Spiders in Costa Rica: Day 4
10/18/2023 | General, Women's Lacrosse, Academic Services, Spider Leadership, Spider Performance
Hello Spiders!
On the fourth day of our experiential learning excursion, we rose early in Limón, Costa Rica, anticipating an action-packed day. Some of us ventured out to the beaches behind our bungalows to witness the sunrise and took a morning swim before convening for breakfast. Our itinerary commenced with a picturesque drive to Costa Rica's sole demonstration banana farm, where we delved deeper into the history of bananas and even explored the world of coffee production. Bananas have been pivotal in Costa Rica's history and economy, with the country maintaining its reputation as a prominent exporter, known for its commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility in banana production. A delightful surprise awaited us as we discovered the fascinating world of coffee production, dating back to the early 19th century. Despite the modest wages of coffee farm workers, who earn around $15 a day, they produce some of the finest coffee in the world. Costa Rica's dedication to quality and sustainability has firmly established its position as a leader in the specialty coffee industry, and, naturally, we couldn't resist tasting some later in the day. To our surprise, we also encountered crops used in the making of Chanel No. 5 perfume, showcasing the intriguing connection between high fashion and rural agriculture.Â
Before bidding farewell to the farm, we took the opportunity to shop for souvenirs and relished a traditional lunch comprising of rice, chicken, beans and plenty of sides. This hearty meal served as our pregame fuel before a super fun day of sports. Our day continued with a scenic drive from the banana farm to the 'Christopher Columbus' neighborhood, the hometown of our knowledgeable tour guide, Jose. He shared the historical significance of this neighborhood, situated adjacent to Quiribri Island, where Columbus arrived, marking his fourth and final voyage to the Americas. We meandered through the neighborhood on our way to Escuela Balvanero Vargas Molina, an elementary school in Limon.Â
Once we arrived at the school, we were kindly greeted by a few physical education teachers and coaches. As we walked to the school's outdoor playground and basketball court, we passed several classrooms with young elementary and pre-schoolers enjoying a day of school. The two of us were particularly drawn to a class of preschoolers who were standing along the fence watching us play with soccer balls, lacrosse sticks, basketballs, and baseballs. With the little bit of Spanish that we know, we walked over to ask their names, their ages, and their favorite sport. We couldn't leave our encounter without throwing a soccer ball over the net for them to play with. It was the sweetest thing. In a span of five minutes, this was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our trip. It meant so much to see how excited they were to speak with us and have some of our equipment. Concurrently, each of us had the opportunity to teach the high school students about our respective sports as Division-I athletes in the United States. Esteban, our resident translator, was a huge help as we discussed our experiences. Once we learned that the high school basketball team was preparing for an upcoming game, we knew we had to play a quick 5-on-5. So, all eight of us from our respective teams came together to play against them in a friendly match. We had an incredible time meeting other athletes who are hoping to play at the next level, sharing a bit of our sports with them, and hopefully leaving as much of an impact on them as they left on us. Before we departed the school, we presented the principal and athletic coaches with bags of soccer and basketballs.  They expressed to us the difference we were able to make to their physical education program with these donations, and it made us continue to think about just how fortunate we are to have the resources we have while being student-athletes at the University of Richmond. Â
This day in Limón proved to be an exploration of Costa Rican culture, agriculture, and unexpected connections, leaving us with lasting memories and a great appreciation for this vibrant country. As we prepare to return to the United States, we feel so blessed to have been afforded this experience, and hope that more athletes will have similar opportunities to explore other countries while creating lifelong bonds and memories in the future.
And, as they say in Costa Rica – Pura Vida!
Logan Anderson – Women's Soccer
Grace Townsend – Women's Basketball
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