Recently, I saw two television commercials that really caught me eye. The first was from Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism. It seems the country have a new national motto used to promote travel there—“Ecuador, life in a pure state or pure state of life.” Colombia has also jumped on the bandwagon with there own national slogan — “The risk is you may end up wanting to stay.” Both phrases are catchy but never will approach the originality of Costa Rica’s national motto, “Pura vida” or Pure Life.
If it is all in a name, Costa Rica certainly has it. Pura vida reflects everything about this wonderful country especially the fantastic lifestyle of the people. The spirit of this national motto fills the air and is infectious. Many tourists can sense it the minute they get off the plane. Foreigners who move here become imbued with it. It is really an intangible but will overwhelm you if you embrace it. It is so uplifting and is everywhere.
No wonder Costa Ricans are among the most happy people in the word according to a recent survey. If you decided to live or retire here you will become part of this pura vida spirit.
By the way, I just purchased a fantastic coffee table book.”The Life of Costa Rica” by Gloria Calderón. It is a must purchase and filled with incredible photos which truly reflect what the spirit and life of Costa Rica are all about. I have put it on top of my living room table so that everyone can leaf through it and experience this wonderful publication.
Costa Rica’s natural beauty.
Besides air, water is the resource most critical to sustaining life on Earth. Human beings depend on water not only for drinking, but for generating energy, growing crops, carrying waste, for washing and cleaning, and to run machinery. Clean water is also essential for many species of plants and animals living in streams, rivers, and lakes.
In today’s world there are more than one billion people who suffer from shortages of drinking water. Already, wars are being fought over water. Although this rainy season has been drier than normal, we are lucky to not suffer from a drought like the one that is affecting Texas, California and parts of the southern United States.
Costa Rica doesn’t have a shortage of water. Fortunately we have more rainy months than dry months. October is especially bad since it coincides with the hurricane season in the Caribbean. We don’t get the winds but do get a lot of rain. Last October it seemed to rain for “forty days and forty nights.” By the time the rainy season is over in November we welcome in the dry season or summer which usually lasts until mid-April.
Even though we do have plenty water here the government is educating individuals and businesses about water conservation. Water is just too precious to waste or take for granted. The government has also instituted reforestation projects. This effort has helped local people preserve their remaining forests, protect their water supplies.
On my monthly relocation/retirement tours I am often asked if Costa Rica’s water is potable. Unlike Mexico and many other places in the world, you can drink tap water here.
Today I took my usual daily walk through downtown Heredia to Santa Lucía and then home. While downtown I couldn’t help notice the festive atmosphere which filled the air. The city was buzzing with the high energy of the people. The colors red, white and blue of Costa Rica’s emblazoned houses, stores and parks. Children and adults rushed to get a view of the annual Independence Day parade which works its way through the center of the city. Their smiling faces reflected their pride in one of the country’s most celebrated holidays. Costa Rican’s are very proud of their peaceful history and national holidays.
Today, September 15, celebrates it’s 188th anniversary of Independence. The day is filled with civic activities that include parades of marching student bands in all cantones (districts) and barrios (neighborhoods). For weeks students have been practicing the drum beats that will be part of today’s tradition parades.The day is also a legal holiday, banks and most businesses are closed. Employees who are required to work today will be paid double their normal salary for the day. My son was anxious to get to work so he could make some extra money.
If you decide to live in Costa Rica either full or part-time you will have the chance to view one of the many parades and other events which mark Costa Rica’s numerous national holidays.
Last Saturday night there was a due-or-die soccer game between Costa Rica and Mexico. Unfortunately the ball didn’t bounce Costa Rica’s way and they got their collective butts kicked. Really win or lose the game wasn’t that significant. What was really important was the coming together of people to watch the game and the whole spirit of the thing. You would have to experience this carnival-like atmosphere to know what I mean.
Anyway I viewed the game at the Fiesta Casino near the airport. My son and his girlfriend went with me and we met a group of friends there. We arrived about an hour early just to make sure we could get a table. When we got there the bar was about half-empty, but as the game approached the place really filled up. As much as I like sporting events, what I really enjoy is my network friends and acquaintances and interacting we them. We really have a great time. There is always someone new who shows up for these events, so it is the perfect situation to make new friends.
Moving or retiring abroad can bring about some huge changes in one’s life. Loneliness can enter into the picture. When you move to Costa Rica you really don’t have any excuse to be lonely unless you choose to be. There are plenty of opportunities like the one I mention above to make new acquaintances. I have more friends than I ever had when I resided in the U.S. Also the type of people who move here tend to be more interesting and adventurous than those who stay in their home countries.
All of this is part of the pura vida (pure life) atmosphere which permeates this fantastic country.
Tonight Costa Rica plays soccer against Mexico in Costa Rica. The game is of vital importance for the World Cup standings and Costa Rica is the underdog. Everyone here is praying for an upset. Next year’s World Cup is like the Super Bowl of soccer and happens only once every four years.
Since early this morning people here have been very excited about tonight’s match. The spirit of the game fills the air and the streets are overflowing with energy. It seems like there is a sea of red Costa Rican soccer shirts everywhere. People are also honking their horns like crazy and some are even draping Costa Rica’s red, white and blue stripped flag from their cars. Everyone is apoyando le sele or supporting the national soccer team in this important game.
The supermarkets are packed with people stocking up on beer or birra as it is affectionately called here and food . In Costa Rica soccer games like this one are an excuse to have a big party or pelón. They say the three most important things in a Costa Rican man’s life are soccer beer and women. But not necessarily in the that order. Soccer is like a religion here and the opiate of the masses in Latin America and in most of the world except for the U.S.
When the game starts tonight everything will virtually come to a standstill. I plan to se the game at the Fiesta Casino with my lovely girlfriend, Alexandra. They have four or five giant screens and the atmosphere will be lively. If you retire in Costa Rica you undoubtedly will be bitten by the soccer bug and get all wound up like the Costa Ricans over important games. Soccer is only one of the hundreds of activities you can become involved with to stay busy and happy and enjoy the excellent quality of life the country offers.
¡Pura Vida! Pure Life!
