Everywhere we go in Costa Rica, people say “pura vida” in greeting. It means “the good life (literally pure life).” But as we drove to a section of the dried up river, we saw a community of people who are not living in a way that we would describe as the “pure life.”
The “river” is full of trash. Some of the children run around without shoes. Their clothes are dirty, their hair is messy. Most of the people are illegal immigrants from Nicaragua. I’ve seen extreme poverty before. Yet each time I step foot into a place of poverty, my emotions become very raw. I feel overwhelmed with how much I own: the simple security of a house, the freedom of having a yard to play in, the funds for new clothes, access to clean water and unlimited showers, and the opportunity for an education and the chance to pursue almost any career I choose.
Being in a place like this, I sometimes begin to feel claustrophobic, somewhat trapped. What if this was all I knew life to be? What if I lived here? However, even though my first response is usually sadness and a sense of helplessness, I take one look at the children and the situation doesn’t seem so dark.
These kids are full of life, energy, and joy. In the moments you spend with them, they don’t want you to build them a new house or give them money. They want you to reach down and pick them up. They want you to play with them, hold them, laugh with them.
They want you to simply be with them.
While playing “Pato, Pato, Ganzo (Duck, Duck, Goose),” the oldest boy in the group (probably 11 or 12 years old), had his baby brother in his lap. When the girl tapped him and yelled “ganzo,” he carefully got up with the child, and slowly jogged around the circle. Clearly, he didn’t catch the girl. And as the next round began, he carried the baby around and helped the little guy tap each person’s head while he said “pato, pato, pato…” It was a very different image of what I would typically see in America….watching a boy be so careful and responsible with an infant during a game when most boys his age would typically be more concerned with winning. Yet to him, winning didn’t matter. He just wanted to have fun and wanted his baby brother to be a part of it.
One of the reasons I wanted to do the World Race was to discover the unique characteristics of different cultures around the world, differences that I want to bring home with me. My day in the Jaco slums reminded me to be grateful in every moment for all that I have, but to live generously, recognizing that joy doesn't come with wealth or material possessions, but with community and love.
