Day 5

May 15, 2013

Today was another interesting and fun day in Costa Rica. We had the opportunity to tour the Congress and talk to politicians. We also walked around San Jose and looked at shops in the central market. The most exciting activity we did today was go on a tour of the bubble gum factory!

Walking around the Congress building was very educational. We sat in a meeting room and spoke with the president of Congress and also another politician that will soon be running for President. So, if he gets elected as president, I will be able to say I met the President of Costa Rica, which I think is really cool! Anyway, one of the most interesting things I learned at the Congress was how they have eight political parties; whereas, we have two.  Apparently the U.S. is also moving in the direction of having a multiple party system, which I was not aware of. Another fact I found interesting was that their President cannot run for two consecutive terms. They can serve for their four years, then wait for the next person to serve their fours, and only then will they be able to run again and potentially get re-elected. Man, do I wish we had that law in the United States!

Wow, the bubble gum factory was super cool! We got to walk through the factory and see the whole process of how bubble gum is made. We all had to wear hair caps, which was so funny! There is a lot more work that goes into making bubble gum. They actually have to pay specific attention to the temperatures of the rooms throughout the process. What was really cool was the machines used during the process. To get the color on the bubble gum balls, the machines were like a circular bowl that would spin the bubble gum balls in what looked like paint! It was probably the coolest thing I've ever seen. I definitely felt like a big kid in the factory!

Our guest speaker of the night was Robert Hall, who is American from Texas and practices in the health care industry. Many Americans believe that doctors in Costa Rica are less educated. Costa Ricans actually have three additional years of training in the medical field. Also, most of their hospitals are accredited the same way hospitals are in the states. Health care facilities that are not accredited does not necessarily mean they do not deserve accreditation. Accreditation is expensive, and some might not be able to afford it. The only difference between medical procedures in the U.S. and Costa Rica is the cost. It is just as safe, clean, and even insured in some cases in Costa Rica.