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.