by Hannah Nevitt, Greenheart Travel’s volunteer participant

Costa Rica

I have only been in Costa Rica for one week, but already I am quickly coming to know the meaning of “Pura Vida.”  Regardless of how much money they have, families here live with fewer accommodations. For example, most families own only one vehicle and some take local transportation via bus or bike to work or to the store; they own fewer clothes and perhaps have one cellular phone to share between them. With such small living spaces they are constantly interacting with their family members. I enjoy watching the tender affections and closeness between the kids, their parents, and with relatives. They often greet each other with a kiss to the cheek or a handshake—even when they live next door and see each other daily.

My host mother washes all the clothes by hand, prepares our meals, and cleans the house every day while the kids are at school. She hangs the clothes out to dry…which can often take a few days since it is so humid. The family provides most of their own food. They have cows, chickens, and fruit trees so every day they bring in fresh milk, eggs, fruit, and the family makes cheese. There is also a lake near the property so fish is a staple in their diets, as well as fruit and vegetables since they have the orchard and organic gardens.

The food is excellent! The common Costa Rican Diet consists of rice, beans, fruit, and vegetables with meat once a day. Each morning, (Ticos get up very early…often at 5:30am) I have a piece of watermelon and a plate of either rice and beans, or eggs and tomatoes with a cup of coffee. The coffee in Costa Rica is fantastic; we have coffee in the morning and once again in the afternoon with bread, or crackers with jam. For dinner, Dinia prepares fish, chicken, or pork with vegetables and rice. I think my diet is very balanced. Except with fewer carbohydrates and sweets…which is good!

Another element of Pura Vida that I have come to observe is how well everyone knows each other in the neighborhood. When we drive down the road, or when we walk to the store we have to stop multiple times to say hello or chat with the people. It is apparent that I am currently the only foreigner in the neighborhood. Since the high tourist season is over and the area I am in is about 40 minutes from the touristy areas…everyone seems to know I am new. I have had several people from the community stop by to say hello or greet me because they heard I was in town. They all want to make sure I feel welcome…which is awesome!

I’m currently working on two (maybe three) longer blogs that are taking a while to compose.  So, I’ve decided to write a quick one about Spanish in Costa Rica.

There are two things that you hear only in Costa Rica: “pura vida” and “mae”.

Pura Vida: a catch-all phrase that can mean just about anything, depending upon your inflection and face when you say it—”pura vida” translates literally into “pure life”, and is more or less the equivalent to how Disney’s “The Lion King” explains “Hakuna matata”–no worries, no cares.  But pura vida is more….it’s used in almost every situation…even when it may not appear to make sense…

Ask a person how they are, response : “pura vida”

Ask a person if they had a good day, response: “pura vida”

Tell a person you’re sorry to hear that their pet died, response : “pura vida”

Ask someone if they want gallo pinto with that breakfast order, response : “pura vida”

You are leaving, and say goodbye, response: “pura vida”

Such a simple phrase can be so complex for us Gringos!

“Mae”: Has been described to me as most closely related to “dude” in English.  I guess if you’re from the West Coast this makes more sense.  Maybe in the the rest of the US “man” or “guy” makes more sense…

¿Cómo estas mae? = How are you, dude?

¿Q’ mae? ~ What’s up dude?

Mae, eso mae tuvó un cuchillo mae. = Dude, that dude had a knife, dude.

You might laugh at the last one, but I’ve heard more “mae”s littering the Tico talk than there is human trash in the ocean (you may know it’s bad, but have you checked this out?  http://science.howstuffworks.com/great-pacific-garbage-patch.htm).  It’s interesting to see the age gradient that occurs with this, also.  The older generations never use mae, but college-age Ticos use mae all of the time!  Pura vida is used by all generations, but mae seems to be concentrated in the younger.  Both are only found in Costa Rica….

¡PURA VIDA, MAE!

by Hannah Nevitt, Greenheart Travel’s volunteer abroad participant

Surrounded by a tropical rain forest in San Carlos, Costa Rica, I am once again reminded of how people can enjoy more of life—with less.  I am currently living with a host family of five and working on an eco-reserve with student volunteers in a rural town called Jabillos, near the Volcano, Arenal. 

My first impressions of Costa Rica are that its people, the “Ticos” are quite friendly, and that they live quite simply—without many material items. My home is small—a one story building with 5 bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, one shower, and an open kitchen /dining room. My family’s home is quite grand compared to most of the homes in the neighborhood.

Most families have patios in front of their homes under awnings so that they can relax outside in rocking chairs. It is quite hot and humid here, even in the rainy season (winter), so the doors are left open allowing air to pass through for most of the day…they are then closed at night.

Beautiful arrays of pastels cover the exteriors of the houses within the neighborhood. Turquoise, yellows, blues, pinks, greens….and some with murals of flowers or frogs—it is really incredible. My host family’s house is a pastel green with yellow trim. The inside walls are painted green and yellow to match, with stained wood walls to separate the rooms. The floors are covered with large square ceramic tiles, as is custom in most homes. This provides a nice surface to keep clean while it is still comfortable walk around barefoot…this is especially nice for the kids and I, for it is an ideal surface for playing soccer on the front porch!

My host family’s house is surrounded by five other houses occupied by relatives. The entire property is owned by my host mother’s family…her father Senior Ramon Vasquez owns more than 350 acres in the area and throughout Guanacaste (a territory of Costa Rica). I found this to be especially interesting because compared to living standards in the U.S. they continue to live quite moderately.

