We are happy to report that for the students of St. Francis the excitement has been nigh on unceasing during their first full week of classes. Having been Monday and Tuesday to orient themselves and adapt to their new school setting, on Wednesday our favorite college-aged emissaries were entreated to a cooking class with CPI’s resident master chef Doña Nidia.
Subject to the incisive gaze of her two eagle-eyes and guided by her maternal hand, our favorite cadre from St. Francis was given a proper initiation into the craft of Costa Rican cooking. Upon hearing of the rich array of exotic and tropical fruits that Costa Rican cuisine utilizes and the flavors it contrives many assume it all to be an entirely chimerical affair. However, the arroz con pollo, ensalada mixta, tortillas, frijoles arreglados, and jugo de tamarindo the students whipped up under Doña Nidia’s tutelage conclusively demonstrated the oft-reputed vibrancy of Costa Rican cuisine to be no mere fantasy.
The next day, the intrepid students of St. Francis were challenged to see how much of the flavor they had cooked up the previous day had descended to their hips as they stepped out onto the dance floor and made to bust-a-move Costa Rican style. As anyone familiar with this prize group of students would reasonably expect they mustered enough sabor to fill a fruit stand as they danced to salsa, merengue and bachata beats.
Lastly, on Friday two artisans of the barruca tribe, a group indigenous to Costa Rica, shared their crafts with the entirety of CPI and discussed the history and culture of their people. Then in a parade of selflessness, the students of St. Francis purchased souvenirs for their families, caring not in the least for their own happiness but concerning themselves only with that of their friends and intimate relations.
As to what adventures our brave students from St. Francis embark upon next, future posts will reveal.