Costa Rica Susan

JIm Survives the Tapir Trail

2010-05-28T11:18:00.001-07:00

This top pic is the view at the climax of their trip. Look at how clean everyone is at the start (bottom pic). The heliconia leaves were laid down, in place of a tarp, to keep the tent floor dry and clean. An Orange-kneed Tarantula blessed the trail.

post-wedding celebration

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a fun time was had by all in fantasy land. A year later, they argue like an old married couple.

When we met Manolo's Family

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It was love at first sight.

The prince and princess were wed, a ceremony officiated by Val.

Don't Bug Me

2010-05-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

These metalic-gold colored beetles are easily found in April-May when their life cycle ends. They say some people used to wear them like jewelry.

Risky Roads

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Blue-Crowned Motmots

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Birds visiting our back yard. They especially like to capture the bugs that hop around after I turn the compost under the soil.

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The look on the faces of the coffee tour guides was one of incredulous delight. One guide has been doing night tours and nature photography for ten years and this was the first time he saw an ocelot in-person in Costa Rica.

I was accompanying our friends on a tour of Don Juan's coffee finca with Brandon when a breathless guide came rushing in to tell Brandon about the cat he had seen resting in one of the trees. I called Jim at home to come with the camera and he was able to snap these pictures ten minutes later. The cat stayed for hours. I think he managed to get a little sleep.

Meanwhile a mother motmot was a bit annoyed because we were blocking the way to her tunnel nest. I put my ear to the hole in the cut-side of a small hill and could hear the babies' unearthly cry. A guide spotted the Blue-Crowned Motmot parent nearby with a cricket visible in it's mouth. The guide said the motmots can build a nest as deep as two meters into the side of a cliff-edge.

After the babies grow and leave the nest, she said, it is common for a tarantula to move into the miniature cave, as it is just the right size.

Ocelot spotted at Don Juan Coffee Tour

2010-05-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

Well, his coat was spotted already.

New Camera makes a difference.

2010-05-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

As you can see in the photos Jim captured below, it is worth it to have a good camera with a couple of good lenses.

Birding in the Santa Elena Reserve

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(from top to bottom) Clay Breasted Robin, Resplendent Quetzal-female, Tufted Fly-catcher, Bellbird.

Leaf cutters up close

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taken at the Butterfly Garden real-life ant display

Back in CR: Near Playa Conchell

2009-09-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Name that Town...

2009-09-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

More Notable Roadside Attractions

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Notable Roadside Attractions (U.S.)

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Road Trip Warriors

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Visiting St. Louis friends

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Girl in a Bubble (Chat.)

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Driving through Chattanooga

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Celebrating Mimi

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Mariposas

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Sushi Birthday

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Getting Buggy

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One More Time

2009-09-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

Goodbyes

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Keeping Watch

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Flower Child

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Anna's visit in March

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Bird Rescue

2009-06-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

At the end of the dry season, around May -June, fledgelings are ready to leave the nest. The kids found the woodpecker (middle photo)in the coffee farm and brought it home without knowing better. The next day we took it back, set it at the bottom of the tree we figured it fell out of, and it immediately started climbing the tree to meet "mom" who waited in a branch above (top photo).

Apparently it is common for fledgelings to fall out of the tree during their early flying lessons. If left alone, mama will continue to feed it until it is strong enough to really fly. This ruby throated woodpecker's story had a happy ending.

The baby blue-crowned mot-mot (bottom photo) was not so lucky. A neighbor lady found him in the road and brought him to us. His feet couldn't grasp a finger, and he was fat and had all his feathers. We suspect his foot deformity kept him from learning to fly, so he was still living at home, past adolescence. Mama must have decided she wasn't going to keep the fat little slacker around to attract predators, so she booted him out. Their nests are tunnels in the little dirt hills at the side of the road. Even though he had the gorgeous feathers of the adult bird, he didn't survive, as he was unable to feed himself or protect himself from predators. We couldn't eat insects and vomit them into his beak, like mama did, so he didn't make it. Lucky Guindon said "some critters just aren't meant to survive."

Kia and her nephew Tommy

2009-05-08T21:56:00.001-07:00

We were able to get Tommy and three of his family members neutered and spayed thanks to the help of an animal rescue group started by two amazing women here on the mountain. To read more, see:

PAWScostarica.blogspot.com

Vacation in Samara (Feb 09)

2009-05-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

Faces of Samara, on the Pacific Side

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2009-05-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

Emotional Roller Coaster

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Zip Lines!

