Dip your toes into Costa Rica
So in April, the day after I cleaned up
taBURNak!, a few friends and I jetted off to Uvita, Costa Rica, for some much needed down time.
And the beach was pristine. I couldn't believe how few people were on it at any given time.
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Wikipedia
As much as Uvita is the "tourist capital" of that region, it was honestly the one of the least touristy places I've travelled in a long time. Don't get me wrong, I saw a lot of backpackers and American immigrants, but in general it wasn't overrun with either, and the Tico population by far outnumbered the caucasians. That being said, you could pay with American cash anywhere you went, and almost every Native spoke pretty impeccable English, a sign that the influx of Americans was pretty settled.
But in general, the land felt pretty free of tourism and all the grossness that often comes with travel. There weren't tons of stores selling trinkets, there were no hawkers on the beach, and I didn't feel like the locals were talking to me just to make a buck.
And the architecture, oh how I loved it! I loved that each and every home was completely different. Free from the types of building codes we have in North America, as well as being free of our harsh winter climate, people there build whatever type of structures they want to.
The colors and different styles, so lovely! It felt so much freer in expression than our siding and gyrock North American houses that often look so similar to one another.
And of course, what's a holiday without a
little bit of work...
Hardly feels like work at all when you get to paint in a bikini and jump in the pool every 20 minutes.
All in all, the trip was FAR too short. Now that I've been there once, I definitely know it's a place I'll return. I would love to get more into the culture, learn some spanish, and there's a very curious and interesting American immigrant culture down there that makes for some different types connections.
I can see why so many people move down there from North America. After a winter like the last one we just had, it's definitely tempting! Maybe one day...
That was a HUGE difference I noticed actually. Normally when I travel in "less privileged" countries, I am super aware of the fact that I am North American, and most people I encounter in other countries see me purely a source of income.
The Tico people I encountered weren't like that at all. In general the Costa Rican people have a higher rate of education, and they view themselves on very equal footing with all of the Americans who enter their country. They felt grounded, very in possession of their space, and all of the interactions that I had with them felt authentic and generous. It was a welcome joy to be able to have conversations and interactions with the locals, where money or selling me something didn't even enter into the picture.
Another difference that has to do with the people there, is that I felt safe all the time.
As a woman who often travels alone, I'm very aware of certain things that I have to be more cautious of when I travel in other countries. There are certain times of day or night you don't go out alone, and in some countries as a woman, you just can't go out alone at all.
In Uvita I could wander around all day by myself, and would go out for midnight walks almost daily, all alone on the pristine beaches with no one else around. There wasn't a single time that I felt uncomfortable or had red flags go up about being alone in untoward hours. I'm sure in other places in Costa Rica it would be different and I would have to be more cautious, but it felt so amazing just to have freedom of movement whenever I wanted it.
Making a sign out of Argentinian pine so that I could paint the new
Arboura Eco Cabinas sign, with their new logo that was designed by artist
Jamie Janx Johnston.