Tico tip #1: Only get into the orange or red taxis that have a yellow triangle on the side and have vertical letters on the left side of the license plate--TSJ, for example.
Tico tip #2: In Copey--and maybe in other parts of Costa Rica, I don't know for sure--people say "adios" as a greeting in passing, like on the street, walking in separate directions or something. If you say "hola," they may think you are wanting to have a longer conversation.
Tico tip #3: It's totally normal to pass people on a double yellow line while driving up a mountain on a super narrow road--even buses.
Tico tip #4: The sun rises around 5 am and sets before 6 pm, so when you want to go to bed at 8 or 9, people don't question it.
Tico tip #5: Don't "stop to smell the flowers" if the flowers are actually these plants whose flowers hang upside down--they can cause you to hallucinate and die.
Tico tip #6: Do not flush the toilet paper.
Tico tip #7: Scooping your food with a knife and a fork is totally fine, but scooping your food with a spoon and a fork is bad luck--they say you'll get married twice.
Tico tip #8: If someone is sweeping and the broom touches your feet, it's bad luck--they say you'll never get married.
Tico tip #9: Eat everything put in front of you because it will be delicious no matter what it is.
Tico tip #10: Bring a raincoat or an umbrella with you everywhere you go.
Tico tip #11: In Costa Rica, most elementary school buildings are a seafoam greenish-blue color, while most clinics are royal blue. It makes them easier to spot.
Tico tip #12: Light switches are backwards from what they are in the US. Up is off and down is on.
Tico tip #13: Cafecito is the word used to describe a time when everyone sits down around the table and has coffee--yum! It's also normal to have sobremesa, or sharing time around the table after meals. These two things are probably my favorite parts of being in Copey so far. Both can be times spent enjoying a cup of coffee and enjoying each other's good company, and, for me, this means I am in my own little paradise. I've probably gained the most so far from the cafecitos and sobremesas with my host family and friends because of the amount of the language I am learning, as well as the connections I am making with the people I am sharing this time with.
That seems like plenty Tico tips for now. I'm sure I will hear and figure out more from this weekend.
In other news, this morning, Xavier, Angela, Marguerite (one of the two awesome teachers at the Learning Center) and I hiked up a mountain and then down into Santa Maria, where we went on a tour of a coffee cooperative called Coopedota R.L.. It was a beautiful hike into town and an incredible coffee tour (For more photos of the hike and the tour, click on the My Photos tab above.). If there's one thing I love about being in Costa Rica, the delicious coffee is definitely up there on my list. Another is a drink called agua dulce. Imagine drinking a warm rainbow and you've pretty much got the gist of it. It's a tea-like drink that is sweet and made from a syrup that's made from a big block of a chocolate-looking substance. I don't know much more than that, but, regardless, it's amazing, and by far one of my favorite things I've had here.
Tomorrow, Marguerte, Xavier, and I are going down to the capital, San Jose, for a day trip. We plan on seeing a few museums, buying a couple souvenirs, and hanging out around the city. It's going to be super fun! This afternoon and a little on Sunday, I get to work on completing my lessons plans for the next three weeks, which will be even more fun! Stay tuned to hear more about those and the weeks ahead! Remember to check out that photos page!