So we will go with those names to avoid incriminating anyone!
A Gringo and a Tica, well known in the community tied the knot yesterday.
The wedding was at 10 am in the lawyer`s office in Cortes (this is the actual wedding - they are going to get `married`in Santorini in October). A small event - her family, a couple of friends, and the witnesses (specifically selected for the fact they were fluent in Spanish).
The reception followed at Nanny`s - the local watering hole at the entrance to the village. For the occasion Nanny slaughtered and roasted a pig. Every romantic song from my high school days (read 1978) flowed from the speakers - once the mushy dancing was done, Elvis and Chubby Checker filled the air and the dance floor was full - that is until they took to `twisting`on the tables - needless to say many cervezas were consumed! (sorry - no photos - have been well paid for my visual silence!!!)
Congrats to the happy couple!!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Adios Amigos
Steve and Claudio headed home last night. The driver picked them up in the parking lot opposite the Ojochal Police Station at 12:45 am - I know that sounds odd, but with a 7 am flight it is either an overnight transfer, or a daytime transfer and a hotel room that you need to leave at 4 am to go to the airport.
The second half of their stay was as much a blur and the first.
Sunday was quiet - too overcast for the beach - Monday was busy with Condo stuff, so Lisle and Steve and Claudio went shopping.
Tuesday we drove south to see the Boruca Indigenous Reserve in the mountains - guess they are happy being left alone, cuz we never found it. Instead we showed off our local municipalities of Palmar Norte, Palmar Sur and Sierpe. In Sierpe we actually found some great Boruca masks, so the expedition wasn`t a loss!
Wednesday we drove north to Dominical - checked out the beach, the surfers, the handicrafts. Lunch at Tortilla Flats - OMG they expanded!! Stopped at the beach at La Leona on the way back - a whole Tico family was set up in the trees at the beach - chairs, hammocks, bbq - that`s how you do a day at the beach. Lisle and Claudio went for a swim - we picked up a couple coconuts to plant at the house. Ran into Karen on the way home, so beer and gossip were required!
Thursday we spent the afternoon with Dwight and Wendy - a lazy afternoon with beer, guacamole and conversation.
Friday was readying for departure, but couldn`t possibly leave without another party! This time a wedding reception we had been invited to.
As they head back to Toronto, they must think all we do is eat, drink, party and socialize - not a bad impression to leave them with!!!
The second half of their stay was as much a blur and the first.
Sunday was quiet - too overcast for the beach - Monday was busy with Condo stuff, so Lisle and Steve and Claudio went shopping.
Tuesday we drove south to see the Boruca Indigenous Reserve in the mountains - guess they are happy being left alone, cuz we never found it. Instead we showed off our local municipalities of Palmar Norte, Palmar Sur and Sierpe. In Sierpe we actually found some great Boruca masks, so the expedition wasn`t a loss!
Wednesday we drove north to Dominical - checked out the beach, the surfers, the handicrafts. Lunch at Tortilla Flats - OMG they expanded!! Stopped at the beach at La Leona on the way back - a whole Tico family was set up in the trees at the beach - chairs, hammocks, bbq - that`s how you do a day at the beach. Lisle and Claudio went for a swim - we picked up a couple coconuts to plant at the house. Ran into Karen on the way home, so beer and gossip were required!
Thursday we spent the afternoon with Dwight and Wendy - a lazy afternoon with beer, guacamole and conversation.
Friday was readying for departure, but couldn`t possibly leave without another party! This time a wedding reception we had been invited to.
As they head back to Toronto, they must think all we do is eat, drink, party and socialize - not a bad impression to leave them with!!!
Guess It's Over!
Indian Summer, that is. Often July offers a respite from the rainy season. A chance to catch your breath before the real rain of September, October and November. And indeed the past couple weeks have been relatively dry. In fact, Wednesday, Thursday and most of Friday were rain free - sunny and hot - just like February. We even had some beautiful sunsets!
