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The Meaning of “La Pura Vida”

posted 11th January 2010    Written by: Robyn    CATEGORY: All Posts, Quarterlife Crisis, Robyn, Season 1, Travel

In a lazy beach bar two men clink their beers together and say “La Pura Vida.” As I exit the local bus and thank the driver for the ride, he responds with, “La Pura Vida.” Even when locals can’t understand my Spanglish mixed with my Midwestern accent, they shrug their shoulders and reply, “La Pura Vida.”

It can be heard everywhere around Costa Rica. It means pure life, good life. I think I would compare it to the Australians’ use of “No worries.” Both phrases seem to acknowledge that life is good. There is no need to dwell on anything but the present moment and all that is sweet in life.

So what have I been doing? I started my travels in San Jose and from there moved on to Manuel Antonio. I hiked through Manuel Antonio National Park, saw monkeys, discovered a deserted beach, and I spent New Year’s Eve on the beach.

With a DJ mixing in the background, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the New Year at a giant BYOB party that ended with fireworks and streaking into the ocean at midnight. It will be hard to ever top that kind of celebration!

From Manuel Antonio, I headed to Montezuma–the physical definition of “La Pura Vida.” Montezuma is a small hippie town on the beach. Everyone knows everyone, and they welcome travelers with open arms. People are known to plan a visit to Montezuma and instead, end up staying forever. The people who live there give new meaning to “laid back” and “stress-free.”

During my visit there, I stayed at a hostel right on the coast. I went to sleep to the sound of waves, and I woke up to the sound of waves. Each morning I hiked along the coast into town to get myself a smoothie for breakfast. After only a couple days, faces became familiar. I knew people’s stories. I knew where they lived, what they did for work, and how they ended up in Montezuma.

I decided I couldn’t leave after only a couple days, so I reorganized my trip to allow for a few extra days to be spent in Montezuma. I ended up doing a strenuous 4 hour coastal hike to a waterfall. I got to stand beneath the fresh water as it fell and hit the rocks and then rolled into the ocean.

I’ve spent most of my days soaking up sun, swimming in the ocean, attempting to body surf the crazy waves, and collecting seashells. I’ve enjoyed my fair share of reggae music and mojitos. I’ve tried each tiny restaurant in thee area, and I’ve tried to improve my Spanish as much as I can by talking to locals.

I’ve relaxed, cleared my mind, and become inspired by a new way of living.

Yesterday I decided it was time to move on, so now I am writing this blog from a café in Monteverde. In a couple hours I will be doing a canopy tour of the rainforest via zip line! I’m trying not to think of returning to the freezing Chicago weather…

Instead- I’m living in the moment and soaking up all that is La Pura Vida so that I can bring the attitude back with me.

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Getting an Early Start on my Resolutions

posted 4th January 2010    Written by: Robyn    CATEGORY: All Posts, Quarterlife Crisis, Robyn, Season 1, Travel, Travel/Adventure

Right now I am typing this blog on my iPhone as I wait at the airport in Terminal E10 to board my flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. This is the vacation, the freedom, I’ve been looking forward to since I quit my job 3 months ago.

I am beyond excited to escape the single digit weather here in Chicago, and I am thrilled to start exploring some place new.

With this trip, I am already getting an early start on some of my New Year’s resolutions for 2010.

Robyn’s 2010 Resolutions

1. Always have something to look forward to… a new trip, a new project, etc.
2. Eat more fruits and veggies.
3. Deal with stress better. Start taking yoga classes and meditating.
4. Finish what I start, whether it be an organizing project or something I write… especially when it comes to something I write!
5. Have more “loner” time. Enjoy being by myself more.
6. Learn how to  really use my snazzy new Nikon SLR D40 camera!
7. Worry less.
8. Embrace change and growth.
9. Make more of an effort to keep in touch with old friends and distant family members.
10. Complete a triathlon.

Nothing too outrageous. I’m looking forward to 2010 and everything it may bring.

It’s hard to believe my life changed so much in just the past three months–mostly due to leaving my “9 to 5″ to do my own thing. More change is inevitible as I figure out how I want to spend my time and where I want my career to take me.

Hopefully I will gain more insight as I am hiking through the jungle, jumping off waterfalls, and laying on the beach soaking up the sun!

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Escaping Reality While I Can

posted 14th December 2009    Written by: Robyn    CATEGORY: All Posts, Quarterlife Crisis, Robyn, Season 1, Travel, Travel/Adventure

Montezuma, Costa RicaIn between my writing and my dog walking and my attempt to make more solid plans for the future, I have booked a trip to escape reality for three weeks.

I figured I might as well take advantage of my current work arrangement. Since I’m my own boss right now, there was no need to fuss over dates or worry about vacation time.

Right after Christmas, I am hopping a plane to San Jose, Costa Rica! I plan on bringing a camera and a backpack and that’s about it. My goal is to keep the whole trip under $1,000, which I think should be pretty doable since I found a great flight deal!

Right now I don’t have much of a plan, except that I will be spending New Year’s Eve in a coastal hippie town called Montezuma. I decided to splurge and booked three nights in a beachfront bungalow in the small town. After celebrating the New Year on the beach (supposedly beach parties every night!), I am planning to spend my days eating delicious seafood, hiking to find secret waterfalls, relaxing on the beach, and enjoying the wildlife and nature all around me.

It sounds too good to be true, and I cannot wait!

After Montezuma, I have tentative plans to work my way up to Arenal, which is famous for volcano hikes and jungle canopy tours. I also plan on trying zip lining for the first time and also whitewater rafting as I have on my previous trips. There seems to be plenty of options for adventure and new activities.

So far those are the only plans I have.

In the past, I have found it best to go with the flow and not have too many firm commitments when I travel. After all, you never know who you might meet, what place you might randomly and suddenly fall in love with, and where it may all lead you to…

I booked my flight out of Panama, so I know I will be heading south after Arenal. Hopefully after some more research I will be able to sign up to volunteer somewhere for a week. There are lots of opportunities to work on a farm, work with wildlife, or help with different camps or schools for children.

I’m thrilled to explore a new place, meet new people, and have new experiences.

Most of all, I am excited to feel inspired and revived all over again. Traveling always has this exhilarating effect on me, and I plan on taking advantage of this once I return to Chicago with new ideas, a new outlook, and a new attitude.

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photo credit : isotaupe

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