Life in Costa Rica is not always easy or fun, but it's been a completely rewarding experience. Living in another country is something we never thought we would do, and some things have been unexpectedly challenging, while others have been unexpectedly effortless. I thought I'd post something trying to explain not only what it's like living here in Costa Rica, but also living outside of the U.S.
What has surprised me the most about living in another country is how common traveling is in other parts of the world. Yes, traveling around the world for a year is still something people gawk at, but for the most part, many people we're meeting are traveling for a few months, hitting more than one destination and have been to many places around the world. It just seems crazy as an American to meet so many people traveling for months at a time (not necessarily for work) because in the U.S. most people can't imagine dropping everything and taking a break.
It's also been interesting the types of people you meet while traveling. There are basically two types of people: locals and everyone else. While the locals are REALLY friendly and hospitable, most aren't trying to be friends (Aaron has managed to make a couple Tico friends). The reason it's hard to develop relationships with the locals is not only because of the language barrier, but because most look at you like a meal ticket. Most locals don't make much money and they see tourists as an opportunity. It's not their fault, tourism is huge in Costa Rica and it's their livelihood. This makes it hard to develop any sort of legitimate friendship with Ticos. Therefore, we naturally gravitate towards the "others." No matter where you're from, your age, occupation, background or situation, we gravitate towards each other because we both don't fit in. We've met lots of interesting people we would probably never befriend if it wasn't for this unique situation. It's been really fun and unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's like crashing a party. If you meet someone else crashing as well, you naturally want to hang out with that guy because you have this huge thing in common that no one else can relate to.
On that same note, it's also a lonely life because most people you meet are only in town for a short while. On the one hand, it's exciting to constantly meet new people, but on the other, it's hard to develop really meaningful relationships because you just don't get that kind of time. It's something I'm trying to get used to, but it's been the biggest challenge for me. You end up missing being in a room with more that one person who knows you.
The upside is being alone teaches you a lot about yourself and the person you're with. I've learned so much about who I am and who Aaron and I are as a couple, just from being here all alone. Again, it hasn't been easy, but it's like holding a mirror up to your face and really seeing who you are and what you're made of.
Moving onto Costa Rica specifically, there are lots of things that are very different from back home. I will list them for you.
1. It is always H-O-T! You have to plan your day (your life) around the heat. Failure to do so is a mistake! Water is a must, both to drink and to dunk your sweaty body into periodically. You won't enter a home or establishment without at least a few fans going at a constant full-speed. You get used to the hum of the fans and almost search for it (as it is your salvation). You also plan to be indoors midday, as it's the hottest time of day.
2. Due to the heat, there are lots of different types of bugs and they are HUGE! We're not in Kansas anymore because everywhere I look is another impossibly horrific science experiment creature gone wrong. We keep a very clean house, not only because I'm so anal about my house being freakishly clean, but also because if I even see a bug I'll be on the first plane home (yea, I don't like bugs). We've been relatively successful so far, we do have cockroaches come up out of the shower drain occasionally (the giant hissing ones!!!) and I scream and yell "SHOE!" and Aaron grabs the shoe and crunches it into the floor a few times and we go on with life. Outdoors I can't really get away with yelling "SHOE!" and have been trying to just tough it out. The worst time of day is dusk because the mosquitoes are in full force. This is when I bust out the DEET.
3. Not only are there bugs galore, but all sorts of mammal/reptilian wander this earth. First of all, dogs are always out and about (both stray and those with homes). It sounds strange (and it is), but I've never seen a mean (or even unhappy) dog here. They are welcome in bars and restaurants, they know how to cross the street and they know how to get back home. They are so happy-go-lucky, it makes me wonder if maybe they have the right idea.
I almost can't go a day without seeing some sort of lizard cross my path. Some are actually huge! We have a little gecko who lives with us named Greenly. We see her occasionally crawling up the wall and say "Hi Greenly!" She's harmless and kind of adorable.
