Sunday, January 12, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
On the Map!
Well almost!
The current edition of Digits - a cross between the white pages, the yellow pages and a tourist reference guide - has a great map of Ojochal - actually accurate! Businesses pop up and disappear quickly, so most maps are out of date, but this is good. An now that there are street names it isn't just a bunch a squiggles!
Unfortunately, they only show the municipal roads, so I added us in - just a little bit off the main road. Come find us!!
BTW - Digits is apparently up for sale - maybe the beginning of my publishing empire?!?!
The current edition of Digits - a cross between the white pages, the yellow pages and a tourist reference guide - has a great map of Ojochal - actually accurate! Businesses pop up and disappear quickly, so most maps are out of date, but this is good. An now that there are street names it isn't just a bunch a squiggles!
Unfortunately, they only show the municipal roads, so I added us in - just a little bit off the main road. Come find us!!
Monday, January 6, 2014
See!
Like I said - rainy days provide beautiful sunsets - - this one from the pool patio at El Castillo!
Another overcast day - can't really see the ocean - but no rain yet!
Another overcast day - can't really see the ocean - but no rain yet!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Silence
It is funny how when the rain stops it is so silent!
The rain is so loud - especially the heavy tropical rain like we just had - and yet suddenly it stops and all is silent - and very still. The birds aren't chirping, and trees aren't moving, and there is none of the usual breeze. Bits of cloud hang in the mountain valley barely moving.
Doesn't last long - 5, maybe 10 minutes - then the birds start - a call here and there - soon it is back to the normal chatter.
Today was a rainy one - was over cast when we woke up, started raining around 10 and just let up now - 1:15. Good heavy rain - Lisle moved the car out of the carport so it could get the dust rinsed off! Brighter over the ocean now - hopefully a better afternoon!
It has rained almost every night this week - mother nature seems to be fighting off the dry season - the rain isn't a bad thing - keeps everything green - but is keeps the humidity up as well. The good thing about overnight rain is that the horizon starts to cloud over late in the afternoon - while you don't get to see the sun slip into the ocean, you do get spectacular sunsets.
The rain is so loud - especially the heavy tropical rain like we just had - and yet suddenly it stops and all is silent - and very still. The birds aren't chirping, and trees aren't moving, and there is none of the usual breeze. Bits of cloud hang in the mountain valley barely moving.
Doesn't last long - 5, maybe 10 minutes - then the birds start - a call here and there - soon it is back to the normal chatter.
Today was a rainy one - was over cast when we woke up, started raining around 10 and just let up now - 1:15. Good heavy rain - Lisle moved the car out of the carport so it could get the dust rinsed off! Brighter over the ocean now - hopefully a better afternoon!
It has rained almost every night this week - mother nature seems to be fighting off the dry season - the rain isn't a bad thing - keeps everything green - but is keeps the humidity up as well. The good thing about overnight rain is that the horizon starts to cloud over late in the afternoon - while you don't get to see the sun slip into the ocean, you do get spectacular sunsets.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
A Blank Slate
So, out with 2013 and in with 2014.
Last night was a dark starry sky filled with fireworks from the village and music, food, drink and chatter at the neighbourhood party.
A gathering of the usual suspects at Casa Faust - Dean and Michelle, Keith and Karen, Bruce and Barb, Dwight and Wendy, Doug and Samira, and Lisle and I - brought a grand pot luck feast - dips and nachos, ceasar salad, green bean salad, pulled pork, meatballs, breaded chicken, BBQ sausage, cheesy mashed potatoes, lemon cheesecake - - - along with way too much wine.
Add the requisite Roy Orbison and the evening was complete.
As enjoyable as it was, even with an afternoon nap, staying up until 1 am here is almost impossible!!!
2014 dawned at 5 am with the howlers - very close but still hidden - calling until almost 5:30, when the birds started - screeching and chattering - - waking the jungle - - then at 7 - silence! another hour of sleep.
So I read yesterday that 2013 NYE was an especially momentous evening because it coincided with the new moon - something that happens about once every 20 years - - entering the new year with a blank slate all around.
While his last day in the office was December 13, retirement begins officially for Lisle in late January - a big change for us both - the start of a more permanent shift to Costa Rica - - this year will bring the sale of our home (hopefully soon and easily!) and the sorting of family responsibilities (Lisle's 94 year old father still needs support) - - I like the idea of a blank slate - - time to write the next chapter!!
Happy New Year to all!
Last night was a dark starry sky filled with fireworks from the village and music, food, drink and chatter at the neighbourhood party.
