Pura Vida and Freedom; Why Costa Rica Makes Me Brave 

 

Pura Vida and Freedom; Why Costa Rica Makes Me Brave

The mere name sounds simple and exotic; just as the people that inhabit this small paradise located in Central America. A few days ago, my life changed completely and the benefactor of such turn was this marvelous and green little country.

I used to live in Mexico City, one of the most densely populated cities and a large urban landscape at its finest. For me, stress, traffic, violence, snobbism and pollution were as much part of my life as my everyday meal. This was life; I called home being stuck in traffic jams for two hours, eternal social charades and barely no contact with nature Little did I know that, in a matter of days, my life would change forever.

One fine day, I got an email with an offer, one I couldn’t refuse even though it was quite scary. It was an open invitation to completely shift my world, asking me to reply within three days. With a bit of determination alongside with the ever enduring love of my family, I decided to grab my passport, pack whatever seemed relevant, say goodbye to a few darling people and fly off south of the border.

Honestly, I had no clue of what to expect. One hears good and bad reviews about everything, but it’s practically needless to say that nothing is conclusive. I must say that, ever since I got here, it’s been magical; everyday ending with stunning the sunsets, followed by weekends spent enjoying the view; the incredible landscapes. Everything is so refreshing.

I find myself, unexpectedly, having conversations here and there, enjoying the knowledge of its youth and its elders. Everyone keeps on wishing “pura vida” (“pure life”) to everyone. The peace that the whole place brings is simply life-changing. My soul feels completely recharged.

But, you may ask yourself, why is it making this woman brave? There are millions of astonishing places in the world. Everywhere we go, somehow, becomes a part of us. After we go somewhere else, we will never be the same since we have unraveled yet another of our deepest mysteries. We have the fortune of inhabiting a planet full of secrets and beauty.

But there’s just something about Costa Rica. The whole philosophy of respect and equality among humans and other species is refreshing. I must say that I’m in love, and that love is precisely what is making me brave.

Everyday I’m standing up against my demons. I’m challenging myself at every waking moment. I’m placing myself in front of the mirror, enjoying what I see since nature is so wonderful and I’m part of it. I’m no longer a simple spectator. Costa Rica has made me feel like I’m part of the world; I’m white, indigenous, black – I’m everyone;  I’m the sea; I’m the animals, the trees, the river and the sky; I’m the sunsets, the cold and the heat; I’m the volcano and the forest. That makes me humble, and yet, powerful. That makes me conscious and brave.

Now, I have accepted that I will never be the same again. Mexico is my homeland, my roots,which I will always adore and honor; but my heart has found a place. It has found a sanctuary in the most unimaginable place. Costa Rica, I conclude, is the land where people become free and brave.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Inspiration Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

Gratitude Travel Writing Contest

We hope you enjoyed this entry in the We Said Go Travel Gratitude Writing Contest. Please visit this page to learn more and participate. Thank you for reading the article and please leave a comment below.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Said Go Travel