Posts

Weeks 3-4: Living la Vida Pura in Costa Rica

Image
  Costa Rica - where to begin! I can see why they came up with Pura Vida as the national motto/greeting/ /even apology (if you break something: "Pura Vida"; if you step on someone's foot "Pura Vida"...). It seems to capture the essence of the cultural stewardship for nature and respect for life in general. It might seem flippant but CR has consistently among the highest happiness indices, 98% renewable energy, very high freedom of press, general tranquilidad about the politics - and, of course, 6% of all life on the planet. Not being naive,  Pura Vida is, of course, used as a brand to attract NGOs, investment from China (interesting to see it got a football stadium in exchange for regognising Taiwan as part of PRC) and sell yoga retreats and fridge magnets. But overall, I've not come across a less-economically developed country as 'pure' and unspoilt as the Rich Coast. REWIND I've jumped ahead. The start to my 10 days in Costa Rica was far from s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week 2: Better Belize It

Image
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside - especially when it's sea like Belize! A 45 min twin-prop transfer from Guatemala took me over volcanoes to the jungly swampland of Belize.  Flying over Acetenango volcano It wasn't until I jumped in the taxi* of a creole-speaking rasta that it dawned on me this wasn't Spanish-speaking; instead a good-old relic of Empire, as confirmed when our late Majesty's face was spat out from an ATM. In reality, with a large  mestizo  population (ladino/mayan from Guatemala*), the country is a general mash-up of cultures with a predominantly Caribbean vibe.  *A quick word on taxis - on my travels, the anonymity of a taxi driver is not to be underestimated. Because I'm unlikely to see them again and somehow being in the confines of a car, means they tend to be fairly open about 'affairs of state' (if you know what I mean) - providing great intel on socioeconomics/politics that can be tricky to trust from hotel staff/guides etc. ** R...
Post a Comment
Read more