First Day Entries

"What we see, depends mainly on what we look for." - John Lubbock
The culture in Sitio de Mata and essentially Costa Rica can not be compared to that of the United States. The families, houses and landscape captivate that easy going atmosphere grabbing and changing you the second you touch land. Waking up to the sweet hum of birds, incests and rain makes your worries disappear and develops a new attitude, a new you, while opening your eyes to a vast spectrum of new opportunities.
We first saw the mountain ranges after Mass at a Catholic church located in the middle of the village since flying at night makes the entire country, pitch black. Who would have thought? Layers of thick, low clouds filled the empty spaces between the never ending and breath takingly beautiful trees. Through out the day, we grew closer to our host families and the country faster than a 24 hour span was expected. I was already in love.
Sitio de Mata is one of the loveliest and quaintest places I have even been to. There was a familiar pattern through out the day, most prominently during meals, in which people of all kinds came to talk, eat, or take shortcuts by walking through the kitchen.
 I hope to bring back this happy-go-lucky sensation to the States and forever keep it within my heart.

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."-Henry Miller

Anna DeGrauw; travel enthusiast




Thanks Anna, there's no way I can top that!  I apologize in advance for the mediocrity of this entry following such a well written and organized piece. 

This is my second time in Sitio de Mata.  I was one of the students on the trip last year, and I just had to come back.  During last year's trip I quickly discovered how much I love this place and I had to come back to retrieve the piece of me I left here.  (No promises I bring it back this time... I love it here too much so I'm going to have to keep coming back) Ever since I stepped out of the airport last night around 8, I have had a huge grin on my face I just can seem to get rid of (not that I'm trying).  Sitio de Mata is a home away from home to me.  I am staying in a house with Fressy, who is the sister of my host mother from last year whose name is Lucre.  Getting to see all my old friends again has been amazing! It's like I never left. The people here are so good at making you feel like you belong.  Last year it was making me feel like I was home, and now it's making me feel like no time has passed.  My Spanish is getting better.  I'm still not quite to the point where I'm fully functioning in the language, but I'm finding myself speaking more fluently with every conversation.  My moment of the day was when I went to Lucre's house to visit this morning.  Wendy (Lucre's daughter who is 19 years old) Lucre, and I spent at least 5 minutes just hugging before we got to the "how are you"s.  Needless to say I am so happy to be here and to see these people again.  I can't wait for what tomorrow brings!
~Laura Knight; Honorary Tica





Dear Dad,
Thank you for being the first one to comment on our blog postings.  Now everyone expects me to host a tamale party when we get back home.  First you will have to buy me a banana tree.  (:

Actually, I am sitting here writing this staring at some banana trees while sitting in the kitchen of my house.  I think this is my favorite room in the whole house because it is partially open to the beautiful landscape outside, and the metal roof makes an amazingly beautiful sound when it rains.  It is also the gathering space of the house where we eat, talk, and play with our new K-9 friend, Bruno.  He is the smallest and cutest dog I've ever seen.  I can't begin to describe how open and loving everyone has been so far, and I can't wait for the rest of our week here.  I'm pretty sure Laura and Anna said everything much more eloquently, but our first day here has been beautiful. Pura Vida!

-A very tired Dory Ann