Every year for Spring Break and Ski Week, Mira Costa offers school trips to give students an opportunity to see what life is like outside the country. Of the many countries that the students have been able to travel to, this year Costa Rica was one of them. Here’s what Sophomore, Ryan Patel, had to share about his experience there.

1. Did you try any new food? If so, what?

Yes, I had authentic gallo pinto (rice and beans) every single day for almost every meal. I got tired of it after a while, but it was good. There was also lots of chicken and meat. And we had deep fried plantains. And there were lots of exotic fruit juices and ice creams. I had strawberry juice, blackberry juice, mango/orange juice, mango juice, and soursop (cancer curing fruit!).

2. Tell me your favorite memory of the trip.

I’d either have to go with.. going zip lining a hundred feet above the ground over an amazing cloud forest and taking it all in while flying by on a zip line between the tree tops. I even did a zip line meant for two, with my co-commissioner and good ASB friend, Morgan Thaler. Truly once in a life time! Either that experience was my favorite, or the evening of the third day. In Punta Leona, my roommates and I left our hotel cabin and traveled all the way across it to a mini-mart. After finally finding it, we walked a few steps and found ourselves on the beach! We watched the most amazing sunset ever while sitting on the sand. Then, we skipped rocks into the blackness of the sea after sunset. It was so much fun to go exploring on our own and then end the perfect day on the beach.

3. Would you recommend others to go on the trip next year? Why or why not?