For many of us a trip to Costa Rica is just a fairy-tale, but this young person named Emmerson, will soon be going to a land far, far away. In order to prepare him for his trip, Mike and Laurie are borrowing books about the ocean, and all things related to Costa Rica. Wish we could be with them, as they experience everything that they are reading about. Leaving the library, with an arm load of books, their adventure has already begun. Just imagine the number of topics for them to explore…
Up, up and away! There are a number of things about air travel to learn. Can I bring my pet on the plane? Will I meet the pilot? Are there snacks? How does the airplane stay up in the air, so long? What is the difference between an airplane and a helicopter? Will we land at the hotel? What is a hotel? How tall are hotels in Costa Rica? If you have spent any time with little humans, you know that one question leads to another. Children are not the only ones with questions. As an adult who travels, there are usually different inquiries. Will I be able to communicate with my host? What currency does the country support and what is the exchange rate from Canadian funds? What is the weather like at this time of year? Is the water safe to drink? Most of us in Canada, are very fortunate to have access to clean drinking water and electricity. This is not the case in many countries around the world.
You should always know about the habitat of the place that you are going to visit. Do you need to be inoculated to protect yourself against illness? What animals are native to your destination? What is their prey and what are they prey to? Did you know that there are 22 species of venomous snakes in Costa Rica? Do they live in trees, or under rocks, or both? There are also deadly spiders, frogs, sharks and crocodiles. If you take a book about the Rainforest, you will also see that Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful birds in the world.
By taking the time to research the culture of your destination, it often opens new opportunities. What are the customs of the people? How do you say “please” and “thank you” in their language? Think about meeting someone from a different county, here at home. If they are rude and demanding, it is not likely that many people will engage with them. However, if they make the effort to patient and are respectful, we tend to try and enrich their visit. Courtesy is universal. Although you may have paid a great deal for your adventure, the best travelers park their sense of entitlement at the door. Emmerson, Mike and Laurie figured it out. Be sure to start your holiday at the library, not the airport!
Submitted by Paige Turner
