. I will be a role model to kids because they will see through me anything is possible. I’m just achieving my goals as they come.