Costa Rica is an interesting place. We booked a tour that took us on a short train ride and then on a boat trip through a mangrove swamp which was in a National Park. This country has the highest literacy rate among all Central American Countries at 93%. They have no army or military force and have a socialized medicine system. On the north west coast there are some very wealthy areas that have attracted many Americans and other nationals to this place. You would not want to be here in October and November since this is their rainy season when they receive six of their nine feet of annual rainfall.
The train trip was not much to speak of since it only showed us some of the squalor of the poor people along side some cantaloupe farms. One of these farms was operated by Del Monte. However, this view of the country was not accurate since there are much nicer places.
The second half of our day was much more in keeping with what this country has to offer. Our boat ride through the mangrove swamp was a great way to see some of the local flora and fauna. We were able to see some monkeys, an alligator, a macaw and numerous other birds. In addition, we saw cashew trees and a coca plant seed. The cashew tree and what the actual raw nut looks like were a surprise to me. Once they get the nut off of the tree they must roast the nut and remove the covering. The nut is poisonous if it is not roasted.
Is the major addition of your trip going to be Dad's new Panama hat...from Panama?
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