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Why is Costa Rica the Happiest Country in the World?? Firstly, I'd just like to establish why there has been such a gap between this post and my last; although my stay in Palmares, Costa Rica was initially intended for one month I ended up staying for three – further credit to the argument that Costa Rica is the happiest country in the world!!! The extra time gave me space to think, investigate and observe...

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Ok so what makes Costa Rica such a happy place, well from my own observations I would say it comes down to close family relations, good diet, good climate and a tight nit community. Families seeme to be very important here... although they live out of town, Rafaela and Hernan's sons return home every weekend to visit their parents. and family meals are always together around the table, whereas in England we are often to...

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When I first arrived in Costa Rica I was told that Costa Rica was the happiest place in the world. It is true that in a recent survey conducted by the New Economics Foundation, which looked at 143 countries home to 99% of the world's population, Costa Rica ranked the happiest! After being here for one week I think I can see why, the warm climate, the friendly welcoming, trust worthy people and the healthy...

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I found my first day at Hogarcito both gratifying and challanging. The children were warm and loving and each strove for my attention, which at times was difficult as there are 20 children in total. We began the day around the table with a drawing"dibujar" activity . However after drawing a picture for one little girl, Daniella, who proceeded to show it to the "Tias" (the carers) as her own... the others soon caught on...

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Hola mi amigos! Arrived in Costa Rica late Monday night to be greeted by Fernando from the itoi project team. After driving to the Maleku Hostel in Alajeula I was introduced to my room and roomates for the night. The next morning I caught the bus to Palmares where I met my homestay mother, Rafaela, who welcomed me with open arms (much appreciated as a foreigner in a non-english speaking country). After a short walk...

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Hola! I'm going to Costa Rica in less than a month (leave Nov. 16th) to look after children in an orphanage in Almares. I'm really looking forward to it but I must admit to being slightly nervous as I've never been travelling before and don't know much Spanish. I'm currently trying to cram in as much basic Spanish as possible in order to get by so that is helping. I love children and have quite...

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