I finally arrived to San José, Costa Rica! My flight arrived at 6:20am today, and unfortunately, I had not slept much on the plane. So, as soon as I arrived to my hostel I went straight to bed. A couple hours later I was ready to great the day….well…afternoon. I was determined to find a typical Costa Rican lunch (un casado con un zumo de mora) that I remembered from living in the village of San Juan de Santa Bárbara, an hour outside of San José. Once I found the main street, I was a little surprised to see it lined with American fast food chains, and even more startled that I couldn’t find a local restaurant. It was strange to come back to a country I knew, but to a city I didn’t recognize.

Of course, I have never spent much time in the capital city of San José, so maybe it has always been this way. The local Ticos (Costa Ricans) were certainly enjoying Wendy’s, McDonald’s, KFC, and Taco Bell. And a guide at the hostel even suggested that people can enjoy typical food everyday, so why not splurge on the chains for a change of pace. My first reaction was the chains represented American consumerism and they were crushing the local culture. But, as I sat in the Taco Bell, eating my tacos next to Ticos of all ages, watching the World Cup and enjoying the free WIFI, I wondered, maybe these chains are just creating another communal space. Depending on how the local and international communities choose to use this space could change the perception and original purpose. While I dive into more rural communities and urban communities, I’ll try to clarify my own thinking about these chains and get more opinions from locals, expats, tourists, etc.

Costa Rica has two seasons: The Rainy (winter) and the Dry (summer) seasons. Currently, we are in winter. This winter enjoys 87 degree days, sun in the morning, and a refreshing rainstorm in the afternoon. As I’m writing, I’m listening to the rain pour outside of the hostel. Tomorrow, I will travel to my post in Manuel Antonio and all of Costa Rica will be even greener.