tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78908144959171033502024-03-13T04:52:47.159-07:00GRINGOS IN PARADISE: Paul & Marilyn's Retirement AdventureDocumenting the joys and challenges of being retired expats in Costa RicaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-55649245611072960382015-12-25T10:27:00.001-08:002015-12-25T10:27:57.912-08:00Feliz Navidad from Costa Rica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-prWqM8-iac0/Vn11GU2Q33I/AAAAAAAAB30/IejIouwP_wI/s1600/coffeeharvesters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-prWqM8-iac0/Vn11GU2Q33I/AAAAAAAAB30/IejIouwP_wI/s1600/coffeeharvesters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><b><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Curlz MT";">W</span></b>e
joined <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHBGhUxFHZc/Vn11GD0XQaI/AAAAAAAAB3w/9kOfn6amvbg/s1600/CoffeeKidsChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHBGhUxFHZc/Vn11GD0XQaI/AAAAAAAAB3w/9kOfn6amvbg/s320/CoffeeKidsChristmas.jpg" width="320" /></a>a group of Ticos and Gringos to distribute Christmas gifts to Nicaraguan
kids who come to Costa Rica with their families to work in the coffee
harvest. Harvesters tie baskets around
their waists. Full baskets bring about $2.00 — a little more for all-red
(ripest) berries. The best harvesters can do up to 20 baskets a day — but the
average is closer to six or seven. (Paul
and I tried this a while back — it took us about 45 minutes to fill one layer
in the bottom of a basket!) The blond woman in red above is Debbie Rudd, who
together with the polka-dotted “Minny Mouse” on the right, organized this
event. “Minny Mouse” is Mary Ulate Cardenal, who is the amazing and loving
teacher of these children. As we went from
house to house (some were tin sheds or crumbling wooden structures overflowing
with families; there were a few government-built “apartments” about the size of
small motel rooms), the children began clapping and jumping up and down with
pure joy on their little faces. As I was distributing gifts, one barefooted man
came up to me and asked if we were giving away “zapatos” — shoes. I had to say
“no” but he still gave me a big grin.</div>
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Santa Claus is not a big deal in Costa Rica — you’ll see
some images around, but Costa Rican kids are told that the Christ Child brings
their gifts. Rather than dress up like Baby Jesus, we went the clown route. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9dwJeuqeww/Vn11FvD8YQI/AAAAAAAAB3s/TKcwq2Y4swk/s1600/Mary%2Band%2Bkids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d9dwJeuqeww/Vn11FvD8YQI/AAAAAAAAB3s/TKcwq2Y4swk/s200/Mary%2Band%2Bkids.jpg" width="200" /></a>Paul and I were both feeling <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-prWqM8-iac0/Vn11GU2Q33I/AAAAAAAAB30/IejIouwP_wI/s1600/coffeeharvesters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-prWqM8-iac0/Vn11GU2Q33I/AAAAAAAAB30/IejIouwP_wI/s200/coffeeharvesters.jpg" width="200" /></a>a little homesick for family,
friends and a White Christmas … but the gift we were given to participate in
this wonderful activity helped us get over that … and reminded us how very
blessed and fortunate we are.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
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Author!!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Curlz MT";">W</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 118%;">e belong to a great writers’ group,
Salon Cajón. This talented group of
writers and poets encouraged us to complete and publish our first books in 2015
(available in paperback and e-books on Amazon.com—hint, hint). We’re both working
on 2nd books that should be published in 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAOxyCKBMNg/Vn13Ool_TgI/AAAAAAAAB4o/fPIWqUHWGWw/s1600/Cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAOxyCKBMNg/Vn13Ool_TgI/AAAAAAAAB4o/fPIWqUHWGWw/s200/Cover1.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRe26EGFgQ8/Vn12aDY2TCI/AAAAAAAAB4g/QMVVp9DbdU4/s1600/AmandaRanchCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRe26EGFgQ8/Vn12aDY2TCI/AAAAAAAAB4g/QMVVp9DbdU4/s200/AmandaRanchCover.jpg" width="194" /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LT00rYjEoVs/Vn11Iqkb9KI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/ITyoPt-xEl0/s1600/writers_group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LT00rYjEoVs/Vn11Iqkb9KI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/ITyoPt-xEl0/s320/writers_group.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.16px; text-align: start;">Our Salon Cajon writers’ group (with our mascot Capo, <br />who doesn’t write, just begs for cheese and sausage).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Curlz MT";">Mucho
Mascotas (Spanish for “pets”)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NmRDB-B5ZgE/Vn2Am1V4Y6I/AAAAAAAAB5A/hGChrPWfunc/s1600/charlie-and-kitten-1-edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 17.3067px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NmRDB-B5ZgE/Vn2Am1V4Y6I/AAAAAAAAB5A/hGChrPWfunc/s320/charlie-and-kitten-1-edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><i><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 14.16px;">Charlie was not quite sure what to make of his new “little brother.”</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sufWo4x_ZYs/Vn2Ae_X0EeI/AAAAAAAAB44/T5eyk67slZo/s1600/LittleSisterPal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 17.3067px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><b><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Curlz MT";">F</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 118%;">or the first time in nine years we
have kitties </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 118%;">One evening we were discussing the possibility of getting a
cat again when we heard mewing outside. In the</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 118%;"> bushes was a tiny kitten who
promptly adopted us. My students named him Umberto, but he’s Bert to us. When
my friend Mary found out, she asked us to take one of the kitties she’d
recently rescued from a washing machine (!!). So we took Bert down to meet the
“girls” and he selected the grey tiger who we named Ernestina (Ernie).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sufWo4x_ZYs/Vn2Ae_X0EeI/AAAAAAAAB44/T5eyk67slZo/s1600/LittleSisterPal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 17.3067px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sufWo4x_ZYs/Vn2Ae_X0EeI/AAAAAAAAB44/T5eyk67slZo/s200/LittleSisterPal.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><i><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 14.16px;">Bert & Ernie</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 118%;">It took a
while for the dogs, Lily and Charlie, to get used to the cats, including a
scary moment when Lily thought Bert was a chew toy (3 nights at the vet and a
month-long recovery!), but now it’s pretty much the Peaceable Kingdom, which
also includes our filly Julia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Lily bossing Julia</span></i></b><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 118%;">My friend
and I had been caring for Julia and her mom and a gelding named Geronimo. I’d
even started training Geronimo to be a therapy horse, but when the finca (farm)
where they lived went up for sale, we could only bring Julia home to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 118%;">I have been
working with Julia since she was one day old and she’s becoming quite the young
lady! Lily has taken on some of the “exercising” portion of the training,
running Julia back and forth along the length of the paddock<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JugbIkt97RE/Vn2BdeSZ9aI/AAAAAAAAB5U/Js-RlNMrG50/s1600/Julia-repairedFence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JugbIkt97RE/Vn2BdeSZ9aI/AAAAAAAAB5U/Js-RlNMrG50/s400/Julia-repairedFence.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: start;">Julia cruising her “trail” on our back ridge.</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Curlz MT";">New
Digs I</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 118%;">n April we became caretakers of a
small house on 2-1/2 acres at the end of a farm lane. Our closest neighbors are
cows and coffee. It’s a great place for the dogs to get to be as “doggy” as
they need to be — which includes barking from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. each morning at
the “invading” birds — why we can never get good bird pictures here.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDMiFswKmlc/Vn2DrbCO89I/AAAAAAAAB5s/0QlDxD_STJ4/s1600/rainbow_next-to_Paul-N-Merl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDMiFswKmlc/Vn2DrbCO89I/AAAAAAAAB5s/0QlDxD_STJ4/s200/rainbow_next-to_Paul-N-Merl.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">View to the next ridge looking at our<br />neighbor’s new house (with rainbow).</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg9QGIDK1TY/Vn2DDufI2_I/AAAAAAAAB5c/xUyNtMTq2pM/s1600/kitchen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg9QGIDK1TY/Vn2DDufI2_I/AAAAAAAAB5c/xUyNtMTq2pM/s320/kitchen1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.16px; text-align: start;">Kitchen with our “portable” cabinets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 118%;">A few
downsides of the property are that it’s too far from civilization to get a
landline phone and our cellphones don’t work here — fortunately we have good
internet, so we can use Skype for calling. Also, the property is for sale,
which means we’d have to move with 60 days’ notice. When we moved in, the
property had been vacant for 15 months. It was the end of the dry season so
everything was brown and overgrown. Inside there were no appliances, no kitchen
cabinets and no closets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 118%;">We bou</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 118%;">ght used appliances and Paul built totally
portable cabinets that can move with us to our next house. We’ve spent the
whole rainy season (May-November) planting and landscaping.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PeuNXtO1mIw/Vn2DYfclmEI/AAAAAAAAB5k/gvVcGtfAJYo/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PeuNXtO1mIw/Vn2DYfclmEI/AAAAAAAAB5k/gvVcGtfAJYo/s320/house.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: start;">Our little finca’s “address” 400 meters south of the Matapalo Bridge,<br /> Calle Parrita, El Cajon de Grecia (nobody can find us)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 118%;">We really
love it here … sitting out on the porch with our morning coffee looking out
into the forest, listening to cows lowing, roosters crowing and horses
whinnying … watching hummingbirds and butterflies … Paul says he’d always
considered himself an “urban kind of guy” but being retired right here is
really pretty wonderful.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omfBL8PFmnE/Vn2Ev9QV-XI/AAAAAAAAB54/G69UZZPdSiE/s1600/Pauls_shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omfBL8PFmnE/Vn2Ev9QV-XI/AAAAAAAAB54/G69UZZPdSiE/s320/Pauls_shop.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 14.16px;"> Paul’s great workshop — another benefit of living here.</span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMS4EaNChOA/Vn2FGkoyBxI/AAAAAAAAB6A/xHAeH7LKIWU/s1600/cedulaDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMS4EaNChOA/Vn2FGkoyBxI/AAAAAAAAB6A/xHAeH7LKIWU/s320/cedulaDay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><i><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 14.16px;">Here we are on the day we received our Cedulas (the magic residency cards). <br />We’re standing in our friends’ future backyard. <br />Behind us you can see the red roof of our house across the valley.</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Curlz MT";">Pensionados
!!!! O</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 118%;">n September 9 we became official residents
(pensionados) of Costa Rica. What that means is … we don’t have to leave the
country ever 90 days to renew our Visa, we now have Costa Rica drivers’
licenses, we get all kinds of “resident discounts” at parks, museums and other
attractions and we belong to the CAJA — Costa Rica’s socialized medical system
(I’ve already taken advantage of several of the services available to us … lab
work, EKG, medicines).</span></div>
</div>
<div class="WordSection15">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Curlz MT";"> In Other News …</span></b><br />
<div class="WordSection17">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: "Curlz MT"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Curlz MT";">S</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 118%;">o many other wonderful events …here are some highlights:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 118%;">Paul and I
are both volunteering as English teachers — he does a Saturday conversation
class and I do tutoring every Wednesday. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JCN2j2LK9cM/Vn11IY7EF6I/AAAAAAAAB4U/x524ltcCbjM/s1600/students.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JCN2j2LK9cM/Vn11IY7EF6I/AAAAAAAAB4U/x524ltcCbjM/s200/students.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<b><i><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 14.16px;">My students surprised me with cake </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<b><i><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 14.16px;">and gifts for my birthday!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 14.16px;">(with co-teacher Cheryle Pederson)</span></i></b></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="WordSection19">
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">In October, we visited family and friends in Delaware and
North Carolina. It was a blessing to see so many folks in two different states
over a nine-day span … even though it felt too short. Highlights included going
to Marilyn’s 50th 8th Grade Reunion (!!!) — what a treat; celebrating our
grandson Matt’s 16th (!!!) birthday; shopping and jamming with granddaughter
Kaylee; spending time with Marilyn’s sister, nieces and best friends; hanging
with ALL of Paul’s sibs at his sister Deb’s house (and a really cool animal
sanctuary)</span></li>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5TX1eYuAdY/Vn2FwJYlVmI/AAAAAAAAB6M/6gFw-eEnH4g/s1600/beatles_songs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5TX1eYuAdY/Vn2FwJYlVmI/AAAAAAAAB6M/6gFw-eEnH4g/s320/beatles_songs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><i><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 14.16px;">Beatles’ medley with Kaylee and her Dzadzi (grandfather)</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0iTVzZQY2Ng/Vn11HMbi4vI/AAAAAAAAB4I/VkVi_FfWMvo/s1600/sibs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0iTVzZQY2Ng/Vn11HMbi4vI/AAAAAAAAB4I/VkVi_FfWMvo/s400/sibs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.16px; text-align: start;">Hastings sibs: Phil, Bets, Don (outlaw), Wendy, Paul, Marilyn (outlaw), <br />missing Tom (outlaw) and Ingrid (outlaw and photographer)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="WordSection20">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Slr94dpjwYc/Vn2FwEu9_ZI/AAAAAAAAB6I/MAui1qrqq58/s1600/Exodus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Slr94dpjwYc/Vn2FwEu9_ZI/AAAAAAAAB6I/MAui1qrqq58/s320/Exodus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #669c2a; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14.16px; text-align: start;">Smile Matt! You just turned 16!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="WordSection21">
</div>
<br />
<ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stSUckZFBWw/Vn2IvNYkFsI/AAAAAAAAB6k/jtq0sugaetM/s1600/Phil-Ing-Us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-stSUckZFBWw/Vn2IvNYkFsI/AAAAAAAAB6k/jtq0sugaetM/s400/Phil-Ing-Us.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Phil and Paul, Ingrid and Marilyn</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>In November Paul’s brother Phil and wife Ingrid went on a nine-day tour of Costa Rica,
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<br />
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<ul>
<li>In addition to writing, when we’re not just enjoying our
life here, Paul is working on his music, playing keyboard and guitar (including
two winning gigs with our friend Irina at fundraisers for animal welfare), and
Marilyn is working on art projects, mostly glass and ceramic mosaics.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msc3P735Z6w/Vn2IV2AyTqI/AAAAAAAAB6c/N-8Ax1fqQN4/s1600/Mariposa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msc3P735Z6w/Vn2IV2AyTqI/AAAAAAAAB6c/N-8Ax1fqQN4/s200/Mariposa.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mariposa glass mosiac</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrIuO-bQf2A/Vn11EsWlHYI/AAAAAAAAB3k/sYfpQ0z0UIQ/s1600/Irina%2Band%2Bgang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrIuO-bQf2A/Vn11EsWlHYI/AAAAAAAAB3k/sYfpQ0z0UIQ/s320/Irina%2Band%2Bgang.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul and Larry back up our friend Irina singing "Hallelujah"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-69572305881776067342015-06-22T08:24:00.002-07:002015-06-22T08:24:24.473-07:00A Different Visa Run Experience ... Los Chiles to San Carlos ... by car, boat, mini-bus, feet, bus, car<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Because we’re still waiting for our residency to go through (it’s
closer … ever so slightly closer), we continue to need to leave Costa Rica
every 90 days to renew our visas. I had visions of doing a mini vacation this
time, maybe taking Nature Air and spending a few days in Grenada.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But time flies when you’re retired, and on Monday the 15<sup>th</sup>
I thought, “better check our last visa stamp; I can’t remember when our 90 days
are up. I think we have a week.” <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, we didn’t have a week. The next day, Tuesday the 16<sup>th</sup>
was the last day. OMG! We didn’t want to end up in a Central American jail
trying to scrape together bail money, so bye, bye mini vacation. Time to
scramble. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you have two dogs, two cats and a horse, and your house
is not convenient to a bus line, finding a house-sitter -- even with
pre-planning – is a challenge. Finding a house-sitter the evening before you
have to leave turns out to be impossible. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Plan B: drive up and back on the same day. People do
it. People who don’t mind windy roads through a cloud forest. In the dark. In
the rain. Behind a caravan of 18-wheelers being passed on hilly curves by young
guys on motos. We were not relishing the idea, but we couldn’t come up with
other options. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We dropped a set of house keys with our friends. In the event
something unforeseen happened and we couldn’t get back, they could do emergency
animal feeding. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday the 16<sup>th</sup>, we were on the
road, headed north to Los Chiles, Costa Rica. The plan was familiar: take the
boat over the border to San Carlos, Nicaragua and return a few hours later. This
would be our fifth trip since we moved here. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We’d been reading articles about a new bridge being opened in
<span style="background: white; color: #3f3b34;">Las Tablillas (six km east of Los
Chiles)</span> that was supposed to make the whole trip easier. One person said
they simply drove up, went through Costa Rica immigration, walked across the
bridge, went through Nicaraguan immigration, walked back across the bridge and
got their visa stamp for another 90 days in Costa Rica. That sounded very
appealing, and we would have done it. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until we read another account that turned out a bit
differently. Those folks hired a driver to take them to the bridge and they
went through Costa Rica immigration. But when they got to the Nicaraguan side,
they were told they had to stay in Nicaragua for a minimum of three hours.
Since there’s nothing on the Nicaraguan side but a vending machine and endless
jungle, they were advised to take a (conveniently waiting) mini-bus to San
Carlos and return three hours later. Apparently Nicaragua wants you to spend a
few cordobas while you’re “visiting.” <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So Paul and I agreed that we’d better not chance the new
bridge. Because of our concern of getting back to the animals, we’d do the
regular boat trip. By now we were old hands at the process. Go to immigration
at Los Chiles, walk across the street, buy a boat ticket, walk to the dock
(stopping to pay 600 colones for a “pass” out of Los Chiles), and wait at the
rickety dock for the boat to take us up the Rio Frio to San Carlos. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Noticeable
Changes in Los Chiles</span></span></b></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we arrived at the dingy white building that houses the
Costa Rican immigration offices, we were struck at its emptiness. Not only were
there no people waiting in line to go to a window, there were no clerks at any
of the windows. As we stood scratching our heads in wonderment, a young clerk
popped out of a doorway in the hall. “Everyone is at the bridge now, yes?”
asked Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The clerk smiled and said, “Si.” <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Well, good for us, then,” Paul said, “no lines.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She went to one of the windows and processed our paperwork.
“Do we still sign up for the boat across the street?”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Si.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Across the street on the cement porch of a closed-up-looking
building stood a young man with a clipboard. In the past there had been a table
and chair and a line of people waiting to sign up for the boat. “Doce mil por
dos,” he said. $24. That was $2 a person less than we’d previously paid for a
one-way boat ticket. He wrote our names and passport numbers on the otherwise
blank page on his clipboard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A20XOZLnCLU/VYcWsZt3I-I/AAAAAAAABto/Gf0fWODwEyo/s1600/Tourboat_RioFrio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A20XOZLnCLU/VYcWsZt3I-I/AAAAAAAABto/Gf0fWODwEyo/s320/Tourboat_RioFrio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No people. Just empty tourist boats and <br />
grazing horses. A different Los Chiles experience. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“No other passengers today?” It was 12:15 and the boat had
always left at 1 (or close to 1 – Tico time). Usually by 12:15 there was at
least a page of names. Maybe things were working out more smoothly at the
bridge than we’d imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He handed us two tickets and we headed down the street to
pick up our “leaving Los Chiles” ticket. The woman at the table selling the
tickets looked really bored – almost asleep. At least she also sold tickets to
use the restroom, so she had a little more to do. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78mF0dDBjhE/VYcWp5e40vI/AAAAAAAABtc/SklD03vfzH4/s1600/PaulAlone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78mF0dDBjhE/VYcWp5e40vI/AAAAAAAABtc/SklD03vfzH4/s400/PaulAlone.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul alone on the empty dock. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the dock, there was no hustle, no bustle, no crowd. A
young guy napping on one of the cement benches got up and started loading huge
bags of lifejackets onto a truck when we arrived. That left us. Alone. I looked
at our boat tickets. They were different than the </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">ones we had gotten in the
past. These were for a boat operated by Ramon Augenta y Familia, San Carlos,
Nicaragua. Ramon y familia must have gotten the Rio Frio shuttle contract. Well,
good for them. But they probably needed more than Paul and Marilyn as customers
if their business was to succeed.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7YgBT0X968/VYcXGHwdEVI/AAAAAAAABvI/U3e5Ic-DGRE/s1600/Crowd_w_gringo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7YgBT0X968/VYcXGHwdEVI/AAAAAAAABvI/U3e5Ic-DGRE/s200/Crowd_w_gringo2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">This is what the Los Chiles<br />
dock used to be like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One o’clock came and went. We weren’t too concerned. We’d
never actually boarded the 1 p.m. boat anywhere close to 1 p.m. But usually there
was at least a boat at the dock. The only boats nearby were a few obvious
<i>tourista barcas</i> and a sad little blue boat sitting low in the water, its sides
covered in heavy clear plastic tarps used to protect against rain.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since we were the only people on the dock and had plenty of
time, Paul began to check out the welded steel roof that was held in place by
badly rusted steel posts. Paul discovered that several of the posts had rusted
away. They were suspended in the air a foot above the concrete base to which
they were once bolted. Curious as to
what was </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ik0kfboASjc/VYdD2NYbcKI/AAAAAAAABvg/XehYRZS11r8/s1600/dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ik0kfboASjc/VYdD2NYbcKI/AAAAAAAABvg/XehYRZS11r8/s320/dock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">These are some of the "less rusted" posts<br />
that are no longer holding up the dock roof.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">preventing the entire welded steel roof from collapsing, Paul found a
single (quite small) weld where one of the posts was attached to the hand rail.
This is what held up the structure. He pushed it gently side to side, and it
swayed ominously over our heads. On that cheery note we tried to focus on birds
nesting in the eaves instead.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As 1 p.m. ticked closer to 2 p.m. we were still trying to hold
onto our Pura Vida. I’d brought enough snacks to keep Paul occupied, but he
kept asking me to check my watch. At about 1:45, a clutch of young Nica guys
swaggered down the street and plopped onto the cement bench. An older couple
showed up briefly, but when I looked back from my bird watching they were gone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnhkowzkCMA/VYcWpCf6ymI/AAAAAAAABtQ/z69ItqJXopo/s1600/LittleBlueBoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnhkowzkCMA/VYcWpCf6ymI/AAAAAAAABtQ/z69ItqJXopo/s320/LittleBlueBoat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">On the left side of this picture is the one and only<br />
weld that was holding up the dock roof.<br />
The small blue boat in the river would turn out to be<br />
our shuttle to San Carlos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few minutes later, I saw the woman of the older couple. She
was gesturing and calling us from the little blue boat. Its rain flaps had been
rolled up and I saw that her husband was sitting in the back of the boat, next
to an outboard motor. So this was Ramon y familia’s excursion boat. We made our
way over to where they were docked, one impossibly thin nylon cord keeping them
from drifting out into the river. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We carefully crab-walked down the steep, narrow and crumbling
dock steps to the bow of the boat. In place of a railing, which would have been
nice, there was a long, skinny green cord to hold on to. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Close up, the boat didn’t look so tiny, just small compared
to the tourist boats nearby, and definitely a lot smaller than the boats we’d
take previously. It was extremely long, about 30 feet, and so narrow that
seating consisted of two board benches that ran from front to back. Passengers
would sit facing each other with a narrow aisle in between. Along the roof,
cords held a handful of lifejackets. The fiberglass roof was so low that Paul’s
head nearly grazed it – not good – because it was screwed down with drywall
screws whose tips poked out about every two inches ready to gouge his tall
Gringo skull. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMD61UGeig4/VYcW0ZUNjHI/AAAAAAAABuc/Bg2hoUAVyUU/s1600/lifejacketsON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMD61UGeig4/VYcW0ZUNjHI/AAAAAAAABuc/Bg2hoUAVyUU/s320/lifejacketsON.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New shuttle boat to San Carlos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The five Nica guys from the docks leapt down the crumbling
steps like acrobats and settled themselves on the benches. Then the boat ticket
guy came onboard with his nearly-empty clipboard and untied the green cord from
the dock and pushed us off. No one made
an effort to put on lifejackets, so we didn’t either.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The outboard revved up and we were quickly in the center of
the river cutting through the mocha colored water as easily as an eel. We had settled
ourselves about midway in the boat, but Ramon’s wife, a warm and friendly
woman, motioned for us to sit in the back near her and her husband. Over the roar
of the engine, we asked her in Spanish if the boat would be returning from San
Carlos to Los Chiles at 4, like it always had in the past.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She shook her head. “Oh, no, manaña,” she said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHksBpz9QvM/VYcW4V04o-I/AAAAAAAABu8/UjMbL48X08g/s1600/willWeEverGetHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHksBpz9QvM/VYcW4V04o-I/AAAAAAAABu8/UjMbL48X08g/s320/willWeEverGetHome.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul has just learned that there <br />
will be no return boat today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Uh … manaña? Is there another boat coming back here today? We
asked, again in our best patented gestural Spanglish.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She began explaining a lot to us very quickly. We nodded but
didn’t understand. Still, between her rapid Spanish and the eardrum shattering
motor, we were able to catch one word that would prove critical: bus.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I started
putting two and two together. No boat. There must be a bus that goes back over
the new bridge. Okay. That sounded reasonable. I was not going to think about
having to spend the night in Nicaragua. At least not yet. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One good thing about Ramon’s skinny blue boat with the giant
outboard motor – it was really zippy. Before we knew it, clipboard guy was
removing the Costa Rican flag as we passed the <i>Bienvenidos a Nicaragua</i> sign on the shore. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSnOjVy6KnI/VYcW3WgDwOI/AAAAAAAABuw/mS-eve15-fA/s1600/riverHorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSnOjVy6KnI/VYcW3WgDwOI/AAAAAAAABuw/mS-eve15-fA/s320/riverHorse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River horse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’d been trying to take a few photos as we sped along the
river, but I knew from past experience to tuck away my camera before we got to
the Nicaraguan military outpost – a sad little place with a camo-painted
building, a few dogs and chickens and some young Nica soldiers with automatic
weapons and practiced scowls. Right before we came into sight of the outpost,
everyone began pulling down the lifejackets and slinging them over their heads.
