The Happiest Place on Earth

According to the New Economics Foundation’s “Happy Planet Index” (a measure that combines happiness and longevity and adjusts for environmental impact — such as the carbon that countries spew), Costa Rica is the happiest place on earth. Already, we’re experiencing Costa Ricans as among the nicest, most generous and most helpful we’ve encountered in our travels.

From the gentleman who helped us upon arrival at the airport, the folks at Margarita's B & B, Carlos (our new favorite, English-speaking taxi driver), those Dave mentioned at the Rasur Foundation/Academy for Peace, the adorable Adrian at our new digs, (Villas Los Candiles in Santa Ana www.hotelvillasloscandiles.com), to the guy on the street who helped us find the Old West restaurant for dinner last night, we are impressed! Carlos says that the happiness comes from two things: 1) just knowing that if you work you will be able to provide a good life for your family; and, 2) that the place abounds in beauty, from the beaches to the mountains and volcanoes to the rain forests.

My favorite journalist in the world, Nicholas Kristof, says that "What sets Costa Rica apart is its remarkable decision in 1949 to dissolve its armed forces and invest instead in education. Increased schooling created a more stable society, less prone to the conflicts that have raged elsewhere in Central America. Education also boosted the economy, enabling the country to become a major exporter of computer chips and improving English-language skills so as to attract American eco-tourists." (see his January 6, 2010 column at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/opinion/07kristof.html).

We can't wait to continue discovering our own clues about the seeds of happiness here, and in the meantime, I (Carole) can tell you that I am as happy as a clam to be here!! Dave seems to be doing OK, too!

No small part of that at the moment is our new "home away from home." This almost brand new boutique hotel, located in a Santa Ana residential neighborhood, is simply amazing, gorgeous, accessible to shops and restaurants, safe, and completely charming! We have a most lovely (and very inexpensive!) 1-bedroom suite with our own private little patio/yard, and a better TV than we have at home! Just in case I didn't know it before, I am a totally spoiled traveler who, at my age, requires comfort!