February 2002 our Founder Vic, went to Costa Rica. The weather was wonderful. Vic went to many places including Drake Bay (rain forest), Monteverde (cloud forest) and Tamarindo (beach on Pacific side). Costa Rica is a diverse, peaceful country with hundreds of different species of birds and flowers. Most of the people are friendly and most children looked clean and well taken care of. The hotels that Vic stayed at were all nice (and clean). Public drinking water is potable in most areas of the country. The roads could stand a LOT of improvements and he was told that the casualty rate from traffic accidents is one of the highest in the world. Bring your Visa card as most other credit cards were not as readily accepted.
Vic, our Founder in Costa Rica 2002
Vic visited Costa Rica again in 2013 - shown here with family
Ziplining: Vic and sons and their Costa Rican guide 2013
DESIDERADA
Go placidly amid the noise & haste, remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be greater & lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise cautions in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many person strive to high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And, whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful.
Strive to be Happy.
Vic took this picture at night at Tamarindo beach, Costa Rica
Vic's experience in Coast Rica February 2002:
- Nice people
- Mostly safe water
- Decent food
- Bad roads (but improving)
- Dangerous roads/drivers
- Mostly safe for tourists
- Great beaches
- Great cloud forests
- Great jungles
- Warm oceans
- Visa is the most readily accepted credit card by far
- No need to convert dollars at the bank
- It's Central (tropical) America and yet didn't get bothered much with mosquitos in February