We followed suit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rz-cNOP6HsQ/VYcWwCWGNWI/AAAAAAAABuE/A25oyvDAG8o/s1600/environmentalCenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rz-cNOP6HsQ/VYcWwCWGNWI/AAAAAAAABuE/A25oyvDAG8o/s320/environmentalCenter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life on the Rio Frio.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ramon deftly parallel-parked our craft along the shoreline
and clipboard guy held out the skinny green cord to the soldiers. On previous
trips, one of the scowling soldiers would make his way down a staircase carved
in the mud wall of the shore and board the boat, ignoring any Gringos, while
doing cursory checks of bags and backpacks of the Nicaraguan passengers. But
today, the soldiers just waved us on and Ramon backed up and gunned the
outboard. Out of sight of the soldiers, the lifejackets came off and got
re-tucked into their homes in the boat’s roof. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJmONlA8Hjk/VYcWvRrULQI/AAAAAAAABt4/Ri99sEHWrzc/s1600/dancingBranches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJmONlA8Hjk/VYcWvRrULQI/AAAAAAAABt4/Ri99sEHWrzc/s320/dancingBranches.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing branches on the Rio Frio.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We continued on past homesteads with rickety porches shaded
by tin roofs, dugout canoes tied to docks and women waist deep in water at
river’s edge beating laundry as clean as the Rio Frio would allow.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It only took us about a half an hour to reach San Carlos in
this lightweight craft with few passengers. We disembarked behind the young
Nica guys and headed up the steps to Nicaraguan immigration. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had remembered to get US dollars for this part of the trip,
since Nicaragua doesn’t accept Costa Rican colones. But because the bank was
closed the night before we left, I only had twenties from the ATM. Not having
change had been an issue before, and we’ve cautioned in a previous blog to make
sure that you bring ones and fives. I did have a ten from getting change at
McDonald’s on the way up – the fee at Nicaraguan immigration is $7/person US …
so I was close. Not surprisingly, the clerk could not change my $20.
Surprisingly, he asked if I had 2 mil in colones (1 mil = approximately $2US)
and accepted that along with the $10. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We asked the clerk – just to be sure – if there was a boat
leaving for Los Chiles and got the same answer “Manaña.” Okay. And the bus
station? He pointed east. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I think I saw the bus station from the boat when we were
pulling in,” I said to Paul. “So it should be close by.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We passed customs and handed the customs clerk our
declaration (we had nothing to declare) and she waved us through. Out on the
San Carlos street, we were reminded about how different this part of Nicaragua is
than the comparative sophistication of our little town of Grecia, Costa Rica. A
winding cobbled street boasted every storefront imaginable – from clothing to
clinics, fruits and vegetables to cigars, bodegas and little hotels with
ancient rickety balconies whose rooms we hoped never to visit. A tangle of
clerks, children, customers and dogs mingled among the wares. As the only
Gringos in sight, we must have stood out like two tall sore thumbs. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Los Chiles
Is Not a Unique Name</span></span></b></h3>
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the help of two amused soldiers who pointed out that the
bus station was directly behind where we were looking for it, we made it.
Various multi-colored buses were lined up facing signboards painted with names
of Nicaraguan towns. Rows of chairs faced the buses; all filled with
Nicaraguans needing to go somewhere that wasn’t San Carlos. I saw a sign that
read “Los Chiles” and walked up to a relatively modern-looking bus facing the
sign. “Los Chiles?” I asked, peering in to the bus’s dark interior, already packed
with riders. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Heads shook no in unison and fingers pointed to a bus farther
down the line. A chicken bus. A chicken bus is an old brightly painted school
bus – seen in many Central American countries, most likely imported from the
US. Two schools of thought exist as to where it got its name – either the fact that people are crammed on it
like chickens in transit, or more likely, that the bus transports both people
and their livestock – often chickens. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Los Chiles?” I asked. This bus, too, was already packed with
passengers. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Si.” <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We started up the bus steps, but then I had a thought, “Los
Chiles … Costa Rica?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“No, no, no!” More heads shaking. More pointing. This time to
a white mini-bus. No logo, no sign. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We headed to the mini-bus. “Los Chiles. Costa Rica?” Paul and
I both articulated the “Costa Rica” part strongly. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Si. Si.” <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Phew. There was no one on the mini-bus. We boarded and
settled in. The driver, one other guy, and somebody who was probably the
driver’s son, got on. “Los Chiles, Costa Rica?” I said again. Just to be sure. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="ES-CR" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The driver confirmed. “Si. Los
Chiles, Costa Rica.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="ES-CR" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6uhaNEcTQQ/VYcWpvAjpRI/AAAAAAAABtU/oeDU9m4k20k/s1600/RussianMiniBus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6uhaNEcTQQ/VYcWpvAjpRI/AAAAAAAABtU/oeDU9m4k20k/s200/RussianMiniBus.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the mini-bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With his handful of passengers, the driver headed out of
town. The mini-bus was </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">relatively new with comfortable seats. “Look,” I said to
Paul. All of the signs in the bus were Russian. It was certainly a much nicer
vehicle than any I’d ever ridden in when I was in Russia in the 90s. I guess
Russian bus manufacturers have finally figured out how to keep diesel fumes
from the passenger compartment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The driver’s probable son turned to us. “Two dollars each,”
he said. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Nice English,” Paul complimented the young man and handed
over a $5 bill. The young man gave him a dollar. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The mini-bus headed out into the Nicaraguan countryside. A
tiny part of me – the part that has the vivid imagination – considered that we
might be being kidnapped and held for ransom in a dark and dank Nicaraguan
prison somewhere in the depths of the country. I quickly dismissed that thought
and decided to focus on the rural landscape instead. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZluATVK5YQ/VYcW31v0kTI/AAAAAAAABu0/0wpCgSoEgPc/s1600/ruralNica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZluATVK5YQ/VYcW31v0kTI/AAAAAAAABu0/0wpCgSoEgPc/s320/ruralNica.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing through the Nicaraguan countryside on the way <br />
to what we hoped would be the bridge to Costa Rica.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We passed many sad-looking horses completely tacked-up and
“parked.” I wondered if </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">they had to stand all day while their riders went to
work before commuting back home on them. Pigs and chickens scurried out of the
roadway as we approached. The mini-bus seemed to be the only engine-powered
vehicle on the road. At least, with the sun behind us, it felt like we were
headed in the right direction toward the new bridge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After about 45 minutes the road veered south. There was a
brand new sign advertising some jungle resort. A hopeful indication. The one
other passenger got out at a crossroads. <i>Buenas
tardes</i> all around. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNivHKd6lZY/VYcWtXg_OZI/AAAAAAAABtw/3gMyiYWGUn4/s1600/almostThere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNivHKd6lZY/VYcWtXg_OZI/AAAAAAAABtw/3gMyiYWGUn4/s320/almostThere.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The empty roadway heading to <br />
Nicaraguan immigration.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The driver turned his head toward us, pointing out the front
window. “Los Chiles,” he said cheerfully. Ahead we could see several uniformed
people – white shirts, navy pants – Nicaraguan immigration. The driver stopped
the mini-bus. “Los Chiles,” he said again. The young probable son helped us out
of the mini-bus next to a large, gravel-covered clearing. Rebar stood at one
meter intervals in the gravel, construction soldiers awaiting orders. Most
likely the eventual home of Nicaraguan immigration.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We turned and waved to the mini-bus driver and began walking
toward a distant Costa Rican flag. Closer, a Nicaraguan flag flapped in the
breeze. Another resort sign hastily tacked to a new, seemingly empty hexagonal
building. Possibly a future restaurant. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Behind the hexagonal building, many
Nicaraguan immigration officers with not a lot to do. They ushered us toward a
table. Customs. Filled out the form, then another for immigration and were
directed to a window. An obvious trainee, another officer at her side, took our
passports. I handed her one of my US $20s. She handed it back. She pointed to a
miniscule tear at the top of the bill, shaking her head. Her supervisor looked
on approvingly. I peeled off another $20, this one crisp and perfect. She
accepted it and gave me change. This, too, reminded me of Russia, where U.S.
dollars were happily accepted – as long as they were brand new and perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wondered, what if the $20 with the tiny tear had been the
only cash I had? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Walking
Across No-Man’s Land</span></span></b></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Large orange plastic road barriers rimmed the Nicaraguan side
of the bridge. We walked toward the Costa Rican side. I forgot to look down to
see if we were really crossing a river. We made it over to another set of large
orange plastic road barriers and the Costa Rican flag. Home! </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Customs was set up
at a few long tables under a temporary-looking roof. They took our forms and
glanced briefly at my backpack and our snack bag before pointing us across the
road to a series of cream-colored metal buildings, that looked like they’d been
shipping containers in a former life. We could see a large parking lot behind
the triple row of buildings. I wondered if that might be public parking for
people crossing, but I forgot to ask. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the end of the rows of buildings was a ramada with wooden
benches. Clerks sat behind three windows. We went to Window 1 and discovered that it was
for people leaving Costa Rica. So was Window 2. At Window 3 the clerk took our
forms and passports. Paul pointed to a sign next to the window. Immigration
closed at 4. It was 3:57. What would we have done if immigration had been
closed? We’d already “checked out” of Nicaragua. There was no air-conditioned
waiting room in the no-mans-land between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Our timing
was a little too close for comfort – but we’d made it. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’d been resting my head on Window 3 while the clerk ran our
passports, watching him stamp and then very carefully write -90- into the visa
stamp. We were good for another 90 days! When I straightened up to take back
the passport, I saw that I’d sweated onto Window 3 and my sweat was now slowly
dripping down toward the ledge. Good thing they were closing in a few minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back to the
Correct Los Chiles</span></span></b></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A large, modern bus was parked on the road next to a “Los
Chiles 6 km” sign. The bus driver stood outside and greeted us. He pointed to
his watch “Quince.” Fifteen minutes. He made it clear that it was too
“caliente” to wait in the bus, so we went back to the ramada and sat down to
wait there.<u> <o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T062kauMuC4/VYcWyoW41ZI/AAAAAAAABuQ/hDjIhTQX7hE/s1600/layingSod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T062kauMuC4/VYcWyoW41ZI/AAAAAAAABuQ/hDjIhTQX7hE/s320/layingSod.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Workers laying sod at the new Costa Rican immigration facility.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E500azJD8-A/VYcWzwJHJtI/AAAAAAAABuY/1P68yz-46kU/s1600/losChilesBus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E500azJD8-A/VYcWzwJHJtI/AAAAAAAABuY/1P68yz-46kU/s320/losChilesBus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A welcomed sight - the bus to Los Chiles (Costa Rica!!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At 4:15 we headed back to the bus. No sign of the driver. We
sat on the brand new curb and watched workers lay sod on the brand new front
lawn of the brand new immigration facility. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">This is going to be a pretty nice
set-up when they complete it. At 4:25 the bus </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">driver came and we boarded with a
handful of other folks. In about five minutes, he pulled into the tiny Los
Chiles terminal about four blocks away from where we’d parked the car.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I Get to
Drive First</span></span></b></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This would be our first time not staying over in Los Chiles
for the night. We grabbed a few cold ginger ales from the local grocery store
and headed out. I chose to drive from Los Chiles to Ciudad Quesada, about 60
miles (99 km) south. Our car was due for repairs in a few days and one of the
things that needed repairing was the windshield washer pump. On the drive up to
Los Chiles the day before, the dirt had built up so much on the windshield that
we had to stop and pour some of our precious thermos water on it so we could
see out again. But now there was a sometimes-light/sometimes-heavy rain that
kept the windshield relatively clean. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Driving in the rain as dusk falls is not my favorite thing to
do, but I thought that the 20 more miles that I had volunteered to do would
more than make up for Paul’s leg of the trip on the treacherous road through
the cloud forest. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By the time we were within about five miles of Ciudad
Quesada, night had fallen and the rain was coming down heavily. The
shoulderless road climbing up the mountain into town was black and slick, with
no center line, no side line and no reflectors. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was white-knuckling it,
flicking my high beams off and on as massive 18-wheelers seemed to be coming directly
at me from the other direction. As we got a little closer to town, we finally
fell behind a line of cars and I could follow their brake lights. Paul said,
“If the car in front of you goes over the cliff to the right, bear left.” <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We reminisced that in our past travels in the U.S., whenever
Marilyn took the wheel, the weather would turn bad – sleet, rain or ice – or
the paved road would suddenly turn into a cow path; and then when it was Paul’s turn to drive, everything
would clear up. It was a family joke, but it was true. He apologized to me that
I once again was at the wheel for a very difficult and dangerous leg of the
trip. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“But <i>you</i> still have
the cloud forest to look forward to,” I said – cheerfully … but through tightly
clenched jaws. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The
Cloudless Cloud Forest</b></span></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a pit stop at McDonald’s (we had initially planned to
stop at a terrific Italian restaurant we’d discovered on our last trip –- Italianissimo -- but we were too tired), Paul took over the driving. This was
the part of the trip we’d really dreaded – the part that kept most people in
Los Chiles overnight. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The road heading south from Ciudad Quesada through Zarcero
and onto Naranjo was narrow, windy, hilly and usually full of truck traffic
that kept all but the most intemperate of drivers crawling behind them. And of
course it was a cloud forest – thick mist floated over the hills, making
visibility even during the day problematic. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But on this night … the road was clear. Clear of traffic,
clear of rain, clear of mist. Not even a random lunatic motorcycle driver
trying to pass on a curve. Newly painted yellow center lines were dotted with
bright reflectors. Sharp white side lines also had reflectors. Paul kept
commenting on this: “Wow, isn’t this amazing! What a pleasant drive! This is a
piece of cake!” <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Every now and then, my stony silence got to him. “Oh, I’m
sorry,” he’d say. “Once again, I got the easy part of the drive." Of
course, his sympathy for me was of the <i><span style="background: white;">Schadenfreude</span></i><span style="background: white;"> sort – he was sorry for me but glad that
he hadn’t been at the wheel during the hair-raising part of our trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before we knew it, we were in
Naranjo. After that, Sarchi and 5 kilometers to home. It was 8:30 p.m. We’d
made it. I made a quick call to our friends with the house keys to let them
know they wouldn’t have to do any emergency animal feeding. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">By 8:45 p.m. we were at our
gate. Joyful dog barks and a happy horse whinny greeted us. In the house, the
kitties were looking at their little kitty watches and complaining that we were
five hours late in giving them supper. We fed the animals, knocked down some
Tylenol against our aching joints, and fell into bed, ready for a 90-day rest. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-36998263817526285032014-12-31T10:46:00.001-08:002014-12-31T10:46:51.577-08:00<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="338" title="Click Here to donate!" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="258"><param name="movie" value="//funds.gofundme.com/Widgetflex.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="flashvars" value="page=es8q1o&template=0" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="//funds.gofundme.com/Widgetflex.swf" quality="high" flashVars="page=es8q1o&template=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="258" height="338"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-46073389048262967932014-07-12T14:40:00.000-07:002015-12-26T07:58:03.687-08:00Reflections on a Visa Run - Los Chiles to San Carlos by Boat by Paul<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>NOTE: </b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> The shuttle boat part of this article is now out of date. The new bridge at Las Tablillas that opened on May 2, 2015 has meant lots of changes. Our June 22, 2015 post (above) documents some of these changes. Also check out <a href="http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/05/01/new-costa-rica-nicaragua-border-crossing-to-open-this-weekend" target="_blank">this Tico Times article</a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Several gringos have written about driving up to Los Chiles near the Nicaraguan border to renew their visas (For very precise details – with photos – check out </span><a href="http://www.quepasagrecia.com/images/articles/Nicaragua_visarun.pdf" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Irina Just's</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> excellent article,). We have little to add about the mechanics of the trip, except for a few DOs and DON’Ts. But we were touched by a number of observations about the terrain and cultures of these two countries which we would like to share. </span><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, let’s get our DO/ DON’T list out of the way first:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">DO bring dollars (for Nicaragua) and colones (for Costa Rica – although they also take dollars).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">DON’T walk away from the ATM with only 20 dollar bills. Few establishments (government or otherwise) have change, and it can be a problem. Have some ones, fives and tens. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">DON’T get too many (or any) cordobas if you are planning to come right back. Nicaraguan money is the cordoba. You can get them and use them in Nicaragua, however everyone we encountered seemed to like dollars just fine. Bringing back unspent cordobas is a nuisance, since nobody else wants them (that is, until your next visa run to Nicaragua). We brought $100 US, and that covered all our expenses: hotel overnight, all tickets and fees, and food. Oh yes, gas was extra -- we used ¾ of a tank round trip from Grecia.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">DO bring some munchies with you for the boat ride, since they do not stick to schedules.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">DO bring some toilet paper and and some kind of moist towelettes, just to be safe.</span></li>
</ol>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p>A Peaceful Drive North</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We passed through the beautiful mountain town of Zacero. We took it slowly and watched the mountain terrain gradually flatten out into farm fields and marshlands. We reached our destination near the Nicaraguan border in about three and a half hours.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Los Chiles at the Costa Rican border is small river town with brightly painted Tico bungalows, shops and a soccer field in the center of town. After turning left off the main road, you end up at the river, in probably less than a kilometer. Here, excursion boats are tied up in the shallows where green pastures gradually disappear in the muddy water. Cows graze and relax in the shade at water’s edge. This is <i>their</i> home. Our arrival interests them not in the least. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07YS5QaW_hQ/U8Gez4unnBI/AAAAAAAABaY/sq20tlfs_t8/s1600/RiverCows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07YS5QaW_hQ/U8Gez4unnBI/AAAAAAAABaY/sq20tlfs_t8/s1600/RiverCows.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh cows of Los Chiles</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We parked in front of the Hotel Wilson Tulipan about two blocks from the cement dock and half a block from immigration. The spacious dining room is open to the street. White tablecloths and a long bar make this an inviting possibility for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visitors to the Los Chiles area who insist on first class accommodations can find them – and pay for them. (Marriot is $180 per night.) However, we came to Costa Rica to avoid spending that kind of money and to avoid the contradiction of traveling to a new country only to search for the most "American" accommodations. (Why not simply stay in the US and save the airfare? There you can have breakfast at Denny’s and dinner at TGIF! Yum!) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_zYCBbhTKN8/U8GiEpfK6aI/AAAAAAAABbU/gtJ7Hc2e_Zo/s1600/hotel-cabinas-carolina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_zYCBbhTKN8/U8GiEpfK6aI/AAAAAAAABbU/gtJ7Hc2e_Zo/s1600/hotel-cabinas-carolina.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real bargain, clean, cozy and welcomed A/C!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a rainy on-again/off again day, and the moment I got out of the car, my glasses </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">fogged up. The high humidity is a factor here. In fact, the only negative review we found for the conveniently located Hotel Wilson was that the rooms were not air-conditioned. We could not imagine being able to sleep in the humidity we’re unaccustomed to, so we checked into a smaller, cheaper and more rudimentary hotel – but one with A/C – a couple of blocks away, Hotel Carolina. (NOTE: <i>we just learned from a reader that Hotel Wilson does have A/C now. So we'll give them a try next time.</i>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvsIm40Q-Eg/U8Ge0i2khGI/AAAAAAAABa8/1RgQx9Dci1A/s1600/portLosChiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvsIm40Q-Eg/U8Ge0i2khGI/AAAAAAAABa8/1RgQx9Dci1A/s1600/portLosChiles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked right past this building on the way to the dock. <br />
We were supposed to stop and pay 600 colones (about $1.25 each) <br />
as some kind of boat tax. We had to run back as the boat <br />
was boarding to pay the tax.</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lack of Convenience<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In many small ways it was evident to me that the consumer has little in the way of voice or choice. In our case, we were the consumers. After dropping our stuff off at the hotel, we headed over to the immigration office. Inside the little white building it was dark. A single overhead light bulb provided what light there was for the entire lobby area. A woman pushed two forms under the glass for us to fill out. There was a small bench but no table and too dark to see anyway. She handed us a nice turquoise felt-tip that Marilyn considered keeping (but she returned it). We walked over to a closed-off staircase and leaned on the railing to fill out the form by the light of the sole window. I noticed a bathroom down the hall, and went in. No lock on the door, no toilet seat, no toilet paper, no light bulb. Luckily, this was sufficient for a pee, but nothing else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We bought our boat tickets from a man at the door, who added our names to a list. They were $14 (one way) each. He told us the boat would leave in 30 minutes – 12:30 p.m. We walked down to the dock where about 20 people were already waiting on benches under an ancient ramada. The concrete was badly eroded. Crumbly cement steps descended steeply down to the water line with treads that couldn’t have been more than six inches wide. There was no railing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hypoglycemia <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We<span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span> checked our watches. It was one p.m. By my reckoning, the 12:30 boat was late. I’m not a stickler for being on time, but I began to feel physically uncomfortable in a way that was all too familiar to me: shaky and weak with a taste of iron filings in my mouth. I am hypoglycemic, and my blood sugar level was dropping. My McDonald's breakfast was no longer sustaining me. We had planned to have lunch when we arrived in Nicaragua; however, now that the boat was late with no sign of getting going, I was beginning to worry.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAo8q5WWy1o/U8Ge0l-lPrI/AAAAAAAABbE/7aMN1fjqCMY/s1600/waitingfortheBoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAo8q5WWy1o/U8Ge0l-lPrI/AAAAAAAABbE/7aMN1fjqCMY/s1600/waitingfortheBoat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's 1:15 p.m. and we're waiting to board <br />
