Free Thinkin

The gringo begins integration. Day 1 in Costa Rica. Traveled all day arrived in the afternoon to my hostel. First impressions this is a very cool way to travel hostels. This one’s called the stray cat there is a cat running around pretty bad ass. Beautiful paintings on the wall music that sets the vide just a bunch of young people exploring the world I believe I’m the only American here. I like that.

Central America is representing when it comes to southern hospitality. I decided to explore for dinner fasted all day while traveling so I was ready for some authentic grub. Then I stumbled across Fritanga Patricia’s place, a local Caribbean style restaurant. All right so let me paint a picture a white boy who barely knows a word of Spanish walks into a packed house at Patricia’s. I swear Spanish is just flying around I’m just smiling and nodding not a clue in the world what’s going on. Then I met Patricia. She is a middle aged women dressed head to toe in chrismas colored green topping it off with a green fedora. I’ll tell you what this women had style. She greeted me with a warm smile then started spitting Spanish at me again I am Spanish illiterate so this was like throwing a rock in the water and hoping it would float. It’s not gonna work. We laugh a genuine laugh cause we both know there’s been nothing understood so far. She then precedes to help guide me through what’s going on whipping out google translate and spending the time to help translate. She went out of her way in her packed restaurant to help a stranger and make sure I was well fed and serviced. Showing up with a genuine smile and a heart looking to help she helped this strange man that didn’t speak her language. That’s what I call a leader she made me feel excepted in a environment I’ve never been. Ordered for me and I’ll tell you what it was delicious couldn’t tell you what it is. But none the less delicious. Showing up with the energy to serve will break down all barriers and I’ll always remember Patricia for showing up for me. I could of got by without her doing that but it would of been awkward and uncomfortable instead she made me feel welcome and accepted.

The reason I’m telling you this is because that is what impresses me. People skills and the energy and intentions to go with it we could all take a lesson away from Patricia. Show up for your fellow man, show up for your neighbor build a bridge instead of putting up a fence.

The travels continue tomorrow headed to Quepos gonna be fun.