My family consists of mi Madre, Dinia, her husband, Roy, and their three kids…Jordi (the eldest son at 17), Delany (their daughter who is almost 10), and Dario (the youngest who is 7). The families of Dinia’s brothers and sisters live in the surrounding houses along the road, as well as her parents…who live in a house across the property (they have a citrus grove of lemon and orange trees).

There are usually many children running around day and night….they range in ages from one year to seventeen. This is really fun for me because I get to play with them and they help me with my Spanish (and laugh at the things I say). The boys are around 7 or 8 years old so we play a lot of soccer, while the girls are older so we draw and I let them play with my makeup.

The common phrase in Costa Rica is “Pura Vida” (poo-ra-vee-da) which signifies a simple and more relaxed approach to life. It is used commonly in their language as a response to many questions; How are you?…Pura Vida, What is up?…Pura Vida, How did you like the rainstorm yesterday? Pura Vida. It represents a way of life for the Tican people.

I Costa Rica finns ett uttryck som passar in i nästan alla situationer nästan jämt. Uttrycket är ”Pura Vida” och betyder ungefär: ”Full av liv”, ”Helt enkelt livet”, ”Det rena livet”, ”Det ljuva livet” eller något i den stilen.

Det är en fråga, såväl som ett svar: ”Full av liv?” ”Full av liv!” . Det kan till exempel användas då man träffar någon, och håll med om att det är färgsprakande i kontrast till det gamla hederliga: ”Allt bra?” ”Jo, tack!”

Min egen tolkning av ”Pura Vida”, efter tre månader i Costa Rica, är att det är ett uttryck för livets goda. Allt det vi kan åtnjuta då vi fullföljt vår dygd. Att arbeta för att leva istället för att leva för arbetet. Att inte leva för att studera utan att studera för livet – för att sedan kunna leva det rena livet fullt ut.

Min värdpappa nämnde att någon har spårat uttrycket tillbaka till femtiotalet då det lär ha blivit importerat från någon mexikansk film. Hur det nu än var är det idag etablerat i Costa Rica – och så costaricanskt det kan bli. För den intresserade finns det lite mer information på wikipedia (här).

Att njuta av livets goda, att leva i stunden och att vara glad för det man har och upplever just precis nu. Pura Vida – Full av liv!

So ich habe mal ein paar Sachen gesammelt um euch die Natur der Ticos etwas näher zu bringe oder eher das Pura Vida hier drüben.

Was mir heute morgen aufgefallen ist: Hier wird kein Wetterbericht geguckt, zwar Massen an Nachrichten aber der Wetterdienst wird demonstrativ weggeschalten (im Gegensatz zu Deutschland wo die Regenansage für den nächsten Tag das Highlight der Tagesshow ist)

Generell sind die Nachrichten mehr auf Klatsch und Tratsch aus Costa Rica aufgebaut, es wird viel über Drogendealer gebracht, die von der Polizei verhaftet wurden oder irgendwelche Tierarten die im Meer gesichtet wurden und die Stauvorhersage für San Jose wird mit Kamera übertragen, habe letztens sogar darüber den Unfall gesehen, der den 5 Km langen Stau veruracht hat.

Es Gibt mehr Stau in San Jose als auf der A 1

Es gibt gepimmte taxis. Ja im ernst, bin letztens mit einem gefahren, von außen total verbeult und innen hats mir fast den Kopf vom Bas der meega Boxenweggeblasen:D

In der Schule läuft auch vieles sehr anders.

Morgens kann man ohne Probleme bis zu 30 min ohne Stress zu spät kommen. In den darauffolgenden Stunden schließt der Lehrer (Hier einfach nur Profeeeeeeee(wenn jemand was fragt einfach nur : Prrooooofffeeee) hinter sich radikal die Tür ohne aus Gliedmaßen zu achten, die vielleicht zwischen stecken könnten und die die noch draußen sind müssen 5 min schmoren. Dann wird man reingelassen und radikal aufgeschrieben…Naja obs irgendwann auch mal bestraft wird , keine Ahnung, wenn schon bin ich ganz schön am ar****:) Aber streng ist es hier wirklich nicht, die Lehrer lachen eher über die Schüler, die zu spät kommen.

Die Klausuren sind immer gleich aufgebaut: Multiplechoice (marca con x) ca 50 Aufgaben und dann Kurzantworten und dann ein “desarollo” “Zusammenfassung” da muss man dann meißtens einen TExt schreiben. Aber die Arbeiten machen eigentlich spaß:) mehr als in Dland, naja ich mal ja auch Blümchen drauf.

Jeden Tag beginnt der Unterricht morgens mit einem Lied, moderen Kirchlieder und ja an alle leute aus der Gemeinde , die songs von Hillsongs laufen da, letztens habe ich worthy is the Lamp gehört und gaaanz doll an euch gedacht!Und danach kommt ein Gebet über Lautsprecher und soetwas wie eine Andacht und dann noch was so für den Tag ansteht.

Montags wird sogar immer die Hymne gesungen.

Diese berüchtigten Ansagen kommen übrigends jeden Tag mindestens 3mal. Und sie beginnen immer so : Halo, halo, a todos alumnos:) ! immer gleich, immer die selbe Stimme und immer ein genervtes Stöhnen der Leherer und Schüler. Abundzu wird er sogar richtig penetrant und sagt die selbe Sache drei mal:D Bis alle Schüler den Lautsprecher anbrüllen er soll seinen Mund halten:D

Und die Pausen werden glaube ich so nach Gefühl geklingelt. Mal dauert eine Unterrichtsstunde 40 mal 30 mal 45 min.

