Pura Vida

Pure Life. Simple Life. Togetherness. Whatever you take away from the phrase, it's the way of life in Costa Rica. It's the thread that keeps the community thriving and moving forward as one unit, and the phrase that visitors take back with them and apply to their lives. Especially mine.

I went to Costa Rica 3 years ago but that doesn't stop me from still feeling like I'm forever a part of their community.

Community.

Can one person embody a whole community? Looking around my own community, it's a quick "no." But in Playa Guiones, the answer is "yes," and his name is Luigi.

Luigi runs the local surf shop in Guiones. He's kind, patient, has an infectious smile... oh, and did I mention he's a world renowned surfer? That's right. He's SO good that he left Costa Rica and started competing around the world. And he was winning.

But he came back.

"WHAT, WHY?!" is that natural reaction to this, but after speaking to him, it became very clear.

"Surfing is all about community. We go out in the morning and ride together. Then we come back in, run our businesses and wait to hit the waves at sunset. It's fun. It's our way of life. I was missing that when I was traveling. My friends, this community, that's what makes it worth while. So I came back, opened the surf shop, and never looked back."

Luigi coming back didn't just serve him spiritually, but it helped his community tremendously. His shop employees his friends and serves as a spot for visitors to voluntarily get their butts kicked by mother nature -- which in turn supplies the restaurants and shops with business. This is Pura Vida.

This kind of mindset is infectious and it spreads wide in Costa Rica. When we took 4-wheelers to some surrounding beaches and communities, we came upon a football game where the local women had set up food for visitors and players to enjoy. I mean, is this real life!? And I'm not talking orange slices. I'm talking the best plantains you've ever eaten, rice and chicken, fresh fruit.... oh my gosh I'm hungry now.

Anyways! Luigi is a great example, those women are wonderful examples, and I challenge you to be an example. Because if Costa Rica taught me anything, it's that when you put others before yourself, everyone prospers.

Check out a video of our experience by our very talented friend Phil Mikael!