I've heard "Pura Vida" no less than 284,000 times in the past three and a half months. Yes, local surfer Tico, I realize that this is your country's slogan and an incredible effective marketing tool you've created but is it really necessary for you to say this every time we finish a conversation, I turn you down for buying drugs, or your dog tries to bite me?... and yes middle aged woman named Gloria from Omaha, I realize your 4-day vacation at the all-inclusive spa resort with your besties changed your life, but do you really want "Pura Vida" tattooed on your lower back for your 14-year old son and all his Jonas Brothers t-shirt wearing friends to make fun of you for the next time they spot it on you as your out laying by the pool reminiscing about your trip.
A lot of locals down here refer to Costa Rica as "un paraiso" (paradise) and while this is a beautiful place with an amazing culture, you can't exactly overlook their problem with poverty, theft, drugs, and prostitution (of course trouble only finds those looking for it I suppose). Now I may be a little jaded towards the term "Pura Vida" by now, but I believe that I have totally grasped that state of mind. Actually, I came to that realization this morning, let me explain....
When I first moved to Denver I lived with a guy named Chris. Chris had just recently purchased a home from a young family of 4 in Highlands Ranch needing a larger space and was very graciously allowing me to stay there for next to nothing. As much as I loved the house I did have two issues with it: First, my room was painted pastel pink and purple (think obnoxious Easter colors). Nevermind the fact that my other roommate's room was painted light blue with little helicopters around the top, but one day I finally just lost it. I went out to the garage, found some beige paint, covered all of my belongings, and spent roughly 4 hours re-painting the oddly shaped room to my satisfaction...problem solved! The second issue I had with the house was that my shower curtain had these little rubber ducks for rings to hold it up and they were made of metal not plastic. Now, anyone who has ever tried to slide metal shower rings on a metal rod knows that over time the rod builds up junk on it making the rings impossible to slide and thus causing them to jump off track frequently.
This all brings me to my realization today...As I attempted to slide my shower curtain over, some of the rings came off track causing half of the curtain to awkwardly hang there... and again I see that familiar sight "metal rings on a metal rod." However, instead of getting upset like I might have before, I really didn't seem to mind. It just doesn't really bother anymore when I have to wait on a bus, or if a tree frog finds his way into my room every other day, my food takes forever coming out at the restaurant, or someone insists on having me barter with them for the price of a bus ticket. The old, uptight, impatient Bryan is no more... I had been adapting this way for long before I came, but I can now officially say I am on my way towards becoming 100% "Pura Vida." As I begin planning the next leg of my travels to Asia, it has been nice to reflect on my amazing time in Central America and how blessed I am to have good friends, an incredible family, and opportunities such as this.
...I leave for a 2-3 week trip to Nicaragua with a group of friends from CR on Friday. Those of you who hate my writings and are only checking this for the pictures will have something to look at soon.. I promise!
Ciao,
-BP
November 16, 2011
November 8, 2011
Monkeys in the trees
I see monkeys in the trees all around my apartment.. it never gets old watching them, though I can do without them torturing the dogs next door. Ryan is convinced they eat the smaller dogs but I've yet to hear this from anyone else... I'll try and take pictures of the "howlers" one day for you. The weather here is really good right now, I'm starting to get my tan back and definitely enjoying the warmth. I quit my little job at the hostel yesterday, after 35 straight days of working up there I was very glad for the owner to return.
In other news, we are heading back to Nicaragua for 2-3 weeks over Thanksgiving. Also, I am currently applying to teach English in South Korea... more to come on that later.
I'll definitely post new stories and pictures from my next trip up north for everyone. I've got my flight situation taken care of ... Dec 17-20th in Denver, 20-29th in Texas, then back to Denver Dec. 30th. See ya'll soon!
In case you wondered if we were still having fun...
In other news, we are heading back to Nicaragua for 2-3 weeks over Thanksgiving. Also, I am currently applying to teach English in South Korea... more to come on that later.
I'll definitely post new stories and pictures from my next trip up north for everyone. I've got my flight situation taken care of ... Dec 17-20th in Denver, 20-29th in Texas, then back to Denver Dec. 30th. See ya'll soon!
In case you wondered if we were still having fun...
November 1, 2011
7 Billion
So apparently the world just hit 7 Billion people! I'm not 100% sure how accurate population indexes are these days but those guys get paid the big bucks to track it so for the sake of not arguing I'll run with the idea. Thus far in my life I've been to 5 continents, lived in 4 countries (and visited many more than that) worked with refugees, and am currently working in a hostel with backpackers from all over the world. Thus, I've been fortunate enough to meet some very intriguing people along the way. I thought it would be fun to give my brief (albeit biased) observation of various nationalities I've encountered while traveling around Central America the past 3 months.
Costa Ricans (Ticos) - The Men - seem to be nice enough...business savvy, generally happy, and hardworking. However, here in the beach-towns the guys are honestly full of themselves, fairly aggressive, and out to snag tourist women and take advantage of anyone by selling or stealing whatever they can find. The Women – Costa Rican women are shy and they giggle at you… those are pretty much my thoughts.
