So, the banana plant started to fruit - a big bunch.
It grew and then it just at there and, best I can tell, rotted. Never big enough to eat, but so tantalizing! The landscapers cut down the tree (they are only good for one bunch) and will let the 'baby' grow.
But there is still hope! the banana plant next to it just sent out a bunch - guess we will have to see how this one goes.
And there is hope on other fronts - Blossoms!!
Citrus, and
Starfruit
Have some pineapples to plant, and the Papaya trees are 3 feet tall!!
Watch out Chiquita and Dole - our fruit empire is about to explode!!
People in big cities across North America think nothing about zipping to the store for whatever they need. Shopping is a pastime.
Here, shopping is about the necessities - unless you go to San Jose. We made such a pilgrimage this week. 48 hours of shopping, eating, driving, spending.
We went with specifics in mind - outdoor dining furniture, outdoor clothes dryer, water filter cartridges, sodastream, pendant lights for the kitchen, BBQ accessories, pressure sprayer, gas can, extension cords . . . . EPA, Walmart, PriceSmart, Cemaco
And there was also the mule list - the "oh, you're going to San Jose - can you get me a ..." list. Never a bother to help the neighbours as they have helped you before and will again.
2 nights at a hotel (Studio Hotel in Santa Ana) and 2 nice meals (Lo Spago and the Studio Cafe, Bar and Grill) with the days filled with shopping. All in all a productive but exhausting excursion.
Items of note -
We wanted outdoor dining table and chairs for the gazebo. A friend said to check out CR Patio. It was near the hotel, and WAZE said to turn into this dirt drive off the highway (yes, the toll highway has all sorts of little drives and lanes on and off - we aren't talking offramps - a drive with potholes and ruts that you need to move through while trying to get your vehicle off the road where everyone else is going 100km). Just off the road was a metal gate and guard. We told the guard we were going to CR Patio. He raised the gate and pointed around the side. There was a giant transport truck parked and unloading patio furniture into a lot - no way in. The guard motioned around the other side - the whole place was a equestrian center - or was at some point - paddocks, walking rings, jumping equipment, but no sign of horses or activity. Another guard came out ahead and walked us through a set of gates and pointed down the stairs. This place was obviously a clubhouse as some point, with what looked like a restaurant sitting on the second floor overlooking the action and the abandoned swimming pool down below. Down the steps, a guy stopped unloading the truck and came over. He took us into the "showroom" - clearly this place was not meant for public access, dusty and cluttered. He showed us stuff - all intended for large spaces - all high end Castelle furniture for what seemed like a steal. We didn't buy anything, but it was well worth the experience.
We wanted a SodaStream (beverage carbonation system). Until recently they were not available in Costa Rica, but I found a place online and had connected with a representative. With rough directions we tried to find the place without success. A phone call the next day got us better directions, so off we went. The company was in Pavas - one of the San Jose suburbs, near the National Stadium. We drove around and finally found the landmark - the Pizza Hut corporate office - it was supposed to be in front of this - no obvious sign of Pura Vida Co2. Another call - there is a drive and a chain next to the Koehler showroom - tell the guard you want Bodega 12. Ok - a whole warehouse complex - no obvious signs for any of the businesses - we ask one of the many people coming and going - #12 is pointed out - a half-full warehouse - plywood and such - an office on one side - oh yes, this is the place - turns out SodaStream is a side business for a custom melamine cutting company (state of the art computerized cuts for homes condos and resorts). A cup of coffee - conversation with the owner - a tour of the plant - we leave with our SodaStream.
Just 2 adventures in our retail therapy! Not just another trip to the mall.
That has been our problem.
20+ fruit trees on the property but no fruit.
6 banana trees, 3 mango trees, 2 water apples, a starfruit, several papaya (they are pretty small we grew them from seeds), citrus in large number (I hesitate to say what type as here anything citrus seems to be a "Limon"), cinnamon and 6 avocado trees. All without any fruit and most have been planted for 5 years. Lisle is "very disappointed".
Well, our fruitlessness has come to an end. Yes, we have BANANAS!!!
No they are not yet ready to eat, and lord knows that any number of creatures may devour them before we get a taste, but they are there and they are growing.
Standby for the tasting!!
As we settle in for a quiet Christmas eve, Lisle and I want to wish all our family and friends a very Merry Christmas! Hopefully you are spending this evening and tomorrow in the warmth of love and friendship.
That means RAIN.
We have been here a week and rain is the constant. The humidity is at 95+% and we are in a cloud.
Hurricane Otto came and went. With exception of two communities in the north part of the country, there was little damage. The winds never materialized and the rain, while persistent, was no worse that typical rainy season. With all the rain, the ground is soaked and a tree came down in the jungle in the middle of the night - always an unsettling noise to be awoken by.
We had hoped that with the move of the system off into the Pacific we might get a break, but no - early morning was clearer, but by mid morning back to the rain.
Oh well the sun will return soon enough - at least it isn't snow!
Just arrived in Ojochal -really miss this place when we are not here.
We ventured to Italy for a month to celebrate our 30th anniversary - so much fun - great food - great wine - great people - great adventures.
Pisa
Lucca
Porto Venere
Cinque Terre
Positano
Rome
Rome
Rome
Venice
Florence, Chianti, Modena, San Marino, San Giminagno as well - 4 weeks eating our way across the country.
So today was settling in - always a chore to set things up and feel like home again. - but it was a great treat and the howlers came to visit - about 3 pm - a male howling in the trees out back - about 30 minutes and then he went quiet and it started to rain - didn't see others - maybe they will hang about for a bit - really makes you feel like you're home.
The past few days I have been struck by the things that are so Costa Rican - I am sure many of them exist elsewhere in the world, but they are 'unique' to our experience here.
Lunch watching the water crash on the rocks
Offroading in the jungle
Sunset over the Pacific Ocean
Beets the size of softballs
The weekly market
Watching a rainstorm over the Pacific Ocean
Watching a 7' Iguana climb the fence while you are sipping your wine
Having morning coffee with your pet hummingbird and pet lizard (did you know hummingbirds chirp? this one does a lot - we call him squeaky)
Tropical floral arrangements from your own garden
Interesting birds who just stop by - this is an Oropendula