the 12:30 boat to San Carlos.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I told Marilyn to wait, and I walked back to the car to grab some snacks. Even before I unlocked the door, I realized that we had left our snack food into the hotel room -- too far to go back to. I checked my wallet. I had three mil in colones. I stepped into the restaurant at the Hotel Wilson and asked the woman at the bar if they had any snack food I could get to go. The concept of “to go” was tough to explain, so I told her <i>Quiero comer algun en el barco </i>(I want some food to eat on the boat.) I’m sure it was the crudest Spanish she had ever heard but she got it. She handed me a menu. I told her “T<i>engo solo cinco minutes.”</i> (I only have five minutes.) She pointed to the top item on the appetizer menu: Mexican rice and beans for 2,500 colones. It was in my hands in two minutes: a flimsy plastic container over-filled with steaming hot shredded beef salsa and a foil covered paper plate with the rice, beans and tortillas.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was raining lightly but steadily by now as I hurried down to dock. People were beginning to board the fiberglass excursion boat like refugees escaping for their lives. As I guessed, making it down those steep steps with no hand railing was perilous. Everybody worked together. Some strong steady guys remained on the dock to help less steady passengers make it down the wet cement steps; while the guys on the deck reached out and grabbed their hands. Marilyn and I gladly accepted their help. I was the second oldest person on the boat; a tiny, frail woman who might have been 80 made it down safely thanks to the help of other passengers. <i>Gracias, gracias</i> she said over and over. What if you are in a wheel chair? I wondered. Wheelchair? Why the hell would a person in a wheel chair want to go to Nicaragua? These were American thoughts, and I kept them to myself.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was badly encumbered by the food I had bought. Still shaky from starvation, I fit myself into the narrow fiber glass seat next to Marilyn. We passed my “to go” food back and forth as we put on our required life jackets. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I started to open my food. My salsa and beef container was made of plastic so thin that when I popped off the cover, it bent in the middle, and I poured the hot shredded beef and salsa onto my shirt and pants. My orange life jacket was dripping with orange sauce (at least it matched). The string of epithets which normally would have passed my lips did not. Maybe I didn't want the other passengers (mostly Nicaraguans) to think all Americans had my colorful command of the English language.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With Marilyn’s help, I was able to start eating the food. It was not very good, but my goal was to bring the level of sauce down to the point where I would stop slopping it onto my lap every time the boat hit a ripple. It also quieted my shaky hands, and I began to relax.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGVP-AXamG4/U8Gex1hg5mI/AAAAAAAABbM/aKqdu7Fgaa0/s1600/BoatSelfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGVP-AXamG4/U8Gex1hg5mI/AAAAAAAABbM/aKqdu7Fgaa0/s1600/BoatSelfie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-food Paul -- happy again.</td></tr>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Boat Trip</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Johnson outboard whined steadily as we cut through the glassy surface of the river. The first 15 minutes or so of the ride was vaguely claustrophobic, as heavy plastic curtains kept out the pelting rain and limited our view to the inside of the boat. But as we continued upstream, the rain subsided, and the driver and his helper raised the curtains. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Water fowl watched from the steep clay river banks, some of them taking off and flying alongside the boat. Here and there little shanties with rickety docks and skiffs appeared round the bend. But it was the tropical forest that predominated; huge plantain and banana trees, palms and towering deciduous trees whose branches must have reached a hundred feet above the canopy.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTNwl8Pnt_w/U8GeyhAKfyI/AAAAAAAABaI/siKNDuYx7EE/s1600/LifeAlongRioFrio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vTNwl8Pnt_w/U8GeyhAKfyI/AAAAAAAABaI/siKNDuYx7EE/s1600/LifeAlongRioFrio.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life on the Rio Frio</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5Xg3EqDfb0/U8GeyxYFJHI/AAAAAAAABaU/AKHpNamVoxI/s1600/LifeAlongRioFrio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5Xg3EqDfb0/U8GeyxYFJHI/AAAAAAAABaU/AKHpNamVoxI/s1600/LifeAlongRioFrio2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry on the Rio Frio</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The hum of the outboard lulled me into dream land. I had watched </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Apocalypse No</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">w earlier in the week and was beginning to feel like Martin Sheen. Suddenly, the hum of the outboard dropped an octave and my eyes popped open. We were now gliding through the water as the engine idled. The captain’s assistant, a pretty young Tico woman, stepped up onto bow and removed the Costa Rican flag, unfurled the Nicaraguan flag and mounted it on the bow. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn6II9-5hCU/U8Gex4tSpcI/AAAAAAAABaE/SLZCxd-1324/s1600/ChangingFlag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn6II9-5hCU/U8Gex4tSpcI/AAAAAAAABaE/SLZCxd-1324/s1600/ChangingFlag.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting up the Nicaraguan flag</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We approached a steep clay bank where three Nicaraguan soldiers in camo uniforms watched us. The assistant told me to put my video camera away. No photographs of the soldiers. Got it. Behind the soldiers was their small outpost, also painted in camo colors. I saw no weapons. We bumped into the bank, and one of the soldiers jumped down onto the deck. “<i>Hola, hola</i>,” he said as he made his way to the back of the boat scanning the passengers and their luggage, apparently looking for anyone with an eye patch and a parrot on his shoulder. I tried to cover the salsa stains on my shirt with my camera case, but I think I saw his nostrils twitch as he passed me.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FF2ymf95-KM/U8GezUfLfeI/AAAAAAAABac/-c1KJKqhbcU/s1600/RioFrioExcursionBoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FF2ymf95-KM/U8GezUfLfeI/AAAAAAAABac/-c1KJKqhbcU/s1600/RioFrioExcursionBoat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many tour boats on the Rio Frio.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a cursory inspection at best, and in a couple of minutes, he was back on shore and we were off again. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The glassy surface of the water was deceptive. Only where the dead branches of fallen trees jutted up through the surface could you see how fast the water was moving. At other points, little whirlpools revealed obstacles just beneath the surface. I trusted that our pilot knew where these were because he forged ahead full throttle.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The river soon opened up into Lake Nicaragua, an enormous body of water whose opposite shore was out of sight, a hundred miles distant to the north. We hugged the shore on the right, and in a few minutes the colorful buildings of San Carlos came into view.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">San Carlos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndUMb8Ml8wk/U8GezI4SApI/AAAAAAAABa0/OvWNmjuVTcI/s1600/Nica1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndUMb8Ml8wk/U8GezI4SApI/AAAAAAAABa0/OvWNmjuVTcI/s1600/Nica1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to San Carlos</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The immigration reception building had been freshly painted bright blue. At the top of the second story, large letters welcomed us: </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bienvenidos. </i><span lang="ES-CR" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another banner below that read: <i>Nicaragua- La alegria de viver in paz</i>. <i>Cristiana, Solidarita, <span class="st">Socialista</span></i> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Nicaragua: The Joy of Living in Peace. Christianity, Solidarity, Socialist). Our boat pulled up against a dock cushioned by tires roped to the pylons. A husky man reached down with a beefy arm to help pull passengers up onto the dock. This was necessary because the deck of the boat was a good three feet below the dock, and there were no stairs. Again, as in Los Chiles, passengers helped each other disembark without complaint. This was obviously normal procedure in the Land of Few Expectations. My disbelief was my own personal problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We filled out another form and chatted with a handsome young immigration officer. We had to wait as he let most of the other passengers go ahead of us. He explained in Spanish that only one window had a scanner for our new U.S. passports. I felt that we were comprehending maybe 15 percent of what he was saying. We asked <i>cuanto cuesta?</i> (How much does it cost?) We thought he said <i>dos</i>. Two dollars. Pretty cheap we thought. Minutes later the official at the window told us it was <i>doce</i>, or twelve. As former ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers we had a good laugh. Language comprehension begins with listening, after all. Newborn babies have no idea that they are Chinese or French or Egyptian or Costa Rican. They just listen and watch until it finally they say their first word. We are still Spanish-language babies.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We exited the building onto a narrow, cobbled street bustling with activity. We only had about 45 minutes until our boat would set sail for the return trip, so we couldn’t do much exploring. Despite the beef and salsa I had spilled on my shirt and shorts, enough had gotten into my stomach that I wasn't hungry. But Marilyn was. We found a nice little outdoor café by a little park at water’s edge. We were the only people there. We told the owner <i>no tenemos<b> </b>mucho tiempo</i> (we don’t have much time) so he suggested the chicken. I had a beer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Marilyn asked if they had a <span class="hps">baño. He replied of course and indicated a doorway. When Marilyn came out minutes later, she sat quietly, pouring water from her thermos onto her fingers and drying them with napkins. “It's baño-ish," she said. "No toilet seat, no sink. There is a bowl of grayish water to rinse off your hands." She continued with a soft chuckle, "I got excited because I thought there was a basket of moist towelettes on the back of the toilet, but they turned out to be condom lubricant.” <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="hps"><br />
</span> "The chicken, however, is delicious." </span><br />
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<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We reboarded our boat at the dock, again with passengers helping other passengers. You had to sit on the dock and then drop down onto the deck. I thought of how a little step unit built of 2 x 6 lumber could enhance “the joy of a life in peace.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="hps">I contemplated the great revolutions of history. They use grand words. Take the French Revolution. </span><span class="st"><span lang="ES-CR">Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité! Or here in Daniel Ortega’s Nicaragua:<i> </i></span></span><i><span lang="ES-CR">La alegria de viver in paz. </span>Cristiana, Solidarita, <span class="st">Socialismus</span></i><span class="st">. Okay, but how about a little edit: <i>Nicaragua: The joy of life in peace. Toilet seats, a sink in the bathroom and steps at the dock.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp4BLZGVkg8/U8GezdAV_jI/AAAAAAAABao/_BcvdvVsQb4/s1600/Nica2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp4BLZGVkg8/U8GezdAV_jI/AAAAAAAABao/_BcvdvVsQb4/s1600/Nica2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Restaurant at the dock -- great chicken -- not great ba<span style="text-align: start;">ñ</span>o.</span></h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="st">We arrived back in Los Chiles in less than an hour, this time docking at a different concrete staircase. This was the happening place in town for all teenaged boys. They slouched around on their bikes, joking and laughing. One guy even dove into the muddy water. They watched as we climbed the stairs to a large tin-roofed structure where a card table was being set up. We lined up and produced our passports for one official. Another official glanced at Marilyn’s backpack. All was in order. No guns, no drugs, no endangered species.</span></span></div>
</div>
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<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We hiked back up the street to immigration to have our passports stamped, and we were officially welcomed to Costa Rica for another 90 days.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We ate dinner </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">on the patio of</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> our hotel. The rustic tables and stools are cross sections cut from the trunks of giant trees. It was picturesque, but my tired body would have preferred a chair with a back. We both ordered fish, which was excellent, but the rough ambiance of the place made me wish we had spent a little more and eaten at the Hotel Wilson. At least they had chairs with backs and white tablecloths. If we ever take friends to Los Chiles, we will take them to Hotel Wilson. </span><br />
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next morning we paid our hotel bill. Twenty dollars (US) for a clean room with two beds, freshly remodeled bathroom, AC, a TV and breakfast. Half as much as Hotel Wilson. To my eye, this was good. Competition in Ticoland.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Heading Home</b></span><br />
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were looking forward to stopping in Zarcero on the way back to have lunch and take some pictures. Unfortunately, it was drizzly and rainy all the way. We slowed to a crawl as we passed through heavy fog at high altitude. One of Costa Rica's famous cloud forests, it is eerily wonderful to behold. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Zarcero, it was 60 degrees, drizzly and windy to boot. We ate chicken at a soda and watched the World Cup (try to find a TV in any establishment that was NOT tuned to the World Cup – you would’t). Across the street were the delightful topiary gardens in front of the <i>Iglesia de San Rafael. </i>We wandered through the leafy sculptures to the doors of the sanctuary, which were open. We stepped inside. Quietly we took it all in. The intricately painted ceiling of the nave, the altar rising impressively up several steps to a crucifix, and a single woman kneeling in prayer. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here, as in Grecia, the doors to the sanctuary are always open. Even though I, a minister’s son, am not a religious person, I am moved by the church’s commitment to provide a safe place, a sanctuary, for prayer and reflection.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By 2 p.m. we were back home where our happy dogs greeted us with jumps and licks. Things settled down in a few minutes and we all cuddled together on the sofa. I thought how lucky we are to be able to live in this country. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="hps" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I thought of those lost souls on Expat Exchange who do nothing but complain about prices, roads, theft and the inability to get a good steak in Costa Rica. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Lost indeed. We are not lost here. <span style="font-size: 11pt;">We </span></span></span>are found.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-43682973884082588202014-06-09T15:23:00.001-07:002014-06-09T16:26:16.381-07:00THE MILKMAN by Marilyn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mdwrDwVIr04/UzBXYlrUM3I/AAAAAAAABKA/yyfsb7rkQic/s1600/milkTruck_milkman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mdwrDwVIr04/UzBXYlrUM3I/AAAAAAAABKA/yyfsb7rkQic/s1600/milkTruck_milkman.jpg" height="491" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The milkman. Not "my" milkman.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzWXQXyqfCA/UzBXYr_pM-I/AAAAAAAABJ8/2BFdc7SVtSQ/s1600/UHP_milk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzWXQXyqfCA/UzBXYr_pM-I/AAAAAAAABJ8/2BFdc7SVtSQ/s1600/UHP_milk.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultra-pasteurized, shelf-stable milk. Missing all the happy enzymes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
So I’ve been researching raw milk
and I’ve determined that making my yogurt from raw milk is a much better idea*.
The only whole milk I’ve been able to find locally has been the ultra-high-pasteurized
(UHP) kind in the “shelf-stable” packaging. Since UHP milk is heated to 280
degrees, which apparently kills all the good bacteria too. And good bacteria is
needed for making the most nutritious yogurt. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I live in the middle of farming community. Dairy cows
sometimes take detours through my front yard. How hard would it be to find
fresh local milk? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My neighbor Irina was getting fresh milk and sour cream from
her housekeeper. Maybe the housekeeper had extra to sell. I checked. No, in
fact, the housekeeper’s cow is pregnant, so no more milk from that source for
the next three months.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was missing my yogurt. I’d decided that I wasn’t going to
make any more with the UHP milk. For more than a week, that meant eating my
homemade granola dry. Crunch, crunch, crunch – very crunchy! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Irina suggested I check with my intrepid landlady Jenny.
Jenny, who is related to most of the Ticos on our mountain, has been incredibly
helpful with everything we’ve needed. And her father raises cows. I e-mailed
Jenny. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJL0SwH1rnI/UzBXZPGjlSI/AAAAAAAABKI/_I1aejMynLs/s1600/milk_Box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJL0SwH1rnI/UzBXZPGjlSI/AAAAAAAABKI/_I1aejMynLs/s1600/milk_Box.JPG" height="146" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The milk box from the 1950s <br />
that sat on our back steps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She said that the milkman drove up the mountain regularly –
but not necessarily on a regular schedule. Milkman!! Images of the sparkling
white panel truck that pulled up to our house in the 1950s floated in my head.
Twice a week, the milkman</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y5tiIFMxMaQ/UzBXZWwYIXI/AAAAAAAABKU/kWKwy5KYIkc/s1600/milk_bottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y5tiIFMxMaQ/UzBXZWwYIXI/AAAAAAAABKU/kWKwy5KYIkc/s1600/milk_bottles.jpg" height="180" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: center;">I had fond memories of milk delivered<br />
n glass bottles to our doorstep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
delivered glass bottles of milk and cream to a
galvanized steel milk box on our back steps. When we finished the milk, the
empties would go back in the box for pick-up. It was a great system. I couldn’t
wait to get started.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jenny said that the next time she saw the milkman, she’d
stop him and ask him to go to our house. Living on a side road, we don’t get “Upe!”-d
(oo-pey’) very often. “Upe!” is the call that vendors make as they stand
outside your gate or door. It is short for Guadalupe, which is short for Our
Lady of Guadalupe, who apparently is the patron saint of door-to-door
salespeople. Who knew?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Only once, when we were hiking up the mountain and actually
had some colones on us, were we able to take advantage of one of the vendors
who was selling potatoes and tomatoes from the back of his truck. So I was
looking forward to having the milkman “upe” me from our driveway at some
undifferentiated time in the relatively near future.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b>The Milkman Cometh</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But a few days ago, as I was driving home from Grecia, I saw
a small Toyota pickup stopped along the road. The back of the pick-up was
packed with stainless steel canisters. Could this be the elusive milkman? I
pulled over and this guy walked up to my car window. “Tiene leche?” I asked. “Si,”
he replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kV351GF9ONM/UzBXZ8MZOzI/AAAAAAAABKY/Plw-Hef5m_I/s1600/CR_milkman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kV351GF9ONM/UzBXZ8MZOzI/AAAAAAAABKY/Plw-Hef5m_I/s1600/CR_milkman.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's not "my" milkman, but you get the idea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then he asked me if I had any containers which of course I
didn’t. What was amazing about this part of our conversation is that he was
speaking Spanish and I was understanding it. “Questo?” I asked. “Mil dos por dos litres,” he replied. “Dos litres,” I said. I was getting raw milk. Yippee!! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b>My Mom Is Rolling Over in Her Grave</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The milkman then got out two baggies. He opened the first
baggie, sticking his hand into it to separate the sides. I tried not to think
of where his hands had been. From somewhere in the truck he produced a ladle
and opened one of the canisters. He ladled milk into the baggie that he’d set
on a scale, then deftly tied the bag and repeated the process. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I attempted to focus on the fact that he had a full truckload
of canisters and that he probably sold milk this way on a daily basis and most
likely the majority of his customers were still alive. I tried to keep the
distant dire warnings of my mom out of my head; she was pretty nuts about
sanitation in all forms. But then I remembered that my favorite thing to do for
most of my life was rebel against my mom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The milkman brought over the two filled bags and I paid him.
He made change with the same hands that had touched the inside of my milk baggies,
so I figured he’d been making change with those hands all morning. Still, I had
my raw milk and I was going to make yogurt with it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Making My Yogurt</b><br />
<br />
When I brought the baggies into the house, one of them began
leaking, so I quickly stuck them in a ziplock bag and put them in the
fridge. I’d make my yogurt in the morning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next morning, Paul went into the kitchen to make coffee.
“Honey,” he called out to me. “Do you know why the kitchen floor is all wet?” “Maybe
I dropped an ice cube earlier,” I said. “No, this is more than one ice cube.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have white tile on our floors, so it was hard to see that
what was leaking out of the fridge was my raw milk. I hadn’t zipped the ziplock
zippy enough and it had tipped. Milk was pouring out. I grabbed the bag and
Paul handed me a bowl. I was able to rescue about half of the leaky bag. Time
to start my yogurt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
One thing very interesting about
making raw milk vs. pasteurized yogurt is how much you heat the milk. It almost
sounds counterintuitive. Raw milk is only heated to 110° to preserve the
beneficial enzymes and bacteria but pasteurized milk has to be heated to 181°
because there are no more beneficial enzymes left to protect the milk from
nasty bacteria. This is not the most scientific explanation, I know, but you
get the idea (if you want a much more comprehensive explanation, this is the best website: <a href="http://www.culturesforhealth.com/" target="_blank">culturesforhealth.com</a>).
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
I heated the milk (what was left of it) to 110° and then
added a bit of it to the two tablespoons of yogurt I’d kept from my last batch.
After the saved yogurt was incorporated into about a cup of warmed milk, I
added that cup to the rest of the milk, and dumped it all into my crockpot,
which I’d turned on to the “warm” setting about an hour before. I unplugged the
crockpot, wrapped it in two beach towels and left it alone for about 10 hours.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zloprSdx4tA/U5YwNfwk8LI/AAAAAAAABW0/JMsVhMwrS70/s1600/warmingTowels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zloprSdx4tA/U5YwNfwk8LI/AAAAAAAABW0/JMsVhMwrS70/s1600/warmingTowels.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two large beach towels wrapped around the crock pot <br />
keep the fermenting milk at the right temperature.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmfMTPC7EfQ/U5YwNBS1FlI/AAAAAAAABWs/otTYheJCBhI/s1600/Yogurt_Whey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmfMTPC7EfQ/U5YwNBS1FlI/AAAAAAAABWs/otTYheJCBhI/s1600/Yogurt_Whey.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a>That evening, I unswaddled the crockpot and lifted the lid.
It was yogurt! Much runnier than the UHP yogurt I’ve been making (I was expecting
that from my research), but that just means more whey to use in my sourdough
bread and sauerkraut. After straining and chilling I had my first batch of raw
milk yogurt. It was delicious. My granola was happy to be pared with it. I ate it for breakfast four days in a row and I stayed healthy (probably healthy-er!!) <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
I should have told the milkman where I lived, so he’d come
down my hill and “Upe” us whenever he irregularly sold milk. At home I’ll have
a container to provide – no more leaky baggies. It’s not the sanitized version
of the milkman I’d remembered in my childhood, but, hey, this is Costa Rica.
Pura Vida!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<b>Another Raw Milk Source</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
One of my neighbors told me that there's a dairy vendor at the feria -- a regular source of raw milk. I couldn't wait until Friday! I brought a thermos with me just in case. Didn't want another leaky plastic bag. I got to the feria when it opened at noon. Some of the vendors were still setting up. I visited my favorite fruit and veggie vendors, bought some seafood and headed down to the milk booth. Darn! The booth was still covered with a tarp, and there was no truck backed up to the site. I had other things to do, so I couldn't hang around and wait. No raw milk yogurt this week.<br />
<br />
The next week I was busy on Friday and couldn't get to the feria until Saturday afternoon. On Saturdays the feria closes at 2, and I was cutting it close, so I rushed down to the dairy guy first. Darn! He was cleaning his empty refrigerator case; not a drop of milk in sight.<br />
<br />
At one of the cheese vendors I bought a bottle of plain yogurt. It was terrific. If I wasn't on such a do-it-yourself kick, I'd probably just keep buying yogurt from these folks. But I love the alchemy of having milk turn into delicious yogurt right in my own kitchen. So I knew I would keep trying. I hadn't seen the milkman on our hill in weeks, so I'd have to keep looking for the dairy vendor at the feria.<br />
<br />
On my third try, I hit pay dirt (probably not the best metaphor for a dairy product). Leche entero? Si. Dos literos por favor. Oh, and I also picked up two baggies of sour cream -- and it's the thick, pale yellow tart kind that I used to get at my grandma's when I was a kid. I was so happy.<br />
<br />
I've just made a batch of yogurt from my new source of raw milk. It is wonderful. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znTO2ZTNJpo/U5YwNcX8HBI/AAAAAAAABWw/Yb6iC57pAgY/s1600/happyGranola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znTO2ZTNJpo/U5YwNcX8HBI/AAAAAAAABWw/Yb6iC57pAgY/s1600/happyGranola.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy homemade granola topped with nutritious raw milk yogurt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My granola is going to be thrilled.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*<a href="http://www.realmilk.com/safety/fresh-unprocessed-raw-whole-milk/" target="_blank">realmilk.com</a> . NOTE: <i>you can find just as many, if not more, websites devoted to the “dangers” of consuming unpasteurized milk – but how many are sponsored by factory dairies? I’m choosing to focus on the benefits.</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-44379823614209744932014-06-02T06:33:00.000-07:002014-06-02T06:33:48.124-07:00COSTA RICA 101: THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS by Marilyn<div class="MsoNormal">
I had several errands to run in downtown Grecia. I found a
parking place on a side street and parallel parked with the help of a Watchiman
(or Guachiman or <span style="background: white; color: #444444;">Cuidacarro</span>)
one of many mostly older gentlemen who guard your car while you’re shopping.
Watchimen, wearing official-looking Day-Glo vests, work for tips. (Realtor Ivo
Henfling wrote a comprehensive article about <span style="background: #F0F0F0; color: #4d4d4d; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Los Guachimanes</span><span style="background: #F0F0F0; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><a href="http://godutchrealty.com/blog/parking-your-car-in-costa-rica.html">click
here</a>.) The first two times I’d parked, I’d thought they worked for the city
and I didn’t tip them. I know better now and have begun tipping between 500 and
1000 colones ($1-2), depending on how long I’m going to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9XWnp1Ki74/U4x6hNcHwXI/AAAAAAAABVk/XNgDn_pUKiE/s1600/Guachiman3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9XWnp1Ki74/U4x6hNcHwXI/AAAAAAAABVk/XNgDn_pUKiE/s1600/Guachiman3.jpg" height="264" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchiman from Ivo's Blog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After about an hour of walking around town, loaded down with
two large shopping bags, I returned to my car, only to find a flat tire. Before
I even opened the way-back, I knew I wouldn’t find the lug nut wrench.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(A few months ago, we
took our artist friend/neighbor and his monoprinting equipment down to the art
festival in San Jose. Right before we arrived at the festival, he slapped his
forehead. “I forgot the handle!” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Mi esposo Paul, always
one to think on his feet, said, “You should be able to use our lug nut wrench.”
