The Beach

Whenever it is a holiday, the Costa Ricans take to the beach - the national parks are flooded with families - pickup trucks with furniture and giant BBQ in the back - sometimes for a day, sometimes for a weekend - the beach is the place to be.

In July, there was a holiday, and we went to the local beach, a secluded place where we are usually the only ones around.  Oddly there were several cars parked,  There were 30 people there with chairs and bbq, music - all set for a full day and night of celebration.

So, we Gringos take our lead from the Ticos - holiday celebrations on the beach!

Christmas day saw about 25 of us - not just the regulars, but those only visiting - knew that Playa Tortuga was the place to be.  Arrived at 10:30 am and set up the umbrella and chairs - play in the surf, walk in the sand - beer, peanuts, shrimp and blue cheese dip, chicarrones all appear from coolers - thunder and lightning dot the distance and grow closer - - 2:00 pm better call it a day as the clouds are closer (clearly raining over the mountains - right where we are headed to) and dinner is about 2 hours away (Bruce and Barb are playing host to 6 of us).  Pack up and drive up the narrow path - maybe 100 m along, the sky opens and a full tropical storm presents itself - the wipers barely keep the windshield clear as we crawl home.  An hour later the sky is clear and a beautiful evening is offered as a backdrop to a wonderful Turkey dinner with all the fixings.

New Year's Eve is a relatively quiet gathering at our place - only 10, pot luck - lots of great food and great friends - bubbly at midnight.  Some before photos - as no one was paying enough attention to take pix while we were partying.

Plans are for New Year's Day offers the same community beach party.  While last night was late for Ojochal standards (we are usually in bed by 9:30) we are still up at 8:00 relatively bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (well at least not suffering too badly).  By 10 the house is back in order and leftovers consumed for breakfast.  The first call comes - think we are skipping the beach - then the next ....  Actually I am relieved as I think all had enough partying and a day by the pool is quite acceptable.

So the day have been some sun, some cloud, an hour in the pool, some internet, some reading, and now a heavy downpour just as the sun has set.  Time for more leftovers!!