Costa Rica Now

The rain is almost gone and it has been a really bad wet season this year. Lots of landslides and houses lost where the not so fortunate poor live on cliff sides. When someone told me that Costa Rica gets about 6 meters a year in rain I laughed. Well now I leave the country in Sept. and Oct. and go to the Northeast for the fall season.

I love Costa Rica for it's beauty and the way people here learn not to worry so much about the small stuff. Costa Rica people live a simple uncomplicated life, the circa of people whose strong family ties and religion know how to comfort and care.

The explosion of tourism is making it's way to every section now and development is running rampant. May the government and the people know when to stop and keep it the beautiful pristine country that it is and not give in to the deep pocketed developers. Progress and tourism is good but infrastructure is lacking for handling the masses that development brings.

Costa Rica just ratified the Central American Free Trade Act by passing it with Costa Rica's first referendum. This was a small margin victory as it saw numerous national protests from it's people opposing the intervention of the USA. American again is the bad guy and we are looked at as the democracy devil. Time marches on and it will tell if the countries monopolies will dissolve and the trade markets that open up will benefit the many skeptical Ticos.

I invite all families to visit this country for it has so much to offer with the natural side that will fill your senses. I will be back in Costa Rica at the end of October and will notice the magnificent emerald color of all the foliage which will be an amazing contrast to what I have experienced on my 45 day road trip up the coast of the USA. Nothing compares to it and it truly is a God shot in this tropical rain forest. Pura Vida (pure life)is what you will here from the local folk in daily conversations as they use it in their greetings. I had to laugh and take a photo yesterday when I was along the Carolina outer banks and saw a business sign that read PURA VIDA PIZZA.......did not stop in but it reminded me of why I live in Costa Rica and how I miss it.