Spiders in Costa Rica: Day 1
10/15/2023 | General, Women's Lacrosse, Academic Services, Spider Leadership, Spider Performance
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Hi Spiders!
Today, we began our Fall Break trek to Costa Rica at 4:00 AM. We were all transported to the airport for an early morning flight. The Richmond International Airport was bustling, and after a slight delay in the security line, we were able to make our first flight (a connection through Atlanta) on time. From Atlanta, we landed in San Jose, Costa Rica, and after going through customs, were greeted by our guide Jose and driver Dennis. Immediately, Jose began to tell us all about our destination. The first fact we were enlightened with was how the airport is not actually in San Jose, but rather is in a province of San Jose called Alajuela, but because the first airport was located in San Jose, they kept the name for it, rather than changing it. Shortly after, we passed a checkpoint of where the actual San Jose airport once resided, and learned that sometime after its closure, it was turned into an art gallery. Our next stop - lunch! We were quite hungry after all of the morning travel. We headed to a restaurant where we indulged in nachos and tacos prior to heading to a public university in Cartago known as Tecnológico Central del Tecnológico de Costa Rica. The Tec, as it was called, is where the 2022 FISU World Forum, which focused on university sport being a driver for sustainable development, was held.  Here, we met with Dr. Rosaura Mendez, FISU Executive Committee Member, coaches within the athletic program, and various student-athletes. We learned about the structure of the athletic system here in Costa Rica, while engaging in a cultural exchange with the student athletes here on their campus.  Everyone here at the Tec is required to engage with sport in some way. They believe that sport is very important to our global society, and so each student is required to take either two sport courses, and cultural class or the other way around  to obtain their degree. Dr. Mendez explained their relationship with FISU, and how this organization offers the opportunity for so many throughout the Americas to participate in sport. Â
Prior to our departure from the Tec, we left a few souvenirs for them to remember us by and then we headed to the The Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles or The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels. The Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles is a Roman Catholic basilica that is dedicated to the Virgen de los Pardos. This Basilica holds a special place in the hearts of the Costa Rican people because of its religious significance, rich cultural legacy, and deep historical roots. We learned that the most practiced religion in Costa Rica is Catholicism and so this Basilica is widely visited. It is believed that the Basilica, which is home to the iconic Black Madonna statue has the power to perform miracles through its natural stream and running water in which visitors may partake. Tens of thousands participate in the annual Romera pilgrimage, kneeling outside and continuing inside to the alter on their knees. For our group, this visit was particularly meaningful as we all completed a book study prior to our departure.  The novel, "Finding La Negrita," by Dr. Natasha Gordon-Chimpembere discusses in detail the Basilica, along with the Ruins of Cartago, which we also visited. Dr. Gordon-Chimpembere hosted a zoom lecture with us prior to our visit to Costa Rica on "The Legacy of Afro-descendant people in Costa Rica: A history."  This discussion aided in our knowledge prior to embarking upon this historic destination.  Finally, we trekked back to San Jose for dinner, and then arrived at our hotel to rest up for our continued journey.  We are looking forward to all that is in store for us tomorrow!Â
Pura Vida!
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Delonnie Hunt and Mikkel Tyne
Men's Basketball
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