I just had my first taste of living abroad in Costa Rica and have been given an opportunity to experience life in a hundred new ways. You can try exotic foods, discover new cultures, customs, and holidays. You can learn a different language, teach others some English, and find new and lasting friendships.
It started when my son Jeff told me he was moving to Costa Rica for a while. After the initial surprise, I started thinking "When can I go to Costa Rica, too?"
That began my investigation into, for me, a relatively unknown country. Plus, after four debilitating snowstorms and nor'easters, there were multitudes of grumpy people here in the Northeast, lamenting, "There's gotta be a better place to live."
I am newly retired and trying to decide where to spend a few cold months a year. Could I do this? Can't hurt to try, so I packed my bags and jumped on a plane to Costa Rica. Discoveries and surprises were in store as I traveled to Playa Grande, on the Pacific Northwest coast.
First, the language. You don't have to know a lot of Spanish. Un pequeno (a little) is enough to get by—with hand signals and a Guide to Costa Rican Spanish in your pocket. Jeff, who refreshed his high school Spanish with private lessons, was able to understand a lot and converse a little. Ticos are very patient in helping you learn their language and seemed to appreciate the effort. They are so friendly, helpful, and gracious. Jeff however became fluent in "mechanic Spanish" because he was forced to talk to lots of people about what went wrong with his truck—it broke down on a regular basis because of the crazy road conditions.
The Costa Rican roads in some parts of the country take some getting used to. Some are old two-lane winding, narrow, asphalt ribbons that meandered through small towns, past farms and ranches with skinny cattle and horses. Others were graveled dirt roads, "smoothed" over by a bulldozer leaving those bump-bump-bump teeth rattling ruts that make you pray to get out of the car soon. Tough on a car. Even tougher on this old body, but I only hit my head on the ceiling a few times.
But the slowed-down lifestyle and the "kick back, put your feet up, and smell the fuchsia flowers" way of living just seeped into my bones within a few hours. My trip brought me unexpected riches that changed my life. A Jersey Shore girl from birth, the Costa Rican beach break on the northern Pacific coastline made my heart pound in excitement. Panoramic views of lofty mountains, thick jungle vegetation, and peaceful sandy crescents extended as far as the eye could see.
There were mornings that I was the ONLY person on the beach for miles. Warm seawater still refreshed since the air temperature hovered in the mid 90's (much cooler, Jeff said, since some rain had started). Excellent surfing waves rushed in, one right after another. Deep blue-green water, azure sky, toasty sand....mmm—just plant me here and leave me to blossom.
"Hola" is on everyone's lips as they pass you strolling to catch some waves. Friendly "coconut men" slice open the ice-cold pods, stick a straw in, and offer this tasty, nutritious coconut "milk" to drink and its firm flesh to eat—for a dollar! Tiny "cafés" line the street, for a quick snack or hearty meal. This is my "try-out," my practice life abroad, and I am sucked wholeheartedly into its spell.
The time was way too short. I just started my Costa Rica life. I am finagling to get back soon, for a much longer stay among the nicest people I ever met.
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it
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