4. In Costa Rica, there's something called "Tico Time." It's sort of like Island Time, where everything just moves sort of slowly, like stuck-in-a-pool-of-syrup slowly. Nothing happens fast here: a meal can take hours, waiting in line can take hours, napping can take hours. Ticos take their time and no one ever says "Hurry!" or seems to get upset. No one is ever in a rush, they're very go-with-the-flow people.
5. I think the fact they're so relaxed attributes to the fact that they look so youthful. I can't tell you how many Ticos look at least 10 years younger than their actual age. It's crazy! Not only do they age well, but they are a really good-looking people. I'm never seen more insanely good bodies in one place before. They ALL look like they're in a workout video. There is something to be said for the stress-free lifestyle.
6. Another thing that's very impressive about Costa Rica is the food. Actual Costa Rican food (casado) isn't all that exciting: rice, beans, vegetables, plantains, grilled meats. Nothing with very much spice and or flavor. Not to say it isn't delicious, but it gets old. However, what Costa Rica has going for it is everything is super fresh. The fruits and vegetables of course, but also things like eggs and meat taste so different because they're so fresh. The chicken here is insane! I never knew you could tell the difference between fresh and organic, but you can! It's huge! Fresh food is something we think we get in the states, but we've got nothing on Costa Rica! Screw organic shit back home, this is an entirely new level of fresh. I see produce delivered daily to the market I frequent and if I don't use/freeze most meat/produce right away (almost within 24 hours), it will start to go bad.
As awesome as the food is, don't drink soda because no matter what you get, it's all flat. We've been hard-pressed to find a soda that isn't completely flat (can, bottle, fountain soda, FORGET IT).
7. Although they're light years ahead of us in the food sector, they are just as far behind when it comes to recycling. They don't really recycle or compost. I've seen a couple Organic/Inorganic bins randomly, but nothing really on the streets or at home. People don't recycle in their homes, which is crazy because lots of people drink bottled water and buy fresh fruits and veggies. There could be so much more done to recycle and compost, it's crazy!
They do use mostly renewable energy for their electricity, as far as I've heard, which is awesome. So, kudos for that. I've heard that Costa Rica really is taking huge strides to preserve the planet, which I'm sure is true, but I can't get past the fact they don't recycle. It seems like that would be the first step. Get with it, Costa Rica!
8. Some things in Costa Rica are cheaper than home, while some are considerably more expensive. It's simple really: if it's local, it's cheaper, if they import it, it's expensive. For example, buying local vegetables from a feria (farmer's market) or produce market is pretty cheap. I can get a whole pineapple for a couple bucks. However, we've really grown attached to apples and peanut butter as a snack and a small apple is about $2 and a jar of peanut butter is $8! A small Igloo cooler can be over $50!
Also, the brands we've grown accustomed to are either unavailable or ridiculously expensive. Whatever, travel isn't about having all the comforts of home, right? So, we've been buying local brands of food and products (shampoo, toilet paper, salad dressing) and some are hits and some are misses. It's just a roll of the dice.
They also have some really old brands that haven't been in the U.S. in forever! Aaron pointed out Lucky Strikes cigarettes at the grocery store today. I saw Lucky Strikes on Mad Men, that's how old that is!
9. Smoking is everywhere. No matter where you go, it's happening and it's gross. Everyone I've met smokes something (most smoke cigarettes). Even the environmentalist hippies who don't believe in deodorant believe in cigarettes. It's amazing how universal it is, not just with locals, but with foreigners from around the world. Everyone smokes. Going out at night is like being in a Vegas casino, which sucks for my asthma. Aaron's actually been really good about moving us away when someone is smoking, or if they're friends, even asking them to do it somewhere else. My hero!
10. Contrary to everything I've read, public bathrooms are readily available in most restaurants and bars and usually free and clean. They're cleaned constantly by the staff, which keeps them smelling and looking relatively fresh. Plumbing isn't great, so you're not supposed to flush anything. Everywhere you go, there are trash bins for your toilet paper. It sounds gross, but it's actually easy to get used to and surprisingly doesn't smell.
