So, overcast, raining (sometimes torrential) and about 23C since Tuesday - doesn't that sound like Vancouver??
After Monday's heavy rain, we discovered Tuesday morning that there was now an island in the river - the power of the water is awesome! Drove to San Jose for our shopping fix - shelving and such, some food - and the special list for the neighbours - burger patties, steaks, salami, etc (stuff not easily accessible locally - at least not at a reasonable price) - out at 7:15 back at 7:00 - a very long day, but not bad driving and the rain was intermittent and light.
Wednesday - the Bank - when we set up our chequing account, we did it in Cortes with the help of Sabrina (she works for Ventana and does this sort of legal stuff with clients - and she speaks Spanish). We decided that we would try to open the savings account in Uvita - they speak English there! Arrive - great, no line, explain what we want - she disappears and returns with a printed list (apparently what we need to open the account). We knew we needed the certification of our corporate status (got that from Sabrina a few days earlier - a legal document that lists our positions in the corporation and our passport numbers etc - only good for 30 days from when it is issued) BUT, since the other account was in Cortes she didn't know us - so we need a letter of introduction from a lawyer, the original corporation documents, and verification of our sources of income! I need less to get a loan in Toronto - Does she understand we are trying to give her money to hold for us? - let's regroup, talk to Sabrina and try again!
Thursday is the market in San Isidro - nearest 'city' - about 50,000 people, on the Pan American Highway, about 90 minutes from the house (I know, a very long way to drive - through the mountains - for fresh vegetables! - but having never been it was an adventure). Keith and Karen joined us and acted as our guides to the market and the city (Maxi Bodega (Walmart/grocery store), the main ICE office, where you get your driver's licence renewed, the Plaza ... )
The market is a large covered area with hundreds of vendors - everything from pineapple to papaya, corn to tomato, beets to cabbage, and all sorts of stuff that I have no idea what it is (roots and fruits!). Lisle was in heaven - one of these, two of those - watermelon, beets, papaya, herbs, tomatoes, corn (we'll pass on that next time - I guess you buy it to feed the cows!). The best thing - Lisle is learning Spanish - after a few times of me saying "he said 1200 colones" he got the hang of the numbers -hooray!!
Today (my god it's Friday already) lazing around - Dean and Michelle are hosting a party since Michelle's daughter and her friends are here - so we will see everyone around 4 for food, drink and stories.
Well, the skies are clearing a bit - can see the mountain and the valley - and out to the Ocean, but it is still raining - oh well, think I'll take the shovel we bought and go up the road to try to divert some of the water from the channel it is carving and get it into the cuneta where it belongs - manual labour! We'll see how long I last!
It is like Vancouver! And since that is where we are from, we are finding this green season perfect. We had a "mini summer" last week in Atenas - so we now have a taste of what November will bring.
ReplyDeleteThe rainy afternoons are great for lolling around, doing inside work, and so on. I even put in some hammock time watching the rain fall, until the lightening and thunder drove me in.