Pura Vida - Part I

An Introduction - Part 1 of 6

Several times before, during, and after our recent trip, people have asked us, "Why Costa Rica?" We then explain about Gerald's Spanish language website, his desire to improve his language ability and to experience the culture first hand, his interest in Latin American countries, etc. So I thought that as an introduction to this series, I would outline the history of these trips over the past 20 years. You are welcome to come along for the ride.

1990
In the summer of 1990, we left Luke and Shulamith with my mother and traveled with friends to Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This was my first time outside the U.S./Canada, and I don't suppose I was fully prepared for it. I was unprepared for the overall conditions there: the incredible poverty, the broken roads, the decrepit bathrooms, the sweet children begging in the streets. On top of all that, although I tried to be ever so careful about everything I ate and drank, I was sick within the first 24 hours. Gerald and our friends were sick as well, only they could take the excellent anti-sickness medications we brought with us. I could not. At the time, I was beginning to suspect I might be pregnant although I didn't know for sure. All that good medicine is contraindicated in pregnancy, so I couldn't take the risk. Good thing, too, because indeed, about 8 months after we returned, our little Isaiah was born. (Note, this means that, aside from everything else, I was also a mass of raging hormones the whole time we were there).

So yeah, I was pretty miserable a lot of the time. I do have a couple good memories of that trip. I remember our friend Rebecca ordering food in restaurants but never ordering what was listed on the menu. She always asked for something else, and most of the time, she got it! I also remember the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the hundreds of people walking on their knees on dirt roads and then hot pavement just to see it. As we stood and looked out at the crowd, it was like a sea of black hair progressing slowly forward toward the Shrine. I was, and still am, so impressed by the immense dedication of these people to their faith.

After that trip, however, I succeeded in keeping myself happily pregnant or busy raising little ones, so travel to these third-world countries was not an option for me. :-)

1995
In 1995, Gerald traveled to Guatemala for a two-week intensive Spanish course. To be perfectly honest, I know very little about that trip. I know he visited a place called Quetzaltenango and liked it there. I know he got an abscessed tooth and had to have it pulled. I know he came home wearing a big hat. That's really all I remember. I was pretty much occupied at home caring for our children ages 10, 9, 4, and 2.

2000
In 2000, when Seth was just a month old, Gerald took our oldest son Luke to Peru. Shulamith and I stayed home to care for the two little boys and our brand new baby. Again, I don't know much about this trip, other than that they went to the temple in Lima where Gerald attended a session while Luke did proxy baptisms in a font filled with ice-cold water. I have often wondered whose bright idea it was for Gerald to leave the country when I had a newborn baby. I still can't answer that other than to say that the "bright idea" wasn't all that bright.

2005
As 2005 approached, and Gerald was once again itching to travel in Latin America, he began to explore the idea of me going with him. Hmmm. Was I pregnant? No. Did I have very young children? Well, Seth was five, so not really. Shulamith was coming home for the summer following her first year at Westminster, so she would be here with the three boys ages 14, 12, and 5. It had been 15 years since my one and only visit to Latin America. Was I ready to try it again? Sure. We went to Ecuador. I'm embarrassed to say I don't really remember much about this trip either, which is somewhat pathetic because this time, I WAS THERE! I remember going to the equator which was sort of fun. I got sick right away from the food, but this time, I could take Imodium, so that was better, but as you know, I live to eat. And when I'm on vacation, that is more true than ever. So no, it's no fun to feel nauseous on vacation. I remember that both Gerald and I took Spanish lessons and that I learned a lot.

2010
Which brings us to now. Gerald and I just spent nine days in Costa Rica. It was fun. And it was hard. It was beautiful. And it was challenging. It was an adventure for sure. There is much to tell. And I will do that in a series of posts of which this is only the first.

So Pura Vida! This is the slogan in Costa Rica. It appears on everything: coffee mugs, t-shirts, posters. I like the slogan. Pura Vida = Pure Life. How lovely to live a pure life. That's a goal we should all have, don't you think?

2015
Where will we go in 2015? I'm thinking Hawaii.

Wait, no. What?

They don't speak Spanish in Hawaii? Are you sure?

Oh, I'm pretty sure we can find somebody there who does.

..............to be continued......................