The Pure Life

                   About me: I'm Kelly Newman- A student at the

                  State University of New York, College at Oneonta

                  & A Secondary English Education Major

                

 

     

Jaco, Costa Rica

         Cascading waterfalls and lush green scenery are usually the images that captivate peoples’ imaginations when they envision Costa Rica. I was lucky enough to travel to this unforgettable country with a group of friends the summer before my senior year. We spent ten days trekking to remote places and getting a taste of Costa Rica’s vibrant, Spanish culture. I hiked up a mountain to glimpse a volcano, zip-lined at incredible heights to see views I never dreamed of, felt the white sand of the rainforest beaches sink in between my toes, and let the natural volcanic water of the soothing hot-springs take my cares away.  



La Fortuna Waterfalls

        When I first decided to travel to Costa Rica, I figured that the most memorable experiences would be those that I just described above: the chance to view the breath-taking scenery and participate in exciting excursions. Although these experiences were unforgettable, they didn’t influence my perspective on life as other aspects of Costa Rica did.

           While Costa Rica is undoubtedly beautiful, particular areas are overrun with poverty and hardship. Amidst the bright sunshine and palm leaves lie not houses, but huts. Barred windows with heavily- bolted doors line the sides of pot-hole filled and garbage strewn roads. Specific images particularly stick out in my mind. One day, while making our way to the bustling city of San José, I saw a cluster of shacks lined with aluminum roofs and barred windows. The gray buildings were rusted and falling apart. One man sat huddled in front of his hut, wearing only tattered shorts. It was raining, and he just sat there with his arms tucked under his knees. I glanced at him from our dry and comfortable tour bus, and he stared back at me. The hurt in his eyes was evident-yet he still smiled and waved at me. Seeing a stranger smile at you through poverty and hardship alters your perspective and causes you to re-evaluate your priorities  in a way that glimpsing at a waterfall cannot.

       

Section of San Jose

         Memorable smiles from the Costa Rican people continued to affect me as the trip progressed. That same day, our tour bus brought us to a local school. I glanced out my window at the school, and was surprised to see that this building also had barred windows. Ironically, I thought of home, where my friends often compared our school to a prison. I couldn’t help thinking about how much we take for granted. These students had barred windows to keep people out, not in. They loved school; It was a privilege here. I conversed with a few children who told me they had traveled many miles on foot just to be there. The school was small and didn’t have the newest technology, athletic equipment, or a well-stocked library. They had a barn that served as a gym, two soccer goals-tattered from overuse, and a small barred building with a few classrooms. What they were lacking in facilities they made up for in passion-the teachers and children were genuinely happy to be there. Students and teachers alike embraced us with hugs, eager to show us dances they had practiced to perform specifically for our arrival. 

The children performing a traditional Spanish dance in their gym

During our visit at the school,  I spent time with one little boy named Felipe. Chatting with Felipe, I took out my touch-screen iPod and showed him pictures of the places we had been. Little Felipe was in fascination, not with the pictures I showed him, but with the technology. He had never seen an iPod and was amazed. I watched at he intently touched the screen and moved the pictures. He took a picture of me and laughed, his eyes bright with happiness over something I take for granted daily. A few other kids made their way over to where Felipe and I were playing, and before I knew it, I was surrounded by younger children who all wanted to play and experience something completely new to them, yet so simple to me.



     All smiles with Felipe! 

            This, for me, was a life-changing moment: Surrounded by those smiling, enthusiastic children, I came to the realization that possessions have nothing to do with happiness. Despite what the teachers and children lacked in possessions, their compassionate and giving-nature was overwhelming. Those children didn't realize how much they gave me. They changed my perspective on life: I failed to truly appreciate many aspects of my life prior to my travels. Immersed in the Costa Rican culture at the local school, I realized that despite lacking the facilities and possessions we American students have, these students made up for it with their possession of pure personal characteristics: selflessness, appreciation for the small things, and a passionate outlook on life. Initially, I thought the natural scenery of Costa Rica would be what I most remembered from the trip. Instead, it's my altered view from interacting with the incredible Costa Rican people.

         While I could detail numerous lessons I learned about life from interacting with the Costa Rican people, one simple phrase has the power to summarize my experience: The Costa Rican motto; “Pura Vida” has a simple English translation, but a far more profound meaning to the people of Costa Rica and anyone spending time in the majestic country. Pura Vida in English translates to "pure life."  Yet, it means so much more than these two simple words. The Costa Ricans stress the importance of their motto,the meaning of it being the idea that you should try and live your life eternally optimistic. Pura Vida is essentially the idea that you should embrace all that is good in your life, no matter what your current situation is, as someone else's life can always be less fortunate than your own.

My friend Katie, who traveled with me, was inspired 

enough to commit to the phrase forever- in the form of a tattoo.  

I asked Katie what Pura Vida means to her:
"Pura Vida is a daily reminder

that I can't dwell on the bad things in life forever.

Life is so short- We need to appreciate and take

advantage of all of the good things life has to offer."

          I try to remember the meaning behind  "Pura Vida", and live each day by appreciating all of life's blessings. I realized that If people who have so little can rejoice in life each day, there is no reason I can’t do so, as well. Watching these children’s eyes and faces light up at something so simple, and experiencing the warmth of the selfless Spanish culture, inspired my career and desire to teach. I have always hoped that after my perspective-altering experience in Costa Rica, I would be able to combine my love of traveling with my love of teaching and travel once again to a similar country; to give back in a sense, to those children who so unknowingly gave to me.

          Three years later, the opportunity has arose, and  I'm scheduled to embark on a similar adventure, this time to Ecuador. Spending almost three weeks in the country, my peers and I will be working in schools with students and teachers as well as traveling  the country to enjoy the renowned beauty that Ecuador is notorious for. While I am immensely excited to see the scenery and experience the Ecuadorian culture, I realize that this trip’s most valuable opportunity is the chance to enhance myself as a student and a future teacher. In the hopes of sharing what I discover with my community and the students on the SUCO campus, I’ll be writing blog entries detailing memorable experiences,  lessons I learn, and realizations I come to during my travels. While I will have the opportunity to teach students in Ecuador, I know that similar to my experience in Costa Rica, the most valuable lessons will be what these students teach me. If this first entry has in anyway grabbed your attention, make sure to check back to read the following entries detailing my travels. Until then, don't forget to remember the phrase, “Pura Vida” and make the most of your day!