A giant sculpture on a Costa Rican hillside speaks to the nation’s nature-themed art.
First and foremost, Hacienda La Chimba is a coffee farm in the hills of Santa Ana, Costa Rica. Rows of coffee trees stripe the hillsides, and workers in wide-brimmed hats pick berries from their branches. But the farm doubles as a super-chill spiritual retreat: Visitors can hike the “Mantra Trail,” a path that snakes six miles through the property. Large sculptures have been installed at different points, including a giant butterfly, a heart-shaped gateway, and “La Mano del Mantra,” a massive outstretched hand composed of wicker.
During the two years you lived in Costa Rica, you saw lots of artwork rooted in nature. Paintings depicted rainforest and tropical birds. Boruca masks are often designed to look like jaguars and toucans. One of your favorite local artists is Carlos Hiller, who composes portraits of marine life like sea turtles and stingrays. “La Mano” is a natural extension (so to speak) of this earthy creativity. And like a growing number of destinations in Costa Rica, it’s ripe for selfies.
La Chimba made an appearance in the guidebook you co-authored, Lonely Planet Costa Rica. What didn’t end up in the book was the drawing you sketched while there. The inspiration: a colossal white Buddha that rises over a hilltop.
And here is your rendition of it.
Not perfect, but as the Buddha would have agreed, what is?
You Are Here 