“Pura Vida”
By Jeff Loy, submitted August 2013
Of all the P2P programs I have been a part of, and of all the homestay experiences that I have had, my family in Costa Rica is the one that stands out. In the midst of all of the fun of the Pura Vida lifestyle, I met a family of four that changed my life. They spoke almost no English, and I spoke only a little ‘middle school’ Spanish, so communication was slow and difficult, but I learned as much as I could about them. The mother worked nearby teaching Spanish, the father worked the night shift at a medical supplies warehouse, both low paying jobs, and they lived on the second story of a concrete duplex. The children went to school, played and never complained that there was nothing to do. One thing struck me. I noticed that while their lives weren't impoverished or pitiful, they did not have very much and they struggled and worked to live within their means. But, that isn't what I noticed. Plenty of people in America work and still don’t have much; however, this family was happy. They took the bad with the good, and were happy with what they had. They opened up their home to me, shared what they had and made me feel like I was one of their own children. No, they didn’t take me to local tourist spots or lavish me with gifts; they gave me something better, a true understanding of contentment. Living with them opened my eyes and showed me what real happiness is. When I returned home, and was again surrounded by American students, and yes adults, I realized how what a materialistic society we are. What a better world it would be if everyone could stay a few days with my Costa Rican family.