Families take care of the elders because they know what family is all about. Unfortunately, most Americans don’t know what family is about. Loving parents don’t count down the days until their child turns 18 so they can kick them out of the house and loving offspring don’t look forward to passing their old, wrinkly baggage to a nursing home.

This is precisely the reason I became addicted to life in Quepos, Costa Rica. It was so refreshing to interact with a group of people who, even when in a rush, would always take the time to stop and greet you, and ask you how you were. And beers on the stoop? Always a good idea!

As Americans, I wish we could see that there are more important things than being on time, and crossing everything off a pointless to-do list. It’s interesting how, at an educational level, Americans are taught to think critically about the material that is presented to them, and are much better capable at doing this than, say, their Asian peers, who are taught to respect the teacher’s word and not question it. Yet, it baffles me that despite the fact we may be able to think critically about an argument presented in an essay, we cannot think critically when it really counts…you know, in deciding what we choose to do with that thing called our lives?

Also, as an idea for a future post…What are you guys doing for fun down there? Im anxious to hear about local sporting events or bars and the fun stuff.

ROSS