TALKING
LIKE A TICO
If you
want to learn Spanish quickly just remember this phrase, “PURA VIDA”. It will
get you far, at least in Costa Rica as ‘Pura Vida” is the acceptable and proper
response to practically anything you hear in this beautiful and lush country. From
“Como Estas?” (How are you?) to “Disculpe, estoy tarde” (Sorry I’m late), uttering
“Pura Vida” along with a smile will have you speaking like a “Tico” (Costa Rican)
in no time.
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| MAGNET |
“Pura Vida”
means literally Pure Life, yet it’s more than a ubiquitous phrase, but a
prevailing lifestyle throughout Costa Rica. With an excellent peaceful quality
of life and a lovely country it’s easy to see why Ticos have a laid-back and
friendly attitude to everything. In Costa Rica it is an easy choice to say, and
live, a Pure Life.
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| KEYCHAIN |
And, a
lot of people say it.
Our driver from the airport to the resort took back roads to show us some beautiful country and he waved to dozens of people and said “Pura Vida” each time. Our first impressions were that Ticos are friendly people and throughout our stay in Costa Rica, from the tour guides, to the hotel
staff, to a saleswoman in a busy touristy Santa Elena shop, we were met with smiles and Pura Vida.. Even
the customs officer barely hid a smile as he stamped our passport.
NO
PROBLEM, THAT’S LIFE, JUST BREATHE
“Pura
Vida” is heard everywhere, and stamped pretty much on everything souvenir worthy, but this approach to life doesn’t have to end at the
border. Yes, living in Costa Rica with an excellent quality of life and beautiful
landscapes makes living a laid-back philosophy easy, but here at home we must all remember to slow down,
relax, smell the coffee, don’t sweat the small stuff and remember what truly is
important in this life. That is Pura Vida.
MAS
CERVEZA
Of course,
it’s hard to order a beer if you only know how to say “Pura Vida.” The main
beer in the Costa Rica is not named Pura Vida, but Imperial. So, learn to say “Mas
Cerveza”, or if you’d rather drink the local moonshine order a Cacique Guaro, a
distilled hard liquor made from sugar cane juice and very popular in Costa
Rica. Effectively it’s a white rum, or a slightly sweet vodka, which works
great for mixed drinks….and shots. At the Fiesta Resort, we were drinking Cacique
with Fresca, Lime and salt… and shots. People mix Cacique with Pineapple, Coconut or other juices .... or do shots. .
Here's a quick list of Cacique recipes that'll have you drinking like a Tico.
Now distilled by Fabrica National de Licores for quality control, Cacique is abundant, cheap and strong, Cacique Guaro red is 60 proof and the black-labeled Superior
Chief weighs in at 70 proof. Cacique means “Chief” and this distilled liquor is
now popular throughout Latin America, but it originated in Costa Rica. Found in
every remote corner of the country in every little bar, hotel and restaurant
and lining local grocery store shelves, Cacique comes in liter and 750 ml glass
bottles and 365 ml pachitas, little plastic bottles for those who require
inspiration while traveling.
NO MAS AGUARDIENTE
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| INSPIRATION |
Hope
these Spanish lessons work for you fair reader, but please remember to imbibe
wisely. Too much Aguardiente or Burning Water can lead you astray. If you’ve had too much to drink and you say, “Quiero Cacique!” and a
half-naked chief wearing an elaborate headdress comes out to greet you, you may
have wandered into one of those kinds of bars. Pura Vida, I say. Who am I to judge? Whatever floats your dugout canoe!
PURA VIDA!
We didn't get a chance to drink any craft beer while in Costa Rica, but here is a short list of brewers found there.
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| Buy you a drink? |
PURA VIDA
Thanks
for reading. My pachitas is nearly empty and to buy Cacique I’ll have to return
to Costa Rica. So far it has been impossible to find stateside…. So buy
something at the store… or my books… or send me a donation.
© 2020 by Greg Dunaj
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