Having just returned from my third visit to Costa Rica, I am even more impressed with this great nation and its people. The reason for my repeated visits is not just the wonderful country, but to visit my in-laws. One of my wife’s sisters married a Tico (the term used proudly by Costa Ricans to refer to themselves) and settled there to raise their family. Not long after her arrival, she suggested her mother, my mother-in-law and her mother, my wife’s grandmother should also make the move from Venezuala which at that time, and sadly to this day, was facing political difficulties. Therefore Costa Rica has become not just a magnificent place to visit but also allows for my in-laws to get together.
I quite like the sound of it…El Gringo! And I do tend to win most blue eye contests!
Being linguistically challenged – my Spanish is limited to the basics such as cerveza por favor, Feliz Navidad and, feliz cumpleaños – I spend significant time catching up on my reading and writing while the familia catches up with each other. It is a system made in heaven. They understand that I do not feel left out of their conversations and I am free to relax. I even have my own ‘office’ off to which I saunter each morning after breakfast to do my thing while they discuss the world in Spanish.
But don’t think it’s all just office time. My brother-in-law, a very proud Tico, is fond of putting his country on display. Our first foray, indeed on our first day, was a hike at a coffee plantation. I have already posted about this here, so I will not go into the details again as doing so causes my blood pressure to rise. Suffice to say I bit off significantly more than I was able to chew. Silly Gringo!
Speaking of ‘Gringo’, I have grown into this moniker during my time with the family. The word is defined as follows: in Spanish-speaking countries and contexts, chiefly in the Americas a person, especially an American, who is not Hispanic or Latino. I dare say the word fits for a Canadian such as myself as well. I quite like the sound of it…El Gringo! But I digress. And I do tend to win most blue eye contests!
One of the many treasures of Costa Rica is the vast array of wildlife. From what we in North America would call exotic birds, to reptiles, including crocodiles, all are on display in their natural habitat. Sitting in my office just listening to and watching the birds was worth the trip. On one occasion while we were on our way west, we stopped for a photo opportunity. While there I heard birds calling and looked up in time to see two brilliant parrots flying by. I have seen parrots before, in zoos and pet shops, but to see them in their own environment was astounding!
While in Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast we stayed in a lovely resort located in the jungle. Yes indeed, this city boy was introduced to jungle life in a hurry. From our iguana breakfast guest to a family of Titi monkeys looking for snacks we were kept entertained, and alert as these little primates can be very stealthy when it comes to food, hats, and eyeglasses. Cheeky monkey indeed!
… and alert as these little primates can be very stealthy when it comes to food, hats, and eyeglasses. Cheeky monkey indeed!
My first two trips to Costa Rica were fantastic, however there was something missing. I have long been interested in sloths. Any beast that can appear to be so entirely relaxed is something I admire. No stress, no worries, no rushing about. Some medical affiliation, perhaps heart related, should adopt the sloth as their mascot. Unfortunately, I was unable to see a sloth (well, except for the carcass of one that had been run over on the highway, but that doesn’t count) until my third visit.
Hell, we even malign these cool animals with the word ‘slothlike’, which is never used as a positive attribute, although it probably should be given so many heart attacks and anxiety-related issues in modern day.
The beach was a stone’s throw from the breakfast area. As we made our way between the monkeys and iguanas, someone looked up at the leafy canopy overhead and pointed. Soon all were following suit, and it was explained to me that we were within viewing distance of a sloth. Sure enough, there he or she was. My initial reaction was how accurate the fake sloths in souvenir stores are, except for the movement, I could have easily been fooled. Silly Gringo.
My second thought, as I watched the sloth move about among the branches, was that they, or at least this one, can move somewhat faster than I had expected. Don’t get me wrong, this was no tree-top gazelle, but it did swing from branch to branch smoothy and with elegance, and not a little bit of haste. On behalf of sloths everywhere I think it’s time to debunk the indolent myth. Hell, we even malign these cool animals with the word ‘slothlike’, which is never used as a positive attribute, although it probably should be given so many heart attacks and anxiety-related issues in modern day.
DCMontreal 
1 thought on “A Gringo in Costa Rica Part 1”