Ticos sind viel herzlicher: Alle sind sich am betüddeln, kraulen, streicheln,knuddeln und so. Ich werde starke Depressionen bekommen wenn ich wieder in Dland bin.

Sogar die Jungs machen das miteinander, sind einfach offener, liebevoller und unbefangener. Sie umarmen sich voll oft und soo..aber sind alle total gegen schwule!! Also wirklich das ist hier einfach normal. Aber ich finds cool. Alles fühlt sich viel wärmer um einen herrum an.

Die Familie ist der erste und engste Freundeskreis den man hat (auch der größte,als kurze info zwischen durch : mein Gastvater hat 15 meine gastmutter ca 10 geschwister) und man macht richtig viel mit ihnen.

Sonntags ist Familien- und – Kirchentag. Und danach gehen wir immer in eine Moll essen und Klamotten gucken.

Hier gibt es viel mehr Parks wo sich die ganze Stadt trifft, so wie die Hardt. Und richtig groß und schön und muchos muchos:D

…

Bald kommt mehr.

Costa Rica is a passion of mine.  In fact, I have visited six times and plan to live in there in the next few years!  Because of the healthy lifestyle, fresh, vine ripened fruit, mineral rich water, lifetime physical work and sense of purpose, Costa Rica is home of one of the few Blue Zones in the world known for it’s high number of centenarians.

You are invited to join me in Costa Rica this January since I am traveling with Gutsy Women Travel January 17th for 9 days in Pura Vida (the Pure Life)!  The trip they have put together looks wonderful.  We will be going to several places I have already visited and several that will be new to me, like the snorkeling in Tortuga Island!  I cannot wait to return to the hot springs spas of Tabacon near the Arenal Vocano.  Here you will experience soaking in hot natural spas in an exotic garden setting.  Imagine having a steaming hot waterfall massaging your back while relaxing in a jungle setting.  It’s amazing!

While here in the rain forest, I will lead a group to experience the most amazing zip lines near the resort.  These are the most amazing zip lines I have ever experienced.  Imagine flying hundreds of feet above the canapy of the rain forest.  It’s totally exelorating.  I used to have a fear of heights, but no more!  It looks very scary, but after your first time, you too will be a fan!

I believe in taking time to rejuvinate and what better place to do this.  I hope you can join me in Pura Vida this January!  Here is some details about our trip:

Join Gutsy Women Travel’s Costa Rican Traditions trip and find out for yourself why it was voted the “Happiest Country on the Planet.”  Costa Rica is a peaceful and prosperous country that is internationally recognized for its ecological and environmental mindfulness as well as its warm hospitality, majestic landscapes, colorful wildlife and vibrant culture.

 Our 9-day tour starts in San Jose on January 16 and weaves through lush rainforest, virgin cloud forest, two active volcanoes, working coffee and sugar plantations and the world’s largest butterfly garden.  There will be endless opportunities for viewing wildlife and plant life – many of the species only found here – as you venture through one of the most bio-diverse regions of the world.

¡Pura Vida, CRISTO!

Parte: I

Autor:

Sergio A. Perelli

El origen de la expresión Pura Vida, se la acredita al ya fallecido cómico mexicano Antonio Espino, mejor conocido como “Clavillazo”, quien la utilizaba frecuentemente en sus películas más populares de la década de los 1950′.

Pura Vida, conlleva la idea de que “todo se encuentra bien”, “todo está tranquilo” o “todo está en orden” y es la frase más representativa del pueblo de Costa Rica, un país reconocido por su tradición de paz y democracia; pero también por ser un verdadero paraíso natural de selvas tropicales, bosques lluviosos, playas, ríos, manglares, volcanes, fauna y flora silvestre.

Pero aunque Costa Rica es uno de los países con el mayor índice de bienestar social de América Latina y con un porcentaje de solamente el 7% de analfabetismo; “no todo se encuentra bien” o es “Pura Vida” en la sociedad costarricense.

El Doctor Rodrigo Brenes Madrigal, catedrático pensionado de la Facultad de Microbiología de la Universidad de Costa Rica ha declarado: “En Costa Rica, vivimos una alcoholocracia…la droga más peligrosa que se consume en nuestro país, y que se ha introducido en los hogares costarricenses como parte importante de la canasta básica; no se le tiene el mínimo miedo y hasta se le considera como un símbolo patrio, con himno al guaro incluido.”

Asimismo, el escritor Jorge Oller en su página A Fuego Lento en un artículo titulado “Pura Vida, reflejo de conformismo y mediocridad” escribe: “En el país Pura Vida en el que vivimos,reina el yo y no el nosotros…nos estamos concentrando envenderlo todo…nuestra dignidad a manos de la prostitución de todo tipo, los casinos, el juego y la plata fácil. ¿Pura Vida? Pues no, Pura Vida nada, Pura Vida no es Pura Vida sino una especie de autoengaño colectivo.”

Salomón al leer los dos párrafos anteriores nos recordaría: “He aquí, solamente esto he hallado: que Dios hizo al hombre recto,pero ellos buscaron muchas perversiones.” (Eclesiastés 7:29)

El Evangelio de Juan está lleno de palabras pronunciadas por Jesús refiriéndose a El mismo como la fuente de la Pura Vida:

*Juan 3:16 -“De tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree no se pierda, mas tenga VIDA ETERNA.”

