Experience a la Tica

Author: Susanna Kowalzik

  • El Sabor: Taste a la Tica

    El Sabor: Taste a la Tica

    “El Sabor, el Sabor!” – This friendly shout fills Academia Tica’s patio every school day at noon, when hungry students flock towards the sound of Caribbean music and the wide smile of Don George. He emerges from a van and opens the side door to reveal baskets and coolers brimming with treats, which hungry students have been yearning for throughout the morning’s intensive Spanish classes.

    And it´s not just any food, either. Don George specializes in typical fare from the Caribbean part of Costa Rica in addition to snacks like hamburgers, sandwiches, brownies and cheese cake. Everything is home-made by George and his wife every morning. He is always willing to explain every type of meal to students if they are about to eat something for the first time and often he also lets you try some things before you buy. Even after several months of living and studying at Academia Tica, it is still possible finding new things in George’s van and to not yet get “fed up” at lunch.

    Here are some meals you should have a go at:

    George with his famously delicious rice and beans.
    George with his famously delicious rice and beans.
    • Empanada de pollo: a pastry made of cornmeal and filled with spiced chicken, typically eaten in Costa Rica as a snack while having a (black!) coffee
    • Patí: similar to an empanada but stuffed with minced beef and available in three different levels of spiciness – watch out for the red cross on the paper bag!
    • Vigorón: the typical Costa Rican picnic dish comes with yucca, tomato, cabbage and crispy pork crackling
    • Ceviche: a fresh fish cocktail with lime juice, chili and cilantro
    • Arroz con pollo del Caribe: in contrast to the Costa Rican much-loved “Gallo Pinto” (rice and beans) this meal is enriched with coconut milk. George serves it along with chicken, salad, fried plantain and a fruit juice.

    And for those of you with a sweet tooth:

    • Pan de yuca, zanahoria o banano: a piece of delicious cake of yucca, carrot or banana – not too sweet and very moist/mellow
    • Tamal: there are three different types of “tamales” made from cornmeal. George offers the sweet “Tamal asado” which looks a bit like German cheese cake
    • Cocada: a sun-shaped pastry from Jamaica with a sweet and spiced coconut stuffing
    • Arroz con leche: this cup of sweet rice pudding with cinnamon is one of the students’ favorites
    • Tresleches: a typical Nicaraguan dessert brought to Costa Rica by the immigrants. The sponge cake is soaked with three types of milk and topped with a rich cream. Sometimes George adds strawberries or cacao to give this cake a special note.

    …just to name a few!

     

  • Las Cataratas – A day trip to the waterfalls

    Las Cataratas – A day trip to the waterfalls

    One Friday morning in Jacó Beach: Our group of seven Academia Tica students was being picked up in front of the apartments by Alan, our tour guide for the day. A 45 minutes drive southbound along the coast led us to the beginning of a narrow path through private farmland. First we passed chicken and horses, then the trail continued through the forest, crossing some little streams. Finally we reached the waterfall that made its way down through the jungle like a stairway for giants. Beautiful to see…and now what? I thought the hike would continue to the other ones – since the only thing I knew about the waterfalls back then was: there are at least 3 of them. And it did, just not in the way I expected. Alan began to climb up the rock wall beside the waterfall. We all watched him disappear as he jumped into the pool above. So we left our things at the bottom and followed him up. The second waterfall filled a nice deep pool where some of us dipped in (or in my case: half accidently slipped in). The others were already on their way up higher.

    “Once you are up there, the only way down is to jump!” Alan pointed out to us with a provocative twinkle in his eyes. Hesitating and still not quite sure about jumping down the not entirely vertical rock face, I climbed up next to the waterfall holding on to roots and little ledges. Once up there you could see the third and fourth waterfall with their round pools caved out of the dark rock around. The view down into the jungle was amazing! After another swim in the refreshing clear pools and a little massage of the top one of the waterfalls, it was time for the way back down.

    Academia Tica students relaxing in the refreshing pool between two waterfalls.
    Academia Tica students relaxing in the refreshing pool between two waterfalls.

