Kayla Heflin
Studied in Costa Rica, Summer 2012
The culture of Costa Rica is
affectionately described by the phrase “Pura Vida.” Although there are many
meanings and uses of the phrase, one meaning characterizes the carefree and
“live life to the fullest” nature of the native people. I taught English in an
elementary school in a small rural town called Chircó for the seven weeks I was
in this beautiful country. In this school, I experienced the true “Pura Vida”
culture of the nation unlike any tourist could. On special occasions, the
school would often throw parties where all of the parents come, music blares,
and typical food abounds. Critical parts of each of these parties were the
“payasos.” The most similar thing to a payaso in the United States would be a
clown, though payasos are very different. One person wears the payaso costume
and then proceeds to run around and chase the surrounding people who run away
from it as if it were a scary monster.
Even so, every kid always wanted a turn at being the payaso! This picture illustrates the joy of two of
the kindergarteners as they reveled in the pride of having the opportunity to
be the payasos of the day, exhibiting the “Pura Vida” culture even at a mere
five years old.