People Reasons for Living in Costa Rica!

Both photos from Oxcart Parades in Atenas

Here are just some of the many reasons I love being “Retired in Costa Rica” and I thank Christopher Howard for first printing this “song” in his Live in Costa Rica Blog & Website. It was written by the late Lair Davis to express his love for this wonderful country. It lists many of the reasons that I live here and will continue to until I die. Though he does not emphasize my primary love of the country – NATURE – and all of the natural beauty found here, it expresses many of the “people reasons” for living here:

Costa Rica Love Song

By Lair Davis

I love you, Costa Rica, my home. Let me count the ways. 

I love the fact that I have no mailbox, which means I receive no junk mail. I do have a post office box, however. There is never any junk mail in it, either. 

I love my neighborhood bar, where they welcomed me effusively and let me run a tab the first time they ever laid eyes on me. Each time I go to that happy place, you would think I am their most regular customer. I’ve been there three times in the past year. 

I love being able to make monthly payments on something the full cost of which is $25. 

I love the iguana that lives in the drainage ditch up the block, and that he has become so fat because all the neighbors feed him constantly. 

I love never having to think about tomatoes (or other fruits and vegetables) being out of season. 

I love the jugglers who entertain you at street intersections in San José while you wait for the light to change. 

I love the police — wow! Never thought I’d say that! Costa Rican police really aren’t law enforcers so much as peace-keepers and information-givers. They seem so much less full of themselves than police I’ve encountered elsewhere. 

I love those wonderful massages given by the fully accredited physical therapist in my town. It costs $30-$45 for a 90-minute treatment. 

I love that the buses will stop to pick up and drop off people anywhere along the road between towns. 

I love it that there is a shop where they only repair umbrellas. It costs about a dollar to have one fixed — while you wait. 

I love receiving a discount from just about every store and business in the country simply because I smile and say buenos días to everyone when I enter. I enjoy watching other gringos in the same stores seriously “get right down to business,” having not learned this little touch of Costa Rican social grace — and then watching them pay more everywhere every time. You think cultural differences do not matter? You feel that simple, basic courtesy doesn’t pay? 

I love the continued tradition in this country of doctors, lawyers and other professionals making “house calls.” 

I love watching a teenage boy holding hands with his mother while walking through the public park in the center of town in full view of all his friends. 

I love never having seen a single child throw a fit in the grocery store. How have these children learned to behave so well in public places, I wonder. 

I love knowing when the national soccer team scores without even watching the game. Everyone else is watching, though. With every goal, the whole community lets out a roar. 

I love when I ask someone for directions and he or she completely  stops what they are doing in order to escort me personally halfway across town, deliver me to the door, and proudly introduce me to the proprietor. 

I love the politeness most teenagers display to people my age. Yesterday I watched a teenage boy leave his friends waiting while he went back across the street and assisted an elderly gentleman in making his way. No snide, smart-alecky remarks greeted the good Samaritan when he returned to his group of friends. 

I love not knowing the weather forecast. Actually, I DO know the forecast. Everyone who lives in Costa Rica knows what the weather will be like today. 

I love not having to decide what to wear today. 

I love not being able to hear the televisions in so many places because of the sound of the rain falling on the tin roofs. 

I love when the clouds suddenly roll in and hide that tremendous mountain across the valley, and then just as suddenly roll out again. 

I love having sidewalks along country roads. 

I love sunsets that take my breath away, and the necklaces of streetlights that sparkle at night up and down the mountains in the distance. 

I love being awakened at dawn by the noisiest birds on the planet. 

I love having a cup of java at the local coffee shop that is as good as any offered by Starbuck’s — at one-fourth the price. 

I love when a storekeeper informs me that I am the greatest living customer he has ever had the honor and privilege to humbly serve and that my presence in his establishment has surpassed any possible visit in the future by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England herself. (A slight exaggeration, I suppose but, hey, it worked — I’ll be back!) 

I love the smiles on the faces of the taxi drivers as they go about their daily work. I love the fact that tipping taxi drivers is not customary. I love that so many taxistas insist that I take back the change from my fare, even when it amounts to less than a nickel. 

I love that I am coming to understand the joy of “now.” Tomorrow will come — or not — but “now” is this moment’s pleasure.  ¡Pura vida!  Pure life!

The post Costa Rica Love Song first appeared on Live in Costa Rica Blog – a view of daily life in Costa Rica.

See also my Photo Gallery:

PEOPLE, FIESTAS & ARTS CR

¡Pura Vida!

🙂

A nature reminder shot from Macaw Lodge – still my main reason! 🙂

4 Replies to “People Reasons for Living in Costa Rica!”

  1. I can’t wait for us to be past the pandemic so we can see these lovely displays of talent and colors and music in the streets for key holidays. Where individuals can dance close together in the street and the public can stand close together on the sidewalk.

    However, it is also a treat that you can have nature right outside your door … just about anywhere in Costa Rica. Sometimes a bit more diversity and number of in areas outside cities but even there you will get the birds and the flowers and the trees. Wonderful beautiful country and people.

  2. Sandi, it is coming! CR can’t vaccinate people as fast as rich countries, but I expect the parades back by next year and some fiestas before then! AND you can travel to the National Parks and absolutely wonderful lodges NOW! Precautions are in place.

  3. Based on Mr Davis’ writing and your photography, it is easy to understand why you love Costa Rica so much. Enchanting.

    1. Mary, “Enchanting” is a good descriptive word for Costa Rica! Thanks for using it to describe my favorite place. Have a great day wherever you happen to be Mary! 🙂

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