He was right. The wrench made a perfect handle and our friend was able to do
his demos. He promised to return the wrench once he got back to Grecia the next
day. He didn’t. And we forgot to remind him.)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the car’s way-back, not only was there no wrench, the
jack was missing too. Then I thought back to a noise I’d heard several weeks
earlier. I’d fallen asleep reading in bed and was partially awakened by what
sounded like a car door opening and shutting outside of the bedroom window. The
next morning, I asked Paul, “Did you open the car door sometime last night?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No,” he said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, I was sure I heard the car door open and close. I
must have dreamed it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We didn’t think to check the car. We are really terrible
about locking the car door; we rarely locked our cars in any of the places we
lived in the states, so we never developed that habit. And because where we
live now is basically a dead-end rural road, it didn’t seem that critical. But
we’d heard that a few of our neighbors on the main road had had their jacks
stolen recently. Apparently we had too.<i> (Note to future thieves: we now lock our car -- mostly -- and we almost always take the keys out of the front door when we go to bed. So if you come to steal our new jack and the car is locked and the keys aren't in the front door, try again tomorrow.)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now I was facing a flat tire with nothing available to
fix it. The Watchiman seemed to think that a teenager who lived on the same
street might be able to help. He couldn’t. So the Watchiman and the teenager
and I walked a down the block to a lumber shop. The lumber guy couldn’t help
either. A young man pulled up in Toyota Corolla. The Watchiman explained my
dilemma. “I think I have a jack,” he said. In English. My day was looking up.
Currently my Spanish works best at the butcher shop or the farmer’s market. I’ve
focused my studies on grocery shopping, not car repairing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Toyota Corolla guy dug around in his trunk and pulled out a
Toyota Corolla-sized jack. We walked back to my vehicle, a Subaru Forester SUV.
Toyota Corolla guy pumped the little jack all the way up. About four inches
remained between the top of the jack and the bottom of the car. The jack was
just too small. Moments later, the Toyota Corolla guy flagged down another guy
in a shiny red Suzuki SUV. The Suzuki guy, who wore an official Municipalidad
de Grecia shirt, had a much more substantial jack and it worked. Soon Toyota
Corolla guy (whose name was David) was jacking up my car. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hated to play the part of “helpless female” but all I
could do was sit on the stoop of a small restaurant and watch. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Suzuki guy stood on the sidewalk with the Watchiman.
They watched. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The teenager who lived on the block watched. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Various neighbor-ladies watched. From a polite distance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David removed the nuts on the tire. He tugged at the tire. It
wouldn’t come off. He whacked the tire with the Corolla jack and it finally loosened.
David rolled the flat tire over to me, pointing to a large nail head in the
treads. “Well, that’s your problem,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are my guardian angel,” I said, all helpless female. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David picked up my spare and tried to line it up with the
bolts. The car wasn’t jacked up high enough for the spare. The jack was pumped
to its limit. So David sent the teenager down to the lumber shop for a block of
wood. The teenager came back and David lowered the car and slipped the block of
wood on the jack, re-jacking the car up. He tried to line up the spare on the
bolts again. Still too low. He sent the teenager back to the lumber shop for
more wood. The teenager came back with a meter-long piece of 2x4 with big nails
sticking out of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David looked at me and shook his head. “Don’t cry,” he said,
peering up at the ever-darkening sky, “the rain hasn’t arrived yet.” It being
the rainy season and it being the afternoon when the rains typically came. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Waving the nail-studded 2x4 in the air, David spoke to the
teenager in rapid Spanish that I couldn’t parse but figured it had something to
do with the inappropriateness of the 2x4. The teenager took the 2x4 and headed
back to the lumber shop. He returned with several chunks of wood of various
thicknesses. David smiled. He turned to me, “Don’t cry,” he said for the second
time. “This is going to work.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDrdINL9thk/U4x6swNxcpI/AAAAAAAABVo/kN40Lfndet8/s1600/JackingTireCartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDrdINL9thk/U4x6swNxcpI/AAAAAAAABVo/kN40Lfndet8/s1600/JackingTireCartoon.jpg" height="221" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had no intention of crying. But I was grateful that
someone who wasn’t me was handling all of this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David slid the spare under the car and then stacked up the
chunks of wood on the jack and began pumping. The parts of the jack handle that were supposed to connect to make the handle long enough were smashed in, so he couldn’t put them together. To get the proper leverage,
he had to push the handle down with his foot and then pull it up with his
hands. Slow going. Just as the car finally seemed high enough, the blocks
slipped and the car came crashing down. Fortunately, the spare tucked under the
frame kept the car from crashing to the street. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By now about 25 minutes had passed. David’s cell phone rang.
He answered it and spoke again in rapid Spanish that I was unable to catch. He
smiled at me, “If we’re lucky, the rain will come soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I moaned. “That’s
supposed to be funny, right?” I said. He brushed the grit off his knees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My jeans are dirty,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lo siento,” I said. I’m sorry. “When you’re finished I’ll
buy you a cervesa,” I said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not necessary. Today you; tomorrow me,” said David. He
smiled warmly. Very Pura Vida of him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An older man showed up, cigarette dangling from his lower
lip. Without speaking, he took the little Toyota Corolla jack, grabbed a stack
of wood blocks and slid everything under the back of the car. He laid down on
the asphalt and carefully placed his lit cigarette on the ground next to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now all I could think about was: there is a lit cigarette
smoldering beneath my gas tank. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The little jack had a crank handle. Cigarette guy had to
manipulate the crank handle from his position on the ground. It was very
awkward. While he was doing that, David began re-pumping the larger jack. So now
there were two guys pumping my car higher and higher. And one lit cigarette
under the gas tank. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With both jacks holding the car up, David rolled the spare
over again. This time it aligned perfectly with the bolts. “Not raining yet,”
he said, turning to me with a grin. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cigarette guy slid out from under the car, picking up the
remainder of his smoke and replacing it on his lower lip. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gracias, muchas gracias,” I said. He nodded almost
imperceptibly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the spare on, the guys picked up their various tools
and wood blocks. I gave David a hug and slipped a 20 mil note into his hand.
“Cervesas para todos,” I said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Forty-five minutes,” he said. He looked up at the sky. “No
rain yet. Now,” he said, “drive very carefully and get your tire fixed right
away.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thanked all the guys again and got into the car. I pulled
away, blowing kisses to my guardian angels as the first big plops of rain hit
my windshield. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-44266773263239290542014-05-28T17:03:00.004-07:002014-05-28T17:07:47.125-07:00APRIL EXPENSES – HAVEN’T HIT THE MARK YET by Marilyn<br />
<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-table-anchor-vertical: margin; mso-table-left: left; mso-table-lspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-rspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-top: 63.6pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 328px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="185"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">CATEGORY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">AMOUNT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Groceries/Household<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">551.72<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Rent/Utilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">1021.75<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Transportation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">198.56<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Doctors/Dentist/Meds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">250.22<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Dogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">80.25<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Entertainment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">35.63<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background: white; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Trips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">0.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Workshop/Garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">3.82<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Furniture/Fixtures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">36.56<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Exercise/Fitness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">40.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .4in; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Misc.* (Passport Renewal)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">220.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .4in; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">APRIL 2014 TOTAL </span></b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">$2,438.51</span></b><b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 3.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td colspan="2" style="border: none; height: 3.4pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 196.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="328"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m finally getting around to posting our April expenses.
I’ll be blogging about the reason I am so late (it has to do with a spider)
soon, so be on the lookout for my tale of woe. I was really hoping for a first $2,000 month,
but it was not to be. Some of the highlights:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because we rarely go out to eat and I love to cook, our
Groceries/Household expenses of more than $500 this month include items we
don’t <i>need</i>, but we’re going to
continue to buy as long as we feel we can afford them. Some of those items (that
we get at PriceSmart) are huge quantities of pecans, chocolate chips, and
grated Parmesan. They last 2-3 months (pecans and chocolate chips live in the
freezer), still, at about $18-20 each, I wince a little when I toss them into
the shopping cart. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our Doctors/Dentist/Meds category is similar to March, at $250.
In April, Paul’s health was a contributing factor with a torn meniscus in his
knee. His injury started us thinking about how really vulnerable we are
medically (our May expense report will have more details about this). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When he realized that his knee pain was not something
temporary, Paul got an ultrasound ($25) recommended by the physical therapist
($25) at our doctor’s office. After reviewing his ultrasound, the therapist thought
he should see an orthopedic surgeon (approximately $110 for a consultation). He
hasn’t done that yet. We decided to research treatments for torn menisci first.
There have been several positive studies citing exercise as a viable treatment,
so Paul has joined a gym ($25/month) and is working with a trainer familiar
with his issue. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our doctor wants him to get another ultrasound next month.
If there’s no improvement, then Paul will get the orthopedic consultation. At
that point, we may have to face the fact that he’ll need arthroscopic surgery.
If you’ve read our previous posts, you’re aware that we have not yet gotten our
pensionado, which will eventually give us access to Costa Rica’s government
health program (CAJA). So if Paul needs surgery sooner rather than later, we
have two options: 1) Medicare. Paul has maintained his Medicare in the U.S. so
he’d have the option to go to the U.S. for something serious. His Medicare is
80/20, so whatever the surgery cost would be, we’d have to pay 20 percent. And
of course, there’s the airfare and other expenses associated with going back to
the states. 2) Private health facility in Costa Rica. One of the highest rated
hospitals in Costa Rica, Hospital Clinica Biblica, will arrange monthly
payments after an initial deposit. Either way, we’ll be looking at thousands of
dollars on our fixed income. Not pretty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This has been a wake-up call for us to get going on our
pensionado, so we’ve finally started the paperwork with our attorney. One of
the things we had to do first was renew our passports – that’s the $220
miscellaneous expense this month. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0FWdYP2Kvk/U4Z4qGH0jAI/AAAAAAAABVM/KqMMWrMaldQ/s1600/MissionEndTable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S0FWdYP2Kvk/U4Z4qGH0jAI/AAAAAAAABVM/KqMMWrMaldQ/s1600/MissionEndTable.jpg" height="320" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the end table that Paul built -- total cost $36.56. <br />
And the chair was free from friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, some good news. We had been using shipping boxes
for end tables for the past eight months. But in April, Paul bought some nice
laurel wood and made a lovely Mission-style end table – final cost for
materials -- $36.56. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Folks who’ve lived in Costa Rica for several years have
noted how much the cost of living has risen in the past few years. I’m
beginning to wonder if we can really ever hit our $2,000 monthly goal, but I am
still determined to stick with it. Once we’ve been here a year (October 2014),
I’ll re-evaluate. But I won’t be giving up my pecans. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-79663101170967654962014-04-24T13:05:00.000-07:002014-04-25T16:24:15.694-07:00MARCH 2014 EXPENSES – NICARAGUA BORDER RUN by Marilyn<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-table-anchor-vertical: margin; mso-table-left: left; mso-table-lspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-rspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-top: 63.6pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 328px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">CATEGORY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">AMOUNT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Groceries/Household<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">416.12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Rent/Utilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">946.14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Transportation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">143.46<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Doctors/Dentist/Meds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">250.41<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Dogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">59.88<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Entertainment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">86.65<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background: yellow; border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Trips*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: yellow; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">782.05<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Workshop/Garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">143.03<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Furniture/Fixtures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">0.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Exercise/Fitness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">43.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .4in; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Misc.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">95.78<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .4in; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">March 2014 TOTAL </span></b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">$2,966.52</span></b><b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 3.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td colspan="2" style="border: none; height: 3.4pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 196.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="328"><table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-table-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-table-left: left; mso-table-lspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-overlap: never; mso-table-rspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-top: 16.0pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 330px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td colspan="2" style="background: yellow; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.75in;" width="330"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">*March Visa Run to
Nicaragua</span></b><b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Bus tickets to/from Nicaragua<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$72.92<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Transportation in Nicaragua (taxis/shuttle to border)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">95.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">CR buses <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">8.08<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Meals/Snacks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">149.70<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">House Sitter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">80.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Hotel <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">298.35<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Customs/Border Fees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">40.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Misc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">30.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .4in; mso-yfti-irow: 9; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 112.5pt;" width="188"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">March 2014 Visa Run TOTAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .4in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #2c3c43; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">782.05<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without going to
Nicaragua this month, we would have just missed our $2,000/month goal, spending
$2,184.47. Last month was $2,248.21. Should I change the goal to $2,200? I
really don’t want to – I do think that once we get our pensionado, our medical
expenses (mostly mine) should decrease enough to keep us below $2,000. So I’m
going to hang onto the $2,000 goal for now and see what happens in the coming
months. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But … until we get our pensionado (which we still haven’t begun
working on), we will have to leave Costa Rica every 90 days for 72 hours. (<b>UPDATE:</b> S<i>everal folks have shared information with me since I posted this, explaining that the 72-hour requirement has to do with customs, not immigration. I appreciate their taking the time to explain this, and we'll happily use that information to take a much shorter trip next time.</i>)And even after we get a cedula number, which means that we’re “in process” we will continue
to have to cross the border to recertify our U.S. drivers’ licenses (not the
72-hour requirement), but we’ll most likely follow the lead of our neighbors,
Jim and Irina Just -- <a href="http://www.quepasagrecia.com/images/articles/Nicaragua_visarun.pdf" target="_blank">A Different Kind of Trip to Nicaragua ...</a>, who have ferried to Nicaragua
for lunch and come right back. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We learned lots of lessons on this, our first trip to
Nicaragua. In total, our trip cost us nearly $800, pretty pricey (for us) for a
4-day trip. To get the complete picture of this trip, check out the three-part “Busing It from Costa Rica to Nicaragua” articles on our blog. After reviewing what we spent our money on, there are definitely a few things we could have done to cut down on these trip expenses: picked a cheaper hotel (downtown San Juan Del Sur has several modestly priced hotels that are rated okay on Trip Advisor); taken the un-air-conditioned, but much cheaper Deldu bus both ways; spent less on food -- we ate at the hotel restaurant which was delicious, but pricey for Nicaragua. I'm not sure how many of these Visa runs are in our future -- friends who've applied for their residency more than 15 months ago are still waiting. It will be interesting to see how much we're spending every three months or so on these trips. So far January and March haven't been too promising in the "living cheaply" category. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NEW CATEGORY</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve added the category “Exercise/Fitness” to the March
budget. We are trying to be regulars at the twice-a-week yoga, and Paul has
started playing tennis again after a 10-year hiatus. Maybe in future budgets our Exercise/Fitness expenses will help reduce the Doctors/Dentists/Meds category! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-24104830081964121552014-04-18T08:24:00.001-07:002014-04-18T08:41:32.557-07:00BUSING IT FROM COSTA RICA TO NICARAGUA: PART 3, GETTING HOME by Paul and Marilyn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9Vrbx-GwvQ/U1E2TsCpeeI/AAAAAAAABSM/fyOqEf0xtIA/s1600/nica-customs1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9Vrbx-GwvQ/U1E2TsCpeeI/AAAAAAAABSM/fyOqEf0xtIA/s1600/nica-customs1.gif" height="354" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Costa Rican border.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The trip
back to Costa Rica was cheaper but also hotter and more complicated. The cab
picked us up at 8:00 a.m. and drove like hell down to the border. As in Costa
Rica, passing on curves is no problem in Nicaragua. The roads are better – the
road from San Juan Del Sur to the border actually had shoulders, white lines on
the edge and yellow lines down the center. Still, that would be little
consolation if your cab, while passing on the curve, smashed into an
18-wheeler. “I’m so happy I died on the </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">nice</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
road,” you’d say at the first afterlife cocktail party.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The taxi
stopped at the border. There was no town here; simply a series of chain link
fences and low buildings blocking the highway. Under huge tropical trees, people
flowed in all different directions selling sandwiches, trinkets, cold drinks; hucksters
offered to change cordobas back to colones; young men were constantly trying to
grab your luggage and carry it for you. You have to be firm. Our driver pointed
to a break in a chain link fence about a hundred yards ahead and told us to go
through to customs. We wheeled our luggage across the steamy asphalt, until we
saw an official-looking person at a hole in the fence.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We showed
our passports to the official and finally allowed two pleasant, insistent young
men to take our bags to the correct window. They wore some kind of badges that
apparently allowed them to guide hapless tourists through the Nicaraguan
customs building. They showed us how to fill out the forms (here we paid the
clerk behind the desk $1 each – for the privilege of getting into the
building). The guys with the badges then led us to the next window. One of them
told us the inspector at that particular window was a good friend of his would
only charge us $2 each instead of $12. By that time we were pretty much
captives of the badge guys who were hanging onto our luggage, so we followed
them to the “special” window. The clerk behind the window charged us $2 each,
and handed us a receipt that said 3.20 (maybe in cordobas?). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We walked along
more asphalt with our two valets toward Costa Rican customs. One of them asked
me,” You like Costa Rica?” I said I did. He smiled. “La pura vida,” he said. I
replied “mas o meno,” and we had a good laugh. They stopped abruptly and told
us we would have to go on without them. We tipped them and some more for their
friend, the Nicaraguan agent behind the window. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Entering
Costa Rica was mostly a breeze. The line at the customs window was short. We
were a little worried that our passports would be questioned. They expire in
the middle of September, which meant at the end of March we were within six
months of expiration. We’d heard horror stories of entire families being turned
away at the airport in Costa Rica because their passports were too close to
being expired. The day before we left for Nicaragua, one of our friends had advised
us to make the appointment to renew our passports and print out the proof that
we were “in process.” The earliest appointment we could get was mid-April, but
we had the appointment paperwork with us just in case. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But the
customs clerk only asked for proof that we had tickets out of Costa Rica, which
we did – for June 26 – 90 days away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we’ve written previously, until we
finish our residency, we’ll have to leave the country every 90 days. The clerk
stamped Paul’s passport first, writing in “60.” We’d heard this happens –
apparently the customs clerks have total discretion as to how much time they
will give you in country. On a blog we’d recently read that one family of five
had times from 15 to 90 days given them (apparently the clerk was having an “impura
vida” day). Marilyn grabbed Paul’s passport from the clerk, gave her back our
90-day departure ticket and pointed to the date. Without a word, the clerk
crossed out her original stamp, re-stamped the passport and wrote in “90,” then
stamped and wrote “90” on Marilyn’s passport as well. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our next
stop was the luggage scanner and within moments we walked out into the humid
air and faced a happy jumble of human activity. Strolling policemen, families
sitting on the curbs with their luggage (there is no seating anywhere) pedi-cab
operators picking up and dropping off lost-looking travelers, waiting buses
with engines idling, exhaust fumes billowing, people munching on snacks, paper
wrappers and plastic bottles skittering over the road in search of a trash can.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6eXbcbjd2Mg/U1E2T0fNyQI/AAAAAAAABSQ/7gt9JkFmNmk/s1600/nica-customs2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6eXbcbjd2Mg/U1E2T0fNyQI/AAAAAAAABSQ/7gt9JkFmNmk/s1600/nica-customs2.gif" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ticket kiosks - no bus for us!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lined up at
the curb were tiny ticket kiosks for different bus lines. They looked like hot
dog stands. We went to the Ticabus booth, since we had left San Jose on
Ticabus. The girl indicated that we could not get a bus to San Jose from her. She
pointed two hot dog stands down, repeating “roja, “roja” – a red-roofed
building with another tiny ticket booth attached to it. The girl in the tiny
ticket booth shook her head, and directed us inside. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kA26ByAFeo/U1E2ThIUeZI/AAAAAAAABSU/AQ7bpDvCL28/s1600/nica-customs-3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kA26ByAFeo/U1E2ThIUeZI/AAAAAAAABSU/AQ7bpDvCL28/s1600/nica-customs-3.gif" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Deldu bus ticket building.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Behind a
window, a clerk was selling bus tickets and bathroom passes (200 colones).
Confused, we thought this was the place to purchase all tickets, but it was only
for the Deldu bus. The tickets only cost about $9/each, compared to the $27
Ticabus tickets. We still haven’t figured out why couldn’t get a Ticabus or a
Nicabus ticket at the border; we saw people buying tickets, but had no idea
where they were going and why they could get tickets and we couldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2brY6RfIU4E/U1E3pHrTRfI/AAAAAAAABS8/BGx7cta4Wvk/s1600/bathroomDoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2brY6RfIU4E/U1E3pHrTRfI/AAAAAAAABS8/BGx7cta4Wvk/s1600/bathroomDoor.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For 200 colones, you receive a handful of toilet paper and <br />
are buzzed into the very secure restroom; a good idea <br />
since there's no restroom on the Deldu bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We killed an
hour and a half sitting on the curb waiting for our bus. Marilyn went to find
some food while I guarded our luggage. She and another Gringo (a young guy
heading back to the beach) hiked past an endless line of trucks waiting to
cross into Nicaragua. A row of buildings down a deep grade off the side of the
road looked promising, but when they got closer, none of them were food shops. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The guy
scrambled down the embankment to a car rental, scrambling back up with the
news, “There’s a place down there,” he said, pointing farther down the row of
trucks, “but they only sell sodas.” Marilyn explained that sodas are the tiny
restaurants that dot every Costa Rican town and road. Food!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3KgVtzQHkk/U1FAw6qEcII/AAAAAAAABTM/wu6x0w2qqyw/s1600/Deldu_Interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W3KgVtzQHkk/U1FAw6qEcII/AAAAAAAABTM/wu6x0w2qqyw/s1600/Deldu_Interior.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deldu Bus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The soda was
part of a massive truck stop nestled in the trees off the road. Marilyn and her
new pal eventually found the tiny shop and ordered jamon y queso sandwiches (ham
and cheese) and bought some chips and water. The young man sat down to eat his
sandwich immediately, so Marilyn headed back, locating me and our luggage on
the curb.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4k_RlNi5lAo/U1E2S8p3p1I/AAAAAAAABR0/x21H-t01nRA/s1600/GuanacasteCountryside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4k_RlNi5lAo/U1E2S8p3p1I/AAAAAAAABR0/x21H-t01nRA/s1600/GuanacasteCountryside.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: center;">Guanacaste seems to have more horses than people.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon we saw
what must have been our bus (it was the only one with the windows opened). The
interior was exactly the same as the Ticabus, except no restroom. We figured
that Deldu purchases the old Ticabuses and Nicabuses after the A/C and
bathrooms give out, but while the engine still has life left. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PxXVqU1SBzI/U1E3oXbvt5I/AAAAAAAABS0/rLC2P9GhDBM/s1600/DryGuanacaste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PxXVqU1SBzI/U1E3oXbvt5I/AAAAAAAABS0/rLC2P9GhDBM/s1600/DryGuanacaste.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry Guanacaste</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At breakneck
speed with all the windows open the ride back was not as hot as we had feared.