Well that ended yesterday. The thunder started over the mountains and the ocean about 3 pm. The rain started about 4 and has been on and off every since - heavy, light, heavy again - - in and out of the clouds.
Rain isn`t necessarily bad thought - last night we returned from drinks about 7 pm and hit the pool. Something very neat about friends, pool, beer and rain on a tropical night!!
Well that ended yesterday. The thunder started over the mountains and the ocean about 3 pm. The rain started about 4 and has been on and off every since - heavy, light, heavy again - - in and out of the clouds.
Rain isn`t necessarily bad thought - last night we returned from drinks about 7 pm and hit the pool. Something very neat about friends, pool, beer and rain on a tropical night!!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Blurr
This past week with Steve and Claudio here has been a blurr!
Tuesday was the trip to Quepos to get them - driving was fine - got coffee at Cafe Milagro (YUM and for those of you in the country - they deliver!!) Maxi Pali for supplies (nothing interesting and no less expensive than in Uvita) Fetched the boys and home by 5. Cold beer for a welcome cocktail - then the power went out - so, dinner in the dark (not quite what was planned but certainly Costa Rican!!)
Wednesday was chill - Lisle and Claudio went into Uvita for supplies (my beer and wine go fast!) - Steve and I read.
Thursday was a trip to San Isidro - town in the mountains about a 1/3 of the way to San Jose - Thursday they have a big Market - Karen and I needed to see a lawyer about Condominium stuff while the boys wandered and looked at the hundreds of Zapatarias. The market was awesome - we bought bunches and bunches - Chayote and Mangostinos!
Friday Dwight and Wendy came by - wine and gossip - then off to Nanny's for beer and gossip - and OMG! Karaoke! All the friends were there, including the 2 Jims - a great way to introduce our Toronto friends to our Ojochal friends. Dinner at Fabrizio's - great pizza and salad.
Saturday was quiet - Lisle and Steve went for supplies while Claudio and I read (more beer and wine!!)
Today was supposed to be beach day - but it has been overcast and raining on and off - yes I know - it is July in Costa Rica!
Tuesday was the trip to Quepos to get them - driving was fine - got coffee at Cafe Milagro (YUM and for those of you in the country - they deliver!!) Maxi Pali for supplies (nothing interesting and no less expensive than in Uvita) Fetched the boys and home by 5. Cold beer for a welcome cocktail - then the power went out - so, dinner in the dark (not quite what was planned but certainly Costa Rican!!)
Wednesday was chill - Lisle and Claudio went into Uvita for supplies (my beer and wine go fast!) - Steve and I read.
Thursday was a trip to San Isidro - town in the mountains about a 1/3 of the way to San Jose - Thursday they have a big Market - Karen and I needed to see a lawyer about Condominium stuff while the boys wandered and looked at the hundreds of Zapatarias. The market was awesome - we bought bunches and bunches - Chayote and Mangostinos!
Friday Dwight and Wendy came by - wine and gossip - then off to Nanny's for beer and gossip - and OMG! Karaoke! All the friends were there, including the 2 Jims - a great way to introduce our Toronto friends to our Ojochal friends. Dinner at Fabrizio's - great pizza and salad.
Saturday was quiet - Lisle and Steve went for supplies while Claudio and I read (more beer and wine!!)
Today was supposed to be beach day - but it has been overcast and raining on and off - yes I know - it is July in Costa Rica!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Always Coming and Going
The thing about our community here is that few of us are permanent. Some is always arriving or leaving.
Dean and Michelle were headed back to Arizona Saturday - as Lisle was arriving. Bill and Deb just arrived from Barrie to finish design of their home.
Friday was a farewell beach day - spectacular quiet beach at La Leona - treelined, no undertow or riptide - just what you want from a tropical beach - except for the tidal marsh you need to cross on the sketchy boardwalk (missing boards covered in with logs). A great day of sun, surf and conversation - and a beer or two! Topped it off with Pulled Pork Sandwiches at the Roadhouse - authentic southern and nicely spiced. Bill and Deb arrived as we were finishing - in time for introductions and chat, but then joined me at home for beer and conversation about home planning and building.