Sorry this was so long, but those are some things that just popped into my head. Living in another country has been eye-opening, to say the least. While my heart will always be back home, there's a lot I'm loving about being away, here in Costa Rica.
Living Abroad
What has surprised me the most about living in another country is how common traveling is in other parts of the world. Yes, traveling around the world for a year is still something people gawk at, but for the most part, many people we're meeting are traveling for a few months, hitting more than one destination and have been to many places around the world. It just seems crazy as an American to meet so many people traveling for months at a time (not necessarily for work) because in the U.S. most people can't imagine dropping everything and taking a break.
It's also been interesting the types of people you meet while traveling. There are basically two types of people: locals and everyone else. While the locals are REALLY friendly and hospitable, most aren't trying to be friends (Aaron has managed to make a couple Tico friends). The reason it's hard to develop relationships with the locals is not only because of the language barrier, but because most look at you like a meal ticket. Most locals don't make much money and they see tourists as an opportunity. It's not their fault, tourism is huge in Costa Rica and it's their livelihood. This makes it hard to develop any sort of legitimate friendship with Ticos. Therefore, we naturally gravitate towards the "others." No matter where you're from, your age, occupation, background or situation, we gravitate towards each other because we both don't fit in. We've met lots of interesting people we would probably never befriend if it wasn't for this unique situation. It's been really fun and unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's like crashing a party. If you meet someone else crashing as well, you naturally want to hang out with that guy because you have this huge thing in common that no one else can relate to.
On that same note, it's also a lonely life because most people you meet are only in town for a short while. On the one hand, it's exciting to constantly meet new people, but on the other, it's hard to develop really meaningful relationships because you just don't get that kind of time. It's something I'm trying to get used to, but it's been the biggest challenge for me. You end up missing being in a room with more that one person who knows you.
The upside is being alone teaches you a lot about yourself and the person you're with. I've learned so much about who I am and who Aaron and I are as a couple, just from being here all alone. Again, it hasn't been easy, but it's like holding a mirror up to your face and really seeing who you are and what you're made of.
Living In Costa Rica
Moving onto Costa Rica specifically, there are lots of things that are very different from back home. I will list them for you.
1. It is always H-O-T! You have to plan your day (your life) around the heat. Failure to do so is a mistake! Water is a must, both to drink and to dunk your sweaty body into periodically. You won't enter a home or establishment without at least a few fans going at a constant full-speed. You get used to the hum of the fans and almost search for it (as it is your salvation). You also plan to be indoors midday, as it's the hottest time of day.
2. Due to the heat, there are lots of different types of bugs and they are HUGE! We're not in Kansas anymore because everywhere I look is another impossibly horrific science experiment creature gone wrong. We keep a very clean house, not only because I'm so anal about my house being freakishly clean, but also because if I even see a bug I'll be on the first plane home (yea, I don't like bugs). We've been relatively successful so far, we do have cockroaches come up out of the shower drain occasionally (the giant hissing ones!!!) and I scream and yell "SHOE!" and Aaron grabs the shoe and crunches it into the floor a few times and we go on with life. Outdoors I can't really get away with yelling "SHOE!" and have been trying to just tough it out. The worst time of day is dusk because the mosquitoes are in full force. This is when I bust out the DEET.
3. Not only are there bugs galore, but all sorts of mammal/reptilian wander this earth. First of all, dogs are always out and about (both stray and those with homes). It sounds strange (and it is), but I've never seen a mean (or even unhappy) dog here. They are welcome in bars and restaurants, they know how to cross the street and they know how to get back home. They are so happy-go-lucky, it makes me wonder if maybe they have the right idea.
I almost can't go a day without seeing some sort of lizard cross my path. Some are actually huge! We have a little gecko who lives with us named Greenly. We see her occasionally crawling up the wall and say "Hi Greenly!" She's harmless and kind of adorable.
4. In Costa Rica, there's something called "Tico Time." It's sort of like Island Time, where everything just moves sort of slowly, like stuck-in-a-pool-of-syrup slowly. Nothing happens fast here: a meal can take hours, waiting in line can take hours, napping can take hours. Ticos take their time and no one ever says "Hurry!" or seems to get upset. No one is ever in a rush, they're very go-with-the-flow people.