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After a long hard day making coffee...

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It is important to take time to pose with an ox cart. These are hand-painted in unique ways that signify which part of Costa Rica they are from. Also, nothing quenches thirst after a long day better than sugar cane juice, being pressed in this trapichi (sp?) machine. And finally, a big hug from your favorite friend is a great way to end your coffee tour.

Even More About Coffee

2009-05-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

After the coffee is grown in ideal, rich, volcanic soil, it can be harvested. Then the beans are dried, hulled and separated. If you get bored, you can always separate the beans into cute animal shapes. Once separated, the coffee can be ground, but only after you find a little girl in pink, who needs her bangs trimmed, to turn the handle.

Demonstrating the latest in coffee picking fashion

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More About Coffee

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First, the coffee is born. These are baby coffee plants.

Jungle Gym

2009-05-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

Rope Swing and Don Juan Coffee Tour

2009-05-05T11:40:00.001-07:00

Top photo: Brandon giving us the tour.

Bottom: The kids hike through the coffee farm property to take a short cut to the school bus. Brandon's grandfather gave us permission to trespass, along with free coffee and fresh herbs from his garden.

Brandon made this rope swing. It is a loop fashioned from a vine growing in the woods on one of the paths to the school bus stop. Kiera tests it daily to be sure it still swings properly.

Here is Sara giving it a try.

Sally and Family visit from New Orleans

2009-05-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Ticos

2009-04-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

The word tico is the name for people born in Costa Rica. It is an affectionate term that comes from the way Costa Ricans add "..ito/a" to the end of words to make a more endearing form. for example,

Pobre= poor pobrecito/a= poor little thing.

Perro=dog perrito/a= little doggie

un poco=a little amount un poquito, =a little amount (spoken by a Costa Rican).

Brandon

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One of our neighbors likes to play with scorpions, after cutting off the stinger. Brandon's grandfather is Don Juan. He owns the coffee farm that his sons run. Brandon speaks excellent english so he has recently been hired as a tour guide. Brandon learned english at the Creativa school, when he was in first and second grade with Jean (see earlier post: My Jeanie). Brandon is now 17, and is learning to play the flute. He walks by our house on the way home from work and frequently stops by for tea and to play with Kiera ("My little monkey") and Val. He is the epitome of the gentle and modest tico.

Sledding at 78 degrees fahrenheit.

2009-04-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

Some of our cuter neighbors in their free time.

Springtime for Chickens

2009-04-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

These chickens belong to Don Juan, who owns a coffee farm near our house. The kids hike through the woods on his property and past his house to get to the school bus stop 20 minutes away. His grandson Brandon introduced us to him and Don Juan gave us permission to trespass on his property each day. He later gave us spinach, celantro and a mint plant from his farm.

Double Rainbow

2009-04-14T06:36:00.000-07:00

2009-04-13T19:59:00.001-07:00

I would like to take a moment to recommend to my dear readers that you take a look at the lecture series on ted.com --if you haven't already. Please view what interests you and then tell me what your favorites are. Some of mine include "How Our Education System is Killing Creativity", and the one about the neurologist who had a stroke (I think it's called "A Stroke of Genius"), and Amy Tan, and Elizabeth Gilbert- both on where creativity comes from.

Valerie just pointed out to me that all my "favorites" are the only ones I actually watched.

I stand corrected.

Artist's Hands

2009-04-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

This year Val made Hand Art (on her own hands) as a birthday gift to me. When she was three or four years old she would entertain herself by "drawing bones" on my hands, in ink, while I slept. She also drew on the Women's Resource Center office wall once in permanent marker. Who needs paper when the world is your canvas?

Susan Turns 48

2009-04-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

I celebrated my birthday in January with a girl's ride courtesy of Sabine's Smiling Horse Stable. Kiera is riding Pitufa, whose name means "Smurf" in Spanish. Our guides were Maria from England who was visiting as a volunteer with the stable for three weeks, and Alvero, who is a Tico from the Monteverde area. I nick-named him Senior Guapo because of his amazing smile and warm disposition.

Dude Hike up the Rio Guacimal

2009-04-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

Jim hiked in January with other ex-pat dudes at one of the many rivers on the mountain.

