STL DPB ON THE ROAD - EL FIN DE LA PURA VIDA

Contemplation of mortality in a coffee cup in our apartment here in lotus land. In English, the phrase says the finish line is closer than you think. 

Not what I was expecting. The U.S. State Department put Costa Rica in the Class 4 - Do Not Travel category yesterday. But, as Kurt Cobain (with whom I share a birthday) sang, here we are now, entertain us.              

Pura Vida

Pura vida is the quintessential Costa Rican phrase. It means so much more than pure life. A server could greet you at a restaurant with it. A friend might say it to express best wishes. Its many meanings sum up the Costa Rican view of life. These photos try to give a few examples.

First, 11:15 AM, brunch at the popular beachfront restaurant in Tamarindo, Nogui. 11:15 AM. The man with his back to the camera has a shirt with the logo of the Budweiser of Costa Rica, cerveza Imperial. Can you read the words above it? I suppose the fluid level in the wine glasses could be lower. Pura vida.

Next, early afternoon at Witch's Rock Surf Camp and restaurant (motto: Nachos As Big As Your Ass). What wouldn't you give for the sun, Pacific ocean, a hammock and your iPhone? Pura vida.

Last, a hazy sunset on Playa Langosta just outside our condo. The couple's body language seems awfully closed up. Pura vida to them.

Pura Vida

You could say that pura vida is the national motto of Costa Rica. It has a simple literal translation - pure life - but the levels of meaning are much deeper than that. It expresses an attitude toward living in a complete, happy and content way. The words describe how we should treat one another.

This young man was a member of a crew setting up at the farmers market. (He didn't just fall off the plantain truck.)  Our guide asked him for me if I could take some pictures. He thought the idea was terribly funny. Pura vida.