Pura Vida

Matt's HOME from Costa Rica! Actually he's been home for almost a week - but it has been a very busy week! So we're just getting around to hearing all the stories and seeing all the pictures. Apparently - when 16 guys go on a week long surf trip together all they need to survive is beer, eggs and frozen pizzas.

And when they aren't surfing, they are either:

Getting TOO CLOSE to crockodiles,

Playing Guitar Hero

or taking shots of scary homemade liquor with the locals

Costa Rica's national slogan is "Pura Vida." Literally translated it means "Pure Life." Contextually, it means "Full of Life," "Purified life," "This is living!" It is used as a greeting, a farewell, and to express satisfaction. Costa Ricans use the phrase to express a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, good spirits, enjoying life slowly, and celebrating good fortune, whether small or large. Using the expression properly gets a big smile in return. It is an acknowledgment of the Costa Rican attitude towards life.

I definitely think Matt enjoyed the Pure Life while he was away. While it was a relaxing trip, and a great time with his brother to just hang and have fun - Matt said it was weird to be away from us for so long and to have no responsibilities or needs except his own. Doesn't sound weird to me - sounds glorious! I think it's time for me to experience some of this Pura Vida!