*Juan 3:36 -“El que cree en el Hijo tiene VIDA.”

*Juan 4:14-“El que bebiere del agua que yo le daré, no tendrá sed jamás; sino que el agua que yo le daré será en él una fuente de agua que salte para VIDA ETERNA.”

*Juan 5:24-“El que oye mi palabra, y cree al que me envió, tieneVIDA ETERNA; y no vendrá a condenación, mas ha pasado de muerte a VIDA.”

*Juan 6:48,51-“Yo soy el pan de VIDA. Yo soy el pan VIVO que descendió del cielo; si alguno comiere de este pan, VIVIRA PARA SIEMPRE…”

*Juan 8:12-“Yo soy la luz del mundo; el que me sigue, no andará en tinieblas, sino que tendrá la luz de la VIDA.”

*Juan 10:28-“Yo les doy VIDA ETERNA; y no perecerán jamás.”

*Juan 12:25-“El que ama su vida, la perderá; y el que aborrece su vida en este mundo, para VIDA ETERNA la guardará.”

*Juan 14:6-“Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la VIDA…”

Los versículos que he expuesto no son los únicos para demostrar que solamente la persona de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, puede dar Pura Vida al pueblo de Costa Rica y al resto de América Latina. (Continuará)

Gracia y Paz

Sergio

“Amigo de Jesús”

*Este escrito ha sido publicado en este blog con el permiso del pastor Sergio A. Perelli.*

Bueno, hoy tenía que escribir sobre mi Naturalización, obviamente.

La ceremonia no existe, solamente llegás a una hora a un auditorio y haces fila detrás de varias personas y conforme vas avanzando te movés de silla y de ser el número sesenta y resto por fin te toca… Te ponés de pie, subís las graditas al escenario…firmas acá, ahora firme igual allá, su dedo índice acá y al final firmás por tercera vez pero en uno de esos Libros gigantes, de Actas, con aspecto de ser de los últimos que se usen para la ocación y ya..!!

(ahora como soy tico hablo en vos…que mal)

Un titulito con foto incluida y por favor venga mañana a hacer  la fila de la cédula, con dos testigos ticos y espere los últimos 22 días que ya le entregaremos la cédula…Mejor dicho, solo faltan 3 semanas.

No puedo votar, Calderón se quedará sin mi voto, Laurita gobernará sin mi apoyo y Ottón será para el 2014 que analizaré la situación…No importa, mi intención de hacerme tico nunca fue por la política.

Bueno, llegúe de 12 años…hace exactamente 30 años (que montón acumulados)… La situación no era bonita en el Aparthotel que nos hospedamos los primeros meses, la familia se deshacía y mis papás se divertían peleando entre ellos. Yo, hijo mayor lo sufría bastante (claro) y me escapaba con mis doce años en bus a San José…a leer comics a la Universal y la Lehman…ahí me robé algunos libros (que niñito) que escondía en alguno de los cajones del cuarto donde estábamos.

Veníamos de vivir en México, allá teníamos un perro cocker spaniel super majadero que mi mamá había decidido que era mío y que de la venta me daría $100 dólares solo para mí… Bueno, ya en Chepe y con mis inicios de rockero adolescente pedí mi dinero. Mi mamá me preguntó para que los quería todo, si era mucha plata, yo respondí que era para comprarme la colección completa de Queen…jajaa pobre madre.

Cumplió su promesa y yo caminé todo San José en busca de cada uno de los LPs de Queen…Los conseguí todos. Ahora es  muy fácil hacer eso. Y más fácil bajarlos. Pero en esos años (inicios de los 80s) era casi imposible. Inicios del Coleccionista, del rockero majadero y más gracioso, inicios del científico anárquico que le encanta indagar lo que no necesariamente entiende.

Queen me gustó de primera entrada por Rapsodia Bohemia, genial, pero en tiempos sin videos eran simplemente portadas de discos lo que se sabía de los grupos y de repente, por fin conseguí el disco “A night at the Opera”… lo abrí y ahí estaban mis héroes del rock…

Para un niño el interior del LP era realmente chocante, los tipos de blanco, maquillados y muy ambiguos…todavía me parece chistoso recordarme como me gustaba la música pero no me cabía en la cabeza semejante imagen…jaja trauma superado…fan número uno de Queen y conocedor de las letras y de su música.

Puedo decir que es una buena manera de comenzar a escuchar rock.

Es una buena manera de crecer y conocer este país al que le debo toda mi vida conciente. Viva Costa Rica.

Pura vida..!!

I have a thing for rain forests.  It started when I was 11, in 6th grade, when I watched a video in Mrs. Wilmot’s science class.  Mrs. Wilmot, in hindsight, was a great teacher.  I remember she connected poetry to science, and suddenly, I was dreaming about trees.  It’s odd, but I’ve found myself deeply affected by movies and television shows.  I’ve changed my life a few times over images I’ve seen.  That video inspired a lifetime love of jungles, brightly colored birds, and monkeys.  Oh, Lord, the monkeys.  It made me study environmental science in college, and it made me yearn to visit Costa Rica/Madagascar.  I’ve done both, within the last few years, and both changed my life.  Costa Rica uplifted it; Madagascar crushed everything and reframed my world.  For me, both places are some version of home…and key to understanding who I am and why I still want to be in this world.

