Costa Rica might prove addicting

By David Peters
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

June 10, 2007

PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA, Costa Rica -- The locals on the southeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica are a warm, friendly lot. Show your manners, throw in a few words in Spanish, and the residents are more than ready to answer your questions or point you in the right direction. Some of them even want to expand your consciousness beyond the beautiful waters and lush foliage.

A case in point: Sunday morning, our first day in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. We were strolling on an almost deserted beach. We encountered a man walking in the opposite direction. His face was framed by dreadlocks. He was wearing a yellow jacket and cutoffs, his shoulders supporting a backpack. Decorum demanded a "Buenos Dias." He responded in kind. Perhaps 20 feet had distanced us before he called out softly and asked me if I'd like a good smoke. I don't think he was talking about Cuban cigars. No, thank you, I politely responded.

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Copyright 2007

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