Monday (night)
During our stay in La Playa Grande, we were introduced to a local festival in a nearby town called Santa Cruz. We took a bus and drove through the countryside of Costa Rica and was able to watch the sunset behind the hills. We were all excited to see what local Costa Rican towns looked like, since we were eager to immerse ourselves into a new cultural experience. We arrived in a park in Santa Cruz and were welcomed by a big stage with live performers, an art gallery of old photographs taken within the area, tents of trinkets and souvenirs, and stoves and grills with local foods and desserts. There were crowds of people, both old and young, spending time with their families. We all walked around the park, making sure to experience each of the activities and sights around us. Despite the fact these we were miles and miles away from the states, I couldn't help but notice the similar look and feel that this festival had to local fairs back where I live, in Tulare County. You could see how family oriented Costa Rican culture is, since many individuals were in large groups spending time together. Although it was a short trip, we were all very thankful for the experience to see and feel the authentic culture of Costa Rican towns.