The Costa Ricans have a saying that hit home for me from the minute I started studying their culture.  It’s called pura vida.  Many people misunderstand what the phrase means; they think it’s something akin to laziness.  Rather, for Costa Ricans, it’s about being in — and of — the world.  It’s about perservering in the face of great difficulty and being resilient.  But it’s also about going about that journey with a happy spirit.  It’s about enjoying life and celebrating every moment of good fortune.  For me, it’s the essence of what life is about — what it should be about.  Being in the moment.  Being grateful.  Taking things as they come.  Fighting like Hell for happiness and for the life you deserve.

This blog is about that. 

I don’t really remember when it started.  Maybe, it just always was.  There are pictures of me with chubby cheeks…pictures of a roly-poly, two-year old me.  Back then, it was cute.  It quickly became something else.  I was always the girl whose clothes never really fit.  I was always the girl who took comfort in food.  But, mostly, it was okay until I was twelve.  That’s the year I broke my leg in some spectacular way.  In any case, I gained a bunch of weight in a short amount of time…which started a long road of being the fat…not just chubby…girl.  It lasted for a long time, and then, I did something about it.  In one year, I lost over a hundred pounds.  I became a pristine eater.  I exercised like it was my job.  I was miserable and still completely disconnected from my body.  I found that intimacy…with myself and others…was painful for me.  The whole thing probably wasn’t sustainable.  Of course, it wasn’t sustainable.  Because it isn’t the physical condition of being fat that is hard.  That stuff — that’s just a manifestation of a bigger, mental/emotional problem…problems I was largely unprepared to tackle.  Since that initial weight loss, a lot has happened in my life…stuff that normally affects people’s ability to be healthy.  I’m not immune to this.  I’ve lost and gained and lost again.  For me, it’s been a struggle — sometimes of epic proportions — to take care of myself.  I have fallen off the wagon and gotten back on only to basically be dragged by that wagon.  Like it or not, weight will always be too much of a concern for me.  It will always be my Achilles heel.  It does not matter how much I weigh.  I’ve got to work on the conditions that set me up for this battle.  

This blog is about that, too. 

Fat people get a lot of crap heaped down on them, which makes absolutely no sense if you think about it.  Because, in America, most of us are fat.  Or maybe, it makes too much sense.  The reason we’re fat is because we hate ourselves.  So, it makes sense that we maim each other for our own downfalls.  It doesn’t help anyone to do this.  It just continues a vicious cycle.  I believe that the key to healing is understanding.  That’s a start.  But more than that, we have to take that understanding and use it to make meaningful changes in our lives.

This blog is mostly about that.

I know why weight is an issue for me and will always be an issue:

• I have a genetic predisposition to it.  My Mama called it “big-boned.”  Joy.  No, really, look at my family.  If you count the number of people in my family who are/have been morbidly obese, it’ll make your damn head spin. 
• But, obviously, it isn’t just genetics.  My family, having that predisposition, fostered it more through behaviors.  Like fighting over pork chops.  Like not being active.  My Mama was never educated about nutrition.  She grew up in the Great Depression.  You ate what was in front of you. 
• I grew up poor, and a pattern of feast-famine was established early on.  We had lots of food for a couple of days — “bad” food — and then weeks of rice, beans, and potatoes.  Cheap food tends to be horribly unhealthy.  Mama did not know basic things about balance.  She didn’t understand that some cooking methods were better.  All of this lead to something that screwed up my ideas about food, affect my food cravings to this day, and shot the hell out of my body’s ability to be resilient.
• While getting ready for TFA, I was finally diagnosed with a hypothyroid issue.  Basically, this means that my body is completely crazy.  It means that it’s much more difficult for me to lose weight once I put it on.  It also means that I am never really truly well-rested.  I run on empty, always exhausted.  The medication that was supposed to fix it actually freaked my body out to the point of insanity.  I am now not taking anything to control this condition and relying on natural methods to reset my body to its normal state.  This has not been easy.
• I have an addictive personality and grew up in a culture of addicts.  It’s in my DNA.  It was in my home.  Of course, I’m going to have an issue with something.  Food is my alcohol.
• I love food.  I am the child of a chef.  I know food.  I dream of it.  High class food; shite food.  All of it holds a memory.  I love to use it to celebrate.  There is no greater comfort. 
• I’m an emotional eater.  Food has always been my regulator.  I actually love healthy food, but I tend to eat badly when I’m unhappy.  I crave Big Macs, for example, when I feel beaten down by the world.  It’s a childhood thing. 
• I use weight to hide from the world.  I figured out early on that people would leave me alone if I was fat.  Meaning…they wouldn’t bother with me.  I could exist in this world all by myself, and that was good because I didn’t want anyone to leave me.  I didn’t want to love someone and have them go away.  Maybe, I didn’t think I deserved to be loved.  In any case, it’s how I keep people at arm’s length.  And it makes you the bad guy.  Because you’re an asshole for not loving me because of my appearance.
• When you’re fat, it’s a vicious cycle.  It’s harder to exercise because there’s just more of you to move around.  I have asthma, so that was another challenge.  But there’s also a huge emotional component…a self-consciousness about being seen and looked at.  I always wanted to disappear, and I remember the biggest hurdle for me in losing the weight was being afraid that people would hear me breathe while working out.  It’s completely insane, but it almost stopped me.  Almost.
• I kinda sorta hate myself.

There’s more…I’m sure…but that’s what I’ve got right now.  The point is…it isn’t as simple as getting off your ass and putting the doughnut down.  You have to address the medical factors while dealing with why the Hell you do this shit to yourself.  Because you only do things when you get something from them.  And to continue doing this, when it is so unbelievably hard, means the reason you do this is monumentally huge.  You have to really hate yourself to let yourself continue on this road. 

