We all know summers in Florida last for more than the normal three months. But by October, we usually begin feeling the cooler weather, and the excitement of all things pumpkin spice and Halloween solidifies the official arrival of the fall season. Before we jump into a bustling holiday season, I wanted to reflect on how I ended the first real summer after a life-changing pandemic.
As soon as the option of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 became available for the general public, I immediately scheduled my appointment because of how badly I wanted to be able to travel again safely (among many other reasons). One destination that had been on my family’s bucket list for a while was Costa Rica, especially since some of our closest family friends hail from this beautiful Central-American country. So, with all of my family scattered in different states, we all met in Houston and flew out for five days of pura vida.
For those unfamiliar with the Ticos, “pura vida” is a mantra meaning “pure life,” and nothing embodies Costa-Rican lifestyle like this phrase. It can be used as a hello or a goodbye or pretty much anything in between: “Pura vida. Welcome to Costa Rica.” or “Enjoy your dinner. Pura vida.” or “Cheers! Salud! Pura vida!” I’ve never encountered such a widely-used phrase quite like it. It’s simple yet so profound, putting in words how life will always be full of pure ups and downs, so why worry or why stress?
But you see, I’m a walking bundle of worries if I don’t consciously shut my brain off. However, the minute we landed in San José, the switch in my brain flipped without me having to lift a finger, and that’s because the Ticos know how to kick back, relax and live the good life. We hopped in a jeep for a two-hour road trip and swerved through the mountainous and hilly terrain, arriving in the region of La Fortuna. Here, we were able to see the Arenal Volcano in all its might as the clouds cleared the way to let the peak stand proud. We were told that doesn’t happen often, so we took advantage. The next day, we hiked (downhill, thankfully) to the large waterfall in La Fortuna, full of fresh and freezing-cold water. With so much nature, this region was by far my favorite, and there were so many restaurants, bars, stores and stands to indulge in.
Pura vibra vida continued during the next part of our trip as we headed to the beaches in Guanacaste, and my family was constantly cracking jokes about feeling like we were straight out of The White Lotus. (I don’t think I’ll ever look at a stay in a tropical resort the same way. Thanks, HBO.) At this point, the indulgence from all the mouth-watering food everywhere where we looked had my stomach begging for a break. That break actually never came, though, because on our last day, we stopped in Esparza to eat the most delicious seafood right by the water before ending back in San José. Usually at the end of a vacation, I’m either dying to leave or begging to stay, but I felt so content that I was almost unbothered whether my flight took off or not.
It was an unforgettable experience just because everything felt so at peace. “Pura vida” means so much more to me now. It’ll always be something to remember when the nerves and anxiety and stresses of our world start to grate. “Pura vida” is a damn good way of life.