It reminded us both of driving to the beach when we were kids and the only air
conditioning in the family car was wide-open windows. We stopped in little
towns and sometimes roadside bus stops in the country side as we made our way
south through the dusty brown landscape and bare trees of Guanacaste. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tgy_x9Zgic/U1E2Ug1MIII/AAAAAAAABSo/T1idpvWLnZM/s1600/smallTownBusStop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tgy_x9Zgic/U1E2Ug1MIII/AAAAAAAABSo/T1idpvWLnZM/s1600/smallTownBusStop.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many small-town bus stops on the way home. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We arrived
in Liberia, a moderately sized city of Costa Rica, large enough to have its own
airport and nicely paved streets. Clearly there were American expats here; many
signs were in English. By mid- afternoon we began to turn inland on the Pan
American Highway toward mountains and cooler temperatures. The name of this
thoroughfare is a bit of hyperbole; it is in fact a two lane paved road with no
allowance made for the semi-tractor trailers which often creep up the steep
inclines backing up traffic as far as the eye could see. The bus pulled into a
large cafeteria for “viente minutos” so that the passengers could use the
restrooms and purchase food. We bought cooling frosty shakes that were a
welcomed treat. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The cool
breezes at higher elevations were refreshing, and we were soon passing by San
Ramon, a Central Valley town about 45 minutes west of Grecia. Our tickets were
through to San Jose, but the bus would be passing right by Grecia on the way
there. I asked the bus driver if he could stop and let us off in Grecia. At
about 4 pm, he pulled over by the side of the highway and called “Grecia.” We
were still in the countryside at the edge of the Pan American Highway, but got
off. He unloaded our luggage. He then pointed to a bus stand across the
highway. We waited for a break in the traffic and made it across. In about
twenty minutes another bus picked us up and took us to downtown Grecia, where
we got one more bus to take us up the ridge to El Cajon, our little
mountainside barrio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was 6 pm.
We were totally exhausted but oh- so-happy to be home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-15171958714551870072014-04-12T10:49:00.001-07:002014-04-12T10:49:33.750-07:00BUSING IT FROM COSTA RICA TO NICARAGUA: PART 2, BEING THERE by Paul and Marilyn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auZkvWmoUKg/U0lLT1hXcmI/AAAAAAAABOo/eFiz6FHhMPU/s1600/Sunset_ElJardin3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auZkvWmoUKg/U0lLT1hXcmI/AAAAAAAABOo/eFiz6FHhMPU/s1600/Sunset_ElJardin3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the Pacific.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KeV9bs7U1qU/U0l4gE4V3JI/AAAAAAAABRU/Sgrs8zpeHNg/s1600/ElJardin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KeV9bs7U1qU/U0l4gE4V3JI/AAAAAAAABRU/Sgrs8zpeHNg/s1600/ElJardin1.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel El Jardin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QNHqRnyGmo/U0lR0ud0wTI/AAAAAAAABQc/mVALiP_mTUY/s1600/blindmen_elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QNHqRnyGmo/U0lR0ud0wTI/AAAAAAAABQc/mVALiP_mTUY/s1600/blindmen_elephant.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Like the
blind men and the elephant, our reflections on our brief stay in San Juan Del
Sur are limited to a very small slice of what is available. We didn't
experience any of the apparently expansive night life or the adventure sports.
We didn't hang out with the giant Jesus on the hill either. So this post is
less a travelogue and more a reflection.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g528745-d804675-i58609873-El_Jardin-San_Juan_del_Sur_Rivas_Department.html" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" " src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/7e/50/d1/breakfast.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; text-align: start;">This photo of El Jardin is courtesy of TripAdvisor</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At Hotel <a href="http://eljardinhotel.com/" target="_blank">El Jardin</a>, breakfast (included in the room rate) and dinner </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">were served on the
patio, a lovely place to start and end each day with a balmy breeze, Nacascolo
Bay and the blue Pacific in the distance. However, we found to our
disappointment that El Jardin doesn’t have a shuttle van to take guests into
town. Marilyn had checked out so many places on Trip Advisor before deciding on
El Jardin, that she’d confused it with a different hotel that DID offer
shuttles. So if we wanted to get to town, we’d have to call a taxi.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZG-0WIquDMk/U0lTEudFxCI/AAAAAAAABQo/_cXK4DN_nz0/s1600/ElJardin_6am.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZG-0WIquDMk/U0lTEudFxCI/AAAAAAAABQo/_cXK4DN_nz0/s1600/ElJardin_6am.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out on the Nacascolo Bay with the Pacific in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But after
breakfast, on our first day, we decided to walk down to the bay for a swim We had heard that
during the dry season, Guanacaste, the Costa Rica canton just south of the
Pacific Nicaraguan border, is hot and dry, like West Texas. We had seen this
for ourselves on our bus the day before. The trees were bare, the ground
covered with brown leaves. Save for the occasional palm trees, it could have
been October in Delaware. The same was true for this part of Nicaragua. Our
walk down to the beach was hot, 90’s for sure.
And unlike our mountain home in Grecia, where the foliage remains green
year round, the mountains around the hotel were brown and dusty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We also walked to the bay on our second day, but started out a lot later and had to walk back up the hill at high noon </span><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">(For some photos of our swim and hike, check out </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><span id="goog_1411241853"></span>Marilyn’s photo essay</a><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. So on our first day, after cooling off in the lovely El Jardin pool, we decided to take a taxi ($10 – should have negotiated a better price) to go into town for
lunch. The main street of San Juan Del Sur parallels the beach with shoulder to
shoulder thatched-roof restaurants, beer joints, sodas, surf shops and little
hotels, a few of which one might want to consider for an overnight. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2y4K6-y4DE/U0lLUajWFUI/AAAAAAAABPA/OODETNpsYyk/s1600/beach_thatched.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2y4K6-y4DE/U0lLUajWFUI/AAAAAAAABPA/OODETNpsYyk/s1600/beach_thatched.gif" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beachfront restaurants and hotels at San Juan Del Sur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDPOshgiRvg/U0lLWpywXnI/AAAAAAAABPk/R1IHRzAlLKk/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDPOshgiRvg/U0lLWpywXnI/AAAAAAAABPk/R1IHRzAlLKk/s1600/pizza.jpg" height="104" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really good pizza!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnB7PV-Yois/U0l1pnVdBOI/AAAAAAAABRI/aCcaj3y7Z4w/s1600/PizzaView.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rnB7PV-Yois/U0l1pnVdBOI/AAAAAAAABRI/aCcaj3y7Z4w/s1600/PizzaView.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching sand and surf from <br />our table at Pizzaria San Juan del Playa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We wandered
in to an open-air restaurant (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_2061049079"><span id="goog_2061049080"></span>Pizzaria</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"> San Juan del Playa<span id="goog_2061049081"></span></a>) that provided
welcome relief from the blazing sun. We had a brochure-perfect view of the bay –
a few swimmers and many boats. On the advice of a guest back at El Jardin, we
ordered beers and a pepperoni pizza (our first pizza in more than six
months!!). The pizza was so good we immediately ordered another. Since it was
about three in the afternoon, we counted the first pizza as lunch and the second
one as supper. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzgCDR0nm5M/U0lLVfNFctI/AAAAAAAABPg/OwXJBflSqIc/s1600/boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzgCDR0nm5M/U0lLVfNFctI/AAAAAAAABPg/OwXJBflSqIc/s1600/boats.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Fishing boats, San Juan Del Sur<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNKxl5IPYmg/U0lX-tx67JI/AAAAAAAABQ4/hoZEVdDzs8s/s1600/bocce_ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNKxl5IPYmg/U0lX-tx67JI/AAAAAAAABQ4/hoZEVdDzs8s/s1600/bocce_ball.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bocce ball on the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuFwjZQrbAY/U0lLQ0gxoqI/AAAAAAAABN0/JZGZcfNXopI/s1600/Drain_to_Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuFwjZQrbAY/U0lLQ0gxoqI/AAAAAAAABN0/JZGZcfNXopI/s1600/Drain_to_Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After happily
stuffing ourselves, we strolled on the beach at low tide. A group of expats
were playing bocce ball, and a few people were wading in the shallows.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> As we
made our way down the seemingly pristine beach, it was unsettling to see a
drainage ditch or sewer leading from under one of the restaurants out to the
water. This does not appear in the brochures.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VOHFqvmrXZE/U0lLOitp8mI/AAAAAAAABM8/I_OBdzvGeIs/s1600/Candy_MovieStore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuFwjZQrbAY/U0lLQ0gxoqI/AAAAAAAABN0/JZGZcfNXopI/s1600/Drain_to_Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OuFwjZQrbAY/U0lLQ0gxoqI/AAAAAAAABN0/JZGZcfNXopI/s1600/Drain_to_Sea.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umm ... what is draining into the sea from this ditch?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7R8rQH16k9k/U0lLSx0oVMI/AAAAAAAABOY/fUi24sXjkUI/s1600/StreetView.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7R8rQH16k9k/U0lLSx0oVMI/AAAAAAAABOY/fUi24sXjkUI/s1600/StreetView.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street paralleling the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2D39z5dPqr0/U0lLXPPmY7I/AAAAAAAABPw/BdqycEjp0xg/s1600/streetView2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2D39z5dPqr0/U0lLXPPmY7I/AAAAAAAABPw/BdqycEjp0xg/s1600/streetView2.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A block or so off he main drag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wandering in
a block or two from the beach, we were reminded that this is a third world
country and poverty is everywhere. The difference between the touristy beach
row and a few blocks in was striking. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AB_tyS__3cE/U0lLPzlli9I/AAAAAAAABNc/RD2DLOmtC3s/s1600/ClapboardHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AB_tyS__3cE/U0lLPzlli9I/AAAAAAAABNc/RD2DLOmtC3s/s1600/ClapboardHouse.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several charming clapboard houses in the tourist area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking for a market to pick up some
fresh fruit, we found our way to a mercado that can only be described as
squalid. A single light bulb cast shadows over piles of half-rotten bananas and
shriveled vegetables. Unlike Costa Rica, there were no Holas! Or Buenas Tardes!
for the Gringos. No smiles. Groups of people and naked children chatted with
each other in the dark as if we were invisible. We left fruitless, buying a few
bags of chips from a snack vendor. When Marilyn picked up the bags of chips
from the shelf, several cockroaches scurried for cover. It says a lot about how
much I knew I would need Doritos later that I bought them anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3s0jH8JTWk/U0lLSvQilBI/AAAAAAAABOc/NcKwaG2lEgg/s1600/FuneralProcession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3s0jH8JTWk/U0lLSvQilBI/AAAAAAAABOc/NcKwaG2lEgg/s1600/FuneralProcession.jpg" height="400" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funeral procession.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Outside it
was easily 95 degrees, and people were sitting and lying on the sidewalks in
the shade to get away from the heat. With no room on the narrow sidewalks, we walked
in the street. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon we were crowded off the street as well, as a funeral
procession passed by. The lead vehicle was a white pickup truck carrying the
flower-covered coffin. Contemporary music blared from the truck, so the
deceased was probably relatively young. A second pickup, overflowing with
flowers, followed, then at least a hundred solemn people on foot passed by.
Some bystanders watched quietly, respectfully; others continued to drink their
beers and tend to the minutiae of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ys-zWWYKf0/U0lLQ_R_MwI/AAAAAAAABNw/sGWmz2uJzGg/s1600/ChurchExterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ys-zWWYKf0/U0lLQ_R_MwI/AAAAAAAABNw/sGWmz2uJzGg/s1600/ChurchExterior.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iglesia San Juan Bautista</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We continued
through the town, heading for the town square and the church. Like Costa Rican
churches, this one faced west and was the center of San Juan Del Sur. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWdXFMiHdzw/U0lLPB3kk6I/AAAAAAAABNI/_5jWnw91534/s1600/ChurchInterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWdXFMiHdzw/U0lLPB3kk6I/AAAAAAAABNI/_5jWnw91534/s1600/ChurchInterior.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden interior Iglesia San Juan Bautista</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XavoPIKbYik/U0lLPlwnXNI/AAAAAAAABNU/gbb9y1iBkJM/s1600/ChurchInterior3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XavoPIKbYik/U0lLPlwnXNI/AAAAAAAABNU/gbb9y1iBkJM/s1600/ChurchInterior3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome breezes from the church's open windows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The church
was a wonder to behold. Massive wooden trusses tied together with intricate
joinery held the walls and the roof in place. All the doors and windows were
open. A few votive candles burned by the altar. We sat quietly as faint sea
breezes played over our heated bodies. A parish priest chatted genially with
two women. Another woman, gnarled and bent, keened loudly as she rocked to and
fro in a pew several rows in front of us. She was obviously a regular, because
neither the priest nor the women gave her any notice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjzx6oAomD4/U0lLSenbIrI/AAAAAAAABOE/Hiprs0Ja7Ew/s1600/Gulls_wading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6qz7-rQycg/U0lLV4PWoSI/AAAAAAAABPU/131qe6DOuNg/s1600/gulls_flying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because our
budget wasn’t going to allow us to do any tours (including what looked like an
incredible sunset <a href="http://ranchochilamate.com/" target="_blank">horseback ride</a> on the beach), we decided there was nothing much more for us to do in the town. Before returning to El Jardin, we arranged our return to the border
at a hotel. Rather than going back to Rivas to pick up a bus, the
shuttle from the downtown hotel would be dropping us right at the border so
that we could go through customs on our own without waiting for a busload of
people to be checked through. The $45 fee included picking us up after breakfast at El Jardin. We’d read that there were bus kiosks right at the
Costa Rican border, so it seemed like it would be easy to arrange for a bus
ba</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ck home. More on that in the next chapter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vn0ksAAL3UU/U0lLSTjIywI/AAAAAAAABOI/TNkOA97SZsc/s1600/MysteryFruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vn0ksAAL3UU/U0lLSTjIywI/AAAAAAAABOI/TNkOA97SZsc/s1600/MysteryFruit.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmWO_hkwNFg/U0lLW9r1nTI/AAAAAAAABPs/vSnEkTA4x0c/s1600/rowOfGulls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmWO_hkwNFg/U0lLW9r1nTI/AAAAAAAABPs/vSnEkTA4x0c/s1600/rowOfGulls.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjzx6oAomD4/U0lLSenbIrI/AAAAAAAABOE/Hiprs0Ja7Ew/s1600/Gulls_wading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjzx6oAomD4/U0lLSenbIrI/AAAAAAAABOE/Hiprs0Ja7Ew/s1600/Gulls_wading.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6qz7-rQycg/U0lLV4PWoSI/AAAAAAAABPU/131qe6DOuNg/s1600/gulls_flying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6qz7-rQycg/U0lLV4PWoSI/AAAAAAAABPU/131qe6DOuNg/s1600/gulls_flying.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Marilyn
posts our March expenses, she’ll have a breakdown of all of our costs for this
trip. But for our one day in San Juan Del Sur, we spent $25 on our two (delicious)
pizzas and beers and $20 for the round-trip back and forth from El Jardin
(after we returned to the hotel, we talked to another couple who’d negotiated
$6 one-way for the taxi – obviously, we could have done better). Oh, and about $4.00 for two bags of Doritos and two Snickers bars. These would come in handy the next day. After our swim in the bay and our hot hike up the hill, we were too tired to go into town to eat. And dinner service didn't start until 6:30. After carefully inspecting our snacks to make sure they were free of "visitors" we ate our hearty lunch of chips and chocolate. <b>Next:
The return home</b>. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YnOn69mvXM/U0lLOlQKwDI/AAAAAAAABNA/liiPHhUwlLQ/s1600/BeachButt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1YnOn69mvXM/U0lLOlQKwDI/AAAAAAAABNA/liiPHhUwlLQ/s1600/BeachButt.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-57464502718788490012014-04-06T09:07:00.001-07:002014-04-06T12:54:48.979-07:00BUSING IT FROM COSTA RICA TO NICARAGUA: PART 1, GETTING THERE by Paul<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hu1-XVlm-iI/U0Fzl28wi8I/AAAAAAAABMI/rrBC2IfDorg/s1600/Paul_TicaBus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hu1-XVlm-iI/U0Fzl28wi8I/AAAAAAAABMI/rrBC2IfDorg/s1600/Paul_TicaBus.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on TicaBus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Until
Marilyn and I obtain our residency in Costa Rica, we need to leave the country
every three months. So, at the end of March, we decided to travel north to San
Juan del Sur in Nicaragua for a 4-day stay at El Jardin, a beautiful hotel looking
out on the Pacific Ocean.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQKpWPGrzRw/U0Fzl-ssGHI/AAAAAAAABMA/FySjlkLhZo4/s1600/Bandit_moviePoster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQKpWPGrzRw/U0Fzl-ssGHI/AAAAAAAABMA/FySjlkLhZo4/s1600/Bandit_moviePoster.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I must have watched too many<br />
"bandito" movies in my youth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since moving
to Costa Rica in October of 2013, I have replaced my old Hollywood engendered,
stereotyped images of Central America with real-life experience. No mustachioed
campesinos in white pajamas swinging machetes, no chickens on the dirt runway
at the airport, no desperados with belts of ammo over their chests and wide
missing-tooth smiles. At least, not here in Costa Rica. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i4sge5-MP-k/U0FzmVFDpWI/AAAAAAAABMc/VuzygAjlFvQ/s1600/bandits_from_past.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i4sge5-MP-k/U0FzmVFDpWI/AAAAAAAABMc/VuzygAjlFvQ/s1600/bandits_from_past.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my mind, these guys would be "greeting" us at the Nicaraguan border.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, now I was
facing Nicaragua. In the back of my mind roosted images of Daniel Ortega and
the Sandinistas, Ollie North and the Contras, and crooked officials in uniform
demanding bribes at the border. In reality, neither Ollie nor Daniel was at the
border and nobody demanded a bribe. We now know what to expect when taking the
bus to Nicaragua, plus we observed some interesting cultural, economic and
climate differences between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Marilyn had
ordered the bus tickets several months ago as proof that we would be leaving
Costa Rica 90 days after we returned to it in January. Tickets were $27.00 for
each of us. To get to the Nicaragua-bound bus, we took a 10 a.m. local bus from
Grecia down to San Jose and arrived an hour later. Cabs were waiting at the bus
stop, and for one mil ($2.00), our driver took us to the Ticabus station, five
minutes away. We hung out for an hour and a half and then boarded our luxury
Ticabus for the trip north. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The interior
was clean, spacious and air conditioned. Comfortable seats offered plenty of
leg room and reclined far enough to make it possible to actually fall asleep.
And there was a bathroom on board, though there was no toilet paper. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am always
worried about being hungry on a long trip, so we brought sandwiches from home
and bought extra bottles of water at the bus station. I’m glad we did. We did
not stop for food during the four hour ride to the border. At one point the bus
stopped to pick up a man on the side of the road who had a cooler of empanadas
and drinks. He moved down the center
aisle to sell his wares, however, most people had thought to bring food with
them. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sitting
across from us was a young Nicaraguan family – two parents and their three kids.
The oldest child was probably five, the youngest, two. During the entire trip,
the children were serene and peaceful, playing quietly or napping. We’ve
noticed that for the most part children here overall seem more well-behaved
than kids we’ve experienced in public places in the states. No tantrums in
grocery aisles, no hyperactivity. Marilyn thinks it has something to do with
the fact that they’re not fed junk food and high-fructose corn syrup; I think
it has something to do with not being overstimulated by TV, video games and an
over-abundance of toys. Maybe we’re both close to the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LH-Zn-rjRk/U0Fzl70fj_I/AAAAAAAABME/ahCRYPGILfs/s1600/Lovely_family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LH-Zn-rjRk/U0Fzl70fj_I/AAAAAAAABME/ahCRYPGILfs/s1600/Lovely_family.jpg" height="400" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">/This lovely and peaceful family were our bus-mates to the border.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was late
afternoon when we arrived at the border crossing. Workers, their faces covered with flimsy cloth masks against toxic fumes, sprayed the underside of the bus with pesticides. Despite
the air conditioning, faint fumes still wafted through the bus’s interior. I
don’t think any thin face covering could protect those guys from eight hours
a day of spraying. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While still
on the bus, we filled out customs forms which were collected by an official along with our $14/each entry fee (important note: bring your entry fee in dollars -- not colones). Then
we left our luggage behind and entered a building where a woman behind a Plexiglas
window took our passports and asked a few perfunctory questions. After hanging
around outside for about a half an hour, we reboarded. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With the
Costa Rican check point behind us, we drove a hundred yards through no-man’s
land to a large cinder block warehouse with a loading dock at one end. Twilight
was upon us. Another official boarded the bus and collected all our passports.
Turning over one’s passport in Nicaragua is slightly stomach-churning. I wondered if we would ever see our passports
again. (I pictured waiting in a filthy cell while my siblings argued over
whether they should pay the ransom.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVxxV4DFJKg/U0FzmjaXrZI/AAAAAAAABMU/_7Mh5Zqnl6M/s1600/waiting_for_passports.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVxxV4DFJKg/U0FzmjaXrZI/AAAAAAAABMU/_7Mh5Zqnl6M/s1600/waiting_for_passports.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Nicaraguan border. Waiting to for our passports<br />
so we can reboard the bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We got off
and waited by the side of the bus. In the now nearly-dark parking lot, peddlers
worked the crowd – offering sandwiches, soft drinks, ice cream, Cordobas
(Nicaraguan money) to exchange for Colones (Costa Rican money), and phone
cards. Meanwhile, the driver, flashlight in hand, pulled out luggage from the
bus storage compartment, matching bags with their owners. I imagined how much
more challenging this would be in another month after the rainy season
starts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We dragged
our bags up some crumbling concrete steps to the loading dock and waited again.
A dozen rough wooden tables were lined up. A single light bulb dangled over the last
table where the inspection of luggage was apparently taking place. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After some
20 minutes, the line had not moved. The fumes from idling bus engines wafted
toward us as Nicaraguan officials combed through the engine compartment and
luggage areas of the bus -- presumably looking for drugs. Then, as everyone in line shuffled from one
foot to the other in the non-moving line, an official walked down the row of
passengers, collected our customs forms and told us to return to the bus. No luggage
inspection, no questions, nada. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We hauled
our bags back down to wait by the side of the bus. I chatted with a backpacker
from Detroit while Marilyn hung out on the steps with an amiable old hippy, scrawny
and bearded, bandana on his head and a beer can in hand. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An official
appeared with a bundle of passports and by the light of his flashlight read off
the names of passengers in his thick Spanish accent. Luckily, Marilyn and I
recognized our names and we took back our passports and reboarded the bus (Sibs
can stop worrying about ransom issues). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Though we
had paid the fare all the way to Managua (three hours north of the border), we got
off on the side of the road in a little town called Rivas, closer to San Juan
Del Sur. A cab was at the ready. The driver threw our stuff in the trunk and
for thirty US dollars agreed to drive us to our hotel (apparently we could have
negotiated the price, but it was almost 8 p.m. and we were tired and hungry). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Our driver apparently a frustrated
tour guide,wanted to take us on detours to see Lake Nicaragua and
the beach at San Juan Del Sur before driving us to the hotel. “</span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Solamente queremos
comer y dormir,” I protested. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g528745-d804675-i23494972-El_Jardin-San_Juan_del_Sur_Rivas_Department.html"><img alt=" " src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/66/81/3c/san-juan-del-sur.jpg" /></a><br />
This photo of El Jardin is courtesy of TripAdvisor</div>
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He veered
north up the coast a bit and then turned onto a rutted, dirt road up a steep
hill. At the top was our hotel, </span><span style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"> </span><a href="http://www.eljardinhotel.com/" style="font-size: 15.555556297302246px;" target="_blank">El Jardin</a>,<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> a beautiful multi-colored stucco
compound of patios and porches surrounding a clear pool that rippled in the warm
breeze. On the patio by candle light under the jet black velvet sky, thick with
constellations, we ordered dinner and two Nicaraguan beers (Toña). It was 8:15
p.m., 11 hours after we’d left our house back in Grecia. <b>Next: Impressions of San Juan Del Sur.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g528745-d804675-i65157623-El_Jardin-San_Juan_del_Sur_Rivas_Department.html"><img alt=" " src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/e2/39/f7/el-jardin.jpg" /></a><br />This photo of El Jardin is courtesy of TripAdvisor</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-46290346265003471202014-04-01T08:13:00.000-07:002014-04-01T08:25:54.574-07:00A DAY IN NICARAGUA: HIKE TO THE BEACH by Marilyn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lzLJoUEVt5o/UzradYg26gI/AAAAAAAABLk/Ju2uRJcWhu4/s1600/cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lzLJoUEVt5o/UzradYg26gI/AAAAAAAABLk/Ju2uRJcWhu4/s1600/cove.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
We went to Nicaragua for our 2nd 90 day border run. Paul is writing another entry about the rest of our adventures. This is just a photo essay about going to a beautiful, isolated beach. Our hotel,<a href="http://eljardinhotel.com/" target="_blank"> El Jardin</a>, sat above the Playa Nacascolo, the cove just north of San Juan Del Sur.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyCgC5nERtmn6S2mq1ryUip7HI3QztuxWtzRlfU0TdOTEOewlE31UY9aXta1KUKGsPU2-_7RuDGDRrJk3xrjg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-60234976357400112472014-03-26T00:16:00.001-07:002014-03-26T00:18:22.311-07:00HORSE PARADE IN GRECIA by Paul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RF7wA3sOJPM/UzJ-ZOlDtmI/AAAAAAAABK0/XF79yCm4Mro/s1600/DSCF3199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RF7wA3sOJPM/UzJ-ZOlDtmI/AAAAAAAABK0/XF79yCm4Mro/s1600/DSCF3199.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
We went to our first Tope last December. These horse parades are held in just about every town and city in Costa Rica.<br />
Click on the link below to watch the video:<br />
<h2>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6pfH2XrNSM" target="_blank"><b>Grecia Tope</b></a></h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-7449810857243929142014-03-15T08:55:00.000-07:002014-03-15T10:36:44.475-07:00MY COSTA RICAN GARDEN JOURNAL: Note to Self: Find Blight-Resistant Tomatoes by Marilyn<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehc1juPHZOw/UyR4wj_T1wI/AAAAAAAABIA/xqhmEHykUJw/s1600/Me_Sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehc1juPHZOw/UyR4wj_T1wI/AAAAAAAABIA/xqhmEHykUJw/s1600/Me_Sunflowers.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in my garden with my first carrots and daily lettuce.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In my last entry, I was mourning the upcoming loss of my
squash plants to cucumber beetles. Although I planted five varieties of squash
(3 summer, 2 winter), the only ones that made it through were the zucchini.
