Celebrities that we Met


 As a part of the NAU Costa Rica program, we have had the unique opportunity to meet some incredible people here, including famous athletes, poets, and musicians.


    The first person we met was one of our very own NAU Program Staff, Ronulfo Morera Vargas (aka. Ro). Ro is one of the two men who own and run ABC de la Vida, the finca where we have been living. Ro is a published poet, psychology researcher through the University of Costa Rica, and dedicated community advocate and spokesperson. His book of poetry Alas en mis sueños was published in 2006 and has helped him form relationships with important writers across the country. 

    Next, we met Hannah Gabriels, two-weight world champion boxer. This was one of the most fun experiences we have had since we not only got to watch Gabriels box against her husband, professional boxer Tiquito Bryan Vasquez, but we also got a private boxing lesson with her. She taught us the basics of boxing, which was difficult yet so thrilling. Gabriels told us about her life growing up and her professional career in the WBA and WBO. She is a truly inspiring and motivational woman. 

    After that, we met up with famous poet, anthropologist, and activist Shirley Campbell. She discussed her work with us, focusing primarily on stereotypes against Black people. She read to us her most popular poem, titled "Rotundamente Negra," which describes the utter beauty Campbell sees in herself as a Black woman. It was very interesting to see that while racism and sexism are still big, almost universal, problems, the way in which they are seen in daily life is slightly different in Costa Rica compared to the U.S. We ended our visit with snacks, photos, and the opportunity to buy a few of her signed books. 

    Finally, a singer and radio producer. As a blind musician, she had a unique perspective on the world. I enjoyed listening to her sing and tell us about her experiences in the music industry. She described the differences between music from different Latin American countries and how music from Costa Rica compared to that of the U.S. (For more information about Costa Rican music, take a look at my post "Hard Rock and Reggae?: Music of Costa Rica.") 

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