The Trap

After a brief conversation I had today, I was instantly reminded of a post I made 3 years ago, after a dear friend of mine, Mattias, shared a book with me.  

Every single one of us lives inside of our own self-made trap.  Our walls can have an indeterminable number of sides, some may even have windows looking into the world we wish to see, or a life we would rather have.  The only reality we actually own is the one inside, or outside of "The Trap".  

Instead of my regular Tuesday blog post, Today I will concede to Wilhelm Reich:

"It IS possible to get out of a trap. However, in order to break out of a prison, one first must confess to being in a prison. The trap is wo/man's emotional structure, her/his character structure. There is little use in devising systems of thought about the nature of the trap if the only thing to do in order to get out of the trap is to know the trap and to find the exit. Everything else is utterly useless: Singing hymns about the suffering in the trap, as the enslaved Negro does; or making poems about the beauty of freedom outside of the trap, dreamed of within the trap; or promising a life outside the trap after death, as Catholicism promises its congregations; or confessing a semper ignorabimus as do the resigned philosophers; or building a philosophic system around the despair of life within the trap, as did Schopenhauer; or dreaming up a superman who would be so much different from the man in the trap, as Nietzsche did, until, trapped in a lunatic asylum, he wrote, finally, the full truth about himself—too late. . . 

The first thing to do is to find the exit out of the trap. The nature of the trap has no interest whatsoever beyond this one crucial point: WHERE IS THE EXIT OUT OF THE TRAP?

One can decorate a trap to make life more comfortable in it. This is done by the Michelangelos and the Shakespeares and the Goethes. One can invent makeshift contraptions to secure longer life in the trap. This is done by the great scientists and physicians, the Meyers and the Pasteurs and the Flemings. One can devise great art in healing broken bones when one falls into the trap. The crucial point still is and remains: to find the exit out of the trap. WHERE IS THE EXIT INTO THE ENDLESS OPEN SPACE? The exit remains hidden. It is the greatest riddle of all. The most ridiculous as well as tragic thing is this:THE EXIT IS CLEARLY VISIBLE TO ALL TRAPPED IN THE HOLE. YET NOBODY SEEMS TO SEE IT. EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE THE EXIT IS. YET NOBODY SEEMS TO MAKE A MOVE TOWARD IT. MORE: WHOEVER MOVES TOWARD THE EXIT, OR WHOEVER POINTS TOWARD IT IS DECLARED CRAZY OR A CRIMINAL OR A SINNER TO BURN IN HELL.

It turns out that the trouble is not with the trap or even with finding the exit. The trouble is WITHIN THE TRAPPED ONES.

All this is, seen from outside the trap, incomprehensible to a simple mind. It is even somehow insane. Why don't they see and move toward the clearly visible exit? As soon as they get close to the exit they start screaming and run away from it. As soon as anyone among them tries to get out, they kill her/him. Only a very few slip out of the trap in the dark night when everybody is asleep."

From The Murder of Christ, (1953) by Wilhelm Reich. 

Leaving the US and moving to Costa Rica

“Your mom has Dengue”.  A set of sobering words from my father via Skype in Costa Rica; I had already been well aware of the flu she had previous, but now suddenly the situation was more serious as she was already sick before, with a now crippled immune system.  In less than 3 weeks time, I would be sitting on a plane to give my parents a much needed hand in what many people see outwardly as a 3^rd world country. 

My parents had moved to Costa Rica 3 years prior to live a bit easier as permanent resident “pensioners”.  That said, Costa Rica has some of the most consistent weather patterns in the world, beautiful beaches, socialized and for profit medicine, and most definitely there is no shortage of North American expatriates living out the remainder of their lives here abroad.  The medical systems in Costa Rica are more than adequate, but if you’re from anywhere in the Western World, as with nearly everything here, much of it operates significantly differently, and learning the ropes is better done in advance vs. learning by necessity. 

After arriving here in early October, which is the last month of the “rainy season”, my longing for the dry days ahead in November through April is now slowly becoming a reality, and the North American & European tourists are now arriving in droves to the province of Guanacaste; the North Western Coast line that follows the Pan American Highway all the way up to the Nicaraguan boarder.

North Western Costa Rica

I found out quickly, that securing a long term residence here in Costa Rica literally gets harder by the day (if you plan to rent close to November).  As the tourists arrive, the thousands of rental properties that remain empty all year, which can normally be rented for a few hundred dollars a month (depending on the size & need of course) in the off-season, can command upwards of a few thousand a week based on location & size.  I personally went from searching for a place, finding a rental, and it being already rented by the time I drove 15 minutes up the road to view the property!  Needless to say, once I found a place (a small studio apartment across the street from the beach) that was actually available; I immediately decided to go back to the rental office to discuss price.  This small studio apartment (less than 500sqft), rents for $500 USD a month + utilities long term, or if you’re willing to spend the cash up front (I do mean CASH literally), you can get a smoking deal as everything rentable can be negotiated easily, but during the high season the rates are not so easily affordable for some.    

The flat I rented dropped down to only  $350 dollars a month if I paid the entire 6 months in advance in cash, plus the security deposit.  While to some this may seem like an exorbitant amount of money to pay out considering I don’t know how long I plan to be here, there are many who will pay 5x what I am paying total to stay only a few weeks in a similar space.  I certainly don’t have that kind of money as a writer, but I’m far from destitute, and still living on the cheap in one of the most popular beach towns in the world, Playas Del Coco.  Take into account, a North American version of “cheap” is considerably different than the local “Tico’s”.  My studio apartment maybe small, but it is fully furnished, pots, pans, dishes, sheets on the bed, cable TV, and is actually better than most of the efficiencies I’ve stayed in throughout Europe, or even on the eastern seaboard of the US.   Did I mention I am directly across the street from the beach and Pacific Ocean?