They prospered despite the proliferation of beetles. Probably because they were
the fastest growing they could push past the attack. The other squashes, and
the cucumber and cantaloupe plants, were DOA. I will try floating row covers
next time. I couldn’t bring myself to photograph the total devastation of that
part of the garden. <o:p></o:p></div>
In the other part of the garden, the spinach continues to produce and we
have enough lettuce to eat salads daily. One day I found a recipe for lettuce
braised in butter and garlic – two big bunches became my lunch – a nice
diversion from raw salads. The carrot tops were getting huge, so I did a test
harvest of two of them – the carrots are getting enormous! You can see in the
picture that they have a way to go, but I won’t have to be getting carrots at
the feria for a while. I googled carrot-top recipes because they are so
beautiful, they look so healthy and smell wonderful. I’ll be making this one
from <b><a href="http://vegetariantimes.com/" target="_blank">Vegetarian Times</a></b> soon: <o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDqrZuhwrTE/UyR4zBnZu6I/AAAAAAAABI8/ox-ejqQyjms/s1600/firstCarrots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDqrZuhwrTE/UyR4zBnZu6I/AAAAAAAABI8/ox-ejqQyjms/s1600/firstCarrots.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will be eating the carrots AND the tops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>W<strong>arm Chickpea and Carrot-top
Salad</strong><o:p></o:p></i><br />
<em>Serves 4</em><i><o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i>1 tsp. olive oil<br />
1 tsp. ground cumin<br />
1 medium onion, minced<br />
1 14-oz can chickpeas, drained<br />
1 cup finely chopped carrot greens,<br />
Juice of 1 lemon<br />
Salt, to taste<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i>Heat oil over medium heat. Add cumin,
and sauté 1 minute, or until fragrant. </i><i><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span>Add onion and sauté until golden,
about 2 minutes. </i><i><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span>Add chickpeas and sauté until heated
through and any liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes.</i><i><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span>Remove pan from heat and add carrot
greens. Toss, then transfer to a serving bowl and season with lemon juice and
salt before serving.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And with all my carrot greens, I was happy to find the article, <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/" target="_blank"><b>5 Ways to Eat Carrot Tops</b></a>.<br />
from a great foodie website called TheKitchn.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cornstalks “look” lovely and healthy. But I’m not
holding my breath for that first corn-on-the-cob feast after talking to some
folks who’ve tried growing corn here. It has to do with the light. Here in
Costa Rica, we get 12 hours of sun every day (well, not in the rainy season – I’ll
have to research growing corn then). Apparently, to bring the sugars up to the
kernels, corn needs more dark and less daylight. One friend told me that his
corn grew to about 4 feet and then – nothing. My cornstalks are now about 3
feet high and I’m seeing some tasseling – I will make a full report in my next
garden entry. An aside – when we were here in June-July, Paul and I bought what
looked like delicious, wonderful sweet corn from a guy on the side of the road.
He had huge piles of it. Well, we got home, steamed the corn, got out the
butter and salt and … blech! What were we eating, feed corn? Turns out we were
eating the kind of corn used to make tamales. Live and learn.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
BLIGHT BLUES</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g__ufuOpPM4/UyR4yMQYGfI/AAAAAAAABIg/ecDKw1ZCO2c/s1600/Blight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g__ufuOpPM4/UyR4yMQYGfI/AAAAAAAABIg/ecDKw1ZCO2c/s1600/Blight.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early blight - so sad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, now for the sadness that was my gorgeous,
full-of-blossoms tomato plants. One day they looked great. I thought I was
doing everything right – I garlic-sprayed the white flies within seconds of
discovering them, never got the leaves wet when watering, fed them yummy
chicken poop mulch. But it was not enough. Early blight took over the crop,
seemingly overnight. The plants are still blooming and fruiting, but, as you
can see in the photo, every fruit looks like it was punched in the eye (if
tomatoes had eyes). I googled “can you eat blighted tomatoes?” and some folks
say “yes, just cut off the blight” but I went to the feria instead and bought a
kilo (2.2 lbs.) for $2. I still want to grow my own – I just need to find
blight resistant varieties here in Costa Rica. Since many coffee farmers have now turned to growing tomatoes instead, I should be able to find better seeds at a
nearby agricultural store. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlY9vXTmJfc/UyR4yV-wc2I/AAAAAAAABIo/OvQUmKpjEBA/s1600/TomatoesW-Blight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlY9vXTmJfc/UyR4yV-wc2I/AAAAAAAABIo/OvQUmKpjEBA/s1600/TomatoesW-Blight.jpg" height="294" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many tomatoes, so much blight :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHWHzH_zJRk/UyR4ywYP2wI/AAAAAAAABJM/moarOSgU5c0/s1600/eggplantBlossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHWHzH_zJRk/UyR4ywYP2wI/AAAAAAAABJM/moarOSgU5c0/s1600/eggplantBlossom.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggplant blossoms - I can't wait!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orPzPHYFA74/UyR4xXIqYxI/AAAAAAAABIQ/LjOxNFoY4Ig/s1600/Peppers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orPzPHYFA74/UyR4xXIqYxI/AAAAAAAABIQ/LjOxNFoY4Ig/s1600/Peppers2.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pepper plants were totally destroyed by the dog<br />
knocking them down the hill. So happy they've come back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEIs-nemQGA/UyR4xSUWsHI/AAAAAAAABIU/HOJo6R0eIt8/s1600/Peppers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEIs-nemQGA/UyR4xSUWsHI/AAAAAAAABIU/HOJo6R0eIt8/s1600/Peppers1.jpg" height="320" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First pepper blossom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The peppers and eggplant that I’ve also planted on the patio
seem to be flourishing. They’re starting to blossom and so far nothing is
eating them (knock wood). Eggplant has got to be my absolute favorite veggie
(not counting tomatoes which are officially fruits) and I’ve noticed it’s
hard to find eggplant at the Farmer’s Market, so I can’t wait to begin
harvesting them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LSnx8NUURE/UyR4y9y2LlI/AAAAAAAABIw/BGO10hrIGNc/s1600/basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LSnx8NUURE/UyR4y9y2LlI/AAAAAAAABIw/BGO10hrIGNc/s1600/basil.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basil doing fine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FKzxqXJuEno/UyR4z-H7lAI/AAAAAAAABJU/xEy7pSn-_Tg/s1600/tinyChives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FKzxqXJuEno/UyR4z-H7lAI/AAAAAAAABJU/xEy7pSn-_Tg/s1600/tinyChives.jpg" height="84" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two tiny chive plants - c'mon guys,<br />
you can do it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In our little backyard, I had turned over some soil, added
compost and planted several varieties of herbs. So far, the only herbs that
seem to have made it are basil, one tiny cilantro plant and two even-tinier
chive plants. Once the rainy season starts I will stick in some rosemary sprigs
from my neighbor’s giant plant. I would love to be able to grow oregano, thyme,
and parsley. Maybe I need a greenhouse. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9KBDCo-GzE/UyR4yGaCtJI/AAAAAAAABIk/vWYdgCpLxp8/s1600/SnowPea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N9KBDCo-GzE/UyR4yGaCtJI/AAAAAAAABIk/vWYdgCpLxp8/s1600/SnowPea.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm ... snow peas in paradise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uslTldlpuOE/UyR4zR35UeI/AAAAAAAABJE/BA02zQTmIpY/s1600/loneCilantro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uslTldlpuOE/UyR4zR35UeI/AAAAAAAABJE/BA02zQTmIpY/s1600/loneCilantro.jpg" height="137" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One little cilantro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did plant some snow peas against the fence, despite the
fact that the clue in their name should have discouraged me from trying to grow
a cold crop in the tropics. So far, I’ve harvested enough for a nice lunch –
raw snow peas, minutes from the garden, dipped in homemade honey mustard yogurt
dressing. That was heavenly. They are still blossoming, so maybe I’ll get one
more lunch out of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do love getting lost in gardening, so I’m not giving up,
even though my first attempts in Costa Rica have only been about 50 percent
(maybe 40 percent) successful. I welcome insights and guidance from anyone who’s
happily gardening in Costa Rica (especially in my micro-climate – 4,500 ft. in
the Central Valley).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8LadriTqYfk/UyR4wio6C2I/AAAAAAAABIE/tgkAUCwnleo/s1600/NewLettuce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8LadriTqYfk/UyR4wio6C2I/AAAAAAAABIE/tgkAUCwnleo/s1600/NewLettuce.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of lovely lettuce</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-47124550595857200952014-03-09T12:51:00.001-07:002014-03-09T12:51:17.645-07:00TOUCAN RESCUE RANCH -- NOT JUST FOR THE BIRDS by Paul and Marilyn<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C1k3_a5o5JE/UxnyPWb9N7I/AAAAAAAABG4/rpx-7QDAV3E/s1600/babySloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C1k3_a5o5JE/UxnyPWb9N7I/AAAAAAAABG4/rpx-7QDAV3E/s1600/babySloth.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Two-Toed Sloth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xi2xCMUTR4s/UxnyPMBT_tI/AAAAAAAABHA/pAa7FutfPRQ/s1600/cottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xi2xCMUTR4s/UxnyPMBT_tI/AAAAAAAABHA/pAa7FutfPRQ/s1600/cottage.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&B Cottage on the Grounds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We recently spent a wonderful afternoon at the <a href="http://www.toucanrescueranch.org/" target="_blank">Toucan Rescue Ranch</a> with our friends Mark and Georgi.<br />
<br />
Directors Leslie Howle and Jorge Murillo have created a peaceful sanctuary for injured birds and animals from around Costa Rica. While the goal is rehabilitation and release back into the wild, sometimes that is not possible, and the creatures become permanent residents at the Ranch.<br />
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I'll let Paul's video speak for itself about the tour -- but I do want to mention that if you're visiting Costa Rica's Central Valley you might want to consider booking a night or two at the Ranch's adorable B&B. It's a great opportunity to be introduced to an amazing array of Costa Rican wildlife by some terrific folks who've dedicated their lives to these fascinating creatures.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Here's the link to the video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZfBK0haAb4" target="_blank">Visit to Toucan Rescue Ranch - February 2014</a></b></h3>
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From the Toucan Rescue Ranch website:<br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #6aa843; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 1em 0.5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
THE GOALS OF THE TOUCAN RESCUE RANCH ARE:</h3>
<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.75em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px; vertical-align: baseline;"> • To establish a captive breeding program for all 6 species of Costa Rican toucans.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px; vertical-align: baseline;"> • To accept, evaluate and treat rescued and decommissioned toucans, sloths, owls<br />and other birds and animals in need.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px; vertical-align: baseline;"> • To rehabilitate and release when possible any injured bird or animal back to its’ natural environment.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px; vertical-align: baseline;"> • Provide educational programs, research sites and facilities as well as volunteer opportunities for local, national and international community members.</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: MgOpenModataRegular, Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.9em; margin: 0px 0px 0.9em 0.5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnIhG6bfXsY/UxnyQrGMmbI/AAAAAAAABHY/b34ac4Spukw/s1600/toucan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnIhG6bfXsY/UxnyQrGMmbI/AAAAAAAABHY/b34ac4Spukw/s1600/toucan.jpg" height="400" width="368" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1NOobaR2W4/UxnyPcl5MPI/AAAAAAAABG8/vOGzgrb0c9w/s1600/Parrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1NOobaR2W4/UxnyPcl5MPI/AAAAAAAABG8/vOGzgrb0c9w/s1600/Parrot.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qUO8-hBEdQ/UxnyQQWxFBI/AAAAAAAABHU/_iaoqGz4jbc/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qUO8-hBEdQ/UxnyQQWxFBI/AAAAAAAABHU/_iaoqGz4jbc/s1600/owl.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BYo5t10wmQY/UxnyQI4fakI/AAAAAAAABHQ/yW0sGhMgAqQ/s1600/grounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BYo5t10wmQY/UxnyQI4fakI/AAAAAAAABHQ/yW0sGhMgAqQ/s1600/grounds.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grounds of Toucan Rescue Ranch</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-59645413232280856932014-03-05T13:15:00.000-08:002014-03-05T13:15:26.244-08:00FEBRUARY EXPENSES – EVALUATING THE $2,000 GOAL by Marilyn<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-table-anchor-vertical: margin; mso-table-left: left; mso-table-lspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-rspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-top: 63.6pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 328px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">CATEGORY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">AMOUNT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Groceries/Household<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$568.63<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Rent/Utilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$1,001.09<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Transportation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$126.81<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Doctors/Dentist/Meds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$400.97<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Dogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$66.86<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Entertainment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$57.69<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Trips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$14.16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Workshop/Garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$0<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Furniture/Fixtures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$0<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Misc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$12.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .4in; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">February 2014 TOTAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$2,248.21<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 3.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td colspan="2" style="border: none; height: 3.4pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 196.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="328"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We exceeded our $2,000/month goal by almost $250 in
February. Looking at the categories, two stand out. The first is “groceries/household.”
We expected to spend about $100/week for this category – and this month it’s more
than $140/week. I thought that by baking my own bread, making my own yogurt and
salad dressings, growing some of our food (at this point it’s mostly lettuce
and spinach), and buying our meats and produce at the feria (farmer’s market),
we’d actually spend less than $100/week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Apparently though, I’m genetically
programmed to hoard household items. Price Smart (the COSTCO of Costa Rica) is my
Achilles heel. This month we went to Price Smart to get dog food, and left with
a groaning grocery cart $230 later. Of course, we now have enough toilet paper
and paper towels to last into the next decade, but we also bought some items
considered “luxury” in Costa Rica – a block of feta cheese imported from
Wisconsin, wine in a bottle instead of a box, and giant quantities of chocolate
chips, pecans, dried cranberries and pasta. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also visited AutoMercado, which is a Gringo-style, upscale
grocery store. I needed cheese cloth for my yogurt (I’ve been using and rinsing
out the same tattered piece since we moved here in October) and parchment paper
for baking. I’d read on one of the expat Facebook pages that AutoMercado
carried these two items, so on the way home from our February Blooms meeting,
my friends Irina and Kathy and I stopped in to find these items. The parchment
was easy to find (but expensive -- $8.63!) but there was nothing resembling
cheese cloth. I approached a gentleman who looked managerial and asked if he
had “fabrica de queso” when I should have asked for “la estopilla.” Unlike my
husband, who is really good at looking up what he needs to say in Google
Translate before he goes to the store, I just pulled some Spanish-sounding
words out of the air. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Señor AutoMercado Manager scratched his head as he watched
my wild gyrations. I was trying to mime putting yogurt into cheese cloth and
squeezing out the liquid, but it probably looked more like I was milking a cow.
So he said something to one of the clerks, who came back with a jar of Cheese
Wiz. Meanwhile, Irina found two women shoppers and tried to communicate my
cheese cloth needs to them. They said something to Señor Manager and he
motioned us to follow him through the store. We got to the housewares aisle where
he handed me a package containing a microfiber bag for storing lettuce. I
couldn’t bring myself to tell him that’s not what I wanted, so I bought it
($16.42). I’ve tested it to see if it will drain the whey from my yogurt –
water does come out of it, so it may work. And it looks sturdy enough to last
forever. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m hoping that we can avoid Price Smart in March so I won’t
be tempted. We’ve only gone through about half of the giant bag of dog food, so
we may be able to hold out until April. Our pantry is nice and full so it could
be that we’ll even be under the $100/week for March. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other budget-breaker in February was the doctor/medicine
category. Paul had a chiropractic treatment, but everything else was me. I had
to have a lot of lab work ($180) and my regular medicines are pretty pricey. They’ll
continue to be until we get our residency and can use the CAJA (Costa Rica’s
required medical insurance that is based on one’s monthly income.) We’ll be
depositing my Social security check into a Costa Rican bank and that will determine
what we’ll pay for the CAJA. It appears that for the two of us it should come
to about $150/month. Once we get on the CAJA, I won’t have to pay anything for
doctor visits, lab work or most of my meds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the third month that we’ve published our budget. In
March we’ll be going to Nicaragua for our 90-day border run – something we will
have to do until we’re in the process of obtaining our pensionado (our category
of residency). Many folks do a quick run across and back – but since we’ve
never been to Nicaragua, we plan to spend several days visiting Grenada and
doing some other touristy activities. So even if we sidestep the lure of Price
Smart, we will have some trip expenses to account for. It will be interesting
to see how close we can stay to $2,000 in March. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love doing this monthly report and I hope that it will
help folks who want to know what it’s really like to live in Costa Rica.