This blog isn’t really about that…well, it is…but not directly.

This year has really be a time of transition for me.  I’ve been working hard on ”getting back to myself” — whatever that means.  The long and the short of it is finding happiness…discovering what that means to me and then trying to manifest it in my life.  It means doing things I love and getting really honest with myself about the dysfunctional parts of my life.  It’s been a challenge.

A few weeks back, I realized that I had a lot of unfinished business with myself.  A lot of things I thought I dealt with a long time ago started bubbling up again.  And I decided that it was time to face all of it again.  Because I clearly had some issues.  I decided to face it using what I normally use: my words.  I write to figure out my life…to heal myself.  It’s who I am.  So, I started a project…basically a memoir, trying to get to the heart of why this is such a struggle…the emotional stuff…the really looking at myself stuff.  That’s why this isn’t about that.  I’m saving it for that. 

This week, I realized that I needed something beyond the writing to help me change my life.  I’ve understood things, and writing is helping me understand more.  But changing my life…finding a philosophy and a course of action that sticks…that isn’t subject to life’s whim requires something more.  It requires some method of accountability.  I am simply not good at holding myself accountable when it comes to this.  I have a long track record of falling on my ass.  So, I thought about what I’m good at.  What do I do with consistency?  There were two answers.  I blog, and I take photos.  Thus, I’ve decided to start this blog. 

The focus of this blog is much different from my main blog.  This is a blog about doing — not reflecting.  And it isn’t about weight loss.  That is not my goal.  It’s about wellness.  It’s about happiness.  It’s about mindfulness…being in, and of, the world.  Holding myself accountable.  Sort of a happiness portfolio.

So, starting tomorrow, I’m going to post pictures of everything that goes into my body (except water and medicine…though both will be logged and noted).  I’m going to track nutritional information, my activity levels, and the condition of my spirit.  What did I do today that uplifted me — that helped connect me to others?  What am I grateful for?  And all of these things will be noted with a comment about how I felt in relation to whatever it was.  Because, for me, this is about being disconnected from myself.  I need to sync my emotional/mental/physical selves. 

I’m excited, but also a little scared to bare so much of myself here.  But I think it’s necessary, especially given my propensity to hide in plain sight.  It gives me a lot of hope, and I already feel a bit more empowered. 

Hello Travel Lovers!

As you know TBTC will be traveling to Costa Rica in November. We are so excited to offer open enrollment for the first time ever! This is going to be our best trip yet, let’s experience this Costa Rican “Pura Vida” adventure together. We have a few openings left so contact us ASAP to reserve your spot!!! We’ll be paddling our way through the Savegre River and ziplining through the tropical jungles sooner than you think!

Click here to see the full itinerary: http://thinkbluetravelclub.net/uploads/Costa_Rica_Itinerary.pdf

My name is Valerie Bihet, the VIBE director of the VIBE agency. I have been an event planner and DMC in Miami for five years. Over that period of time, I have sought out amazing locations, both near and far, created unique and one-of-a-kind events for corporate clients, brands such as Bulgari, LVMH, Guerlain, L’Oreal, Zenith, and more. I have learned so much and want to share what I know to better the special events industry as a whole. The sharing of information – especially with the economy the way it is – is imperative to help our companies grow stronger. With that said, I have just returned from a trip to Costa Rica and have plenty of great information to share.

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The expression “pura vida” rolls off the Costa Rican tongue like a mantra. Pura Vida: it means Pure Life. It’s an expression of happiness, excitement, and national identity. And it fits Costa Rica and the Costa Rican people to a “T”. (Costa Rican locals are called Ticos)

The news for meeting, incentive, and wedding planners is that more hotels have opened recently with the size, service levels, and meeting facilities that are essential to a well-run event. The VIBE agency took a trip for few days and wanted to share with you its experience in this beautiful country that is filled with resources:

Costa Rica moved up the Tourism Competitiveness ranking this year, nabbing second place in all of Latin America, second only to Barbados. Despite being ranked 118 out of 133 nations for its roads, which are worse than in poverty stricken countries like Burkina Faso and Zambia, Costa Rica fell back on its natural resources and government support for tourism to secure 42nd place in the world, according to a report by the World Economic Forum that was presented yesterday in Switzerland.

This small Central American country enchants with its lush, blooming countryside, pristine beaches, and lovely people. For years, Costa Rica has capitalized on this Eden-like beauty, drawing eco-tourists to its lodges and hostels like bees to blossoms. A well-established ecotourism infrastructure leads visitors hiking through rain forests, rafting down river rapids, and visiting active volcanoes. In biological terms, Costa Rica is one of the wealthiest nations in the world. The country’s varied national parks and preserves, covering almost 25 percent of the national territory, protect vast extensions of wilderness that boast more than 9,000 kinds of flowering plants, 231 species of mammals, 383 kinds of reptiles, 830 species of birds and more than 2,000 butterfly species. Nature-loving travelers from all over the world come here for the country’s bird-watching and natural history tours, diving safaris, kayaking trips, and sport fishing.

In addition to its natural assets, Costa Rica enjoys a rich historical and cultural heritage. The country’s principal museums display impressive collections of pre-Columbian artifacts, and the rich heritage of Costa Rica’s Spanish colonial period is reflected in Catholic churches that are the central point of every town. Festive rodeos and horse parades mark rural celebrations.

