La Pura Vida Thats the phrase they use to describe life here in Costa Rica. You can probably guess that it translates to The Pure Life, and it represents an attitude that is common down here. It is a simple lifestyle where nature, family and friends are the prime values. Coming through town today, we saw many families gathering in front of their homes, as if expecting a parade. We passed a group of 4 men on horseback slowly riding down the street. They appeared to be dressed in what I remember as Costa Rican cowboy garb. I had seen a couple of real cowboys on my last trip here. Well, after another block or two, we passed a second group of similar cowboys, and then another. Apparently, this was indeed some sort of cowboy parade, and a number of horse trailers were parked along the road. Nothing fancy, no floats, no shootouts in the street, just some old farts dressed in traditional Tico working gear, having fun on Sunday. And the entire neighborhood joined in the fun. There are lots of nice cars here, and a few fancy homes, but generally the environment is quite modest. Folks walk down the side of the road. A family of 4, an old couple, a white haired lady, 3 teenagers. Everyone walks. Sometimes there isnt a house or barn anywhere to be seen, yet youll see a mom and her son walking on the road. Where did they come from? Going where? And you have to drive around them, because the roads are 2 lanes, with no shoulders. We drive though a neighborhood that doesnt look all that safe. Thats easy to do because all neighborhoods look this way. We see kids playing, young ladies waiting at a bus stop, and everything is quite normal. Except for the condition of the buildings, it seems no different from back home. Or at least the way back home used to be. Nowadays, no one walks or plays outside, but here they do. When I see this way of life, I sometimes wonder if the craziness I went through for 40 years was really worth it. Getting 2 masters degrees took more than a little time and effort. I always worked hard, and at one time I had 2 and even 3 jobs to try to get ahead. Enduring 75 minute commutes, deadlines, and other corporate stress, for what? These folks seem quite content. Maybe, just maybe, there is something to La Pura Vida. Maybe I will buy a coffee farm.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 22:49:15 +0000
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