Blog Entry #5: Look for a piece of national or international news and write a comment on it.

The first Costa Rican woman to reach Everest, the highest peak in the world.

      Ligia Madrigal's feat of conquering the summit of Mount Everest represents a representative, significant and important event for Costa Rica. First, because being the first woman to reach the highest peak in the world, she becomes an icon of empowerment for all women in Costa Rica, since with her achievement she inspires many other women to achieve their dreams and continue breaking all the barriers associated with gender. Second, it is the incentive for tourism, since with her feat she has captured international attention and this could be used to promote Costa Rica as a tourism and adventure destination, which offers its visitors green landscapes and impressive mountains. Finally, there is national pride for the great achievement attained at the sporting level, Costa Rica can now say that there was a Costa Rican woman who reached the summit of Everest, defying extreme conditions, leaving high the courage, talent and determination of Costa Ricans, which strengthens our identity as Ticos. To sum up, female empowerment, the promotion of tourism and sporting achievement are three important aspects resulting from Ligia Madrigal's feat.