Swimmin Buds

2009-04-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

Hot Springs

2009-04-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

This is a shot of a pool in Las Juntas, about 2 hours down the mountain road from Monteverde. Three pools are filled with water heated by the thermal hot springs.

The roads have been steadily improved, making such trips shorter and rides smoother than in the past. It can be unfortunate for iguanas, though. Their favorite sunbathing spots are often in the middle of a freshly paved road heated in the mid-day sun. Unused to the swiftly moving cars, they can end up as road kill. Sad for the iguanas, but also for the locals, who say iguanas are delicious...

Mmmmm, Iguana

2009-04-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

Some of Kiera's classmates

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Fashion Hound

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Tommy in the latest from the barrio.

Extended Family

2009-04-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors started raising chickens, of various exotic breeds. The hens have since laid many eggs and hatched some chicks. Eggs don't get much fresher.

Tommy is our adopted pup. He lives with his birth-family, but we visit him often. His favorite activity is chasing death defying motor vehicles up and down the dirt road with his fellow pooches from the hood. The make quite a racket.

This is a better photo of the punk rocker chicken dude.

My Jeanie

2009-04-06T20:43:00.002-07:00

Our across the street neighbors have some uniquely plumed chickens. We suggested they be named Sid Vicious or Iggy Pop to go with their mohawk hairdos. These birds are convinced they are family members and would eat at the kitchen table if one let them.

Jean is a teacher at the school the girls attend and a good friend.

Christmas in the USA

2009-04-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

Hangin out in South Carolina...Or, taking a vacation from our vacation.

Traditions from Christmases Past

2009-04-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

Making rolls helps us remember and honor those who have gone before us. Pa and Miss Effie would be proud.

Diversions

2009-02-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

When we are not being amazed by the bio-diversity thriving on the mountain, or entertained by the kids, Kakuro is our latest addiction.

Strangler Fig Tree

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Words cannot describe the immense awesomeness of these beautiful structures.

Hiking with friends

2009-02-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

Jim went exploring with fellow über-hikers from La Lindora to San Luis.

When we moved here we met a group of outdoor enthusiasts who are "older parents" like us. We all have children attending The Cloud Forest School here in Monteverde. (see Kiera's birthday photo earlier in this blog.)

This river is called the Rio Guacimal.

Kiera with Tommy

2009-02-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

Tommy is the puppy that does not live at our house. (We are not allowed pets by our landlord). He resembles a miniature german shepherd (the dog, not the landlord). I think we will bring him back with us when we return to St. Louis. He lives at our neighbor's house across the street, but he likes to accompany us to movies, school, or whatever in a special pouch I made for him.

Costa Rica dreamin'

2009-02-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

Celebrating a Bettye-Christmas with Mimi and Milkshake

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Cow Amore

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Music, dance and romance: integral parts of Costa Rican culture.

Cow Town

2009-02-08T10:38:00.001-08:00

We always spend time in Alejuela (northwest of San Jose) before flying to or from the US.

Before Christmas this cow-art was displayed in the town square.

In January a huge earthquake hit the Alejuela area. Rescue efforts became a world news story. (Thanks for all your e-mail messages of concern.) We know people who had family impacted by the quake, and we felt it all the way up the the mountain, but fortunately we were safe.

Merry cow-mas.

We love cows.

Cow Cats are watching...

The beach on the caribbean side

2009-02-08T10:31:00.000-08:00

Val and Kiera enjoy the caribbean beach south of Limón. A few weeks later the rainy season hit the coast and much of Limón was flooded. Fund raisers were held in Monteverde and other towns to raise money for relief efforts.

Halloween on Monteverde, or, when in Costa Rica...

2008-12-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

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2008-12-02T13:27:00.000-08:00

The Neighbors decided to drop by...

2008-10-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we have unexpected guests. It is traditional for someone to yell "Upe" before stepping onto your porch to see if you are home. (Some say "Mooooope".)

Horses

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More neighbors...

Weather or not

2008-10-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

This time of year we could experience many kinds of weather: Wet, slightly wet, really wet, torrential downpours that flood out bridges and cause landslides. The above is an example of fog, or, slightly wet.

paradise

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There are great hiking trails where we can spot endangered species like the three wattled bell bird (illustrated on the sign). Like many birds they are easier to hear than spot. Their call can't be mistaken. It sounds like the shrill squeek of a metal gate needing oil. One of the paths ended at a tall and narrow waterfall.