Saturday was all about getting ready for Lisle's arrival - and reading my book! Sweeping (I don't know where the bugs come from, but they like to die in the house), laundry (sheets, and clothes) and vacuum the pool (the bugs like to die there as well - 50 or so each night). Dean and Michelle arrived at 10 am to get the GPS and say their goodbyes - - - it only took a dozen minds to figure out that if Dean and Michelle drove their car to San Jose, Lisle could drive it back and no one needed to pay for a taxi!
Messages that Lisle arrived - Dean and Michelle arrived and Lisle headed out - should be here by 6 pm. By 7 I was worried - accident? car trouble? He arrived safe at 7:30 - almost 5 hours for what should have been 3 1/2 - a road collapse and accident in Parrita!
Sunday was a lazy day. Keith and Karen dropped in to say hello - plans for the beach never really materialized. Bill and Deb came by about 10:30 - the house chat started and at 2 we moved to Mama y Papas for pizza and beer - home in time for sunset - the first glimpse of pink and orange in the evening sky since I arrived.
Today - errands and shopping before Steve and Claudio arrive tomorrow!
Dean and Michelle were headed back to Arizona Saturday - as Lisle was arriving. Bill and Deb just arrived from Barrie to finish design of their home.
Friday was a farewell beach day - spectacular quiet beach at La Leona - treelined, no undertow or riptide - just what you want from a tropical beach - except for the tidal marsh you need to cross on the sketchy boardwalk (missing boards covered in with logs). A great day of sun, surf and conversation - and a beer or two! Topped it off with Pulled Pork Sandwiches at the Roadhouse - authentic southern and nicely spiced. Bill and Deb arrived as we were finishing - in time for introductions and chat, but then joined me at home for beer and conversation about home planning and building.
Saturday was all about getting ready for Lisle's arrival - and reading my book! Sweeping (I don't know where the bugs come from, but they like to die in the house), laundry (sheets, and clothes) and vacuum the pool (the bugs like to die there as well - 50 or so each night). Dean and Michelle arrived at 10 am to get the GPS and say their goodbyes - - - it only took a dozen minds to figure out that if Dean and Michelle drove their car to San Jose, Lisle could drive it back and no one needed to pay for a taxi!
Messages that Lisle arrived - Dean and Michelle arrived and Lisle headed out - should be here by 6 pm. By 7 I was worried - accident? car trouble? He arrived safe at 7:30 - almost 5 hours for what should have been 3 1/2 - a road collapse and accident in Parrita!
Sunday was a lazy day. Keith and Karen dropped in to say hello - plans for the beach never really materialized. Bill and Deb came by about 10:30 - the house chat started and at 2 we moved to Mama y Papas for pizza and beer - home in time for sunset - the first glimpse of pink and orange in the evening sky since I arrived.
Today - errands and shopping before Steve and Claudio arrive tomorrow!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Head in the Clouds
While I had some work to do today, most of the day was spent reading - a quiet day a respite - a good choice for today as the rain started at 10 and kept up until 3.
for about 30 minutes it was very heavy - spilling out of the eavestroughs - and for much of the day the clouds covered the mountains and blocked everything from view
The Howlers were unhappy about the rain - calling out in complaint everytime it got heavy.
They made their way back into the big tree about 30 minutes after the rain stopped - looks like they are there for the night!
About 5 the temperature dropped from 27 to 24 - a chill to the damp air - guess it's time for wine and dinner!
for about 30 minutes it was very heavy - spilling out of the eavestroughs - and for much of the day the clouds covered the mountains and blocked everything from view
The Howlers were unhappy about the rain - calling out in complaint everytime it got heavy.
They made their way back into the big tree about 30 minutes after the rain stopped - looks like they are there for the night!
About 5 the temperature dropped from 27 to 24 - a chill to the damp air - guess it's time for wine and dinner!
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