Thursday, August 16, 2012
Shocking
Cloudy With Chance of ...
Seems that everywhere, the conversation is about the weather!
In Toronto it is about the heat, humidity, cold, wind chill, rain - everyone is on about it, usually in a constant state of complaint. Understandably, since navigating the asphalt and concrete, the subway and streetcar in anything but the nicest of cool breezy sunny days can be hell!
So here, the topic is the same, but the conversation is very different.
There is talk about the storm last night, marveling at the lightning show and the sound of the thunder. There is discussion of the gathering clouds over the ocean and whether it is going to be a stormy night or a rainy day tomorrow. There is talk about the warmth of the rain and the smell of ozone following a tropical downpour.
Those of us in Phase 9 discuss if the rain is too heavy to get back across the river - if the rain is coming from the mountain we can be in trouble - unless it is just REALLY heavy and then is doesn't matter where it is coming from.
We talk about the colour of the sky and the clouds as they gather around the mountains.
We talk about the hue of the ocean and the clarity of the horizon
We talk about the micro-climates - how it can rain in Ojochal but not in Uvita - how it rains on that side of the ridge but not this - how we can watch the storm sweep up the valley and into the valley beyond the ridge to the north, and when it is done you can see the ribbon waterfall.
So right now, it is gently raining - wouldn't know except for the ripples in the pool. The sky above is grey and the horizon is clear - maybe a colourful sunset through the rain like the other night - check these out!!
In Toronto it is about the heat, humidity, cold, wind chill, rain - everyone is on about it, usually in a constant state of complaint. Understandably, since navigating the asphalt and concrete, the subway and streetcar in anything but the nicest of cool breezy sunny days can be hell!
So here, the topic is the same, but the conversation is very different.
There is talk about the storm last night, marveling at the lightning show and the sound of the thunder. There is discussion of the gathering clouds over the ocean and whether it is going to be a stormy night or a rainy day tomorrow. There is talk about the warmth of the rain and the smell of ozone following a tropical downpour.
Those of us in Phase 9 discuss if the rain is too heavy to get back across the river - if the rain is coming from the mountain we can be in trouble - unless it is just REALLY heavy and then is doesn't matter where it is coming from.
We talk about the colour of the sky and the clouds as they gather around the mountains.
We talk about the hue of the ocean and the clarity of the horizon
We talk about the micro-climates - how it can rain in Ojochal but not in Uvita - how it rains on that side of the ridge but not this - how we can watch the storm sweep up the valley and into the valley beyond the ridge to the north, and when it is done you can see the ribbon waterfall.
So right now, it is gently raining - wouldn't know except for the ripples in the pool. The sky above is grey and the horizon is clear - maybe a colourful sunset through the rain like the other night - check these out!!
Season of the Snake
OK, they must be playing with me know!
Yesterday I was driving out to visit Dwight and Wendy about 3:30. Going down the hill just before the turn up to Bruce and Barbs - what is that branch on the road - - OH! not a branch, it is moving right across the road in front of me - 3 feet long, the size of my wrist - brown sort of diamond pattern on the back - definitely a Fer de Lance (we at least I have convinced myself of that) only good thing - it was headed away from the house!!
Yesterday I was driving out to visit Dwight and Wendy about 3:30. Going down the hill just before the turn up to Bruce and Barbs - what is that branch on the road - - OH! not a branch, it is moving right across the road in front of me - 3 feet long, the size of my wrist - brown sort of diamond pattern on the back - definitely a Fer de Lance (we at least I have convinced myself of that) only good thing - it was headed away from the house!!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
YIKES!
So, sitting doing some work - it wasn't exactly a quiet morning since the garden crew was present. Suddenly the one worker appears up the steps to the pump room whistling loudly for the other who is weed whacking. The machine stops - the guy comes flying past, grabs the shovel, leaps over the hedge and down the back slope.
Knowing something is happening, I slip into shoe and go down the road where they are chopping up a snake with the shovel - Serpent malo? I ask - si si si is the response - -pequeno pero malo. It was curled up under the Mani the guy was trimming along the edge of the cuneta. It was about a foot long and thin (about half the size of your baby finger) obvious triangular head and brown markings all down the back and a pale underside - - Fer de Lance? would appear so - they dug a hole and buried it before I could go back and get the camera - not that a chopped up snake is good viewing material!
Knowing something is happening, I slip into shoe and go down the road where they are chopping up a snake with the shovel - Serpent malo? I ask - si si si is the response - -pequeno pero malo. It was curled up under the Mani the guy was trimming along the edge of the cuneta. It was about a foot long and thin (about half the size of your baby finger) obvious triangular head and brown markings all down the back and a pale underside - - Fer de Lance? would appear so - they dug a hole and buried it before I could go back and get the camera - not that a chopped up snake is good viewing material!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
What's With The ...
