Road trips have grown to become one of my favorite brainstorming spaces. I have had some of my most meaningful conversations with self and others while admiring the scenes that pass by.
It was about a six hour drive from the weekend at San Jose back to Guanacaste that had me wondering all the things I will miss from Costa Rica and all the things I miss from Airdrie. Do the things I miss and the things I don’t, reveal any insight into my what, how and why I value my way of life? I started the conversation with myself painfully aware of the privileges I have as an able bodied person with access to a ‘travel’ credit card. In the same wave length I wanted to acknowledge the challenges I navigate as a person of color in a female body wherever I go in the world.
As the last week in Junquillal approaches, I can’t help but think about all the things I could, would and will do differently next time. Easily finding a way back to being hard on myself for stepping out of the race to success to step into wandering aimlessly for six weeks. Was it worth it to deplete some of my limited resources to simply swim in the ocean with so many colorful fish, wake up to the roar of howler monkeys, savor every bite of maracuyás and experience a different way of life?
Three things I learned: Costa Ricans are not rushing to any place or any task. Folks avoid talking about work. And everyone pauses to enjoy the sunset every day.
Two things that surprised me: I have had some of the best neapolitan pizza in my life (including Italy). The laws are open to individual interpretation and behavior.
One question I am thinking about: How do I support someone in their dreaming, taking risks, failing and defining their own success especially when I don’t understand it?
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