Everyone’s experience is going to be different:
some folks may have much lower housing expenses because they’re
perfectly happy in a one-bedroom apartment; others may spend much more because
they choose to live in a fancy Escazú condo and spend every weekend at a beach
resort. As I’ve written before, we were initially inspired by <a href="http://retireforlessincostarica.com/" target="_blank">Paul & GloriaYeatman</a>, who’ve been publishing their monthly budget for several years. It
really helped us before we moved here to determine that we really could retire
and live for less in Costa Rica. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-197993588054503082014-02-20T15:31:00.000-08:002014-02-20T15:31:57.945-08:00WE GO TO SAN JOSE FOR 1 BILLION RISING by Paul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GlRUV7t20qw/UwaP8eiXYYI/AAAAAAAABFs/hFjTINVQ2Hs/s1600/Judy_Debi_Pam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GlRUV7t20qw/UwaP8eiXYYI/AAAAAAAABFs/hFjTINVQ2Hs/s1600/Judy_Debi_Pam.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7HHC-G9EUCk/UwaP8knnSKI/AAAAAAAABFk/ARPjxbZkzLo/s1600/pigeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7HHC-G9EUCk/UwaP8knnSKI/AAAAAAAABFk/ARPjxbZkzLo/s1600/pigeon.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKJZ_VZ5FLI/UwaP8RyDF7I/AAAAAAAABFo/Ik3EwXS35Lc/s1600/Rising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKJZ_VZ5FLI/UwaP8RyDF7I/AAAAAAAABFo/Ik3EwXS35Lc/s1600/Rising.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
On Friday, February 14 (Valentine's Day) we went with a van load of Blooms' women (and two token men) to participate in the global campaign for justice for women around the world: 1 Billion Rising (<a href="http://www.onebillionrising.org/about/campaign/" target="_blank">click here to read about the campaign</a>). To see the video where the Blooms joined several other humanitarian organizations and the University of Peace to dance in a flash mob, click here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4povjjtcGs" target="_blank">One Billion Rising with Blooms Group</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-74067154884485124472014-02-15T06:51:00.002-08:002014-02-15T06:51:59.244-08:00PICKING COFFEE FOR FUN IN COSTA RICA by PaulWe hung out with our landlord Jenny and her family to learn how to harvest coffee beans. The video link is below:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7XRlaukUPU/Uv9-FA_Ik9I/AAAAAAAABE0/S0jPpetwbtQ/s1600/Jenny_n_Paul-Coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7XRlaukUPU/Uv9-FA_Ik9I/AAAAAAAABE0/S0jPpetwbtQ/s1600/Jenny_n_Paul-Coffee.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul videotaping Jenny's coffee harvesting lesson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqb586b0OWQ" target="_blank">Click here for video: Picking Coffee for Fun in Costa Rica</a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XszBXHziMuA/Uv9-FHC4I8I/AAAAAAAABEw/sCmcZsS_QwQ/s1600/Nathan_n_Cousin_CoffeeHarve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XszBXHziMuA/Uv9-FHC4I8I/AAAAAAAABEw/sCmcZsS_QwQ/s1600/Nathan_n_Cousin_CoffeeHarve.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathan and Kenneth are coffee bean experts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-73676275708964672882014-02-07T05:38:00.000-08:002014-02-07T05:38:54.656-08:00JANUARY 2014 EXPENSES -- A COSTLY MONTH by Marilyn<br /><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-table-anchor-vertical: margin; mso-table-left: left; mso-table-lspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-rspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-top: 63.6pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 328px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">CATEGORY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">AMOUNT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Groceries/Household<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">289.60<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Rent/Utilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">1,026.99<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Transportation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">69.27<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Doctors/Dentist/Meds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">261.40<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Dogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">42.76<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Entertainment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">0.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><b>Trips*</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"><span style="background-color: yellow;">$1,524.00</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Workshop/Garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">53.26<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Furniture/Fixtures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">17.59<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Misc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">0.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .4in; mso-yfti-irow: 12; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">January 2014 TOTAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">3284.87<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">W</span></b>hen you set your budget goal at $2,000/month, and you spend
nearly $3,300, should you </h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a) reevaluate your budget</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
b) start eating on
alternate days only</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
c) move to Nicaragua, or </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
d) “forget” to list expenses that
make you go over that budget (I think this is called either “Bernie Madoff accounting”
or “The ENRON Way”)? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What happened in January? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we had considered our expenses as being ONLY what we’d
spent for living life in Costa Rica, at $1,760.87 we’d be under our budget goal
of $2,000/month. But in January (actually the end of December) we returned to
the states and spent the New Year with our family and friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until we get our Costa Rican residency, we will have to
leave the country every 90 days, so our trip to Delaware was our first 90-day “visa
run.” Going all the way back to the states only three months after we’d arrived
in Costa Rica was not in our original planning. We had purchased bus tickets to Nicaragua, but
at the last minute we had to change airlines in October – because of the dogs –
a long, cautionary tale that I will someday post. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And even though the trip cost nearly as much as the rest of
our January expenses, the money we spent in January on airline tickets <i>only</i>
includes the return flight to Costa Rica; the tickets from CR to Philly were
rolled into our “getting here” expenses several months ago. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="background-color: yellow;">*VISA RUN to Delaware</b></div>
<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-table-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-table-left: left; mso-table-lspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-rspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-top: 9.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 328px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Airline tickets back to Costa Rica<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 9.5pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$916.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">SJO exit tax<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 9.5pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">58.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Groceries/meals out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 9.5pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>235.00</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Shuttle to/from airport (in CR)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 9.5pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">100.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">House Sitter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 9.5pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">165.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Misc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 9.5pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">50.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .4in; mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">January 2014 Visa Run
TOTAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143">
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 9.5pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: #2c3c43; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">$1,524.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At least we have a good general idea of what it will cost us
any time we decide to go back to the U.S. Our airline tickets were super
expensive because we were traveling in the high season; we’ll know to pick a
less popular time to go. Most likely the cost of our round-trip flight will be
somewhere near these one-way tickets.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-2964605862682116622014-01-29T12:07:00.001-08:002014-03-10T11:28:30.092-07:00MY FIRST GARDEN IN COSTA RICA: AN ONGOING JOURNAL by Marilyn<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YIytDLXudH0/Uuk84Wuwn5I/AAAAAAAABBE/Ur2NNGeixyo/s1600/nasturtiums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YIytDLXudH0/Uuk84Wuwn5I/AAAAAAAABBE/Ur2NNGeixyo/s1600/nasturtiums.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasturtiums are beneficial as pest control (and salad). <br />
I'll be planting more of them in different parts of the garden. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have always loved growing things. Genetically, this came
from my maternal grandpa, who believed roses were the cure for all ills, and my
mom, whose beautiful flower beds were the envy of our neighborhood. My mom’s
freezer was always stocked with fruits and veggies harvested either from our
property or from her many trips to pick-your-own farms. (The one thing she
never did – canning – after an exploded green bean jar episode before I was
born. She was deathly afraid of botulism.)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we lived in Delaware I had the advantage of a
30-year-old compost heap which made growing veggies as easy as plopping seeds
in the group and watching my tomato plants rise to over six feet, heavy with luscious
fruit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then we moved to Arizona. About a week after the June 2005 move,
I bought some tomato plants from Home Depot. I figured if they were selling
them, I should be able to grow them. Despite shade cloth, judicious watering
and loving attention, my plants succumbed to a week of 115 degree (plus) temps. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHMMDtFdRgs/Uuk6-iSRLGI/AAAAAAAABAo/igPIf3FVaIA/s1600/DSCF0956_4882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHMMDtFdRgs/Uuk6-iSRLGI/AAAAAAAABAo/igPIf3FVaIA/s1600/DSCF0956_4882.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">This was my garden in Phoenix. Very challenging. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
RIP. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IASaJJGRQBo/UulUwpwyBiI/AAAAAAAABDM/2tFVLmx0Otc/s1600/Noel_and_pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IASaJJGRQBo/UulUwpwyBiI/AAAAAAAABDM/2tFVLmx0Otc/s1600/Noel_and_pup.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noel and his pup finishing the garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In eight years of desert living, my many attempts produced
about five edible tomatoes. When I planted in the fall, a deep winter freeze
zapped everything. I was eventually able to harvest kale, eggplant, arugula and
some incredibly delicious snow peas, but I never really got the hang of desert
gardening. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FCMaj71JGEQ/UulUwNNvUAI/AAAAAAAABDI/5Kw4k7-7pSo/s1600/Jenny_Nathan_Noel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FCMaj71JGEQ/UulUwNNvUAI/AAAAAAAABDI/5Kw4k7-7pSo/s1600/Jenny_Nathan_Noel.jpg" height="163" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noel, Jenny and Nathan taking a break.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
EVERYTHING SHOULD GROW HERE, RIGHT?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I couldn’t wait to start my garden in Costa Rica. Once the
rainy season (e.g. winter) started to wind down, we hired Jenny’s gardener Noel
to dig up the back yard of the workshop. Five hours after shoveling and hauling
about 25 wheelbarrows full of “good dirt” from across the road, Noel had given
me a nice 16’ x 20’ plot. The “good dirt” was pretty dense, and Jenny suggested
I add graza (rice hulls) to aerate it. A few days later she called and said
better than plain graza, she could get organic chicken poop fertilizer mixed
with graza. “You’ll love it,” she said. It was 1 mil (about $2.00) a bag. I
had purchased bags of some kind of fertilizer from one of the garden centers
and they were about a kilo for 1 mil. “How many bags would you like?” she
asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How about if I go with 12.” I figured that would be a good
start. A few days later I heard the familiar rumblings of Fernando’s (Jenny’s
dad) truck pulling up to the workshop. Jenny and Noel were with him. The truck
was filled to the brim with huge sacks. I think my eyes popped. They had to be
at least 50 kilos (110 lbs.) each. And I was getting a dozen. Jenny saw my
face. “Bigger than you thought?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUyTaJV_RVo/UulDI28Oi9I/AAAAAAAABCI/TuQtcxwnNvo/s1600/bags-of-fertilizer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUyTaJV_RVo/UulDI28Oi9I/AAAAAAAABCI/TuQtcxwnNvo/s1600/bags-of-fertilizer.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">My huge bags of fertilizer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Uh, a little.” But heck, I’m a committed gardener now, I’m
sure I can use them. Noel hauled my dozen bags to the little shed behind the
workshop. I paid Jenny the 12 mil colones and set about planning how to use my
wealth of fertilizer. I’d divided the plot into eight sections. In addition to
the workshop plot, I’d started a small herb garden in the backyard of the
house, and, after researching Costa Rica gardening advice online, planted my
eggplants and tomatoes in buckets on the patio. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsQZ8NxRyG8/UulVtjz_R_I/AAAAAAAABDo/B23ItE7-H4E/s1600/Paul-DiggingIn_Fertilizer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsQZ8NxRyG8/UulVtjz_R_I/AAAAAAAABDo/B23ItE7-H4E/s1600/Paul-DiggingIn_Fertilizer.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Paul turning in the fertilizer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRDaATN93g0/UulUwkQhLhI/AAAAAAAABDQ/pRptdHeJYEI/s1600/MeWatering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRDaATN93g0/UulUwkQhLhI/AAAAAAAABDQ/pRptdHeJYEI/s1600/MeWatering.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Me, watering.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With Paul’s help, I turned a half a sack of fertilizer into
each of the eight sections. I then went over to the “good dirt” area across the
road and filled pots for my tomatoes and eggplant, adding a few healthy scoops
of fertilizer into each pot. My tomato plants were ready to be transplanted, so
I shifted most of them to the new pots, leaving several in the original pot
without the chicken fertilizer. I didn’t realize it then, but this has become
my “control group.” There is an amazing difference between the “chicken pots”
and the original pot that didn’t have the benefit of my new fertilizer.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnoQ5faiP58/UulUw6FVKKI/AAAAAAAABDg/JaqeMaDhaG8/s1600/plantedGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnoQ5faiP58/UulUw6FVKKI/AAAAAAAABDg/JaqeMaDhaG8/s1600/plantedGarden.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Garden divided into sections and planted.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
NOTE TO SELF: DON'T LEAVE YOUR GARDEN WHEN IT NEEDS YOU<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lY5wXrQdw2g/Uuk86IreG3I/AAAAAAAABBc/bbw9rUOCxTU/s1600/squash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lY5wXrQdw2g/Uuk86IreG3I/AAAAAAAABBc/bbw9rUOCxTU/s1600/squash.jpg" height="300" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of squash and cucumber plants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s now the end of January and my gardens are in various
stages of happiness and unhappiness. Part of the problems stem from being away just as things started sprouting. We left for the states right after Christmas when I should have been using row covers and nipping problems in the bud. And as soon as we returned, I came down with a nasty stomach virus that kept me flat on my back and out of the garden for nearly two more weeks. So by the time I started focusing on the garden again, the bugs were winning -- big time. I'm posting the good, the bad and the ugly here in the hopes that someone might see this who has some solutions for me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PLANT AND PESTS: THE CHALLENGE OF THE ORGANIC GARDENER</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-eiAgMFupU/Uuk872_VKLI/AAAAAAAABB4/ln3pSK159Fs/s1600/spinach_lettuce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-eiAgMFupU/Uuk872_VKLI/AAAAAAAABB4/ln3pSK159Fs/s1600/spinach_lettuce.jpg" height="373" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinach and lettuce. So far, so good. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I’ve just harvested the first of the zucchinis (I have
five varieties of squash) and am in an ongoing struggle with cucumber beetles,
using two different organic insecticides that seem only mildly effective. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2afcckIoNn0/UulDI8cTvDI/AAAAAAAABCM/oPcYt3_3EIA/s1600/cucumber_beetles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2afcckIoNn0/UulDI8cTvDI/AAAAAAAABCM/oPcYt3_3EIA/s1600/cucumber_beetles.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Cucumber beetles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The
prolific pests seem most interested in the zucchini, but I’m going after them
on the cucumbers and cantaloupes as well. The cucumbers and cantaloupes are
blossoming despite the pests, </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neMXiS1fqrw/Uuk84H_8snI/AAAAAAAABA8/bxtwBVSN3ls/s1600/melon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neMXiS1fqrw/Uuk84H_8snI/AAAAAAAABA8/bxtwBVSN3ls/s1600/melon.jpg" height="320" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Cantaloupe blossoms still undefeated by the<br />
cucumber beetles, but not looking very healthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
carrots are sprouting, and the spinach and
lettuce, shaded by a row of sunflowers (although many of their leaves
have been munched up by leaf-cutter ants – grrr), are progressing nicely. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvHUlVCXt5M/UulDK0GQCaI/AAAAAAAABCk/0XOMBodqAHg/s1600/leaveless_sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvHUlVCXt5M/UulDK0GQCaI/AAAAAAAABCk/0XOMBodqAHg/s1600/leaveless_sunflowers.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Leaf cutter ants ate all the sunflower leaves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itdImdWTNPc/UulDKFB3PyI/AAAAAAAABCc/m9crt0-8AqQ/s1600/insecticides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itdImdWTNPc/UulDKFB3PyI/AAAAAAAABCc/m9crt0-8AqQ/s1600/insecticides.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Organic pesticides -- not working very well. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8OqXauAMqJY/UulDLA5Ht6I/AAAAAAAABC0/W7_QzMv_WtQ/s1600/lettuce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8OqXauAMqJY/UulDLA5Ht6I/AAAAAAAABC0/W7_QzMv_WtQ/s1600/lettuce.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Pests have been leaving the lettuce alone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fgUU1rhakeM/Uuk83QquJbI/AAAAAAAABAw/1lK4kIwiV9M/s1600/lavenderINeggplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fgUU1rhakeM/Uuk83QquJbI/AAAAAAAABAw/1lK4kIwiV9M/s1600/lavenderINeggplant.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Some lavender peeking under the eggplant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjUmw0uZnSg/UulDJuZ-58I/AAAAAAAABCU/b3V0SR5jJbI/s1600/destroyedBeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjUmw0uZnSg/UulDJuZ-58I/AAAAAAAABCU/b3V0SR5jJbI/s1600/destroyedBeans.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Destroyed green beans.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My
green beans have been almost completely decimated by a still-to-be-discovered
insect (possibly the cucumber beetles, but I haven’t seen evidence of them); I
may be able to eventually harvest enough to add to a salad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7mJqG10m6xg/UulDLakjFwI/AAAAAAAABCs/GUcGoLxpT2g/s1600/basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7mJqG10m6xg/UulDLakjFwI/AAAAAAAABCs/GUcGoLxpT2g/s1600/basil.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Basil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aNJ-4AOR3Uc/Uuk86l5ovMI/AAAAAAAABBk/jDHtDjlRkBU/s1600/tomatoBlossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aNJ-4AOR3Uc/Uuk86l5ovMI/AAAAAAAABBk/jDHtDjlRkBU/s1600/tomatoBlossoms.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Down in the shadier herb garden, I’m growing snow peas. The
only herbs that are showing any progress so far are the basil and a few oregano
sprouts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The herb garden did not have the benefit of the chicken fertilizer,
but herbs don’t really need rich soil. And on the patio, the tomatoes are
blossoming (at least the ones planted with chicken fertilizer). I have some lavender
plants in among the eggplant to keep pests away, and I am either growing a
bucket of marigolds or peppers – I can’t tell yet and I don’t remember what I
put in that particular pot. The nearby nasturtiums seem to be doing a nice job
repelling pests – I should have planted them in with the squash; I’ll know to
do that next time.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
MORE BEDS ON THE WAY<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve expanded one flower bed that was overgrown. A young
mango tree and an azalea were crammed beside several agave. Now they all have
their own space, nurtured with chicken fertilizer. In that bed I’ve also planted
gladiola bulbs and some mystery flower seeds. I have lots more plans for other
areas of the garden and so much more to learn about gardening on our beautiful
mountain in Costa Rica. I’d love to hear from others in the Central Valley who’ve
had experiences – positive or negative – with their gardens. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p29PZK_cefk/Uuk83Y5wxsI/AAAAAAAABA0/W_b0TB26Y3U/s1600/gladiola_garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p29PZK_cefk/Uuk83Y5wxsI/AAAAAAAABA0/W_b0TB26Y3U/s1600/gladiola_garden.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Mango tree and azaleas in new flower bed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-22697831889986894462014-01-20T06:42:00.000-08:002014-01-20T06:42:44.593-08:00THE COLON PROBLEM by Marilyn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3WP5KgiBI7Q/Ut0v2rwok5I/AAAAAAAABAE/qLyOYmN9y_s/s1600/pileOcolones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3WP5KgiBI7Q/Ut0v2rwok5I/AAAAAAAABAE/qLyOYmN9y_s/s1600/pileOcolones.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using cash for most purchases means piling up lots of change.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before we moved to Costa Rica, the only time I ever had cash
in my wallet was when our school was having a fundraiser and I knew I needed
money to buy candy bars, frozen pastry, coupon books (which I never, ever
used), raffle tickets, and once, I contributed to the group lottery ticket
purchase (as a group, we won 20 cents each). I used my debit card for every
other purchase, paid most of my bills online and wrote checks at the doctor’s
office. If I ever had spare chance (e.g. my 20 cent lottery win) it went into
the big change jar in the bedroom. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Using my debit card also helped me avoid handling anything
with nickel, because I have contact dermatitis. Handling nickel (including
costume jewelry) causes my hands to break out in itchy, oozy disgusting welts. Because
I rarely had to use coins and knew better to own any jewelry with nickel, I’d
basically forgotten about the contact dermatitis issue. That is, until I moved
to Costa Rica. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’d only been here for about two weeks, taking the bus
downtown, shopping at the Central Market and the Farmer’s Market and using
colones for all transactions. My palm started itching. Madly. Then the watery
welts popped up. I hit the cortisone cream hard. Colones!!! That must be it.
I’d been making change willy-nilly for two weeks and now I was paying for it,
in a matter of speaking. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaBCoJ9sSbc/Ut0v2GAZT7I/AAAAAAAAA_o/MOMl4XisrMc/s1600/colones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaBCoJ9sSbc/Ut0v2GAZT7I/AAAAAAAAA_o/MOMl4XisrMc/s1600/colones.jpg" height="165" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grrrr! The cause of my contact dermatitis <br />(except for the aluminum ones)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As soon as I realized the colones problem, I made it a
policy to bring Paul along whenever I knew I’d be using coins. One day he had
so many coins in his shorts pocket that his pants started to hang down like some of our
former high school students. I almost sent him to detention. At home, we kept the spare
colones in a little glass box on the dining room table. For some reason, Paul
became obsessed with sorting them, putting them into piles, and complaining
about how useless the little aluminum ones (5 and 10 colones) were.</div>
<br />
It seemed that many of the merchants weren’t so thrilled
about handling colones either. If, for example, the vegetables we just
purchased came to, say, c2565 (2 thousand, five hundred sixty-five colones, or
about $5.00), I would pull out a 2 mil note (paper money starts at 1 thousand
colones – 1 mil) and Paul would dig in his pocket for the remaining coins. As
he would start counting out the coins and dumping them into the merchant’s
hand, if he came anywhere close, the guy would wave him off. “Okay, okay … no
mas!”<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SWpfkjpRwLg/Ut0v11EqevI/AAAAAAAAA_s/PDzToey4lOY/s1600/BOXoBAGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SWpfkjpRwLg/Ut0v11EqevI/AAAAAAAAA_s/PDzToey4lOY/s1600/BOXoBAGS.jpg" height="120" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes a deal isn't that great of a deal. I thought<br /> these were sandwich bags. I'd never heard of snack size.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now it came to pass that the week before we left Phoenix, I
had one of those $5.00 “bonus bucks” from Walgreens. I hate wasting bonus
bucks, but we really didn’t need anything, especially anything that couldn’t be
easily packed for our move. So I cruised the aisles looking for a way to spend
$5.00. There was a big buy-one-get-one free sale on baggies. I could get two of
a couple of sizes of the store brand for my bonus bucks. Deal! I brought the
boxes of baggies home and stuffed them into one of the suitcases. It wasn’t
until we unpacked here in Costa Rica that I discovered that I’d purchased two
of something called “snack sized.” They were these little bitty bags that I’m
guessing were for people on diets who had to count out seven Cheetos for their
permitted “snack.” That’s about all that would fit into these useless baggies.
And now I had 100 of them. Try to squeeze half of a tomato or onion into one.
Impossible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until one day when Paul and I were having lunch. There on
the table was the box of colones. “Don’t we have a lot of those pointless
little bags?” Paul asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure,” I said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have a great idea,” Paul said. He often has great ideas.
Paul is a very interesting guy to live with. “I’m going to make 1 mil bags of
these colones,” he said. “Then instead of digging through a pile of random
colones from my pocket, I’ll know exactly how much I have in each bag.” He set
about his task. At first he put all the big coins, the 500s and the 100s, in
one bag. But then he was left with all the 50s, 25s, 10s, and 5s. So he evened
things out a bit until he was satisfied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6AT8qUAhmc/Ut0v1wBXKDI/AAAAAAAAA_k/ijJkRm3hP18/s1600/bagsOcolones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6AT8qUAhmc/Ut0v1wBXKDI/AAAAAAAAA_k/ijJkRm3hP18/s1600/bagsOcolones.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul's 1 mil baggies of colones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next task was to try out his new system. We drove down
to the Farmer’s Market. It was to be my first foray out after 10 days of
battling an ugly virus, so I was not planning to meander. Get in. Get out. The
baggies of colones would help. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At our first stop, we bought a lot of greens. They came to
exactly 1 mil. Oh boy! Paul pulled out a baggie and dumped the coins into the
vendor’s hand. “One mil, exactamente!” Paul exclaimed. “Sistema por colones,”
he added. The vendor smiled. But he still counted the change. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we continued through the Farmer’s Market, Paul pulled out
baggie after baggie. Usually what I was purchasing cost less than 1 mil, so he
had to start juggling baggies. But he was still happy with his system. After
finishing up at the Farmer’s Market, I had to stop at the regular grocery
store. “How are we doing with the colones?” I asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have about 350 left,” Paul said, peering into his last
baggie. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvAxFLjorR4/Ut0v2ZrtlYI/AAAAAAAABAA/VEmRuqpdClE/s1600/farmersMarketgroceries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvAxFLjorR4/Ut0v2ZrtlYI/AAAAAAAABAA/VEmRuqpdClE/s1600/farmersMarketgroceries.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A week's worth of Farmer's Market provisions for under c10,000 ($20) includes a half-kilo of FRESH shrimp, fish filets, a kilo of tomatoes, a kilo of carrots, two kilos of onions, bananas, ginger and a variety of greens. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Perfect,” I said. “Just enough to tip the bag boy.” I had
recently read on somebody’s blog (probably <a href="http://livinglifeincostarica.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Vicki's extremely helpful blog</a>)
that most grocery store bag boys work for tips alone. Seems pretty sad. But maybe
that put them at the head of the line when a paying job came up. I hope so. If
I were getting more than three items, I might have thought that 350 (about 75
cents) was a little slim. But how hard do you have to work to bag butter,
grated cheese and a bottle of wine? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now we have no spare colones in the house, but when we
do, I know the snack-sized baggies will emerge once again. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-35354279494066373162014-01-15T09:13:00.000-08:002014-01-15T09:13:28.772-08:00OH, PRICE SMART YOU VILE TEMPTRESS ... OUR DECEMBER 2013 LIVING EXPENSES by Marilyn<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: .1in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-table-anchor-vertical: margin; mso-table-left: left; mso-table-lspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-rspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-top: 63.6pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 328px;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">CATEGORY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">AMOUNT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
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<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Groceries/Household<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">536.18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Rent/Utilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">1030.15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Transportation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">369.21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Doctors/Dentist/Meds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">257.54<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Dogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">38.23<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Entertainment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">0.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Trips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">0.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Workshop/Garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">246.59<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Furniture/Fixtures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">62.63<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">Misc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">0.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .4in; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">December 2013 TOTAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .4in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 63.6pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;">2540.53<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 3.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td colspan="2" style="border: none; height: 3.4pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 196.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="328"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSVUwDVEGcM/Utau9x4RreI/AAAAAAAAA_A/P1TECsEHHcw/s1600/PriceSmartCheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSVUwDVEGcM/Utau9x4RreI/AAAAAAAAA_A/P1TECsEHHcw/s320/PriceSmartCheese.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese!!! Enough cheese to make Wallace and Grommit happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QqraQO0CoIg/Utau9q-QWiI/AAAAAAAAA-s/wk1pqmObFvM/s1600/GhiradelliChips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="99" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QqraQO0CoIg/Utau9q-QWiI/AAAAAAAAA-s/wk1pqmObFvM/s200/GhiradelliChips.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw these on first visit. Didn't buy. <br />
They were gone, gone gone a week later :(.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember last month, the first month that I published our
expenses, where I said we were trying to keep our expenses under $2,000? Well,
that was before we joined Price Smart (the Costa Rican COSTCO) and shopped
there … twice. True, the many staples I purchased will last us for months, but
will we be able to avoid the Siren Song of smoked sausages, imported cheese,
GHIRADELLI CHOCOLATE CHIPS!??? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope so. We actually only bought one pricey chunk of
cheese, skirted past the smoked sausages and, much to my broken heart (and the main
reason we’d returned to Price Smart for the second time in as many weeks) the
Ghiradelli chocolate chips were gone. Shoulda bought them on the first trip. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We will probably go back sometime in January because the
giant bag of premium dog food at Price Smart was twice the size and half the
price of the dog food we’ve been getting downtown in Grecia. But I’d still like
to keep our grocery/household budget to about $100/week. I also prefer shopping at Grecia's Central Market and especially the Farmer's Market. It makes me feel much closer to becoming a "GringTica" which I hope some day to consider myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What else kicked us over our $2,000 budget? Well, as
everyone who owns a car in Costa Rica knows, December is Marchamo month.
Marchamo is the annual liability insurance that car owners are required to pay.
