My Costa Rica homestay expertise

Rachael Sarra is a First Nations artist from Goreng Goreng Nation in Queensland, Australia, specialising in up to date Aboriginal artwork. On a small group journey in Costa Rica with Intrepid, Rachael visited the Juanilama neighborhood for a homestay and described it as one of many biggest experiences of her life.

As daybreak breaks over Santa Rosa within the Northern Plains of Costa Rica – not removed from La Leona Reserve – the small, rural neighborhood of Juanilama wakes as much as chirping birds and rustling leaves. Daylight peeks by means of an emerald rainforest cover onto fields rising crops like pepper, cocoa, pineapple, turmeric and ginger as one other day begins with a shared sense of function. 

Earlier this 12 months, I used to be fortunate sufficient to spend a while right here on a homestay with the households of Juanilama. Seeing snippets of life in a Costa Rican village, understanding their self-sustainable methods and studying from generational information resonated with my First Nations heritage.  

At first, I felt nervous concerning the go to. You don’t know what to anticipate when going into somebody’s residence. For most individuals, it’s such an intimate area and also you’re basically getting into a household of their residence with shared areas and that feels actually scary in some methods.

After arriving within the village, the homestay rapidly turned the spotlight of my journey. We have been welcomed by what I might describe as all of the aunties of the neighborhood and it felt like residence very quickly. My time within the village included loads of dancing, cooking staple dishes like gallo pinto and Casado with aunties, testing my Spanish and celebrating life with pictures of selfmade moonshine. In lots of methods, it was like being on Nation again residence with my aunties. 

These are the sorts of moments which are all the time my favorite a part of Intrepid journeys. You’ll be able to go to all the massive touristy locations on the planet, however it’s these particular and intimate moments in native communities that imply essentially the most – once we’re completely immersed in tradition and communities. 

The tight-knit neighborhood of Juanilama are farmers by custom. For generations, they’ve been cultivating their land for agriculture and dairy too whereas specializing in sustainable farming strategies that work in concord with their pure surroundings.  

Dwelling close to the protected, biodiverse La Leona Reserve has its perks – fertile soil, a secure microclimate and pure water assets – however it comes with duties, too. The Juanilama individuals additionally safeguard the rainforest’s wildlife, medicinal crops, waterfalls and rivers. Being near the reserve additionally offers alternatives for eco-tourism, which may usher in further revenue and help the local people. 

I realized that the village is a part of the Built-in Growth Program – an initiative designed by the Costa Rican authorities to offer land and help for sustainable agricultural and eco-tourism practices. The individuals can then construct properties, farms and gardens that preserve and rebuild the land’s agriculture, and in return, these communities are capable of host visitors.  

Most inspiring of all was the ability of the neighborhood. We realized about all of the totally different companies which are community-led and run. The village is about collective pondering and the way we are able to higher reside off the land. 

I began to see the similarities in artwork and cultural methods of pondering between my roots in Goreng Goreng Nation again residence in Australia and the Juanilama neighborhood. 

Our neighborhood can be centered round household however it’s not a western mind-set about household, it’s totally different for us. We’ve the largest households as a result of our concept of household is totally different. Our household bonds transcend speedy and prolonged relations. There’s lots of humour used and other people coming collectively and placing on a giant feed. Just like the Juanilama neighborhood, I feel that’s how we present we look after individuals again residence too, by welcoming them in and placing on a giant feed.    

Although my go to was extra centered on meals and harvesting fairly than artistic strategies, being in nature and seeing totally different colors, textures and smells was shifting. Travelling as an artist is a extremely totally different strategy to journey. It may be overstimulating as a result of all the pieces is inspiration. What I really like most is experiencing totally different cultures and methods of storytelling, and the way that manifests. 

Wherever I am going on the planet, I carry the tales, colors and of every place. Journey isn’t just about seeing new locations however about permitting these locations to turn out to be part of us and nonetheless we select to specific ourselves. 

Go to the Juanilama neighborhood on Intrepid’s Traditional Costa Rica journey.