¡Pura Vida! from Costa Rica 🇨🇷 Our Adventure Begins!

The 18 Glimpsers have officially landed, survived the travel day, and kicked off an unforgettable 11-day leadership journey.

From SFO to San José: The Journey Begins

After months of anticipation and pre-trip workshops, our group finally gathered at SFO, filled with butterflies and excitement. We boarded our flight, said our final goodbyes, and took off toward San José, Costa Rica. While some of us managed to catch a few hours of sleep, others were way too excited to close their eyes.

We touched down bright and early at 7:30 AM local time. Stepping off the plane, we were instantly energized by the warm Costa Rican air and the broad smiles of our amazing Program Coordinators (PCs), Nino and Emelia, who were waiting to welcome us into the Global Glimpse family.

Exhausted but ecstatic! Our first group photo with all 18 Glimpsers at the San José airport, ready to take on Costa Rica.

Meet our incredible Program Coordinators, Nino and Emelia! They brought the best energy to welcome us to their home country.

Climbing into the Mountains: Hacienda Doka

With our bags packed onto the bus, we set off through the city and up into the lush, green mountains. Our first stop was the breathtaking Hacienda Doka Coffee Estate.

We jumped right into the Hacienda Doka Coffee Tour, exploring the historic estate to learn about how coffee goes from a tiny seed to a morning staple. We walked through the vibrant fields to see how the coffee cherries are grown and harvested, followed by the complex drying and roasting processes. It was eye-opening to see the sheer amount of hard work and local tradition packed into every single bean.

Glimpsers exploring the rows of coffee plants at Hacienda Doka, learning about sustainable farming directly from local experts.

After working up an appetite on the farm, we enjoyed a spectacular traditional lunch at the Hacienda. The spread was incredible:

Hearty rice and beans
Grilled meats and fresh fish
Vibrant, fresh fruit juices
Rich, estate-grown Costa Rican coffee for a perfect midday pick-me-up

Winding Down & Bonding at the Hotel

Traveling down the mountain back to our hotel (which has a swimming pool!), some of us were able to catch a quick nap as we navigated the San José traffic. Once we arrived, we took some time to rest and clean up in our rooms before our evening programs began.

A Taste of Tradition & Looking Ahead

For dinner, we headed out to a wonderful local spot called ikuä Cocina Casera, a restaurant known for its authentic, comforting comida típica costarricense (traditional Costa Rican food). We treated ourselves to a fantastic meal, capping it off with warm brownies topped with ice cream and sweet, traditional rice pudding for dessert!

With full stomachs, we returned to hold our very first Nightly Meeting. We went over our exciting plans for tomorrow’s travel as we prepare to head deeper into the mountains to Turrialba. We ended the night with some relaxing free time to play board games, read, write, and unwind.

We are tired but incredibly happy, inspired, and ready for the journey ahead. Thank you to all the parents and families back home for supporting us. We miss you and can’t wait to keep sharing our growth with you!

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update from Turrialba!