MONDAY MUSINGS : I am so fortunate to be living la Pura Vida in person for a month in Costa Rica. Pura Vida's direct translation the pure life/simple life, does not really do it justice as it is all encompassing and probably is why it has been on my radar for about 20 years.
You see the Master Gardeners have taken 3 trips here over those years and I never could go due to that responsiblity called a job. But there was nothing stopping me now. And as one of my past students from the senior program, LifeQuest, admonished me for not having taught the term Pura Vida after she had attended my Spanish for Travelers class before vacationing in Costa Rica. Well, touche as I had no clue of its importance until experiencing it personally on my first day here.
Not only did I see it in marketing inn the airport but as I sat in the taxi heading for the bus station, I heard the taxi driver's phone conversation with the director of the program as she scolded him that other students had arrived at the airport already and he needed to be there 20 minutes ago. He chuckled, and said we weren't even close to the bus staion yet and he would head back as soon as possible. Ending his convo with a pura vida.
The term is a reflection of Ticos (Costa Ricans) who tend to be more relaxed and worry-free. Who should worry when you live in Paradise? So it is a greeting and a goodbye, an answer to the question, "how are you?" and even an expression. How special to enjoy life regardless of one's circumstances. A simple appreciation of life.
Costa Rica is often listed among the happiest places to live and also is also known among all countries for its long life expectancy.
My hosts, a mother younger than I and her daughter, my daughter's age , couldn't be more hospitable, a true representation of Costa Rica's people.
I am really appreciative to be in this atmosphere and wish all of us could work on incorporating la Pura Vida, ¿no?
On our 4 hour bus stop in the women's room, no less!
PURA VIDA is something that we all can learn from incorporating into our lives.
❤️🙌
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