Their native people are friendly and well educated, attributes no doubt fostered by the country’s democratic tradition and respect for foreign cultures. English is widely spoken in every corner of the nation.

Costa Rica has one of the best airline services in the Caribbean basin, with daily flights from New York, Washington DC, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Mexico and most Latin American countries.

Nowhere else will you find so many varied, crazy, mild or out-of-the-ordinary adventures in one place, including: whitewater rafting, rain forest zip lines, active volcanoes, deep-sea fishing, ATV adventures, surfing and an aerial tram ride.

Barry Roberts, vice president of the Ministry of Tourism, spoke honestly of his country’s charms and challenges. “Maybe we don’t have the sophistication of the Europeans, but if our waiters bring the plates in from the wrong side, they’ll do it with a big smile,” he said. “We have a very warm and very friendly attitude toward the North American people. . . . We are the new kid on the block and we know we have things to learn, but we are committed to the incentive market and absolutely certain you’ll have a successful event.”

During our Site Inspection Tour we Arrived via American Airlines on the two-hour flight from Miami (you can welcome your group with people costumed in the garb of folkloric dancers), we started the trip in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital.

On the first full day we started the tour of accommodations, with the site inspection of hotels in San Jose area:

• the Melia Cariari Conference Center & Golf Resort – one of the country’s brand new properties –  this low-rise resort offers every convenience in a tropical setting. Less than ten minutes from the international airport, the property has 220-rooms, meeting space to accommodate 600 persons for cocktails or 250 for a sit-down dinner, and a Fazio-designed, 18-hole golf course. Other amenities include a free-form pool, eight tennis courts, a casino, a business center, and a health club.
• the three-year-old Camino Real Intercontinental  - this property has been polish and can hosts banquets for 600 persons and receptions for 1,000, and will dedicate up to 170 of its 260 rooms to groups. The property has also completed a renovation of its large poolside pavilion, closing its sides to make it usable on wet or windy days.
• the impressive, year-old Costa Rica Marriott – this property, a faithful reproduction of a 16th-century colonial hacienda, wowed the group with its period decor and attention to detail. The 252-room property, a sun-baked yellow with antique roof tiles, set amidst a 30-acre coffee plantation, offers groups a strong sense of history just a few miles from downtown San Jose.
• the Herradura Golf Resort & Conference Center. The hotel, just blocks from Melia Cariari, offers 234 guest rooms, an 18-hole golf course, 11 tennis courts, five restaurants, eight meeting rooms, a casino, and swimming pool in a low-key business environment. But for all that, the real star of this resort is the 25,600-square-foot International Conference Center. Its elegant 13,200-square-foot main hall features the latest in lighting and audiovisual equipment and can be divided into five separate meeting rooms.

On a second day we headed off on a city tour. After a drive by the National Theater, Metropolitan Cathedral, and other city sights, you can give a pleasant introduction to Costa Rican history with a tour of the National Museum and a quick taste of the museum’s pottery and gold, as well as some freshly brewed espresso.

After learned about the culture of this country and meet with the wonderful local people we were ready for more.

On the third day an Eco-Adventures you can either have a day if recreation and traveled south to the Reventazon River, to paddle your way down its thrilling Class III rapids. River rafting is one of Costa Rica’s most popular adventure sports or you can also stay on land, but also got a bit damp exploring the rain forest. And you can take in this Costa Rican national treasure both by foot and by aerial tram, which carried you first over the forest canopy then into the thick of the forest and have a lunch in the spirit of the day, with a green-on-green rainforest theme.

Saying good-bye to San Jose, you can took a short night flight to the northwest city of Liberia in the Guanacaste region - You can make your way out to the Pacific coast to

• the Melia Hotels’ gem, the Melia Playa Conchal Beach & Golf Resort – With 318 well-appointed mini-suites in a “village” of villas, the year-old resort is well suited to the incentive market. On a hill overlooking the property and ocean, the conference center can host up to 350 for a dinner, or it can be divided into five smaller rooms and enjoy an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones II golf course, Central America’s largest free-form pool, tennis courts, or water sports off the spectacular 3.8 mile beach, which is blissfully empty of any other resorts, homes, or anything that might break the view of the tropical coastline.

We can organize to greet your group by flag- waving school children and a bus decorated like a fiesta...  Long summer days and beautiful beaches are two phrases that best define what Guanacaste is all about. A province for the active soul, Guanacaste draws visitors with its stunning shoreline, incredible bird watching, amazing horseback riding, excellent surfing, superb snorkeling, great ATV tours on some very unique beaches that you can’t access by road and wonderful mountain lake windsurfing. With so much to do, it’s easy to understand why so many people come to visit this amazing province.

A perfect gala dinner for your Group can be with a final-night folkloric party that just wouldn’t quit. Native dishes and a whirlwind of dancers will make a festive end to your program.

I hope that I was able to highlight some of Costa Rica’s emerging incentive potential.

If you need any recommendations or contacts don’t hesitate to contact us.

I would love your feedback and welcome comments on what you have just read. Please add anything you may have to share.

Some new TV shows are on!!  Last night I was in heaven because Project Runway is back.  While watching I was going back and forth (god love the DVR) with the Real Housewives of Atlanta.  I hate to say it, but I’m officially over Nene.  She’d probably cut me for saying this but girlfriend is just soooooo Hollywood now–and not in a cute way.  It’s nothing like Kim who is just a genuine hot mess.  They should just do a show with her, I’d totally watch.  Wednesday night Top Chef debuted and it’s looking like it’s going to be a great season. Don’t forget there are three chefs from the ATL –Hector Santiago for Pura Vida (one of my faves), Kevin Gillespie from Woodfire Grill (delicious and I highly recommend it.  I have a feeling he will make it to the end) and Eli Kirshstein from Eno (haven’t been lately but will definitely go soon). While we’re on the topic of great food Mike and I went to Com on Buford Highway.  It was AMAZING and if you like Vietnamese food you MUST try it.  Delicious!!!

