The Last Bus to San Jose
On the last bus to San Jose, Costa Rica. My time in the Central American country will formally come to a close tomorrow as I board a plane to my next destination. I figured it’d be appropriate to write this while on a bus, so that’s what I’m doing.
I spent my last weekend here with my mom and aunt. We played card games (a required/standard activity for our family), went ziplining (an activity I enjoyed a lot more than I thought I would, but I do admit that I liked zipping through the canopy a lot more than I did zipping across wide-open canyons), and we only had to re-route the car a few times on the way to our destinations. So, all in all, it was a great time. If either of you are reading this, have a great rest of your trip. I hope you see some sloths!
*****
Before I came to this country, I said that I wanted to get an authentic sense of Costa Rica, and I was curious about what Costa Rica/being Costa Rican meant to the Costa Rican themselves, and now, as I ready to leave, I feel like I’ve accomplished that goal. And here’s my takeaway:
On Costa Rica:
Costa Rica is a wholesome country. The people are friendly, work hard, are appreciative of life, love, family, nature, God, and are willing to help you if you get lost. Sitting down to eat as a family is more common than going out to a restaurant, and the food they eat, (a lot of fruits, rice, beans, meat, plantains, etc) is always quality, and it’s likely that you’ll feel a lot healthier after only a couple weeks here if you opt to eat in a similar manner.
Costa Rica is a country full of beauty. From the picturesque beaches, ranging mountains, sprawling rainforest, and the sunsets and sunrises that rise above and fall beneath them. The country is one of the most bio-diverse in the world in terms of flora and fauna, so if you can’t find something to appreciate, or struggle to see the beauty, then with all due respect, the problem is most likely yours.
Costa Rica is a country that, if you come with good intentions, will welcome you. It’s easy to make friends, and easier to make memories. And I’m glad to say that my preconceived notions of the country of 5 million people were incorrect and that I was able to experience a genuine side of Tico life.
On my final Costa Rican dinner: It’s a rule I have with myself that the absolute best moments are always ones to be saved for myself and or shared in an intimate relationship with someone else. So, on the basis, all I’ll say is that everyone was there, the dogs included, and the sadness set in as we ate, drank, joked, and watched the end of a futbol game.
Anyway, on to Mexico.
Pura Vida,
Solomøn Lovejøy
