Program 724: Tangier; Costa Rica's Pura Vida; Lingo of Europe

On the next Travel with Rick Steves, guidebook authors from Morocco and Costa Rica tell us how an overseas trip, turned into an opportunity to fall in love and make a new life for themselves. 

They also explain how the city of Tangier serves as a handy entry point into Morocco. 

And we'll get a taste of what "pura vida" means in the tropical abundance of Costa Rica.

Plus, a Dutch linguist tells us why learning how different languages evolved, can be a fun way to enhance your cultural understanding when you go to Europe.

• Lucas Peters, author of the "Moon Morocco" guidebooks
• Nikki Solano, author of the "Moon Costa Rica" guidebooks
• Linguist Gaston Dorren, author of "Lingo: Around Europe in Sixty Languages" and "Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages" (Grove Atlantic)

• Lucas Peters writes the Moon Morocco guidebooks, and also operates Journey Beyond Travel from Tangier for custom tours in Morocco. Lucas also posts photos and videos of Morocco on YouTube and other social media platforms under "Journey Beyond Travel."
• Nikki Solano writes the Moon Costa Rica guidebooks.
• Nikki and her husband Ricky also provide custom tours in Costa Rica, and write the Costa Rica Travel Blog.
• Linguist Gaston Dorren is the author of "Lingo: Around Europe in Sixty Languages," and "Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages."

• "Since Mr. Dorren lives in the Netherlands, I would be curious to know if he has experienced the 'English' spoken there, which is sometimes referred to as Double Dutch?"  Caller also asks about Ladino. (Jennifer in San Francisco)
• "What is the latest theory on the origins and linguistic roots of the Basque language?" (e-mail from Mercedes in New York City)
• "What is the most offensive social error Americans make when trying to communicate with locals in Europe?" (Carol in Belleair, Florida)
• In Extra: "During my first visit to Austria and Switzerland, I was shocked the first couple of times I walked into shops and heard shopkeepers look at me and seemingly say my name 'Scott.' I didn't realize at first that they were greeting me with 'Gruss Gott' (God Bless)!" (Scott in Reno, Nevada)

• KOS_KOS_0412_01001_Serene_Forest_APM
• Rachid Taha, "Ya Rayah," Cairo to Casablanca (collection) / Putumayo
• AVC_AVCD_0738_01601_Arabian_Businessman_APM
• PRM_PRM_0147_00401_Fez_APM
• Master Musicians of Jajouka, featuring Bachir Attar, "On Horseback," Apocalypse Across the Sky / Axiom
• Karim Azedia, "Days in Tangier," Relaxations D'ailleurs: Maroc /  Vox Terrae
• Amel Benhass-Miller, "Mazali Maak N'Kassi," CöusCöusBeat (collection) / Nascente
• * Nass El Ghiwane & Saif Albattar, "Alkassam," CöusCöusBeat (collection) / Nascente
• Divanhana, "Intro," Bilješke iz Šestice / RSG Radio (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Costa Rica natural sounds recordings from Nature Sounds-Birds of Paradise (Fonda-Mental SA) and by Beto Bertolini, Costa Rica (PlayNature). 
• Joaquin Liévano, "Parrot Talk," Global Voyage (sampler) / Global Pacific
• Manuel Obregón y la Orquesta de la Papaya, "Dos bolillos," Manuel Obregón y la Orquesta de la Papaya / Papaya Music
• Trio Contradanza, "Noche de Luna," Costa Rica - Musica Y Fiesta / Air Mail Music (Costa Rica) 
• KOS_KOS_0037_01601_Exotico_Tico_APM 
• Robert Rich, "Rainforest Suite: Drumsong," Rainforest / Hearts of Space
• SON_SAS_0083_00801_El_Cucaracho_APM
• * Desi Arnaz and his Orchestra, "Tico Tico," Babalu / RCA
• Nino Rota, "Otto e Mezzo," Otto e Mezzo (soundtrack to the Fellini film '8 1/2') / Creazioni Artistiche Musicali (Italy)
• Saturday Night at the Movies, "Born Slippy (from the "Transpotting" soundtrack)," Music from 'A Life Less Ordinary' and 'Trainspotting'  / Virtual Insanity
• Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Gavin Sutherland, conductor, "Suite navarraise III:  Le vert gallant (Paul Lewis)," English String Miniatures, vol. 5 / Naxos
• Tito Puente & Orchestra, Miguelito Valdez, "Los Hermanos Pinzones," Rough Guide to Salsa Dance (collection) / Rough Guides
• SOHO_SOHOA_0166_00901_Guaracha_Chase_APM
• KOS_KAR_1040_09101_Parisian_Waltz_APM
• Gordon MacRae, "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," Small Fry: Capitol Sings Kids' Songs for Grownups (collection) / Capitol

* Indicates filler music used during breaks

• At 9:37, Rick says you can book a half day guided tour in Tangier for about 60-euros.
• Rick mentions at 13:58 that Lucas is the lead writer on a new book for Moon,  "Grand European Journeys," which is due to be published in 2024.
• Nikki Solano says at 27:38 that visitors to Costa Rica from the United States, Canada, and most European countries do not require a visa.  At 35:03, she estimates guiding costs average around US$50 to sites in Costa Rica.   
• At 49:22, Gaston gives Estonian as an example of a "small language" that is functioning well in its native country.  He then laments how Dutch students are losing the use of Dutch equivalents to certain English-language words.