tico phrases

Before we go any further into this blog, I think I should teach you a few Tico words/phrases just  to make sure we're all on the same page for future posts.

The first one, appropriately, is Tico- this refers to Costa Ricans.

What do they call us? Greengos. Yep. I always thought that was a myth until I came down here.

Next one- tuanis- this falls into our "cool" or "sweet" category of adjectives.

And here's another one that will make you sound pretty tuanis- mae- (pronounced my) meaning "dude." If you listen to the right people (mainly surfers and Rastafarians) you can hear it every three or so words in a conversation.

And last but not least- my favorite- Pura Vida

In Costa Rica everyone lives by the phrase "pura vida" meaning the "pure life"

and this sleepy surf town is no different-

if asked how you are doing today, you can respond "pura vida," especially if you are surfing or driving along on your little motorcycle through town and see your friends, it is mandatory to yell out "pura vida!" so you can look extra tuanis

I, with my limited Spanish vocabulary, thinking I was really clever, came up with the phrase 

"tango una pura vida con Coca-Cola Light!" 

(I don't think my tico friends were very impressed.)

montezuma

Montezuma is a small, two-street-no-stoplight town known exclusively for its amazing beaches, incredible surfing, and- of course- its turtle nesting.

(playa grande- where I learned how to surf)

(playa montezuma- the waves that woke me up every morning)

This is the only place I have ever been where "no shirt, no shoes, no problem" actually applies. Nothing beats walking into a grocery store in not but your swimsuit, dripping wet from the ocean and grabbing a treat for the walk home.

Montezuma has a very interesting collection of people. 

When you take your first few steps into town you will see a pizza place that sells the best pizza you will ever taste in your life (seriously). It is owned by an Argentinian couple who moved here a few years ago to live the pura vida.

Take a few more steps and, if it isn't raining, you will see a bunch of artisans on both sides of the street selling their "unique, handmade" (ha) jewelry. Each of them has a very interesting story on how they got there. One that I met, Maureen, was from San Jose. She came to Montezuma on vacation many years ago and hasn't left since. She is dating an Italian- they met in Mexico and started traveling together. Next year they are going to travel down to Brazil. If they run out of money they'll just throw a table on the side of the road and make some of their bracelets and sell them for super inflated prices to all of the tourists down there.

Turn the corner and you will meet the Italian who runs the organic restaurant and the city newspaper. He has dreadlocks that probably weigh more than his little body. But he makes super bomb ice cream.
Go across the street and you will meet the super charming English/German lady who runs the only bookshop in town. She has my dream job- she opens and closes whenever she pleases, she is surrounded by books, and works right by the ocean.
What a life.

october 10/11

Every adventure has a beginning. Ours begins with  a long day of flying followed by a shuttle to Gaudy's, our hostel for the night-

(we slept with all of our stuff)

..............................

 the next day was full of bus rides, ferry rides, then two more bus rides

(seven hours total)

 which took us to this place

Montezuma, Costa Rica

Our new home for the next four weeks.

And by the end of those two days we were more than happy to not be getting on a
plane, bus, or ferry for a while.

We couldn't have picked a better place to crash ourselves.

Behold the volunteer house. Also known as The Compound or, if you will, Adventureland.

This place was incredible. It came complete with canoes for our use, a beautiful kitchen, two porches, one of the bathrooms had hot water for the shower, and plenty of room for all of us.

For three weeks we were quite spoiled.

(the view from our bedroom window)

(my bed)

(second story porch)

(our weekly schedule)

(ground level porch)