Leafcutter Ants

2008-10-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

Kiera still considers herself "a friend of ants." Though she has stopped picking them up with her fingers (harmless looking ants here bite like the dickens), she enjoys giving leaf-cutter ants a lift. She will pick one up by the leaf it is carrying, and gently set it back down closer to it's destination. Imagine what UFO abduction stories that ant must tell when he gets home.

bull

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One of our neighbors.

FlyCatcher

2008-10-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

This bird's favorite activity is tweeting a melodic warning, then smashing itself senseless against it's own reflection in the windows on the front of our house. A friend recommended we cut out a silhuette of a hawk, and paste it to the inside of the window. Worked like a charm.

2008-09-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

It is late September and I haven't posted anything new. Perhaps this can be a reminder that if we are too busy to reflect on our days (or read someone else's blog), we are too busy. I will add new photos and stories soon. I have been catching up on reading my e-mail.

-Susan

Quien es esta caballero?

2008-08-09T15:59:00.000-07:00

The view from Annamarie's "Yellow House", near sunset

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Our New Perspective

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How's that for a view? This is looking down the mountain to the Nicoya Peninsuala, at the horizon line. Jim snapped this on one of his hikes.

For the Birders

2008-08-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

This Blue-crowned Motmot is perched on Manolo's laundry line in our back yard. The ribbon of feathers beneath his crown was a brilliant turqoise color. Do they have these in the US, Jonathan, Trudy, or Dylan?

Bats!

2008-08-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

These cute little fruit bats rest during the day in the roof (Val's ceiling). It isn't real clear in the photo, but there are three bats huddling together, hanging upside down, In the evening they make scratchy sounds as they are waking up.

We Are Here

2008-08-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

Casa De Manolo Y Beth, center, one third from bottom of picture

The long walk from home to the school bus stop-Still the dry season...

2008-08-07T17:04:00.000-07:00

School started at Creativa about three weeks ago. The girls have been walking 30 minutes to the bus stop each day. It is up-hill most of the way, and if not for the promise of a popi fresa (strawberry-yogurt sucker) from the corner Mini Super, they might not make it on some days. Fortunately a delightful first grade teacher at Creativa lives across the street from us and on rainy days she and our girls share a taxi. On nicer days the walk sometimes includes something interesting, like a cat on a warm tin roof.

This bridge has been under construction for over a year now, so not much hope it will be finished any time soon. The builders are on Costa Rica time, as they say...

Kiera turns 6

2008-08-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

Families from the US and the UK help celebrate Kiera's cumpleaños at Casa De Manolo y Beth, the Warren's home-away-from-home. Photo credit: Cathy Karp

August 2 holiday (PHOTO: La Basilica Cartago)

2008-07-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

The following article is a copy of an informative e-mail from Karen Gordon, admissions administrator at our school:

Dia de la Virgen de los Angeles, August 2.

During the course of this week, thousands of people from all over CR and even Central America have been walking to Cartago, located 24 km southeast of San Jose. By Saturday, August 2, well over a million pilgrims (peregrinos) will visit La Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles to pay homage to CR's patron saint on her special day.

Cartago is the former capital of CR. Founded in 1563 by Juan Vasquez de Coronado (the Spanish governor), it was CR's only city for almost 150 years. Irazu (a beautiful national park) rises up from the edge of the town - an active volcano. Earthquakes have toppled Cartago repeatedly over the years, including major quakes in 1841 and 1910. You can still see ruins in the center of the city today.

Cartago's most famous building is the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles, which is dedicated to the patron saint of CR. Within the walls of the Byzantine-style cathedral is a shrine consisting of the tiny 8-inch figure of La Negrita (or La Virgen) embedded in a gold and jewel encrusted shrine above the main altar.

Legend has it that La Negrita first revealed herself to a peasant girl, Juana Pereira, in 1635. Juana supposedly found a stone "doll" holding the Christ child on a rock next to a stream. She took it home and placed it in a box, and twice it mysteriously appeared at the original spot where it was discovered. A cathedral was built upon the rock where La Virgen was discovered, and although it was toppled by another earthquake in 1926, another was built directly over it.

