I had a difficult time adjusting to life in Boruca, one reason being my initial reaction to their use of the word “Gringo.” Now, I’m not usually one to take issue with being the butt of stereotypes by groups of people of color (for reference, see “Cracker” from my time in Oakland, Jan-July 2002), but the wide use of the word and the burn that seemed to hang on the lips of many of the people in Boruca when it was said really started to piss me off after five or six days. No matter what the people here say about their intent with the word, I can sense that it isn’t as harmless as they claim it to be, and it really limits their understanding of individuals that visit their community.

I have many thoughts on why they choose this path, and many of them I support. And luckily, I have moved beyond that stage of being known as “Gringo” in Boruca. I am currently known by five names in town, none of which is Vaughan:

(1) James Bond… in Spanish, b’s and v’s are essentially pronounced the same. Therefore, when I introduce myself, many people think my name is Bond… James Bond.

(2) Bon Bon… see number 1

(3) Pié Grande… i.e. Big Foot… pretty self-explanatory, especially when considering that I was sporting my “I glued a bunch of hair from the sink to my face” beard during my first week here. Why did I shave? See number 4…

(4) Christo… Christo as in Jesus Christ. Apparently my long hair, beard, and sandals gave them some ideas. I shaved my beard so that they wouldn’t have other ideas during Semana Santa (holy week) with the large cross that sits above the village.

(5) Shirani (pronounced She-ra-nee)… this is my first Brunkan name, meaning “hairy”… brought to you by the same woman who gave you Bon Bon. I asked one of the women in town if she could make me a traditional Brunkan shirt. They have V necks and I informed her that it shouldn’t be too low because of my chest hair… and there you have it.

It’s quite interesting to live in a place where nobody knows your name…