The People

Ticas are wonderful people.  They were all friendly, open and helpful.  Everywhere we encountered Costa Rican citizens we had lovely interactions.  In Quepos, we quickly established a regular routine of going to cafe Milagro for breakfast and coffee.  It is a casual, friendly place whose cooking staff wear brightly coloured uniforms, a different colour every day.  We love talking to Cindy, our regular server.  She has lived in CR her whole life, her English is incredible and her personality and style is cheerful and open.  The whole team, including the cat, got to know us and what we wanted for breakfast.  The coffee was incredible, and is roasted next door.

One day when we were relaxing over our coffee, the landscaper showed up for work.  He brought his lawnmower with him, and demonstrated for us how it worked.  Of course, since there is no rush to get the grass cut, as a matter of fact, in CR there is no rush about anything, he had a cup of coffee before he started his tasks.  He was, like everyone we met, gracious and cheerful, happy and comfortable in his skin.

The guide that took me horseback riding was another charming character.  He sat on the sturdy pony with confidence, and had a light touch with all the tourists on the trek.  He let us go at our own pace based on our experience, but had his attention on us all the time.  He brought water and pineapplE in his saddlebags for our break, we really didn't have to worry about anything.                     

When we went to Manuel Antonio National Park, it took us some time to get over our tourist cynicism to realize that we were in the hands of a qualified, knowledgeable guide, who, in the end, helped us get some incredible pictures of animals.  It might have been the fastest tour of the park ever, because he walked very fast, and seemed to have some secret agreement with the animals that they would be where he wanted them to be at a certain moment, so we could snap a pic and move on. 

PURA VIDA!!!!!