Looking Back

Just like that, our seven year tropical adventure ended. Looking back on life in Costa Rica seems to me much like reflecting on a long vacation. We spent a lot of time getting to know a foreign country. It became quite familiar, but it was always foreign. When I moved to Puriscal my deepest desire was to shed my identity as a foreigner and blend in completely with the locals. Instead, we were fortunate to have become a welcome part of the community, but we were always foreign to it as well.

Costa Rica is like a revolving door to expats. My family was no exception to the rule. While we lasted a lot longer than most and faced challenges far greater than a language barrier, we entered a place called Paradise and realized that it was a great experience but not home. Just like a vacation, I am happy to have gone, and I am happy to be home. Being back in the United States now feels perfectly natural in the most pleasant ways.

In Costa Rica, I continued my education. I feel like I got my masters in the Good the Bad and the Ugly of the world. My family experienced the beauty of a simpler life, one that seemed to go back generations in time. That was the good. The bad and the ugly involved con artists and really corrupt government officials. We fought against them and learned a lot about the world. It was hard but I am grateful for the growth.

Moving to Costa Rica made me appreciate where I am from. While scams and corruption are certainly not scarce in the United States, there is a lot of good here too. My family is off to a fresh start now in Arizona. There are so many wonderful things that we are excited to expose our girls to. There are also many more opportunities for their future as well. I may not feel completely at home until I have the great Rocky Mountains framing the setting sun but I am happy to explore a new place and I'm still sporting my Open Toe Shoes.