I have been seriously lacking on the postings... about 2 months worth I think. I am already back in Winnipeg for Christmas with the family. The last month in Costa Rica was amazing. We did so many amazing things—camping on the top of a mountain in the extreme wind, mountainous treks to find a waterfall in Santa Domingo, lots of football, lots of beach. I learned how to surf, and kept working on my Spanish.
I then went to New York for about 5 days. Everyone was in finals, so it was a little hectic, but it was really nice to see everyone again. I was even able to go see the x-mas tree, and all the christmas windows in the city....
But now I am in Winnipeg. It is nice to see the family, but I hope to not stay here too long. It's hard to adjust to the cold, cars, big stores, and everything else that kind of goes along with a city. I should be heading to Kampala, Uganda in February, with either a stopover in London, or back to Costa Rica for a few weeks before Africa. I need the heat—Winnipeg is definitely too cold for me!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Pura Vida in Costa Rica
Costa Rica was amazing. I don't even know how to describe my experience about it. I went through many different phases there, but left with the strongest desire to go back, possibly even to live. The people there are fantastic, and just live in a different way. They work really hard, but focus on enjoying their lives and not stressing about everything. They take things seriously, but are very relaxed and don't use guilt as a motivation to do something. They are such warm people, and just seem to be happier. They work to live, rather then live to work, and it shows in how they enjoy their lives. It is completely different from the North American mentality.
When I first arrived in Samara, I couldn't understand how anyone would be able to give up their "real life" in Canada, USA, or Europe for CR. It seemed absurd to me. But as I spent more time there, I became addicted to the place. The way they live each day, and how they enjoy everything is just amazing, and something I want to continue doing wherever I decide to live. I would even consider returning to Samara to live. I don't know for how long, not sure if I would want to spend the rest of my life there, but the longer you are there, the less you want to leave. It is just fantastic. And I have promised myself that if I ever forget the Pura Vida philosophy (which is to live the pure life, enjoy, take whatever comes and deal with it, no stress...) I will have to return to remind myself. It is just a better way of life. And my priorities have definitely altered from my experience there. I am not so concerned with having some high paying job, with a big house and fancy car. It is a place that I think everyone should go spend some time, and not just a week, but enough time to actually get a sense of the place, and meet the people. I think that many people would be a lot happier if they were able to adopt some of the Tico philosophies of life.
When I first arrived in Samara, I couldn't understand how anyone would be able to give up their "real life" in Canada, USA, or Europe for CR. It seemed absurd to me. But as I spent more time there, I became addicted to the place. The way they live each day, and how they enjoy everything is just amazing, and something I want to continue doing wherever I decide to live. I would even consider returning to Samara to live. I don't know for how long, not sure if I would want to spend the rest of my life there, but the longer you are there, the less you want to leave. It is just fantastic. And I have promised myself that if I ever forget the Pura Vida philosophy (which is to live the pure life, enjoy, take whatever comes and deal with it, no stress...) I will have to return to remind myself. It is just a better way of life. And my priorities have definitely altered from my experience there. I am not so concerned with having some high paying job, with a big house and fancy car. It is a place that I think everyone should go spend some time, and not just a week, but enough time to actually get a sense of the place, and meet the people. I think that many people would be a lot happier if they were able to adopt some of the Tico philosophies of life.
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