Life in Costa Rica

I grew up in Costa Rica. This is what life in Costa Rica is like.

I get asked what it was like to grow up in Costa Rica and immediately I can feel the sway of my hips to the beat of old school Carlos Vives. This musician is of course not from Costa Rica, but I want to illustrate the influence that the southern hemisphere (and the northern too) have on our small country. A country so small yet so powerful in terms of its sustainability goals and the international draw it has. 

I will caveat this entry by saying that I haven’t lived in Costa Rica since 2008 so this piece is more about my experience growing up there and the feelings it brings up, which are specially reignited around this time of year. Growing up in Costa Rica, I can think of one-too-many afternoons where I spent it trying to get green mangoes off my friend’s neighbor’s tree. I can think of a study session that ended up in all of us jumping in a pool and the joy of spinning in my feet non-stop until I fell down exhausted in a bed of orange flowers from the nearest Poró tree. I can think of the predictable rainy season, a harbinger for the coming of New Year’s. 

Growing up in Costa Rica meant that sunny days were taken for granted. Even days that started with rain, had a high probability of ending with a bright sunny sunset. Instead of seasons, I was used to each month having its own peculiar feel. January the winds were strong, March the heat was intoxicating and May was marked by a particular kind of bug, los abejones de mayo. December is its own kind of magical, with brisk winds of hope and the contrast of the dry sabana as you drive towards Guanacaste. This place has stolen my heart in more ways than one. Its beaches are a place where I learned to be comfortable in my skin and where I got to say I do not too long ago. 

Contrary to popular belief, food is not too spicy; it is mild. Simple flavors because the ingredients are as fresh as can be. Even our cheese feels fresh, Queso Turrialba being my one true love. There are a lot of vegetable dishes, guisos, made with squashes that are not common in the US; ayote and chayote are not to be confused. 

Although I do not live in Costa Rica and I don’t get to experience the mundane life that sometimes plagues the city I grew up in, San José, I get to be a far away admirer. And every time I get to go back home, I get pleasantly surprised by how far the country has moved on. Alas without me, and that’s ok. It is the opportunity cost of living abroad. Always representing, because there’s not that many Costa Ricans in NYC (as compared to Dominicans and Puerto Ricans), but also humbly acknowledging that I do not know my mother country as well as I used to. 

Our brand’s beginnings: the fact that we make sustainable swimwear is a direct result of growing up in Costa Rica. Finding swimsuits that could outlast the year-round use was impossible. Fading colors and the hyper-permeable fabrics that made you carry a small ton of sand in your swimwear bottoms, no more of that. Growing up in Costa Rica made me love being at the beach and by the pool, I just needed to find swimwear that I could live in so I made it.

Photo by: Antonio Jimenez 

Comments

  • Posted by Anna Kimberly on

    HOW TO UNCOVER INFIDELITY // CRYPTO PANDEMIC HUNTER
    One minute, you’re building a future with someone you trust. The next, everything falls apart, filled with doubt and uncertainty. That’s where I found myself, after realizing my spouse was unfaithful. I felt lost and alone, struggling with my own investigations. A friend recommended Crypto Pandemic Hunter. Hesitant, I reached out for help.

    They were professional, listening keenly to my fears. They guided me through the process and using advanced techniques spied on hi devices and social accounts. They provided regular updates and clarity. In the end, they uncovered undeniable answers that helped me confront my spouse and rebuild my life. I’m grateful for their help and hope sharing my experience helps others.

  • Posted by Charlotte on

    EASY STEP TO RECOVER YOUR STOLEN CRYPTOS

    A few months ago, I lost over $150,000 in Bitcoin to a fake investor I found online. It was devastating, especially since a coworker of mine faced the same scam. Just when I thought all hope was lost, a friend introduced me to JETWEBHACKERS. I reached out to them, and they worked their magic, recovering my stolen assets swiftly. Their expertise and dedication were truly impressive! If you’re in a similar situation, don’t hesitate to contact them. They really know what they’re doing and helped me get my life back on track!

    Reach out to them today and turn your situation around!

    WEBSITE: jetwebhackers. com

    EMAIL: jetwebhackers@gmail.com

    Telegram: @jetwebhackers

    WhatsApp: +1 (325) 721-3656

    You won’t regret it!

  • Posted by str8dropzlife on

    WHATSAPP +18162871409 TELEGRAM str8dropzlife.buy coca seeds,cocaine, hashish,weed,captagon pills,Fenethylline (Captagon), subutex,tramadol,ketamine,Meth,heroin,Scopolamine,online etc..Welcome to str8drop 36 narcotics, we are committed team around the clock specialist sales personelle gracefully fulfilling all narcotic product orders that are necessary. Always professional and always committed to answering questions and helping to the best of me and my teams ability. STR8DROP36 isn’t just an international narcotics logistics service but also a personal mental health care service. No stone is left unturned when ordering or dealing with a professional team like the STR8 team. We pride ourselves on being the nicest vendors with competitiveness to match! greatest international narcotics logistics group. buy cocaine online buy cocaine in sweden buy coke in uk coke for sale in Channel island buy cocaine in Texas buy coca seeds online buy coca leaves online buy coca seeds buy weed online. buy marijuana online in uk buy captagon pills in middle east peruvian coca seeds/peruvian coca columbian coca seeds/ columbian coca bolivian coca seeds/bolivian coca can you buy coca seeds online can you buy coca seeds in the us can you buy coca seeds buy coca seeds uk where can i buy coca plant seeds can you buy coca plant seeds buy coca plant seeds australia buy coca leaf seeds captagon pills australia captagon pills canada captagon pills lebanon price of captagon pills buy captagon pills in saudi arabia buy captagon pills in uae buy captagon pills in kuwait buy captagon pills in europe buy coca tree seeds buy coca plant seeds amazon buy coca seeds in usa buy coca plant seeds buy coca seeds for planting how to buy coca plant seeds buying coca seeds where to buy coca leaves seeds buy coca plant seeds nz buy coca plant seeds uk can i buy coca plant seeds coca seeds amazon erythroxylum novogranatense coca seeds for sale erythroxylum novogranatense seeds for sale erythroxylum novogranatense seeds available erythroxylum novogranatense seeds ebay erythroxylum novogranatense seeds erythroxylum novogranatense var. novogranatense seeds telegram handle @str8dropzlife Proton email:str8dropzlifeproton.me
    whatsapp : +18162871409
    telegram group https://t.me/columbiancauca

Leave a comment