    Jumping from the upper waterfall was really fun. One by one we climbed to a spot where you could just let yourself fall into the pool a few meters beneath. The more than 5 meter jump into the last pool was a bit more thrilling. You had to stand on a little ledge where only your heels could fit and from that point jump forward since the rocks were not that steep. But we all did it – there was no other way, right? At this point big respect for Bob, one of the students in his seventies, who enjoyed it as much as everyone else! Full of adrenaline some of us jumped over and over again while the others were relaxing in the pool or tried (and partly succeeded) climbing up beneath the waterfall not being able to see where your hands could grip since the water kept lashing down onto your face.

    Perfectly content and definitely with an unforgettable experience more we later made our way back to Jacó. What a fun and unique day.

    ¡PURA VIDA!

    Cataratas
    Fresh clear water making its ways through the forest at “Las Cataratas Las Pilas” near Parrita.

    – Susanna Kowalzik

     

  • August roundup of events

    August roundup of events

    Events this month include traditional festivals, great movies, interesting fairs, diverse music and dance performances from all over the world.

    Movies

    • Cine Magaly: This month a series celebrating female perspectives, “Cine con Lentes de Mujer,” will screen every Saturday at 1 pm in the Club Magaly, including “Caramelo” and “El Piano”.
    • University Cinema: After the semester is over the series of free movies at the University continues with the “Month of Architecture and Cities.” Every Thursday and Friday after Aug. 14, 6:30 pm at the Auditorium of Law (San Pedro).

    Fairs

    • Let the exhibitors at the travel & tourism fair help you plan your next Costa Rica excurision, Aug. 21, from 11 am – 5 pm at the Hotel Sleep Inn .
    • Looking for a new book to practice your Spanish? The International Book Fair opens from Aug. 22-31, 9 am – 8 pm, at the Antigua Aduana in San José.
    • The fair “Diseño Gourmet” may be a good chance to buy some unique souvenirs and see how design and gourmet make a great match, Aug. 2, 8 am – 4 pm at the Shopping Center La Paco in Escazú.
    The boys chorus from Vienna (“Wiener Saengerknaben”) will give concerts in Escazú (August 22nd) and in the National Theater in San José (August 24th). Photo by Simkultur

    Music and Dance

    • The opera “Nabucco” by Guiseppe Verdi, epic retelling of the biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar will be played in the National Theater on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 5 pm until August 10th.
    • The National Festival of Contemporary Dance features one to three renowned acts daily August 5 – 10, 8pm at  alternately at the Teatro Melico Salazar or the Teatro de la Danza.
    • The Ballet of the National Theatre Prague performs Aug. 17 at 5 pm and Aug. 18 at 8 pm, National Theater in San José.
    • The “Wiener Saengerknaben”, a boys chorus from Vienna, will hold a free concert on Aug. 22 at 7:30 pm, Plaza Tempo (next to Holiday Inn) in Escazú. Hear them at the National Theater on Aug. 24 at 5 pm. Part of the “Festival de Música Credomatic.”
    • The Afro-cultural Festival continues with different music and dance performances, starting with the Limón Roots Awards Aug. 20 at 7 pm in the National Theater in San José. The grand final of the 10-day festival is the Gala Parade, Aug. 31 in Limón.
    • The annual Gospel Festival “Let it Shine” features various choruses and artists, Aug. 30 at 7:30 pm at the Teatro Popular Melico Salazar.

    Traditional & religious celebration

    • Experience authentic Costa Rican culture during a popular celebration in San Ramón de Alajuela, including a procession with about 60 images of saints brought to the center of town, traditional festivities with live music and typical food, from  Aug. 30 – 31.

     

    Feature image of the National Festival of Contemporary Dance by La Nacion.

     

  • What’s on in July?

    What’s on in July?

    This is going to be a fun month!

    Events coming up include the University cinema’s “Month of Laughter,” music festivals, a national surf championship, traditional Costa Rican and American celebrations and a “Night at the museum(s)”.

    4th of July Picnic
    For all the Americans who are going to be in Costa Rica for the Independence Day, the American Colony Committee organizes this annual picnic at the Cervecería Nacional near the International Airport from 9 am to 1 pm. Enjoy a piece of homeland culture with food, music, shows, sports and a flag raising ceremony. Fireworks at the Avenida Escazú at 7 pm make this day complete.

