

Vendiendo a Costa Rica por el dólar...
Una triste realidad la que enfrentamos quienes adoramos este país que en tantas noches frías nos ha cobijado con su mano protectora, sus montañas, ríos, costas incomparables y gente admirable… “llévelo, llévelo... Bueno, bonito y barato, se vende Costa Rica! Llévela ya que se nos acaba!” ¿Y ahora, quien podrá defendernos? Ni el Chapulín Colorado tiene su lycra tan bien puesta como para combatir el mal manejo de proyectos turísticos, ni Superman y sus calzoncillos color sangre puede con la criptonita con la que canjean tierras paradisíacas extranjeros que buscando tranquilidad en nuestro país e invirtiendo millones de dólares se ven, inclusive ellos mismos, sorprendidos por la sobrepoblación extranjera.Pero no todo está perdido, dicen los que aman su pueblo, los que creen en su gente, los que ven en la unión de las comunidades defensas y tonelaje suficiente para combatir la mala administración de los recursos y el abuso que hasta el momento parece ser incontrolable de un sector extranjero que busca hacer de Costa Rica un centro lucrativo de diversiones tropicales, esas personas saben que nuestro norte, que es el sur, sigue vivo en las vidas de las familias Ticas que crecieron con las gallinas, entre cafetales y jugo de caña, tapas de dulce y tamales navideños, carretas de bueyes y tierra mojada bajo los pies descalzos.Y vos, quien sos? El Chapulín Colorado con sus calzones amarillos, o prefieres el rojo de moda de Superman??? Mujeres y hombres, niñas y niños; abuelos, vecinos, turistas concientes y preocupados por el bienestar del medioambiente: a ponernos los calzoncillos donde deben de ir y los pantalones bien amarrados… A buscar quehacer! Quieres ser un espectador, o el protagonista de una lucha por ganar?
Selling Costa Rica by the Dollar…
Sad reality that that lived by those of us who are in love with this country that so many cold nights has sheltered us with its protective hand, its mountains, rivers, incomparable coasts and admirable peoples. “On sale, on sale… good, pretty and cheap, Costa Rica on sale, take one now, before there’s none left!”. Who will be able to defend us now? Not even Superman with his blood tinted tighties will have the strength to fight with the kryptonite with which incomparable lands are being exchanged by foreigners seeking haven in our country, investing millions of dollars, finding themselves involved in a land overpopulated by ‘expats’.
Not all hope is lost though, say those who have faith in the people of this country, not all hope is lost of those who see in the union of the communities enough strength and tonnage to prevent the bad administration of recourses and the abuse that up till now appears to be uncontrollable from a foreign sector that looks to make from Costa Rica a lucrative amusement park of the tropics. Those people which know that our north, which lays in the south, is still alive in the lives of the Tico families that grew up amidst chickens, within coffee plantations and sugar cane, Christmas ‘tamales’, ox carts and the wet dirt shaking under our bare feet.
And who are you? Superman with your red fashion tighties flaring all around??? Women, men, kids, elders, neighbors, conscious tourists worried about the wellbeing of nature: let’s put our tighties in place and buckle up… let’s be proactive! Let’s get involved! Do you want to be a spectator, or the protagonist of a fight bound to be won?
There are special programs being developed by Euforia Expeditions (www.euforiaexpeditions.com), The Nature Conservancy, The Rainforest Alliance and local entities seeking to create awareness on the pros and cons of tourism in Costa Rica. For more information regarding this feel free to contact me at: Andres@euforiaexpeditions.com or stereonauta@gmail.com. There’s a lot to be done and many hands are needed.