I was speaking with a friend the other day about the lack of pictures the two of us take. This may not seem surprising as we are both male, but living abroad tends to bring out the desire to snap a few more photos than normal. The curiosity, then, is that neither of us has found ourselves to be in that situation even though we both definitely should be.

In terms of our lives abroad, we represent both extremes. He has just arrived to Costa Rica and I am on my way out. With him having less than 30 days in the country and me now finding myself with less than 30 left, the camera should be flashing nonstop.

As he told me of his regret thus far at his small picture count, I gave him some advice that I’m glad someone gave me when I first arrived: take as many pictures as possible. For whatever reason, it’s not in our male nature to take pictures. But now reflecting back over my time here, I’m very glad that I forced myself to take pictures in certain situations. Of course over time that regularity declines to an “only on special occasions” frequency. But in my database of pictures from the last three years, each one represents a story – and I can still remember most of them like they were yesterday.

The reason I started this blog in the first place was to remind myself; I wanted a platform to be able to document in written form some of the meaningful experiences that have occurred over the last three plus years. Now, with less than four weeks remaining, and having transitioned to full-blown nostalgic mode, I’ve taken that step even further.

When a good friend of mine left Costa Rica a few months ago we talked about making a list of words that represented something – a story, a joke, something bad, good or just about anything – that was worth remembering from our time living here. I don’t think he ever got around to it, but since that time I started forming a list. As I started doing it I realized that it was another great way to recall instances that I might not have otherwise.

Naming people that have made an impact on your life is the most natural instinct in these situations. But that is such a difficult task. There are so many that I’m bound to unfairly forget someone. Instead, I’ve developed quite an extensive list of words or phrases that represent a story – and those who were involved will know what the words mean. With less than four weeks left in Costa Rica, this seems like as good a time as any to put the list up. It is not finished – I don’t know that it ever will be – but for now it is a good sampling.

Some are vulgar. Some are funny. Some sad. Some not much of anything. But each one has a story. For those just starting on your journey, allow me to give you some unsolicited advice: find a way to document your story. Start a blog. Take pictures. Make a list. But be sure to do it. You’ll regret it if you don’t.

For better or worse, here is the list:

Spanish

Mae

Sintigo

Sinmigo

Filar

Diay

Chunche

Manda huevos

Patos calientes

“Mae, me estoy orinando”

 “Entonces?!”

Brete

Places

Feria

Chepe

The Hostel

Coca-Cola

Rio

Johnny’s Place

Chubbs

Kentucky

The Cave

Pub Rock

Lolo’s

 Food & Drink

Black Cock

AMPM Christmas Dinner

Clos Wine

Tsingtao

Smoothies

Cuba Libre

Street weed

Hooker crack

WoodCors

Dirty Pears

Chicha

Flor de Caña

Cacique

Toña

Intel breakfast

Imperial

Chili Guaro

People/Animals

Mom

The Chino

Rayuela

Franci

The Wall Talker

Mexican Juggler

Canadian Bacon

Ms. Kim

Paula

Frank

The Don

Deutschmann

Gordita

Kenny

Diner Breath

Pablo & Alison

Paco’s Tacos

Memo

Mom & Dad

K-rico

Izzy

Lulu

Mau

Cubbie

Miscellaneous

Cunt

Bragger

Pickleball

Human Trafficker

Visa Run

Thanksgiving

Sex Microwave

“I feel not alive”

Google

The Blues Brothers

Pearl Jam

Red Hot Chili Peppers

How to tie your shoes

El Borracho Secreto

Kart

‘A ten’

The Party Bus

The Podcast

Epic Hooters trips

Tim’s trip

Black Out Fridays

Footloose

Game 6

“The Bocas Trip”

Sausage Fest

Festival de la luz

Airport Hangovers

Balut

Bald and Dumber

“How many times you gotta say chocolate?”

Re-Chicken

El Choque

Last Christmas

No quiero trabajar

Christmas time in chepe

Combate

12 Corazones

Pejibaye lady

Homeless Park (HP)

“Careful!”

“Skål for satan!”