Living Pura Vida

Yours truly has dropped back into the world again (the cyber world that is), back from traveling in the world, but hopefully of course only for a short time. This time I am reflecting on almost four months in the Costa Rica. So many people asked me if I was going to blog, post pictures, or email while I was there and unfortunately I knew this time I wasn’t going to have the time or the resources to make any of that possible. So I’ve decided to give you the short of it now, solo un poquito. As many of you know, I took a position as a Summer Program Leader in Costa Rica with Rustic Pathways this summer. Basically I was a guide and a counselor for students coming down to Costa Rica to travel on the Rustic Pathways programs. After many Tuesday bungee jumps, nutty energizers, cloud forest hikes, and 3:30 wake up calls for students heading to the airport, I now have some time to reflect on the “pura vida” lifestyle.

I cannot tell you how many times this summer I had a Tico (Costa Rican, we are gringos, they are ticos) tell me to “tranquila.” Calm down, relax, don’t worry. I love the word now, but in those moments I just wanted to turn around and shout, “You tranquilize yourself!” So much for being “tranquila.” That is one of the many/possibly THE most beautiful part of Costa Rica (and CR is a beautiful place): the relaxed, easygoing energy and mentality of the Ticos. When I got home yesterday, I went to Whole Foods (my place of zen here) and everyone seemed so stressed out; it was stressing me out. I just wanted to shrink up and transport myself back to where I had just come from.

This is one of those things and one of those times in my life when I want to fight like hell to keep, grasp, hold on forever to the new mentality I have and to the things I learned in Costa Rica. I am not going to lie though, like every other time I come back, I find it so hard to incorporate things from other cultures because of the heaviness of our own. Because of Costa Rica, I am going to stand here (or sit) and try not to take life so seriously, to enjoy each and every moment, to truly live in the moment, appreciate the beautiful people, friends, family, and places. Pura Vida. Pure Life. I going to do my best to not sweat the small stuff, do my best all the time and when my best isn’t enough, I am going to try (key word try) to accept that and move on. Boy, I can think of so many clichés for all of these things. That’s the difference in the U.S. we have saying, quotes, etc. that can try to dictate our lives, but the Costa Ricans just live this way. How was lunch? Pura Vida! How is it going? Todo Bien, Pura Vida! So next time you ask, I am going to slap on that smile, feel blessed to have what I have and tell you “Pura Vida!”

Live Outside the Box

When I was 16 I created my very first “30 before 30” list; essentially a list that was simply the top 30+ (I had a few more than 30) things I wanted to do or accomplish before I turned 30. Just a few days ago I was inspired to pull it up and take a look again. Looking through it, I realize that I am doing all right. I have completed quite a few such as skydiving, graduating from college, going to a professional basketball game, riding and elephant, and volunteering abroad for two weeks (I think I exceeded that by a few months). After looking at the list, I also realized that in 8 years I had changed a lot. A large number of the things on that list I was no longer interested in doing, for example I really do not want to throw a huge gala, how did I even come up with that? No thank you to seeing a fashion show in Paris; I am just not into it anymore. My value, passions, and interests have just simply changed. Who would have ever thought the “princess” would prefer backpacking and less material goods? I guess I am getting back to my roots as an explorer and adventurer. I am a little closer to that girl who would ride her bike right over a diamond-back rattlesnake and not think twice about it. Closer… So anyways as you might have guessed, I decided to make a new list. This time however, instead of being a list of just 30 things I would accomplish before I was 30 years old, it became more of a life list. One that currently exceeds 50 items and I don’t think I will ever be finished updating, adding, changing, and checking off items. For those who know me, of course, understand this and probably know that I also have a running list of countries and places I need to visit in my lifetime. (Just so you are all aware, if I never get to complete my list, I would hope it would be completed by a loved one who understands its importance to me, plus its sick!) It is important that I note that I also understand the importance of not just living my life within the guidelines of a piece of paper, but also to sometimes go with the flow and let life just happen. Some of the most fascinating things I have done, my most memorable experiences, are those I never could have ever possibly planned. I never would have thought “hmmm, I need to experience a European Gay Pride Parade”, but now I will never forget the energy, the sights, the sounds, etc. that came with catching it in Madrid by accident when I was merely looking for a nice cup of coffee. Think what you want to think, scoff and turn your nose up if you must, but I would certainly add it to your list right now. There is absolutely nothing like it. So I challenge you to create a list to drive you to do the things you will otherwise never get to, but also try to live outside the box (or the cubicle). Seek adventure; push yourself outside your comfort zone. Fail, pick yourself back up and soar to new heights. Some ideas from my list (I’m not giving them all away; you can come up with your own: • Complete the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain on foot • Learn how to fly an airplane • Take a cooking course • Buy and protect land in a beautiful place • Learn how to salsa • Take a train all the way across Russia to Mongolia • Study human ecology. I would love to hear your ideas, write me and let me know what is top on your bucket list!