My new home in Playas Del Coco

I relocated here from right outside Washington DC, and I have previously been here to visit my family; so I had an idea of what to expect when I arrived, but I’ve only been here a month, and still have much more to learn!

The locals are polite and kind beyond measure compared to many other countries I’ve visited.  That said, I’m not entirely sure that “no” is even in their vocabulary.  They would rather bring you anything, but “no” as an answer… So you can completely expect random stuff occasionally.   Even at the local grocery store I came across this "complete" cooking seasoning.  Not only is it the only one you apparently need, but judging by the size of the container it's the only one you'll need FOREVER! 

Top Chef never had it so easy! 

One thing that stands out for me personally; I am constantly trying to better my Spanish and speak their language, but the locals at the same time desperately want to practice their English.  So, what happens is, even ordering a drink, or meal can turn out to be a mixture of English, Spanish, Spanglish, but however the majority of the young people in bars and restaurants speak FAR better English than my Spanish, and when you compliment them on how good their English is, they are always very flattered, say that their “English isn’t very good”, and then say “thank you for saying so”.  My 2^nd week here, I met a local “Nica” (slang for Nicaraguan) tour guide in a bar who prefaced his spontaneous conversation with me with, “I have a question for you, but please bear with me, as my English isn’t very good…” and then while I’m expecting some Spanglish; instead his vocabulary and correct grammar blew me away.  I have never met anyone in my life that says his or her English isn’t very good, and in that first sentence use the word “reciprocation”!

Needless to say, my adventure here in Costa Rica has only just begun. My mom is now mostly recovered from her Dengue Fever, and my father is back to being just as ornery as he’s always been.  Either way, I’m still around to help them out and enjoy a journey that is still very much my own to create.  I certainly have plenty to write about! 

Pura Vida!  

Machetes galore! Costa Rica prepares for 5 months of Beach Tourism!

Machetes galore! And no... That's not a euphemism for Halloween! 

In North America winter is on your heels, but toward the end of October here in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, it means that the rainy season is coming to a swift close.  The locals, who call themselves “Ticos” are wielding their machetes and cutting away the excess long palms, loose coconuts, and clearing fields that will soon begin to dry and wither way. 

Looking out over Playas Del Coco

Within the first few days of November, the rain will come to a complete halt for the next 5 months; The sun & sand will become a soft haven of sun worshipers, those looking to enjoy a location filled with local western ex-pats, cheap drinks, a different outlook on long term vacationing, and for a few, the opportunity to consider a new home, escape from the typical “western life”,  and put some paradise in their pockets. 

Myself, a recent ex-pat import who came here on a slightly different mission initially to help a sick family member, but also I’ve been here before & am enamored by the culture, the dry season, and all the joyous things the weather this time year affords us.  For local expats it’s a time to see your friends return south from the north, for the local businesses it’s time for the tourist dollars to return the scales into the black, and for the surfers, the waves & winds don’t get much better than this time of year in Costa Rica. 

“Pura Vida!” A common chant touted by almost all locals and westerners alike.  The direct translation as you may have guessed means “Pure Life”, although it has a more fundamental meaning to the locals.  The local Ticos and Ticas are most often joyous and happy, huge smiles on their faces amidst almost rife poverty and most live in shanties hidden amongst the western style condos & hotels.  The local people are gracious, kind, and full of gratitude at nearly every step.  Being a westerner myself I can say with certainty our first world problems wouldn’t even be a concern to them, but I could write another article on that topic alone!  “Pura Vida” means more than I could ever fit into one page, but a short summary would be that everything happens at it’s own pace, be happy in the now, be gracious for what you have, and most importantly live free of worry.  Stress, after all,  is a huge killer in western culture, and it's no wonder why Costa Rican's have the 2nd highest life expectancy.  

Sunset over Playa Hermosa

The beaches here on the west coast of Costa Rica are clean, the food is a mixture of Latin, and Caribbean styles, although American & Canadian fare is easily found as well, not to mention the sunsets so beautiful that they’ll take your breath away.  The weather is warm, humidity is low, and the country in general has some of the most consistent temperatures in the world.  There is absolutely a reason so many westerners flock here to consider a new life abroad.

There are plenty of bars and nightlife if one so desires, and overt crime is nearly non-existent, however that doesn’t mean be foolish and leave your iPhone siting on the bar while you go to the bathroom. 

Cocanutz Bar & Grill in Playas Del Coco

Common sense goes along way anywhere in this world, and Costa Rica is no different in that regard. 

This year, if you are looking for beautiful place to vacation alone or with your family, where beautiful people, and the charm of the area melt into your hands & heart, consider Guanacaste, Costa Rica near the Gulfo de Papagayo.  Playas Del Coco & Tamarindo are calling your name.  There are daily flights to Liberia (LIR), Costa Rica on Delta, American, and Lufthansa. 


If you're looking for a cheaper ticket, Spirit Airlines out of Florida can get you to the capital of San Jose, but you'll need to take a bus west to Guanacaste for about $10. 

After you arrive, feel free to look me up, we'll get a beer! 

Pura Vida!!

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christian@christianstheory.com

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