More belated Friday fives.

Five things you might not know about Costa Rica, in no particular order...

• This is possibly the most eco-friendly country in the world. They are conveniently located near lots of water, so that helps. At least 40% of their power is hydro-electric, another 10% comes from wind turbines, an unconfirmed amount (depending on who you ask) comes from two of their four active volcanoes and they will be expanding that to all four in the near future, and they are working on generating power from sewage water (using the gas generated to run laundry machines and other non-food-related types of equipment). Their hotels and lodges are rated on "leaves" - how eco-friendly they are - not "stars." We mostly stayed at 4-5 "leaf" places and I was quite impressed with the CFLs, recycling, organic/local foods during meals and various other eco efforts. In fact, this is such an eco-friendly country that we passed a bullfighting ring on the way to the first lodge, and the guide explained that because they care so much about animals, the bulls are never killed - instead of the usual matador routine, people are paid to try to pull the tail of the bull. That's as violent as it gets.
  
  

Lost Iguana Lodge path lamps, powered by CFLs!

• They have four species of monkeys: the howler, the spider, the squirrel and the white-faced capuchin. I saw three of these and have photographic evidence of seeing two of these. The squirrel monkey is apparently quite elusive, as is the red-eyed tree frog (much to my dismay). I will just have to go back to see those guys.

Howler

White faced capuchin, in the normal resting stance on the tour boat

• At least 33% of their land is protected through the National Park Ministry or private efforts.
  
  

Arenal - hanging bridges tour

Manuel Antonio National Park

• In 1988 they lost three species of toads and declared "global warming" a reality. Almost 20 years later, most people are finally agreeing.

Marine toad - not extinct, obviously... these guys were everywhere in Tortuguero

• And here comes the socialist in me... They have universal health care. If I'd injured myself on vacation I would've been taken care of, free of charge. And? The country has no army. It was abolished in 1948 after the then-President saw too many people killed in their own civil war during WW2. (The then-President also left the country in the hands of the people via a democratic society.) If anyone should decide to invade them, as some have attempted since the 1940s, they benefit from the protection of the U.S. because we have a very vested interest in their country. Well, Intel has a very vested interest, at least. They employ 6,000 people in exchange for free water to make silicon chips. Anyway, military money was filtered into education instead and it shows - I think our guide said the country was 95% literate. Astounding. Only very remote rural kids don't benefit from a basic education, and most kids go on to University which is pretty reasonably priced. Costa Ricans are very proud of their non-military status. Some locals postulate that it attributes greatly to their quality of life... and I would agree.
  

And five useful words/phrases I learned in Costa Rica, in no particular order except the first, most important one...

• pura vida - the equivalent of "hakuna matata." It means "no worries, it's all good." This is how people greet each other, say goodbye to each other, comment on meals and activities, etc. I think this also contributes greatly to their quality of life.
  

• lizano - the best salsa ever
  

• gallo pinto - pictured below with slightly butchered platanos before I thought to take a photo, the best meal ever... with casado coming in at a close second
  
  
• pajita - straw
  

• rana - frog (how did I not know this word, of all words?!)
  

Red poison dart frog