Germans - The Men - I heard Germans had a dry sense of humor, which is true. Fortunately for me, I do also and I find them very funny. The Women - Sometimes cold and 'awkward' for lack of a better word. German women really make me laugh, they love to be the center of attention and do it in their own way. Also, I've yet to meet a German woman traveling who was out of shape.
Slovakians - I work for one, with one, am friends with another. Slovakians come in all shapes and sizes in terms of personality.
Belgians - Full of personality.. maybe the most fun people to hang out with.
Canadians - Ryan told me once "All Canadians are dumb" and I agreed with him. I'm sure there are some dumb Canadians, but let’s be honest neither of us actually agree with that. Our neighbors from the north are a good time and my favorite people to talk to because they have a culture so similar to the U.S. with such subtle differences that just fascinate me. For example, did you know in Canadian football there are only 3 downs? That blew my mind.
Australians – I’ve never met an Australian I didn't like.
British - I've been to England once before and my observation then was "they are all very proper, intelligent, and focused people" ... umm yeah, I still think the same thing.
Israelis - Beautiful people, fun, sometimes weird, but fun.
Norwegians, Danish, Swedish, Finish (People from Finland??) - All of these people are tall and most look about 5 years younger than they actually are. Easily the kindest group of people I've met… I apologize for grouping you all together but I have to conserve space somehow.
Austrians (or Armenians as Ryan would say) - Two thumbs up!
Asians - I feel bad for grouping them like this but I really haven't met a lot down here. Asians are the same as they are in the U.S. I guess…think stereotypical Japanese family with their cameras only grungier.
Africans - awesome... but they don't travel in Central America.
French - I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised by the French. As Americans, I think we naturally stereotype and subconsciously hate the French (due to what we see on TV and how most are treated when actually going to France) but they really fun people and nearly all French backpackers speak English pretty well. So, do like I did and chunk those old Freedom Fries you were saving in the freezer ‘just in case’ and learn to love em'.
and finally… Americans - While I may not all be overweight, prideful, and ignorant like most backpackers initially expect to see, I'd say for the most part we are the loudest group of travelers I've experienced. Americans are some of the least traveled people on earth (of those who can afford it). I think the ones who do backpack around gain a lot of respect from Europeans and others just for stepping outside of the bubble.
I thought I'd include some of my favorite pictures (both of my own and from my friends) of a few of the 7 billion people I've seen throughout my life:
http://7billionactions.org/data - If you haven’t taken a look at this website I highly recommend it, gives some interesting statistics on our world today.
Costa Ricans (Ticos) - The Men - seem to be nice enough...business savvy, generally happy, and hardworking. However, here in the beach-towns the guys are honestly full of themselves, fairly aggressive, and out to snag tourist women and take advantage of anyone by selling or stealing whatever they can find. The Women – Costa Rican women are shy and they giggle at you… those are pretty much my thoughts.
Germans - The Men - I heard Germans had a dry sense of humor, which is true. Fortunately for me, I do also and I find them very funny. The Women - Sometimes cold and 'awkward' for lack of a better word. German women really make me laugh, they love to be the center of attention and do it in their own way. Also, I've yet to meet a German woman traveling who was out of shape.
Slovakians - I work for one, with one, am friends with another. Slovakians come in all shapes and sizes in terms of personality.
Belgians - Full of personality.. maybe the most fun people to hang out with.
Canadians - Ryan told me once "All Canadians are dumb" and I agreed with him. I'm sure there are some dumb Canadians, but let’s be honest neither of us actually agree with that. Our neighbors from the north are a good time and my favorite people to talk to because they have a culture so similar to the U.S. with such subtle differences that just fascinate me. For example, did you know in Canadian football there are only 3 downs? That blew my mind.
Australians – I’ve never met an Australian I didn't like.
British - I've been to England once before and my observation then was "they are all very proper, intelligent, and focused people" ... umm yeah, I still think the same thing.
Israelis - Beautiful people, fun, sometimes weird, but fun.
Norwegians, Danish, Swedish, Finish (People from Finland??) - All of these people are tall and most look about 5 years younger than they actually are. Easily the kindest group of people I've met… I apologize for grouping you all together but I have to conserve space somehow.
Austrians (or Armenians as Ryan would say) - Two thumbs up!
Asians - I feel bad for grouping them like this but I really haven't met a lot down here. Asians are the same as they are in the U.S. I guess…think stereotypical Japanese family with their cameras only grungier.
Africans - awesome... but they don't travel in Central America.
French - I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised by the French. As Americans, I think we naturally stereotype and subconsciously hate the French (due to what we see on TV and how most are treated when actually going to France) but they really fun people and nearly all French backpackers speak English pretty well. So, do like I did and chunk those old Freedom Fries you were saving in the freezer ‘just in case’ and learn to love em'.
and finally… Americans - While I may not all be overweight, prideful, and ignorant like most backpackers initially expect to see, I'd say for the most part we are the loudest group of travelers I've experienced. Americans are some of the least traveled people on earth (of those who can afford it). I think the ones who do backpack around gain a lot of respect from Europeans and others just for stepping outside of the bubble.
I thought I'd include some of my favorite pictures (both of my own and from my friends) of a few of the 7 billion people I've seen throughout my life:
http://7billionactions.org/data - If you haven’t taken a look at this website I highly recommend it, gives some interesting statistics on our world today.
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