Page 58 - San Diego Woman Amy Haber Issue

What I really want is....

By Debbie Storms

he “pure life” is an easy-go- views, fabulous beaches, snorkel- Our most recent adventure and
ing lifestyle. A way of living ing, fishing, kayaking, horseback lesson was buying a car. The process
TI found in Costa Rica. Pura riding, and surfing. The beach is done differently and the vocabu-
Vida is a phrase that you hear from area we call home has calm, clear lary necessary is not quite the level
people all over the country. It is water and unique sand composed our Spanish has reached. With a
a way of saying hello or a warm of hundreds of millions of tiny notebook and cell phone acting as
goodbye. The people here in Costa crushed shells. We chose to live in an electronic translator in hand,
Rica are very friendly so you hear an area that creates a village-like we knew we needed more backup.
it a lot. The Pura Vida lifestyle is setting where people are connected We picked up our Costa Rican Tico
focused on what is important in and create a very hospitable com- friend that was happy to spend the
life. Appreciate the day and not munity. There are many retirees, day with us looking at used cars.
sweat the small stuff, find time to families, and people of all ages He was a lifesaver! Twelve hours
relax and slow down to take in the from different parts of the world as later we purchased a car. It is wise
simple pleasures. well as Costa Ricans in this area. to have a four-wheel drive here so
Pura Vida brought my hus- This creates a very comfortable that is what we purchased. Most
band and me back to Costa Rica environment for us. roads where we live are pretty good
after a three-week vacation. We We have so many choices of and yes, they are quite good closer
returned in January and found restaurants that we are always to bigger towns and cities. We have
our corner of Costa Rica where we finding a new one to try. Many another beach town about 20 miles
want to spend at least six months of the restaurants offer outdoor from our home that is connected
of the year. Retirement gave us settings and the natural beauty by a road called The Monkey Trail.
the opportunity to move here and keeps us in harmony with nature It isn't paved and there are a few
experience beaches that are met by while we enjoy our meal. Many of small rivers you travel through.
beautiful lush jungles stretching the restaurants occasionally have Don't fret. There is usually someone
to the edge where the land meets musicians playing and the simple sitting on the riverbank telling you
the sand. You'll find exotic wild- life just keeps on coming. the best way to go through. Did I
life, lush green valleys, mountain There is so much to learn liv- mention adventure?
villages, and waterfalls. ing in another country. Of course The Guanacaste coast has a
At higher elevations, where our Spanish is improving and rainy season which is incredibly
the temperature is cooler, you are learning more about the culture beautiful. The green season ends
surrounded by mountains, valleys, here has been an adventure we around the end of October and
and coffee plantations. The coffee are enjoying. Listen and learn is that begins the nesting time for
in Costa Rica is fabulous. I found a handy rule of thumb. Keeping sea turtles. The coast is home
my favorite and enjoyed a cup each an open mind and not expecting to dozens of important nesting
morning waiting for the Howler things to be like they are in San beaches for four turtle species. The
monkeys to pass by in the lush Diego where we live the remaining best time to see them is at sunrise
jungle outside our home. Their calls months of the year is an important and just before sunset. That is also
or howler sessions begin at sunrise factor. Life stays interesting living when you can see a great variety
and wake you to see them do their in Pura Vida! of colorful birds so your hike on
acrobatics through the trees. My The Costa Rican people the beach to the nesting area offers
coffee never tasted so good. affectionately use the term “Tico” more of nature's beauty. Now off
We found our corner of to describe themselves and the to our next adventure bright and
paradise in Guanacaste on the things around them. “Tico” and early tomorrow morning.
north Pacific side, also known as “Tica” (male and female) for the Pura Vida is much more than
the Gold Coast. There are a lot of native people here who are from a term. It is an attitude!
ex-pats like ourselves that came multi-ethnic Spanish speaking What I really want is.....the
here to enjoy the spectacular ocean backgrounds. vibe of the good life.

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