Frogs - This morning the Poison Dart Frog is sitting in the living room next to the sofa!
Birds - Yesterday I was reading and there was this metal sound - someone hitting the railing with a stick - looked around the corner and one of the yellow breasted birds was dancing on the railing!
Birds - Yesterday I was reading and there was this metal sound - someone hitting the railing with a stick - looked around the corner and one of the yellow breasted birds was dancing on the railing!
Geckos - Did you know that they make a noise sort of like a clucking chicken! and they poop everywhere and it looks like black caulking - I've been cleaning it up for weeks thinking is was leftover mess from construction.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
I Love the Night Life - Part 2
So this night life is not so great - OMG the frogs are having orgies in the pool every night!!!!
It is great to listen to them - brraaad, quack, tink - part of the nightly jungle chorus. But lately the sounds have been far to clear and far to close. And in the morning - frog eggs in the pool - hundreds of them - masses of little black dots floating in clumps - you skim for what seems like hours and there is always MORE!
So in an effort to reduce the amount of sex in the pool, I hear them, grab the skimmer and chase the suckers around the pool! Caught they get the free ride to the jungle! Maybe they will get the point and play someplace else!
Not sure it is working though. Last night we went to sit for dinner and as I walked past the couch on the patio I noticed something - a second take and there in the middle of the seat is a frog - looking like he has settled in for the night! A nudge with the newspaper (the Tico Times is good for something!) and he hopped off into the darkness. An hour later, sitting watching TV and there is movement on the patio - a giant toad sitting under the dining table - he hopped about for a while, checked out the front patio and left. About an hour after that there is this solid noise of something hitting the house - go out front and there is this enormous rhino beetle on his back by the front door - flipped him into the garden and watched him run for cover.
(photos of all but the camera was messed up).
Finally this morning - a new visitor - I believe a poison dart frog!!
A few other creatures captured over the past week or so ...
snake (no es malo)
baby iguana in the bushes
your friendly neighborhood giant grasshopper
a big green leaf eating bug
moth
It is great to listen to them - brraaad, quack, tink - part of the nightly jungle chorus. But lately the sounds have been far to clear and far to close. And in the morning - frog eggs in the pool - hundreds of them - masses of little black dots floating in clumps - you skim for what seems like hours and there is always MORE!
So in an effort to reduce the amount of sex in the pool, I hear them, grab the skimmer and chase the suckers around the pool! Caught they get the free ride to the jungle! Maybe they will get the point and play someplace else!
Not sure it is working though. Last night we went to sit for dinner and as I walked past the couch on the patio I noticed something - a second take and there in the middle of the seat is a frog - looking like he has settled in for the night! A nudge with the newspaper (the Tico Times is good for something!) and he hopped off into the darkness. An hour later, sitting watching TV and there is movement on the patio - a giant toad sitting under the dining table - he hopped about for a while, checked out the front patio and left. About an hour after that there is this solid noise of something hitting the house - go out front and there is this enormous rhino beetle on his back by the front door - flipped him into the garden and watched him run for cover.
(photos of all but the camera was messed up).
Finally this morning - a new visitor - I believe a poison dart frog!!
I Love the Night Life
So this past week has been a buzz of activity.
We joined Dwight and Wendy for dinner at Citrus on Wednesday. They were having a special 'Thai Street Food' night. Not sure if the menu was street food, but it certainly was Thai, and it was great. Spring Rolls, Cucumber Salad or Thai Soup for starters - Pad Thai, Fried Rice, Green Curry Chicken or Yellow Curry Seafood for entree. Two thumbs up all around the place was packed and they were turning away anyone without a reservation. Actually the best meal I have eaten there - we had given up hope, so maybe another chance is in the cards!
Thursday Dwight and Wendy came to our home for dinner - preceded by a 'let's try to fix the computers session' which unfortunately met with little success. Dinner was casual and the conversation continued well into the night.
Friday afternoon, the 2 Jim's invited us for cocktails at El Castillo. This is a villa built on top of the cliff overlooking the ocean. It has been rented out as a single space until recently when it was opened as a boutique hotel - 5 rooms - stunning view - great pool - fabulous house. In opening the hotel, they also opened a bar and restaurant - AZUL.
Scott and Russell (from the US - Oklahoma/Texas) ran Azul at another hotel near Dominical and relocated here when they had the chance to open the hotel. Scott's brother, John and his partner, Hunter were visiting - 8 of us drinking wine and vodka soda while the rain poured down outside - I commented that this was the largest number of gay men in one place at one time we had encountered in Ojochal - the response from Russell 'there are more gay men here than were at OSA PRIDE last week!". Needless to say we had a fabulous time renewing old friendships and starting new ones.
