avatarDaniel Lee

Summary

The web content describes a personal account of the author's experience meeting Facebook friend Adelia Ritchie in Costa Rica, featuring sketches, social gatherings, and observations on expat life and the natural environment.

Abstract

The author recounts a memorable encounter with Adelia Ritchie in a Costa Rican hotel, filled with laughter and artistic exchanges, including a humorous sketch of the author. They explore the local culture, enjoying live music and the company of fellow expats at the son's tree house restaurant, Los Gatos Locos. The narrative touches on the complexities of human relationships, the allure of Costa Rica for expatriates, and the enchanting wildlife. It concludes with reflections on the beauty of the rainforest and the pure life, "Pura Vida," emphasizing the richness of their experiences in a place that offers both decompression and inspiration.

Opinions

  • The author finds the analogy of being surrounded by a cloud of dirt, symbolizing women's adoration, to be a complex and possibly concerning matter, suggesting a need for therapeutic exploration.
  • The Lay Psychiatrist's inability to join due to size constraints of the aircraft is mentioned humorously, indicating a light-hearted view of the situation.
  • The author expresses a sense of community and joy in the gatherings with friends and locals, highlighting the vibrant social life in Ojochal.
  • There is an appreciation for the natural beauty and wildlife of Costa Rica, as evidenced by the detailed description of the river excursion and the monkeys at the bar.
  • The author hints at a critique of the cultural atmosphere in the U.S., contrasting it with the appealing lifestyle and oxygen-rich environment of Costa Rica, which seems to offer a sanctuary from the perceived "mass psychosis."
  • The mention of property value increase suggests an awareness of the economic impact of expatriate influx, while the personal accommodations at Los Gatos Locos are seen as a temporary solution until more permanent housing is secured.
  • The repeated references to "Pura Vida" convey a deep connection with the Costa Rican philosophy of living a life full of simplicity and happiness, embracing the country's natural wonders and tranquil way of life.

Pura Vida

Adelia Ritchie is sitting across from me at a Costa Rican Hotel

photo by author

Yesterday Adelia and Linda were laughing at the image of Pigpen, in the Peanuts strip, who always has a cloud of dust or dirt hanging about him. Adelia did a sketch:

Adelia Ritchie

I said, “You sketch me. I sketch you back,” not to be confused with, “You sketch my back and I’ll sketch yours.”

I have known this woman on Facebook for fifteen years, but this is the first time I’ve met her in person. She is staying next door to our son’s tree house restaurant and bar, Los Gatos Locos, in Ojochal, where last night we drank margaritas and listened to live music by Johnny Doughnut.

But about the sketch.

I’m not sure what to think about being in a cloud of dirt that follows me and is analogically women who adore me. It might be that the intentions of these women are less than pure, and that they instinctively swarm around a dirty minded man. There’s a lot to unpack. I probably need to see a therapist about it.

The Lay Psychiatrist wanted to come along to Ojochal with us, but he could not fit into the Cessna 208 Caravan. He will be doing a session with Adelia pretty soon, I know. In the meantime, we have had a happy group of people here in Ojochal. An entertainer from Prescott, Arizona, and two of her friends joined Linda, Adelia, and me, Stephen and Kerrie, Johnny Donut and his wife, Michelle, and the Los Gatos Locos flair bartender, Abdul, on a river excursion today, where we saw monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, toucans and even a boa constrictor.

This evening we went to dinner at La Parcela, south of Dominical. It is on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and is open to the outside environment, which features a troupe of monkeys that show up about the same time every day and hang out at the bar.

A monkey hanging out at the bar

Property in Costa Rica has shot up in value as more expats come here. Stephen and Kerrie have established a beachhead. Los Gatos Locos has some cabins on the property. Nothing fancy but if the mass psychosis in the U.S. keeps sucking all the oxygen out of the culture one of them will serve until we find a house. We hope for the best and plan for the worst.

A gecko is singing. There is a buzz of insects so constant it is like background static. The rushing water of Rio Ojochal, too, is constant. We listen at night to the circulatory system of the rain forest, the streams, the rivers, the torrential rains. We breathe oxygen rich air. Pura Vida.

Adelia Ritchie

Shadowgnosis

Costa Rica
Expat
Pura Vida
Friendship
Travel
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