Costa Rican Memories – What learnings stay with me?

final sunrise in Montezuma

I’ve had some time to think about what was most important to me, why a piece of me still aches for costa rica. I think what I miss most is simplicity. In America, you can have simplicity, but you have to “work” for it. Sort of a paradox, huh!

I was talking to someone the other day about dogs. About the difference between dogs here and in costa rica. We went out to lunch and could not go inside the restaurant with her dog, yet, her dog was her family, so we sat outside. In costa rica, all the family dogs were welcome inside. What I notice is that dogs seem to reflect their owners, as well as society’s attitude towards them. People here are scared, they lock doors, carry guns, do not accept rides from strangers, and they worry about where their wallets are placed on their bodies or in their purses when they go out. So dogs here can be a little frightening or frightened, which creates more fear in people! In costa rica, the dogs were friendly and there was a village feeling…we all watched out for each other’s dogs and they were rarely on leashes. Dogs were not fearful, and neither were their owners.

On the otherhand, I did also notice that dogs were a primary motivator of discussions and connection between dog owners – in any country! People who love and appreciate dogs will always stop to admire, pet, or talk about the dog, so the dog ends up being a bridge for people connecting.

Here, I make sure to exercise by driving somewhere and going into a building to exercise. Sometimes I walk, especially around the hills in Jerome, or hiking in the village. Yet, in Costa Rica I had to walk first to get anywhere, there was no choice and I walked every single day. I miss the hammock, reading for hours on end, and of course, I miss floating in water daily!!!

Life was simple. I did not have a cell phone that I could use to call the US. I rarely had internet access. I had 3 TV stations…I did watch the simpsons and america’s top model, in espanol!

I love having my friends again though, and I am grateful for the connections.  I will always miss the monkeys, birds, horses, and butterflies, and throwing food outside the back door, into the jungle rather than in a garbage can. I really liked recycling that way!

I might have been rambling…

Good memories, good friends, pura vida, good life. I truly am blessed!

btw, if you are on facebook, you can view my photo album of costa rica on my web-page.