A gathering of the usual suspects at Casa Faust - Dean and Michelle, Keith and Karen, Bruce and Barb, Dwight and Wendy, Doug and Samira, and Lisle and I - brought a grand pot luck feast - dips and nachos, ceasar salad, green bean salad, pulled pork, meatballs, breaded chicken, BBQ sausage, cheesy mashed potatoes, lemon cheesecake - - - along with way too much wine.
Add the requisite Roy Orbison and the evening was complete.
As enjoyable as it was, even with an afternoon nap, staying up until 1 am here is almost impossible!!!
2014 dawned at 5 am with the howlers - very close but still hidden - calling until almost 5:30, when the birds started - screeching and chattering - - waking the jungle - - then at 7 - silence! another hour of sleep.
So I read yesterday that 2013 NYE was an especially momentous evening because it coincided with the new moon - something that happens about once every 20 years - - entering the new year with a blank slate all around.
While his last day in the office was December 13, retirement begins officially for Lisle in late January - a big change for us both - the start of a more permanent shift to Costa Rica - - this year will bring the sale of our home (hopefully soon and easily!) and the sorting of family responsibilities (Lisle's 94 year old father still needs support) - - I like the idea of a blank slate - - time to write the next chapter!!
Happy New Year to all!
Monday, December 30, 2013
OUCH!
Yesterday morning there was this noise at 6am - sounded like a screen door slamming shut - thud - loud enough to wake us. No sign of anything amiss.
About an hour later Lisle noticed a smudge on the tower window - looks like a bird flew into it - - ah yes the noise! But no bird - - look behind you - in the orchids - - AAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW - poor thing, dead as a door nail and the ants already cleaning up - latex gloves and a quick toss to the jungle.
Interestingly - no sign of the bird body this morning - something had a meal.
About an hour later Lisle noticed a smudge on the tower window - looks like a bird flew into it - - ah yes the noise! But no bird - - look behind you - in the orchids - - AAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW - poor thing, dead as a door nail and the ants already cleaning up - latex gloves and a quick toss to the jungle.
Interestingly - no sign of the bird body this morning - something had a meal.
Lazy
That's what my loving spouse calls me - you just lay about reading or blogging - - when I could be shopping ? ? ? You haven't left the house in days!
Well the last couple of days have been very busy!
Saturday we went with Doug and Samira to see their home under construction in Chontales. This is an enormous Ventana development site further south (20km) in the mountains by Cortes. 4 different areas with a total of about 3,000 lots. Much further inland than we are, but greater elevation. Lots and lots of homes under construction or lots being prepared.
Doug and Samira have a wonderful lot, great view and are building a spectacular home!
Two lots away, our friends Bill and Deb are building as well
Both homes will be done around April
After checking out the construction progress we had lunch at Boca Coronado
Sunday we connected with John Dinsmore - manager at El Castillo - he hadn't been to the house (didn't know Fase 9 existed). He came for a visit and then took us to Cliff's for BBQ - our question "is Cliff's a person or a place?" apparently both - Villas Leonor at the Ballena Beach Club is a restaurant and beach club run by a guy named Cliff - - great place - great food (ribs were amazing!!) - BBQ on Sunday is very popular - and the beach is great and easily accessible to the bar!
Today is a day of rest - Lisle has gone shopping with Dean and Michelle for New Years Eve rations!! "Don't you want to come?" No thanks honey - have fun!!
Well the last couple of days have been very busy!
Saturday we went with Doug and Samira to see their home under construction in Chontales. This is an enormous Ventana development site further south (20km) in the mountains by Cortes. 4 different areas with a total of about 3,000 lots. Much further inland than we are, but greater elevation. Lots and lots of homes under construction or lots being prepared.
Doug and Samira have a wonderful lot, great view and are building a spectacular home!
Two lots away, our friends Bill and Deb are building as well
After checking out the construction progress we had lunch at Boca Coronado
Sunday we connected with John Dinsmore - manager at El Castillo - he hadn't been to the house (didn't know Fase 9 existed). He came for a visit and then took us to Cliff's for BBQ - our question "is Cliff's a person or a place?" apparently both - Villas Leonor at the Ballena Beach Club is a restaurant and beach club run by a guy named Cliff - - great place - great food (ribs were amazing!!) - BBQ on Sunday is very popular - and the beach is great and easily accessible to the bar!
Today is a day of rest - Lisle has gone shopping with Dean and Michelle for New Years Eve rations!! "Don't you want to come?" No thanks honey - have fun!!
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