Guardian of Pura Vida
Felix Araya Leiton: UGA Monteverde Security
I trudge towards the freestanding security building, slowly swinging my arms and trying to look casual. As I ponder what I need to ask to break down the walls between me and the most closely guarded place on campus, I begin to feel nervous. This road is off to the side of campus, down a long gravel road in the remote town of San Luis, Monteverde. If I make a mistake, all 350 residents of this town will hear about it as news here spreads like wildfire.
It’s not long until I’m a bundle of nerves, sweaty palms and all, which is not conducive to taking notes during my interview. This makes me even more nervous.
I can only imagine what Felix saw as I approached the building: just another college student, walking around in what could only be explained as a laundry day outfit, looking slightly lost and visibly concerned. Within seconds, he met me at the door of the guardhouse. It was at this moment my brain forgot Spanish. Not the subjunctive, not a that perro means dog or correr means to run, not a certain sentence: I knew nothing.
As I stared in utter shock, my system completely over stressed and my breathing quickening, Felix hurriedly hopped up from behind his computer, met at the door, and offered me a seat. I saw his University of Georgia camouflage hat and perfectly groomed Rhett Butler style mustache, and I knew I would be fine. That’s who Felix is.
He’s the guy who sits for 6–8 hour shifts, often alone, in the guardhouse by the entrance to campus. He arranges transportation, takes care of sick or scared students, arranges meetings, protects campus from potential dangers, and unlocks doors for students who aren’t quite used to the automatic locks. He knows his job well, and according to him, he’s loved every second of the 8 years he’s been working here; he is quick to proudly announce that number will change to 9 on June 9th of this year.
Today both he and his wife, Edith Salazar Agalde, work for UGA Costa Rica. He works as a security guard and she is part of housekeeping. They’ve been married 25 years and have 5 children: Wagner (24), Wendy (24), Betsy (22), Felipe (18), and Silvia (15). They live right by the river in San Luis and although he loves animals, he has no pets of his own. When the time comes for his shifts he picks which of his 3 motorcycles he likes best that day and cruises down the curvy gravel road to his second home. He loves La Ranchera music and loves to dance La Cumbia.
His favorite food is La Sopa (or soup as we English speakers know it), and he often cooks a pot for himself in the kitchenette the guardhouse provides. In addition to the kitchen, the guardhouse also has an office, bedroom (with twin bunk beds), and a utilitarian bathroom. The glasses on the table and jackets hung on the backs of chairs suggest this is a place of comfort and security; a reflection of what these guards allow the people on campus to feel.
As we spoke, I learned more from watching Felix than I even did from my questions(although that may be due in part to the fact that the interview was entirely in Spanish). When he saw me struggling with a word, he’d watch with patient brown eyes and smile encouragingly. He slowly rocked in his chair, a picture of confidence and charisma with legs crossed and hands open, ready to help him explain his next answer. Hands that were weathered by 26 years of labor in a factory before coming to be a guard here; hands that are used to hard work and love alike. The pride that emanated from his voice while he spoke of his wife and children was palpable. The way in which is signed his own name quickly, but took care with each letter of theirs made how much he cares evident.
We continued to talk for about 20 minutes after I ran out of prepared questions; our discussion spanned everything from favorite animals (all for him, penguins for me) to dreams and aspirations. It wasn’t long into our conversation that I had a shocking realization: I finally understood Pura Vida.
Pura Vida is Felix.
Felix is a name derived from the Latin word felices, or “lucky one”. According to him, he is lucky. When asked what his dream job is, it’s the one he has. When asked his favorite animal to see, it’s any that shows itself. When asked what he wants with his life, he says he has it all.
It took me longer than I’m proud to admit to realize it’s not that Felix is settling, he is content. He’s chosen to be happy. He loves every minute, every day. Challenges are opportunities and opportunities are cause to smile. And smile he does. Life is good because he’s decided it is.
And once again I can breathe and take in the wonder that is San Luis, Monteverde. It’s a beautiful place, and for far more than it’s ecology.
“If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” — Roald Dahl
If you decide to speak with Felix, which I would suggest you do, bring you sunglasses because he shines like the sun.
