A Week in the Happy Country

I am taking off tomorrow to Costa Rica a.k.a the happiest country in the world.  Ever since I randomly heard that Costa Rica is the happiest country in the world I became intrigued with it. That and the fact that it’s hugged by two coasts and, as I recently learned, home to the three toed sloth. At first I didn’t really believe the happiest country label, but then I read an op-ed by Nicholas D. Kristof in the NYTs and started to think there might be some truth to this.  He refers to Costa Ricans as the happiest people and highlights indexes that ranked the country high on the happy index.  I wasn’t sure how accurate the indexes were because it seemed like they generally ask people to rate themselves.  For example, the World Data off Happiness, asked people to rate their own happiness on a 10-point scale. In this index Costa Rica averaged at 8.5.  I was still skeptical because I thought not all values and desires transfer culturally. The criterion a Costa Rican may want to be happy may differ from a Croatian. But then maybe some things like education, good health and environment are universal.  The more I learned about Costa Rica, the more I thought to myself “hey they do have things to be happy about!” For example, they invest a lot in education and the environment and not in a military. They also live slightly longer than Americans, and have an ecological footprint that is less than a quarter the size.  Healthy lifestyle, good education, and environment are all important factors for a happy life. I also realized that I’ve never met any Costa Ricans in the U.S or abroad. Could it be that they are so happy in Costa Rica that they never leave? Who knows for sure but I am excited to see the happy country and if the happy rumors are true may be I will end up staying there as well.

Masa's Restaurant is a Food Marathon

The cuisine at Masa's was amazing but I wish I had been more strategic about my approach to the dinner. I should have prepared for the dining experience much like my first half marathon.  

I should have watched what I ate earlier that date, paced myself during the dinner by eating slowly and taking breaks and made sure that I made it to the end with enough energy (room in my belly) for the sweet dessert. The seven course meal was so overwhelming tasty and each dish so unique that I can't even remember every dish. I just remember the whole three hour meal as a collage of different dishes much like the picture above.

Dipsea Trail @ Stinson Beach

Slow summer hike at Stinson Beach. Started at Dipsea Trail. After 7.5 miles surrounded by pine woods, rivers, rolling hills overshadowing the Pacific and breathtaking views we ended up at the Sand Dollar Restaurant to enjoy live music and fresh fish sandwiches. 

Gitane

Gitane has been on the top of my restaurant list for awhile now. After trying it a couple weeks ago... it has moved to the top of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco! Everything about the dining experience was delicious. The ambiance is elective but still comfy, the food is mainly inspired by the Iberian peninsula yet there is a lot of menu variety. I had the steak with bone marrow but I could have gone vegetarian that night and been fully satisfied with the choice. Also, the bartenders are experts of their crafts. We each got a concoction of our liking. I already want to go back!