Header - Elaine Potoker, PH.D. Loeb Sullivan School of Intl. Business and Logistics
A View of the Pasantías (Stays) with my Colegas Ticos, by Elaine S. Potoker, Ph.D.

Second “pasantía” in Costa Rica from May to July, 2012

Well, I was fortunate enough to receive a second Fulbright. This was not the traditional kind I had in 2007. This time it was the “Senior Specialist” type, for six weeks, and in Business Administration/Economics. I was invited back by UCR to work on an exploratory research project that focuses on the logistics development issues facing small businesses in Costa Rica. Again, I had wonderful support from the Institute of Investigation in Economic Science (IICE).

As to food,
~Pastelería Dona is no longer in business on the Calle Amargura. It’s become part of the Santa Clara chain. The coconut flan is still yummy, but no more chocolate filled donuts! That was disappointing, but I’m over it.

~La Caribeña in Zapote is definitely a must if you want to experience Caribbean specialties and cannot get to Limón during the winter rains. Today we went to a special “feria,” and sampled mondongo (pork tripe and chorizo) soup–riquísima; cajeta–looks like a brownie, but not. It appeared to have coconut, ginger, and brown sugar or molasses. Must find out the ingredients…

~Café Britt in Heredia. If you have the opportunity to go, do so. The tour and show are very entertaining. The coffee…well it is all I drink. I drink decaffeinated–can’t do the hard stuff any more, and it is excellent. By the way, there is now a train that goes from San José to Heredia and back. Watch for the train renovation and expansion in Costa Rica. It is definitely a plus for those who would rather not drive here.