Ja jetzt kommt mal wieder ein Bericht…Und ich gesteh mir ein ich mache Miri nach, hier eine ganz aufrichtige Entschuldigung an dich, Miri, aber , die Idee, so einige Unterschiede und Besonderheite immer mal wieder aufzulisten, finde ich einfach gut:) Also

1. Die typische Jugendsprache, die wir so in Deutschland immer so hören exestiert hier auch … Und zwar wie, da soll einer nochmal sagen die Jugend verhunzt die deutsche Sprache, der hat noch nie Ticos reden gehört.^^

Mae = Alter,oder sowas ind er Art und die Jungs benutzen es manchmal echt 5 mal in einem Satz. Das würde sich dann in deutsch so anhören: Ey Alter ,waas soll das denn jetzt alter, die macht, alter, voll den aufstand, alter..und dann wird noch ein ALTER hinten dran oder vorweg gehängt. Am Anfang habe ich keinen Satz verstanden,bis ich hinter den Sinn dieses Wort gekommen bin.Mae!Mae!Mae!..das wird manchmal halt einfach so wie manmanman gesagt

2.Und ja das wird Judith freuen: Hier gibts so ein Wort(Laut) für üüüsch oder einfach Erstaunen und Überraschung : iiiiütsch! Ich liebe dieses Wort, das ist so witzig:D

3. was mich am Anfang immer etwas verwirrt hat ist das Wort für Ja! Nein, nicht Si! Si wird eher nur für ‘doch’benutzt:) Aha wird immer gesagt, für: Richtig! , Ja, genau:) halt immer : aha:) und ich war immer so erstaunt wenn ich auf eine frage, die mit einfach nur Si beantwerden sollte immer dieses aha kam:D

4. Dicke werde nicht diskriminiert! Wirklich nicht! Generell wird wenig gemobbt.Also was wir als etwas fester,moppeliger bezeichnen würden wird hier als total normal angesehen….:S Deswegen wird man hier auch so gemäßtet;)

Okay demnächst kommt mehr;)

Since I wrote last I haven’t gotten to know Limon much better. The only significant change is my attitude toward the dogs. I’ve never been much of a dog person but I’ve been converted by the three funny dogs that we share this property with.

Blanco, despite his name, is dark black, calm and indifferent to what is going on around him. He likes to bark all night at absolutley nothing and gets himself stuck on the other side of the barbed wire that lines the property. We rescue him again and again only to hear his wails the next day because somehow he has gotten himself into the same problem.

SheMale is a female dog with very horse-like masculine qualities – thus her name. She is not to be trusted and is very lazy. She refuses to run the hill with all of us (meaning us and the other two dogs) and seems to be content to sit at the top and play indifference as we disappear around the bend. What we found out is that she sneaks into the house when we are down at the bottom of the hill. This was discovered when one day a trail of blood drops was left from the patio to the garbage can. After examining ourselves and deciding that we were not bleeding, it occured to us to check SheMale. We called her over, flipped her and spread her legs. She picked the wrong time of the month to play a trick on us. We have gotten revenge by hiding half way down the hill and then sneaking back. More than once we’ve scared the shit out of her by running into the house screaming and jumping around. She b-lines for the door and looks guilty the rest of the day, but tends to try to repeat her actions after only a few hours.

Mushi Mushi, the other male in the pack, is the very masculine name that we have given to the smallest dog. He is overly excited about everything and extremely confused. He doesn’t know time after time if you are yelling at him to get off the patio or calling him to come over. Thus he dances around in a circle until you move towards him to tell him what he needs to do or know. He likes to do a fish dance everytime he sees you, turning his head towards his ass giving his tail free rein to slap himself in the face. Then he sneezes and does it all over again. Mushi has been our best source of entertainment. He loves to mount SheMale and hangs on for dear life as she attempts to walk him off. He air thrusts and makes absolutely no contact from the waist down which makes this scene hysterical every single time we see it. Mushi is immune to feeling dejected so poor SheMale has to spend more time sitting down than the other two dogs to ward off her valiant suitor. If she wanted to, she could suffocate Mushi in a few seconds and forever put an end to his overly persistent humping habits. She must like him as a friend though becuase she doesn’t. (See the pictures of this daily ritual below)

What else is going on here? Well, there was supposed to be 14 days of celebration, the annual Carnival which is the biggest in the Caribbean, but it got canceled. The school kids are busy preparing for some kind of Christmas parade because we have heard them beating their drums to Frosty the Snowman and Jingle Bells.

Jannick and I have been working hard and making progress on our own projects. This lovely setting is perfect for working with a clear mind and no distractions. One of the projects that we have made very good progress on is called Julio’s Sol. This project is a collection of interviews from people from all different parts who are pursuing their passions in life. It has put me into contact with all kinds of interesting, unique people, including an old friend from high school. Chris Al-Aswad. Soon our website for this will be up and running. I would love for you to check it out and give me any feedback that you feel inspired to share.

www.juliossol.com

Best wishes to everyone, that’s all on my end.

The End