TICO TALES
A Conversation with a Venezuelan Migrant
Struggles of Desperate Venezuelan Migrants in Costa Rica
I’ve written stories about my encounters with Ticos, who are always uplifting, and full of smiles and good humor. If I ever feel down or need a lift, I go to town and buy something, walk the streets, hit an ATM, or stop at a soda (a small, family-owned place offering the real taste of the country’s food) for a quick and inexpensive meal… and gather a few of those fabulous Tico grins.
Today, walking from the parking lot to the grocery store entrance, I was greeted by a smiling man leaning against the building near the shopping carts. As I passed by, he shot me a big, handsome smile for no particular reason. I usually find folks here to be ready to give smiles and pleasant greetings at all times.
Today was a little different.
I needed a few things inside, and on my way back to the car with a small sack of food, I found the man was still there. He laughed when I tried to shake the wind-blown hair out of my eyes, with both hands burdened with grocery bags, keys, and a purse. I rolled my eyes and smiled back, still walking.
But when I started to pass him by, his face changed. His eyes were sad and he seemed embarrassed to…