Never slowed, the 2 Jim's followed us to Nanny's where we joined Jan and Sonya, Dwight and Wendy and many others for cerveza - can't miss the Friday Night beer session!!
Sunday Lisle and I hit the beach - Lisle had yet to make it there as the weather has been very seasonal - afternoon rain is certain. The two of us sat on Tortuga, sipping beer and eating nuts, chatting, watching the birds and the crabs - a dip in the ocean and then home before the rain.
Lisle decided he didn't want to cook, so we headed to AZUL for dinner - a quick call and dinner for 2 at 6:30 was set. Well the party was in full swing when we arrived - John and Hunter were there, with John's daughter Taylor and her friend Estrella - Lucy's son and friends were on the patio, and other guest were seated about the lobby/living room - hugs and kisses from all, and martinis arrived - followed by a second. John and Hunter asked us to join them at their table, so there were 7 of us (the 7th was Mary a never married late 50's woman from Ireland, who now lives in the Georgian Republic - like in used to be Russia - and owns a piece of land in Hatillo - while she was not a party-er, she was interesting and fit right it).
Dinner was yummy! Deep-fried Calamari, seafood soup and Chicken Parmesan on fettuccine. And the best part - 1 course $15, 2 courses $20, 3 courses $25!! A definite addition to the favourites list!!!!
As dinner finished we moved to the living room and Scott and Russell joined the conversation - apparently we were the only ones left. The conversation and laughter continued as we finished our wine and then said good-night (hugs and kisses of course). 2 martinis, 3 large glasses of red wine, and it was midnight! Quite the evening.
Needless to say, Monday was a quiet day!
We joined Dwight and Wendy for dinner at Citrus on Wednesday. They were having a special 'Thai Street Food' night. Not sure if the menu was street food, but it certainly was Thai, and it was great. Spring Rolls, Cucumber Salad or Thai Soup for starters - Pad Thai, Fried Rice, Green Curry Chicken or Yellow Curry Seafood for entree. Two thumbs up all around the place was packed and they were turning away anyone without a reservation. Actually the best meal I have eaten there - we had given up hope, so maybe another chance is in the cards!
Thursday Dwight and Wendy came to our home for dinner - preceded by a 'let's try to fix the computers session' which unfortunately met with little success. Dinner was casual and the conversation continued well into the night.
Friday afternoon, the 2 Jim's invited us for cocktails at El Castillo. This is a villa built on top of the cliff overlooking the ocean. It has been rented out as a single space until recently when it was opened as a boutique hotel - 5 rooms - stunning view - great pool - fabulous house. In opening the hotel, they also opened a bar and restaurant - AZUL.
Scott and Russell (from the US - Oklahoma/Texas) ran Azul at another hotel near Dominical and relocated here when they had the chance to open the hotel. Scott's brother, John and his partner, Hunter were visiting - 8 of us drinking wine and vodka soda while the rain poured down outside - I commented that this was the largest number of gay men in one place at one time we had encountered in Ojochal - the response from Russell 'there are more gay men here than were at OSA PRIDE last week!". Needless to say we had a fabulous time renewing old friendships and starting new ones.
Never slowed, the 2 Jim's followed us to Nanny's where we joined Jan and Sonya, Dwight and Wendy and many others for cerveza - can't miss the Friday Night beer session!!
Sunday Lisle and I hit the beach - Lisle had yet to make it there as the weather has been very seasonal - afternoon rain is certain. The two of us sat on Tortuga, sipping beer and eating nuts, chatting, watching the birds and the crabs - a dip in the ocean and then home before the rain.
Lisle decided he didn't want to cook, so we headed to AZUL for dinner - a quick call and dinner for 2 at 6:30 was set. Well the party was in full swing when we arrived - John and Hunter were there, with John's daughter Taylor and her friend Estrella - Lucy's son and friends were on the patio, and other guest were seated about the lobby/living room - hugs and kisses from all, and martinis arrived - followed by a second. John and Hunter asked us to join them at their table, so there were 7 of us (the 7th was Mary a never married late 50's woman from Ireland, who now lives in the Georgian Republic - like in used to be Russia - and owns a piece of land in Hatillo - while she was not a party-er, she was interesting and fit right it).
Dinner was yummy! Deep-fried Calamari, seafood soup and Chicken Parmesan on fettuccine. And the best part - 1 course $15, 2 courses $20, 3 courses $25!! A definite addition to the favourites list!!!!
As dinner finished we moved to the living room and Scott and Russell joined the conversation - apparently we were the only ones left. The conversation and laughter continued as we finished our wine and then said good-night (hugs and kisses of course). 2 martinis, 3 large glasses of red wine, and it was midnight! Quite the evening.
Needless to say, Monday was a quiet day!
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