It’s based on the kind of car you drive and the age of the car. For our 2004
Subaru Forester, this year’s Marchamo was about $300.00. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m thinking that our doctor/dentist/meds category will
probably stay around $250.00 until we get on the CAJA, so for the foreseeable
future that’s not going to go down and may increase – neither of us has seen a
dentist yet and although they are supposed to be a lot cheaper than in the
U.S., we are going to wait for a few more months. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_VcqSN4OiU/Utau99F4dqI/AAAAAAAAA-0/QxdBI7G_zXE/s1600/epa-interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_VcqSN4OiU/Utau99F4dqI/AAAAAAAAA-0/QxdBI7G_zXE/s1600/epa-interior.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EPA -- just about everything for home and garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other expense that is high this month is workshop/garden
(besides being seduced by Price Smart, we were also lured by EPA, which is similar
to Home Depot. It doesn’t help that Price Smart and EPA are within a half mile
of one another). Paul is still putting together his workshop, and, unlike last
month when we counted the electrical wiring as an extraordinary expense, we’re
considering the lighting and shelving as more of “development expense.” <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7890814495917103350">And<span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 11px;"> </span></a>apparently the only place to get organic insect control is at EPA. So those items are in the budget. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHkqU7o4jP8/UtaxQNBeLsI/AAAAAAAAA_E/bW8iruKJFGg/s1600/kitchenLights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHkqU7o4jP8/UtaxQNBeLsI/AAAAAAAAA_E/bW8iruKJFGg/s320/kitchenLights.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An EPA purchase and husband installation: Critical to my culinary happiness <br />
and Paul's evening dish washing tasks -- lighting over the kitchen sink!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, even though we didn’t stay below $2,000, we spent a
lot less than we would have if we were still living in the U.S. And most
importantly, we love it here – we love our house, our garden, our workshop, our
community … and especially the friends and discoveries we are making. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-66021864295987724672014-01-13T13:07:00.002-08:002014-01-13T13:07:16.296-08:00MUCHAS GRACIAS, GRECIA by Paul<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We have lived in Grecia, Costa Rica for nearly thirteen
weeks; but legally speaking, we are still tourists. We will start the process of
getting our residency this month, January. Those who have been reading our blog
know the routine. Briefly, as tourists, we are required to leave the country
every three months and then re-enter to begin a new three-month stay. In March,
we’ll travel up to Nicaragua for a few days. This process will continue until
we become legal residents.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our three months were up in December, so we decided to fly north
to frozen Delaware on December 28 to visit friends and family. But on January
7, as we boarded the plan at BWI airport to return to Costa Rica, I became
aware that a simple question was floating around in my subconscious. Was I <i>going</i>
home or <i>leaving</i> home? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the faintest of voices, an old strand of DNA was speaking
to me. Don’t leave, it warned. Did I
really want to stay? Or was I merely anticipating six hours in a horrible coach
seat whose headrest would reach only to my shoulder blades, leaving my head to
bobble around in agony. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KG9EAcE7M0U/UtQeGgWsKTI/AAAAAAAAA90/9h8mTJR5774/s1600/Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KG9EAcE7M0U/UtQeGgWsKTI/AAAAAAAAA90/9h8mTJR5774/s1600/Group.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Family: Back row: Michael, Matt, Marilyn, <br />Paul. Front row: Chris, Kaylee, Stephen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But the voice inside came from a deeper place. My stepson
and his wife and two wonderful grandchildren (they aren’t children anymore)
live in Wilmington. We love to visit them; there’s nothing like laughing and
playing music, hours of Scrabble and Monopoly (this year, Beatles Monopoly!)
and just connecting in ways that don’t quite translate over SKYPE. Was it the
time we spent with old friends downing eggnog and catching up on each other’s
lives? Maybe it was the general ease and familiarity of English, of knowing
where to go for the best kielbasa (Johnny’s Market on Maryland Ave.), or buying
shop lights at Home Depot with actual dollars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As I buckled my seat belt, it came to me that a visit is like
a dip in the pool. It’s nice, it’s refreshing, but eventually you get out of
the pool. The answer to my question became obvious. Marilyn and I have changed
profoundly since living in Wilmington. Our brains have been rewiring at
breakneck speed. We were going home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At 6:10 am our plane lifted off the frozen runway at BWI. My
mind drifted to the 1938 film <u>Lost Horizon</u>, in which a group of plane
passengers survive a crash in the Himalayas and stumble upon a hidden valley
called Shangri-La. Here people live contemplative, peaceful lives and remain
young for hundreds of years. The
passengers become enchanted and choose to remain in this paradise, except for
one, who wants to return to his old life with Maria, a beautiful young woman
from Shangri-La. But as they hike out of the valley back into the mountains, it
becomes clear that she is no spring chicken. Her body begins to shrivel up like
a three-hundred year-old raisin. I looked over at Marilyn, who was dozing next
to me. She still looked good, and I put the movie out of my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At 9 am, we touched down in Miami. All but paralyzed from
the neck down, I found a place on the carpeted cement floor and with a
rolled-up towel under my neck, fell asleep. Ahh, divine flatness! We finally took
to the air at 2 pm and arrived in Costa Rica at 5 pm. There were plenty of old
people who were not all shriveled up. The warmth and familiarity of the place
embraced me at once. This was home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ou12MIrjpTg/UtQe7bC79cI/AAAAAAAAA98/5acN-wRLhl4/s1600/Jennys_Mom_w_Jenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ou12MIrjpTg/UtQe7bC79cI/AAAAAAAAA98/5acN-wRLhl4/s320/Jennys_Mom_w_Jenny.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flor, telling her mountain lion story with daughter <br />Jenny, our landlady, translating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Customs was a breeze. A cursory question: “How long are you
going to stay?” and the thump of a rubber stamp. We snatched our bags from the carousel
and headed outside for a taxi. Immediately,
I spotted a familiar face in the crowd. It was Flor, our landlady’s mother. We
had met her at a Christmas party where her delightful story of fending off a
mountain lion somehow melted through the language barrier and had us all
laughing. Now, here she was, smiling and
waving at us. Flora! Pablo! Marileen! Hugs
and kisses all around. She introduced us to Giselle, who explained that she was
our neighbor. Her husband is the saddle maker at the top of our little road.
Aha! The sign at the top of the road.
Monturas! Saddles! More hugs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Woozy from all the bienvenidos, we loaded our bags into
Giselle's nine-seat van. She cranked over the engine, which sounded to me like
a V-3. At the exit gate, the machine wouldn't accept her ticket. Clearly, she
had not experienced the airport parking garage before. She and Flora chatted about
what to do as we circled the parking area looking for a way out. Finally,
Giselle called to an hombre who pointed to a door in the terminal where you had
to pay. Giselle turned to Flora with a shrug. Que? (I took it to mean “What
the…?”) She killed the engine, got out and walked back to the terminal and paid
the guy. When she got back in, she said something to Flora which must have been
hilarious, because they both exploded in giggles. The V-3 started with a jolt, and
Giselle took us back to the exit gate, which this time accepted our ticket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Giselle and Flora seemed unaffected by the traffic
congestion outside. They chatted as if they were on a veranda somewhere. Marilyn and I, seat belted in the back, attempted
to add comments in Spanish based on our guesses as to what they were talking
about, but it was obvious that we were not making any sense. I wanted to ask, “Is
rush hour always like this?”, but decided it was best to sit quietly and wonder
at Giselle’s light and breezy mastery of traffic which might easily have driven
lesser drivers to curses and bloodshed. Every so often she would ask a question
over her shoulder. We assumed she was asking if we were all right, so we would
say, “Si, si. Gracias.” We laughed at
ourselves remembering how new ESL students would come to class with only a few
phrases of English. “Welcome to my
classroom,” we would say. “Yes, yes.
Thank you,” they would respond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By the time we arrived at our little barrio on the mountain
ridge, it was dark. The lights of Grecia twinkled in the valley below; the
stars of the Southern Hemisphere twinkled above. We paid Giselle 25,000 colones
($50). Muchas gracias, mucho gusto and hugs all around, and Giselle was off,
back up the hill to the house with the “Monturas” sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Charlie and Lily, our sweet doggies, were wild with joy. Of
course, after our 10-day separation they
had no way of knowing if we had died or what. I took off my glasses and let
them lick my face until they had their fill. It was the least I could do. Marilyn threw some bow-tie pasta together with
tomatoes, olive oil and Parmesan. We barely had enough energy to eat before we
crashed onto our fantastic Swedish foam king-sized mattress with Charlie and
Lily. Hugs and licks all around, and we fell instantly to sleep. Yes, this was
home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We woke at 5:30 am (a
habit acquired during our teaching days) and had our coffee on the patio, as
the sun was rising over the mountain to the east. The dogs ran around the yard;
Charlie, like a jet powered aircraft; Lily, like a tugboat in hot pursuit. After about an hour, we listed the payments
we had to make today from my Social Security check. Rent, utilities, payment to
Justin the dog sitter, groceries, and if we had enough left over, some lumber for
improvements around the house and my Tico workshop. I was in the shower, when I
heard the dogs barking. Marilyn called to me, “Paul, come on out. I want you to
meet Hansy.” I threw on some shorts and T shirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I shook hands with Hansy,
an amiable, generously tattooed young guy who lives a couple of houses over
across a field. He is Tico but lived in the US for a few years in Woodstock, New
York when he was married to a Gringa. He told us about his youth on drugs and
alcohol and his rebirth only a few years ago as a painter. That explained the
canvas he had with him, a still life of flowers rendered in a playful, giant,
acrylic pointalistic kind of way. After taIking a bit about trying to survive
as an artist, he offered to sell us his painting for a very good price. He couldn’t have come at a worse time since
our money is all spoken for and will be for the next several months. We gave
him a ride downtown where we were headed to buy groceries. He showed us a large
mural he had painted in the market by the bus station and then was off to sell his
painting.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzFVCWa6jMw/UtQg7dkM61I/AAAAAAAAA-I/RgV_gpYBYlw/s1600/GreciaDeMisAbuelos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kzFVCWa6jMw/UtQg7dkM61I/AAAAAAAAA-I/RgV_gpYBYlw/s640/GreciaDeMisAbuelos.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grecia de Mis Abuelos by Hansy Lizano (The Grecia of My Grandparents); Mural in Grecia's Central Market http://www.hansylizano.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the way back up
the hill to our house, we decided to stop at the local ferreteria (hardware
store) so I could buy some lumber for a light installation over the kitchen
sink. Who did we run into but our landlady, Jenny and her father, Fernando.
Hugs, slaps on the back and mucho gustos all around. Jenny insisted that her
dad bring our lumber to our house in his truck, so we wouldn’t have to tie it
to the roof of the Subaru. While Fernando and some workers loaded up his truck,
Jenny introduced us to the owners and staff of the ferreteria. She knows
everybody! She told Orlando, the owner, that I was doing home improvements for her
rental houses and that I should always receive her discount. She was everywhere
at once, climbing a ladder in the lumber yard to show me a Costa Rican hardwood,
leading us into the back room where the stock is kept, assuring the salespeople
that Marilyn and I are to be trusted. They
all smiled and stepped aside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the way up the
hill to our house, we looked at each other with goofy grins. Ten minutes later Fernando arrived in his Land
Cruiser truck with my lumber. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, this is home.
Gracias, Fernando. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I76nVvossH8/UtQjiHtHGAI/AAAAAAAAA-U/ymdc8emAKFo/s1600/Fernando.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I76nVvossH8/UtQjiHtHGAI/AAAAAAAAA-U/ymdc8emAKFo/s200/Fernando.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fernando, Jenny's Dad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-56290286755929863172014-01-10T08:55:00.001-08:002014-01-13T13:08:27.657-08:00OUR COSTA RICAN CHRISTMAS: BEING NOT DOING by Marilyn<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDVKzFTZ0_k/UtAJ30KfUyI/AAAAAAAAA7s/Nh1_B7Y1uac/s1600/Creche_GreciaTownSquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pDVKzFTZ0_k/UtAJ30KfUyI/AAAAAAAAA7s/Nh1_B7Y1uac/s1600/Creche_GreciaTownSquare.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creche, Grecia Town Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year brought many firsts:</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">first time retired, first time living in CR,
first time learning Spanish, first time not spending Christmas with family and
friends. Also, when we moved here in October, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we brought none of our Christmas decorations.
No ornaments, no tree, no lights … and without TV, we’re not bombarded with
tons of ads for the latest and greatest must-haves.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No Christmas shopping – our gift to ourselves and our family
is our trip to Delaware on December 28. I feel none of the stress of
worrying: Did I get good enough gifts?
Will they like them? What if they don’t? Maybe I should go out one more time;
look online again in case I missed something. In the past, from Thanksgiving
until December 24<sup>th</sup>, I was pretty much consumed with buying the
perfect presents, cooking the perfect food, making the house sparkle in and
out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was always involved with whatever church we belonged to.
One year that meant finding swathes of fabric from the attic and quickly
fashioning it into 24 costumes in 24 hours for the children’s pageant. There
were always meals to serve to the homeless and Angel Tree gifts to buy. These
anchors kept me focused on the <i>being</i>
of Christmas and I could never give them up, even when I was teaching and the
week before Christmas also meant final exams and grades. But they often morphed
into <i>doing</i>, and <i>doing</i> sometimes got pretty overwhelming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One year, on Christmas Eve, after the stores had closed and
I couldn’t shop any more, I baked and roasted, sautéed and simmered. In
between, I painted the extensive wood moldings in the dining room. We’d
recently redone the room, but my choice of color of the baseboards and
wainscoting didn’t seem quite right. And heaven forbid that our house full of
company would think I had bad taste. So I stayed up all night painting three
coats of soft yellow over the olive green mistake. It was no wonder I usually
ended up with the flu or bronchitis every year by New Years’ Day. I had
accepted this as a consequence of burning out with all the <i>doing</i> I was doing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead, this year in Costa Rica we relish the peacefulness
of <i>being. </i>Here on our mountain, as
Christmas approaches, I take pleasure in my daily routines of writing,
gardening, baking/cooking. And after Paul’s morning writing stint, he heads up
to the workshop, losing all sense of time as he works on another sculpture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7pgvlJJzr18/UtAJ5i5YvsI/AAAAAAAAA8M/Fa8423ha5j4/s1600/DzadziBread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7pgvlJJzr18/UtAJ5i5YvsI/AAAAAAAAA8M/Fa8423ha5j4/s1600/DzadziBread.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish Raisin Bread - A Tradition Passed Down from My Dad Who Got It from His Mom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpo8Gi7eGz4/UtAJ6pchfgI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/pIdcBNFfPGg/s1600/LeavingGreciaChurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpo8Gi7eGz4/UtAJ6pchfgI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/pIdcBNFfPGg/s1600/LeavingGreciaChurch.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grecia Metal Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How is this <i>being</i>,
not <i>doing</i>? The only way I can
articulate it is that, to me, <i>doing</i>
always has a “should,” “must” or “have to” attached to it. <i>Being</i>, on the other hand, emerges from one’s inner spirit. I bake
bread, not because I am supposed to bake bread as part of an action plan, but
because the entire process of baking bread is joyful for me. In contrast, I
painted my wainscoting because I <i>had to</i>
<i>have</i> a perfect house for my Christmas
guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhBH0lgIubo/UtAJ218wB1I/AAAAAAAAA7g/D7kOB23nn74/s1600/ChristmasAltar_GreciaChurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhBH0lgIubo/UtAJ218wB1I/AAAAAAAAA7g/D7kOB23nn74/s1600/ChristmasAltar_GreciaChurch.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Altar, Christmas Eve, Grecia Metal Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OhLtJa8Y6s/UtAJ9UN0eoI/AAAAAAAAA8s/dAdxHter7H8/s1600/MiniSanta_GreciaSquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OhLtJa8Y6s/UtAJ9UN0eoI/AAAAAAAAA8s/dAdxHter7H8/s1600/MiniSanta_GreciaSquare.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini-Santa, Grecia Town Square on Christmas Eve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s not until Christmas Eve, however, when we drive down
the mountain to Mass at the Metal Church in Grecia, that the <i>being </i>of Christmas this year envelops
me. We get to Grecia early and stroll around the town square. The town crèche is
still missing the Infant who will be placed in the manger at midnight. It’s
balmy; people stroll or sit on the cement benches. Several pose in front of the
crèche for photos. We sit too, people-watching before entering the church at
about 7:30 to get a good seat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Red velvet drapery swags tied up with gold bows greet us as
we enter the church. Red and gold is the theme of the festively decorated
pillars; the altar is banked with dozens of red poinsettias. A crèche just a
little smaller than the one outside on the town square waits for its Infant. A
blue curtain behind the crèche hides the glass coffin where the crucified
Christ lies in repose. No sense worrying Mary about the future on this eve of
her baby’s birth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More people-watching. Folks enter the church, bless
themselves and find family members. There are hugs, kisses. Many of the women hold
what at first appear to be baby dolls. Then I realize that they are tenderly
cradling the infants from their home crèches. A distant memory tugs at a corner
of my mind: I know that I’ve seen this before, maybe at St. Anthony’s, the
Italian-American church I attended in high school. These infants will be
blessed at the end of Mass before being taken home and carefully placed in the family’s
manger scene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a corner of the altar, behind the blue curtain, choir
members and musicians tune up and check their mics. A man who looks like he
knows what he’s doing adjusts chairs, lecterns. He hurries to the back of the
church and I see that he’s entered a tiny room with ropes hanging down. He
begins ringing the church bells. A deep bong, bong, bong … I have an
overwhelming urge to join him, hanging on to one of the bell ropes, feeling the
weight, the heavy brass bell pulling me up into the bell tower. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first hymn signals the procession of gold-robed priests
preceded by a deacon enthusiastically swinging a censer. The smell and smoke of
incense soon permeates the church. The final priest holds high the Infant who later
will be nestled into the manger. Mass has begun. The Pascal candle is lit from
the four Advent candles – three purple and one pink. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mass in Spanish reminds me of my childhood when Mass was in
Latin. Now, as then, the mystery of the words is balanced by the familiarity of
the rituals. I am well-practiced in sit-stand-kneel. At the Peace, Paul and I
hug and he whispers, “What do we say?” “How about Feliz Navidad?” I whisper in reply.
We turn to the nuns in the pew behind us and grasp their hands. “Feliz Navidad,”
we say. The nuns look confused. It occurs to me that because the Infant has not
yet technically been born, e.g. placed in the manger, it’s not time to say “Feliz
Navidad” yet. Oh well. Gringo mistake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKK7BjSMr24/UtAJ3BYJLzI/AAAAAAAAA70/5lBCXrNMJ0A/s1600/Bringing_InfantJesus_to_Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKK7BjSMr24/UtAJ3BYJLzI/AAAAAAAAA70/5lBCXrNMJ0A/s1600/Bringing_InfantJesus_to_Man.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting Ready to Place the Infant in the Manger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AO5ZWMmQHz0/UtAJ7y_9SjI/AAAAAAAAA8k/CEQtqARb0FE/s1600/Paul_Marilyn_GreciaSqr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AO5ZWMmQHz0/UtAJ7y_9SjI/AAAAAAAAA8k/CEQtqARb0FE/s1600/Paul_Marilyn_GreciaSqr.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Front of the Grecia Town Square Creche</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the end of Mass, the women around me take out their
infant statues and the priest blesses them. One woman kneeling nearby clutches her
baby Jesus and sobs. Others hold theirs with their husbands or children, a
family tradition. The choir begins “Little Drummer Boy” and the procession to
bring the infant to the crèche begins. After Jesus is placed in the manger, the
church bells ring out and people begin filing out. Now is the time for “Feliz
Navidad.” People greet each other jubilantly. They will go home and gently
place their Infants into the mangers. Jesus, not Santa, will bring gifts to the
children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ5Jumw3iZ4/UtAJ9fe-k7I/AAAAAAAAA8w/ouRS2Mwh_Tk/s1600/Paul_video_GreciaTownSq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ5Jumw3iZ4/UtAJ9fe-k7I/AAAAAAAAA8w/ouRS2Mwh_Tk/s1600/Paul_video_GreciaTownSq.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Videotapes Worshippers Leaving Mass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We head down the church steps to see if Jesus has shown up
in the town crèche. Not yet. People are posing for pictures and we do too. I
haven’t discovered how and when Jesus gets into the town crèche. Is there
another procession at midnight on the dot? Is he snuck in by one of the town
maintenance workers? I just know that in the morning, when families come to stroll
the town square, Jesus will be there. <i>Being</i>,
not <i>doing</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--GhHoD9Nv4w/UtAJ3nxJNKI/AAAAAAAAA7w/yEVcM33pDFA/s1600/ChristmasPatio-w-Sacha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--GhHoD9Nv4w/UtAJ3nxJNKI/AAAAAAAAA7w/yEVcM33pDFA/s1600/ChristmasPatio-w-Sacha.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Patio, Where We Watch the Stars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paul and I return home and have eggnog and homemade Polish
raisin bread (from the one precious loaf we’re not giving away) on our patio.
The sky is inky black; sparkling with millions of stars. A bright planet glistens
above the town square now distant in the valley. Waiting for Jesus. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618216415777564556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7890814495917103350.post-35391223890012242982013-12-06T08:51:00.000-08:002013-12-10T14:55:13.669-08:00NOVEMBER LIVING EXPENSES IN COSTA RICA by Marilyn<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Inspired by <a href="http://retireforlessincostarica.com/">Pa</a><a href="http://retireforlessincostarica.com/">ul and Gloria Yeatman</a>+ (retireforlessincostarica.com)<b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b>we are determined to
keep our living expenses in Costa Rica at or below $2,000. So, like the
Yeatmans, we’ll be posting our expenses on our blog every month. I like the
idea of comparing what we’re spending with what others are spending to live
comfortably in Costa Rica. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">CATEGORY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">AMOUNT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Groceries/Household<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">403.99<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rent/Utilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1049.01<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Transportation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">76.66<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Doctors/Dentist/Meds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">180.56<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">69.32<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Entertainment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">29.99<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">0.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Workshop/Garden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">109.58<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Furniture/Fixtures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 86.0pt;" width="143"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">924.19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .2in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Misc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">15.02<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">November 2013 TOTAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2858.32<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">LESS Extraordinary Expenses*<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">995.39<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: .4in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="185"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ACTUAL LIVING EXPENSE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1862.93<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<td colspan="2" style="border: none; height: 3.4pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 196.9pt;" valign="bottom" width="328"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">*Furniture for house; cables, etc. to bring electricity to
workshop</span></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the States, discussing money issues with others is still
pretty verboten. People will gleefully share information about who they hooked
up with or what drugs they’re on, but talk about how much you earn … never! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many who move here come with substantial savings and
investments. They may have healthy pensions or retirement accounts. They don’t
have to count pennies (or colones) every month. But there are also the folks
like us who hope to find a way to live well on a limited budget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was extremely refreshing as I began my research on moving
to Costa Rica to discover Paul and Gloria’s website. They are truly an
inspiration and let us believe that we could do this too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A bit of background on us is in order. Paul and I spent much
of our working lives as freelancers in creative fields. Although we had “real”
jobs at various points, those jobs (editing, video production, adjunct faculty)
did not provide opportunities to build strong retirement accounts. We were
fortunate to have the last years of our working lives be as high school
teachers. We each earned enough “points” in the system to have small pensions
that now supplement our Social Security income. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So that’s what we have to work with. By keeping our Costa Rica expenses below
$2,000, we should be able to develop a decent savings account. In the monthly
expense grid that I will be publishing, I am not including “prior commitments”
like credit card and loan payments. Because we no longer use our credit cards,
they are not part and parcel of our living expenses in Costa Rica; still, until
we finish paying them off, they will be impacting our ability to save as much
as we would like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During November, we had nearly $1,000 of what I’ve indicated
as “extraordinary expenses.” We moved into a house with almost no furniture. It
is a great house and we feel very fortunate to have it, but all it had in it
was a table, four chairs and a bed that was too small for us. After meeting
Paul and Gloria in June, we thought we might be able to find a terrific
furnished house in a great area for $500 a month because that’s the deal the
Yeatmans have. They had strongly cautioned us that they’d fallen into a “one in
a million opportunity.” But it wasn’t until two weeks of rental house shopping
that the reality of the “one in a million opportunity” set in. The house we’re
in now is the first one we looked at and initially rejected because the rent
was $850 a month with minimal furnishings. But now that we’re here, it is right
for us for many reasons (to be discussed in a future blog) and well worth the
$850 a month. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> For several reasons
we chose not to ship any of our furniture from the states. So for the next few
months we will be purchasing (or Paul will be building) furniture. The “extraordinary
expenses” in November represent a used bed and bookcase and a new sofa. We are
turning the old house behind ours into a workshop (one of the bonus
opportunities of this rental) To bring power to the building, we purchased
electrical cable and fittings. These improvements will also be considered “extraordinary
expenses” since they are not “required” to live comfortably in Costa Rica, but
are choices we are making over and above our living expenses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So there you have it. Of course every household will be
different, but by looking at a variety of monthly expense budgets, you may be
able to develop your own idea of what you’ll need to start your
new life in Costa Rica with more clarity. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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