Community Construction in Costa Rica | Work Hard, Play Hard!

December 21, 2019

The Green Lion

The Experiences of Katerina Ciharova from Czech Republic.

Costa Rica has many faces and each is unique! I simply fall in love with this country.

In 2018 I decided for 3 months sabbatical from the corporate world. I was 38. I didn’t want to stay at home but travel. However, I never traveled alone. I was worried about loneliness. The project sounded like an ideal combination of getting to know new cultures, people and help where needed.

I chose helping family with 3 kids in the mountains plantation and with some basic construction work in Costa Rica. I loved it. I have never slept so well. I am sure it was because I worked manually and also because of helping where needed, seeing people who respect each other, who respect nature, animals. I saw growing tomatoes, salads among the banana trees because of the compost we were doing. I helped cut the tree with respect and I helped cutting the wood board to build the house… that was a special experience. I felt being part of the family – working together, eating together, sharing food, laugh together….

This whole experience surpassed my expectations. I did not know what to expect from this project, what people I will work with, how satisfied they will be with my work, if I can do it, whether we will understand each other …… . There was no need for any doubts.

You cannot be disappointed. I miss my friends from Costa Rica and I did enjoy manual work. You see the results and a sincere smile on people’s faces – something you can not buy anywhere.

I wish I could do this every year. I slowed down even though it seems that time is flying there much faster. I had time for myself and I felt welcomed and being part of the community.

Don’t go there for a new Facebook status, “Experience” in your CV or to get a better picture from an exotic place than your friends. If you want to help people, nature, experience and perceive the world differently than others, this is the right way.

This was an unforgettable experience for me and it has an important place in my heart.

The Green Lion

We hope you enjoy reading about the experiences of other travelers. If you are travelling with us right now and have a great story to share, please reach out to us :)