    Under Rock Festival
    This music event is lead by five different bands and a DJ rocking the stage at Mundoloco el Chante in San Pedro on the 4th of July at 7 pm.

    International Calypso Festival
    For the second time the Calypso Festival happens in the Caribbean town Cahuita this weekend, July 4th-6th, including national and international music acts, sports, games, and more: the festival has something to offer everyone.

    Fashion Week
    Visit the most important fashion event of Costa Rica this month. From July 10th to 13th national and international designers present the new trends with live runways, shows and workshops at the Antigua Aduana in San José.

    Art City Tour
    This event gives you the chance to see many of the museums and galleries in San José for free from 5 pm to 9 pm on July 16th. The provided shuttle take you from one spot to another.

    Precolumbian Art
    Pieces of pre-Columbian art you can see at the museums in San José during the Art City Tour (Photo by redcultura.com)

    Two traditional Costa Rican events
    The week-long festival of the Virgin of the Sea (July 13th to 20th) in honor of the patron saint Carmen comes along with horse parades or colorful regattas in Puntarenas and in Playas del Coco. Another event is the Day of Guanacaste (July 25th) celebrating the annexation of Nicoya from Nicaragua with rodeos, parades, typical food and music acts in different cities.

    Gran Final Reef 2014
    On the long weekend, July 25th-27th, the best surfers of Costa Rica flock to Playa Hermosa (near Jacó) to show their skills and try to return home with the title “National Champion”. The competitions will take place from 7 am to 4 pm daily and are accompanied by shows of “Las Chicas Reef”, concerts and parties in the surrounding beach bars, an air show and last but not least the big award ceremony.

    University Cinema
    July’s theme of the free movies on the campus is “Month of Laughter”. Comedies like Some like it hot, La loca historia del mundo, Shhh! Top secret! and many more are shown on Thursdays and Fridays starting with a discussion at 5:30 pm and the actual screening at 6:30 pm at the Auditorium of Law (Avenida 13, San Pedro).

    Also check out the regular events going on around the capital.

  • Events: Football and more

    Events: Football and more

    Cool upcoming events include an international food fair in Coronado, more than 100 activities in the capital and of course the World Cup.

    Food: “Feria Internacional De Comida Típica”
    Sick of “Gallo Pinto,” yet?  Or maybe ready for another serving? The International Fair of Typical Food offers Costa Rican favorites, and also Caribbean and Latin American specialties from 10am to 6pm this Saturday, June 21st at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture in Coronado.

    Culture: “100 en un día”
    This event on Saturday, June 21st in San José consists of many activities voluntarily organized by citizens who want to turn their home into a nicer and livelier place one small step at time… times 100! Learn indigenous handicraft techniques in creative workshops, see water of all colors coming out of the cities fountains, get free hugs, listen to the stories of homeless people, watch folkloric dance, get to know San José during a mini city tours, be a part of a flash mob or have a picnic with random people… Check the event map and schedule on the website or just go and stroll around in the central streets and parks to see what’s going on.

    Exhibition: Soccer stadiums of the world
    In honor of World Cup madness, an exhibition called “Las catedrales del fútbol” shows where the magic happens from a different point of view. Architecture and impressive capacity come to life with flag-waving fans, the joys and frustrations of thousands piqued by a tiny ball… All captured in these photos.
    Visit the exhibition until August 1st in the Centro Cultural de España in San José (Calle 31, Avenida 13).

    World Cup: Where to watch the games
    Last week we celebrated the win of the Costa Rican team in the sports club Los Jaúles.  Today at school we had an awesome time cheering for our team in the game vs. Italy!! If you are looking for another place to see  matches, here are some tips from the staff in Coronado: Just in short walking distance down the street from the school you´ll find the bar “Los Socios”, for the weekends the karaoke bar “Las Cantares” above the supermarket “AM PM” and last but not least we recommend the bar and restaurant “Las Villas San Isidro” (from the church pass the park on the main street, turn left at the gas station and again left on the second street). If you look for something bigger: In San José is a large screen broadcasting all the games on the Plaza de la Democracia, right in front of the National Museum.