The Quiet Tico

Dogs bark like their mouth never gets dry. Loud engine breaking sounds by large trucks rolling down the mountain. Sensitive car alarms set off by a passing truck. The continuously loud resonant sound of a car horn in front of a property to get attention from the person inside the house. The roaring moped and motorcycle engines with a malfunctioning muffler. Taxi drivers and other uptight road users slamming their car horns like life depends on it. Life in the city here is as life in the city elsewhere; maybe a little less or a little more. Whether it is necessity or free will, being in a city is at the same time frustrating and interesting. A city has everything except one thing. Tranquility. The countryside has nothing except one thing. Tranquility. If you don’t seek tranquility, than visit one of its cities or don’t visit Costa Rica at all.

Who leads a tube from a mountain creek to his house and calls it running water? Who goes to work on a horse? Who gets up at 5 am and goes to bed at 8 pm? Who puts up an umbrella when the sun is shining? Who cuts its lawn with a machete? Who invites you for a glass of milk, strait from the goat? That’s right, tico’s from the countryside. They’re everything but primitive. They’re practical, friendly, disciplined, welcoming, life smart, hard working and respectful. The only thing they don’t have is knowledge of the English language. Try your hands and feet to communicate; a laugh for all parties, guaranteed. If necessary, the tico will call his son or grandson for translation- some years ago the new school system introduced mandatory English. After minutes, the kid will lose his shyness and tell you that grandpa has invited you for coffee.

The roads winding through the countryside are in relatively good shape. Local landslides, potholes or a farmer with 80 cows might slow you down, but in general, you’ll be amazed how smooth your ride will be. Not in the city, but you’ll be avoiding them as much as possible, are you not? Sometimes you’ll find road signs where you don’t need them and no road signs where you need them. Just roll down your window and tell the lady or gentleman on the side of the road (they’re always there) your destination with a question mark. They will either raise their shoulders or point you to a direction, accompanied with a smile. Where is the fun of reaching your destination without having to ask for directions?

The tico countryside is only about enjoying its tranquility. The landscapes, mountains, micro climates, jungles, wild life, people and other surprises along the way; it’s all pure and truly livable. If it gets too quiet, a visit to the capital for a day shopping and night at the Live Jazz café will compromise for the rest of the year. Pura Vida!