Here are a few things I've noticed and want to remember:
- People are happy here. They smile, they take their time, and are usually very friendly and helpful. Like a lot of other places in the world (Latin America and Europe for sure), people kiss on the cheek to say hello and goodbye.
- Lots more waste. It's definitely harder to recycle here, and as someone living temporarily it's hard to compost, because I can't have a garden!
- In certain roles, people are more patient. For example, take waiters/waitresses. Here, there's no harassing. They assist you when you feel like, and you are in control of the service (for the most part). Rather than constantly bugging you like in the US, you need to ask to get service here. I like it.
- Kissing on the cheek! I like when cultures embrace physical contact. I think it's more inline with our psychologies as human beings than trying to deny it, as I sometimes feel we do in the U.S.
- Cool new Spanish phrases. Pura vida, todo bien, etc. It's been interesting to see how my Spanish skills were geographically-based, and now to be able to incorporate some Costa Rican vocab into the mix.
- The nickname "reinita." I was walking in the market and some guy was trying to convince me to buy his cheese (or meat or fruit or whatever) and called me "hey little queen." A little endearing?
- Sidewalks. Flat, usable sidewalks, without lots of dog poo. Yes, I do miss that.
- Friends and family, loved ones in general. I've made a few friends here, but it's hard to make good friends quickly. I miss knowing people.
It feels weird to constantly be comparing "us" and "them". I find myself doing that pretty often - we do this, they do that - and I'm not sure that I like it.
This is just a start to what I hope will be an avenue for my reflections.
