Pura Vida Quest

by Cherisse Lezama-Wagner (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find Costa Rica

I stepped onto the veranda and inhaled the sweet smell of Salt water. Ocean. I closed my eyes and listened to the trees sway in the gentle breeze. Their own beautiful language was music to my ears. I couldn't believe I was in Costa Rica! "Pure Vida", meaning "simple life" is the mantra for the country as well as the way of life. And I felt it. The rush of nostalgia and awe yesterday as the plane landed and I looked over the thick green foliage of the mountainside reminded me of my home country of Trinidad. As I opened my eyes again I overlooked the small town of Tamarindo. A village really, when I caught a glimpse of the most lively greens, blues and yellows. I was captivated, but before I could see any more beautiful colors, they disappeared around the corner of main street. What was that? I wasnt sure, but it pulled me closer. I dressed quickly to see if I can catch up and headed down the clay road. The town of Tamarindo had a gentle rhythm. The clang of bicycles going by. The background bass of the howler monkeys in the trees. The hum of cars blending into the unique melody of the island as well as the gentle, ever present lull of the ocean. I hurried down to the main street hoping to catch a good view of what I saw earlier. On main street I entered into the natural hum of the town. Tourists lazing along the street, shop owners putting up their wares, street vendors beckoning with the smells of fruits, meats and spices. The smell was enticing but I was determined to find the colors from before. I started down the main road, passed an iguana on the fence of the hotel, it was the size of a small cat but jeweled in brown and green scales He was living pura vida. I looked up and saw just a hint blues and yellows in the circle up ahead. It headed along a path on the side of a store. I picked up my pace, getting looks like "no rush man"! I passed by shops and restaurants with bikinis and soft rhythmic Spanish songs. I crossed a cobblestone main road, into the circle and found the path. It was made wooden boards placed along the white sand of the beach that ran in front of a beach marketplace. The sand crunched under foot as I entered the path covered with swaying palms and deep green indigenous trees. The wind off the ocean blew my hair as the sounds of ocean waves moved me along on my quest. I caught another glimpse of green and yellow up ahead, I pressed on to see. I passed the store with sarongs of every color whispering in the breeze. I listen to the shell necklaces rustle in the wind. I hear dried coconut clang together but I pressed on, I had to find those colors that drew me. As I peered, I see a wisp of the colors on the side of a store. I try not lose the colors. But this sandy marketplace wasn't designed for hurrying. Families enjoying the pure vida life slowly stroll along the wooden path I try to navigate... It was for pleasure and simplicity. This whole village was made for peace. Peace in the sounds and smells. Peace in the smiles of the natives. I pass a teenage boy who made grass hoppers out of coconut leaves...his work is stunning. "Pura Vida Senora" he says to me, "Por usted" he shares with a smile. Pura Vida! I was getting the hang of this life. I reach the store and turn down the aisle, I rounded the corner and there they were... the colors I sought. It was a woman dressed in the lightest of materials that swayed as she walked. The colors were in her and on her as she basked in the sunlight, basked in the simple life. She was beautiful. She was authentic. She was free. I finally found the woman and she was me! Pura Vida me!