Tank Tops Flip Flops Newsletter edition no. 125

Wild Horses – Playas del Coco Tope (Horse Parade)

In this day and age, there is lot of anger going on, many different opinions on the state of the world, and it is hard for many people to see eye to eye. But there are two facts that are impossible to dispute and almost everyone agrees; The Rolling Stones are one of the greatest bands of all time and Costa Rica is the happiest place on the planet. One of my personal favorite songs is Wild Horses and we have our own version of that here as well too. It is called a TOPE.

Two or three times a year, our little community of Playas del Coco, celebrates life with one of the biggest parties known to mankind, the horse parade, and it is quite possibly the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Hundreds of people, come to our little pueblo, dressed in their best Cowboy outfits, and ride their prized possessions down the main road of town. You have to come early, to get yourself a spot on the side of the street, as the entire boulevard is blocked off to traffic. This bash lasts all day and into the night. Wild Horses couldn’t drag me away.

It starts about a mile from the beach, by the Luperon Grocery store; goes down through the center of town; turns around at the boardwalk; and heads over to the bull ring on the road to Ocotal. I have never missed one in 16 years. Every bar in town is packed to the gills, as thousands of spectators start drinking early, waiting for the excitement to pass. Believe it or not, this year it almost didn’t happen. Just like everywhere in the world, there are politics and petty arguments here in Costa Rica too.

Tank Tops Flip Flops Newsletter edition no. 124

Grand Theft Auto in Playas del Coco

I was heading to the beach for a sunset cocktail, when my phone rang. It was one of my newest clients, who I have grown to be very good friends with in a short period of time, so I answered it immediately. It was funny because I was literally thinking about her at that exact moment, and was going to call her to see if they wanted to meet me at the bar.

“Heh! I was just getting ready to call you; I am heading to Coco. Do you want to meet me for a drink?”

“Michael. Someone stole my car!”

I could not believe what I just heard. Impossible I thought. Not in our town. I will be right there, I told her, and I stepped on the gas. Not her, I thought. This is one awesome human being. So positive, such good energy, you just want to hug this woman the minute you meet her. You know how you meet some people, and you just know right away, that you will be friends your entire life? This is one of those individuals. For this story, we will call her Dina. She has been here for a few weeks taking possession of her new home and celebrating life in paradise. She has had friends visit from Canada, and they have been all over the country, enjoying the beauty it has to offer. From mud baths, to hot springs; zip lining, to waterfalls; horseback riding to spa days, she has been checking them all off the list. No one, is more jazzed about becoming part of our community, than her, and she just exudes excitement about being here. This person is MADE for Costa Rica, and I was so pumped to have her in our community. This could be devastating. Nothing would ruin your outlook on this amazing country, like having your car stolen., it would leave a really bad taste in your mouth. She had gone to the spa, for a beauty day, and when she came outside, it was gone.