5. I think the fact they're so relaxed attributes to the fact that they look so youthful. I can't tell you how many Ticos look at least 10 years younger than their actual age. It's crazy! Not only do they age well, but they are a really good-looking people. I'm never seen more insanely good bodies in one place before. They ALL look like they're in a workout video. There is something to be said for the stress-free lifestyle.
6. Another thing that's very impressive about Costa Rica is the food. Actual Costa Rican food (casado) isn't all that exciting: rice, beans, vegetables, plantains, grilled meats. Nothing with very much spice and or flavor. Not to say it isn't delicious, but it gets old. However, what Costa Rica has going for it is everything is super fresh. The fruits and vegetables of course, but also things like eggs and meat taste so different because they're so fresh. The chicken here is insane! I never knew you could tell the difference between fresh and organic, but you can! It's huge! Fresh food is something we think we get in the states, but we've got nothing on Costa Rica! Screw organic shit back home, this is an entirely new level of fresh. I see produce delivered daily to the market I frequent and if I don't use/freeze most meat/produce right away (almost within 24 hours), it will start to go bad.
As awesome as the food is, don't drink soda because no matter what you get, it's all flat. We've been hard-pressed to find a soda that isn't completely flat (can, bottle, fountain soda, FORGET IT).
7. Although they're light years ahead of us in the food sector, they are just as far behind when it comes to recycling. They don't really recycle or compost. I've seen a couple Organic/Inorganic bins randomly, but nothing really on the streets or at home. People don't recycle in their homes, which is crazy because lots of people drink bottled water and buy fresh fruits and veggies. There could be so much more done to recycle and compost, it's crazy!
They do use mostly renewable energy for their electricity, as far as I've heard, which is awesome. So, kudos for that. I've heard that Costa Rica really is taking huge strides to preserve the planet, which I'm sure is true, but I can't get past the fact they don't recycle. It seems like that would be the first step. Get with it, Costa Rica!
8. Some things in Costa Rica are cheaper than home, while some are considerably more expensive. It's simple really: if it's local, it's cheaper, if they import it, it's expensive. For example, buying local vegetables from a feria (farmer's market) or produce market is pretty cheap. I can get a whole pineapple for a couple bucks. However, we've really grown attached to apples and peanut butter as a snack and a small apple is about $2 and a jar of peanut butter is $8! A small Igloo cooler can be over $50!
Also, the brands we've grown accustomed to are either unavailable or ridiculously expensive. Whatever, travel isn't about having all the comforts of home, right? So, we've been buying local brands of food and products (shampoo, toilet paper, salad dressing) and some are hits and some are misses. It's just a roll of the dice.
They also have some really old brands that haven't been in the U.S. in forever! Aaron pointed out Lucky Strikes cigarettes at the grocery store today. I saw Lucky Strikes on Mad Men, that's how old that is!
9. Smoking is everywhere. No matter where you go, it's happening and it's gross. Everyone I've met smokes something (most smoke cigarettes). Even the environmentalist hippies who don't believe in deodorant believe in cigarettes. It's amazing how universal it is, not just with locals, but with foreigners from around the world. Everyone smokes. Going out at night is like being in a Vegas casino, which sucks for my asthma. Aaron's actually been really good about moving us away when someone is smoking, or if they're friends, even asking them to do it somewhere else. My hero!
10. Contrary to everything I've read, public bathrooms are readily available in most restaurants and bars and usually free and clean. They're cleaned constantly by the staff, which keeps them smelling and looking relatively fresh. Plumbing isn't great, so you're not supposed to flush anything. Everywhere you go, there are trash bins for your toilet paper. It sounds gross, but it's actually easy to get used to and surprisingly doesn't smell.
Sorry this was so long, but those are some things that just popped into my head. Living in another country has been eye-opening, to say the least. While my heart will always be back home, there's a lot I'm loving about being away, here in Costa Rica.
SHOE!! Lol. Soon you'll be moving on too.
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