Pura Vida!

The exact translation of ´Pura Vida´ might be the pure life, but it is the Costa Rican way of saying Hakuna Matata. It literally means no worries, or hang loose. Ticos (Costa Ricans) greet each other on the street with Pura Vida, or answer the phone by saying Pura Vida. So what is this Pura Vida all about? One of my quests this year will be to discover how a tico defines this Pura Vida. Another interesting think that I have noticed is that ticos say Adios to each other when passing in the street, instead of Hola like other Central American countries.
It´s hard to know what to write in the first journal entry. Because this is not the first time I have been outside of the United States everything is not so overwhelming, but Costa Rica definetely has its unique sabor. So here is my top ten list. How you know you are in Costa Rica:
1. The teachers review the hammock rules the first day of school
2. You don´t ask what you are eating for lunch because you know there will be beans and rice
3. Futbol (soccer) is the national religion
4. You can spot the gringos because they are all wearing Chaco sandles
5. Ticos ask you questions about Johnny Dep like he´s your best friend
6. A whole pinneapple costs 40 cents
7. From the tallest mountain you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean
8. Everyone goes to the beach on the weekends
9. There is no such thing as a huge bug-because they are all huge here
10. If you don´t own a rotweiler or a pitbull someone will break into your house