Arriving in Costa Rica was very interesting compared to other Latin American countries I have experienced. San Jose is not the most impressive city, but the diversity amongst the population is striking. It is apparent that individuals from European, African and Indigenous decents are living in relative harmony in this unkept city.
Our lectures this evening involved an introduction to the couse and Costa Rica in general, as well as discussing the political and social history of the country. The most intruiging aspect of the introductory lecture was the consistent fluidity of migration within and around Costa Rica, from farmhands to tourists, but particularly in reference to the tourism industry. The significance of the political history lesson was how after the coup and civil war of 1948 rose the social question: how do we continue to improve governmental organizations and structures for Costa Rica citizens? In the two month war of 1948, which resulted in 200 deaths, there were four groups fighting one another: Communists, Oligarchy-supporters, Calderonistas and Small farmers. The most interesting implication of the social question in the 1940´s is the fact that the armed forces were disseminated, but the actual armaments are buried in the fincas of Cartoga, ¨just in case.¨What does this imply? The that dismemberment of the military was simply a means of propaganda for the new society of Costa Rica, but it can take up its´previous political state at any time.
Overall, it was beneficial to see Costa Rica as everything but the general global branding of the nation, particularly in reference to the ¨happy and eco-friendly¨name, as they really use this to generate foreign revenues via tourists.
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