10/19/2013 Where the Sidewalk Ends

My Walk to School Everyday Sans Sidewalk

When asked to pick the name of a book, movie, or poem that best describes our site after our first visit to Pejibaye, the first that came to my mind was Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends."

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins.
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.







Pejibaye is well known for its beautiful river (Rio Pejibaye).  And by river, I mean white water rafting, kayaking, inter-tubing, and swimming in sparkling clear, fresh water.  Here the town is devoted to the environment and conservation.  The high school is one of three in the nation with an environmental focus.  I've loved watching families enjoying this river. It seems the river at the right side of the bridge is for teens and adults.  I saw an adult swim against the current, and it looked like one of those individual exercise pools because you could just keep swimming stably in the same place.  On the left side of the bridge is akin to the "kiddy pool".  Here there's an area that is slower moving and has sand for the little ones to play in.  While you're swimming, you'll see brightly colored tropical birds and feel the cool breeze that gently moves the tree tops nearby.  To say it's stunning doesn't do it justice.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

If you've ever taken a trip to Costa Rica, you know how beautiful the beaches and the oceans are here.

For Example, Beautiful Playa Ostional

You may also know, as my husband likes to say, that San Jose is like a grand painting...it's best appreciated from far away.  Past the dark streets and asphalt flowers of San Jose, at the end of the sidewalk and the road, you reach Pejibaye.

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

 

Students in the High School

Pejibaye is both the definition of tranquila and pura vida.  It's a town out of a bygone era.  Here you can hear the clip clop of horse hooves as much as you hear the roar of traffic in bigger cities.  Here neighbors know each other well, and guests are always welcome for cafecito, which includes rich, delicious, local coffee from El Humo and bread made fresh daily in the local panaderia.  Here children walk to and from the center of town running errands for parents or playing futbol in the local concha.  With the faced-paced lifestyle of the United States, we easily forget how splendid an afternoon chatting with a neighbor can be.  We're re-learning how to walk in Pejibaye...


Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow.
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go.
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know,
The place where the sidewalk ends. 

Where the Sidewalk Ends

  by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends. 

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20541#sthash.etHuPq0Z.dpuf

Where the Sidewalk Ends

  by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends. 

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20541#sthash.etHuPq0Z.dpuf

Where the Sidewalk Ends

  by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends. 

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20541#sthash.etHuPq0Z.dpuf