Santa Teresa

I've often said that when it comes to Kansas City, I know the town and culture intimately because I've lived there all my life.  Plus my mother and grandmother both lived in KC most of their lives. It is in my blood.

And I've said that when it comes to the USA, I understand the various cultures across the country.  I get it and appreciate the diversity of my country.

But I've also acknowledged that when it comes to international cultures, I know very little.  I have pockets of appreciation for various parts of the world, but I'm hesitant to speak about it because of my ignorance.

My winter is a reminder of this.  As Alex shows me various parts of Costa Rica, I'm gaining a better appreciation for the diversity of this country.  I'm seeing similarities and differences to the USA.  It's all part of my sabbatical from KC and my efforts to gain perspective on where my life goes next.

A Thriving Town

This beach town was hopping!  Lots of foreigners are spending time here right now, often for extended stays.  It also feels like a college town where you have the full-timers and the student population.  Or the lake where you have the permanent residents and the summer tourists.  

Like many college and tourist towns, Santa Teresa is overflowing with activity as more people are crammed into the place than it was built to handle.  They are trying to catch up by improving the main road.  Restaurants and beaches are full.  While so much of the world seems depressed by COVID, Santa Teresa is like an oasis of expansive energy.  It reminds me that some places are thriving during this difficult time.

Deep Roots

I also enjoyed getting to know Alex more through this trip.  While many people of just now discovering Santa Teresa, she has been coming here for 30+ years.  She has watched this town grow up as she has grown up.  Today, one of her best friends (Rodrigo) lives there and operates a small lodging business for tourists.  I was grateful he let us stay there for our three nights in town.

I have similar deep roots to the Lake of the Ozarks.  I've watched that sleepy tourism area explode in my lifetime.  I probably talk about the lake in many ways that I heard Alex talk about Santa Teresa.

Secluded Beaches

Even though the town is hopping, and even though it has some nice beaches, my primary takeaway was how secluded the area still is.  That's part of what people like about Santa Teresa.  The roads are rugged.  The beaches have lots of rocks.  It's more of a natural getaway than a more typical beach town.  Maybe some would even describe it as hippy.  Santa Teresa definitely has a distinctive feel.  Our trip there gave me a greater appreciation for beach diversity and Costa Rica tourist options.