Today, you can visit the cathedral and actually walk through the underground passages to see the rock and the spring, which are said to have curative powers. My mother-in-law always has a bottle of "agua bendita" (holy water) in the house. I remember her putting it on Christopher's head every day for weeks after he was born, especially when he cried - and in his bath water!! Most babies who come into Catholic families are presented to La Virgen as part of their welcome into the world, and many have the middle name of "los Angeles" to give protection to the child, and to honor La Negrita.

Miraculous healing powers have been attributed to La Negrita, and over the years, millions of pilgrims have come to the shrine seeking cures for their illnesses and troubles, at all times of the year. On any given day, you will find people entering the cathedral on their knees, "walking" down the center aisle, and praying. The walls of the underground passageways are covered with a fascinating array of silver images left as thanks for cures effected by La Negrita. Amid the plethora of diminutive silver arms and legs, there are also hands, feet, hearts, lungs, kidneys, eyes, torsos, babies, families, trucks, planes, even sports trophies in thanks for helping teams win big games. Outside the cathedral vendors sell a wide selection of these images, as well as replicas of La Negrita.

August 2 is the day that is dedicated in devotion to this powerful statue. If you have a television and happen to see the news, they will be reporting over the next few days about La Romeria (The Pilgrimage) and about the pilgrims who are making their way to the La Basilica. There are always a few groups of people from Santa Elena, Monteverde, San Luis, and other neighboring towns who walk to Cartago (a 3-day journey) to ask La Virgen for a favor, or to give thanks for favors granted. (sources: Lonely Planet, Frommers, and Fabricio de los Angeles Camach, my husband!)

... This story reminded me of 12 years ago, when Jim's mom Marnee confessed to me that she had made the sign of the cross on Valerie's forehead, chanting "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost". She was surprised to learn that we had not seen to the baptism of our little 6 month old. So one night when she and Pa were baby sitting, while Jim and I went out, she snuck into the sleeping baby's nursery, and completed the ritual to her satisfaction, using tap water in place of the traditional holy water. Traditions aren't so different around the world. Hey, it made Marnee feel better.

Kiera turns 6

2008-07-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

Today we went horseback riding at Sabine's stable, down the road, 5 minutes walk. Her 6 yr old daughter Tara lead the tour, while Miguel patiently took Kiera's horse's lead. Up the mountain, past some coffee fields, across some mud-and-stick bridges. One hour up and one hour down. The view at the top was amazing. The Nicoya peninsula was visible past the rolling hills and pastures. This has to be the most beautiful country on the planet. (This is when you get jealous. I would, too, except I am here.)

I would like take this opportunity to thank all my devoted fans for your support and encouragement in the writing of this blog. Both of you. Your comments are very dear to me.

By the way, this horseback riding adventure was in honor of Kiera's last day to be 5. Tomorrow we celebrate with our new neighbors and friends, cake (double chocolate) and a pinata.

There is talk of a brief foray into Nicaragua with the other US and UK families, about 6 of whom attend our Creativa school. If it happens I'll cover it.

For those of you who were less encouraging about our radical sabatical, you will be satisfied to know our refrigerator broke down at the St. Louis house, to the dismay of our tenants. So something has gone wrong. It sure hasn't been the weather here, it's in the 70s every day, sunny, with occasional drizzle. Just enough rain to be refreshing and keep the dust down.

Last night we went to the Quaker Friend's school to attend a dance. These are held about twice a month in the prayer space, which is the main room. They scoot the pews against the walls and the band plays square-dance type folk music. The band is about six fiddles, a 'cello and a guitar. There were probably just under 60 people, youngsters to folks who've been around for a while. Many of the regular attendees know the dances, and they teach the steps to the new-bees. We were only there for one dance, because Val wasn't feeling well. But get this, it was the "Pat-a-Cake Polka", the same dance Christina and I learned one night after presenting our seminar at the Rural (National Rural Institute on Alcohol and Drug Addictions) the last three summers. From Menomonie, a small town in Wisconsin, USA, to the mountain top in Monteverde, Costa Rica. It really is a small world.

We spotted two sloths at two separate times in two different trees taking naps- in the middle of the town. Locals tend to spot them, stop and point up. A small crowd soon gathers, made up of ticos and tourists alike. The sloth finds a spot where branches come together and lays on his back, like one might on a hammock. He's just a fat ball of fur laying in the tree with his belly exposed, but well camoflaged by the thick foliage. I guess they sleep in the quieter areas outside of town as well, but they aren't as likely to be spotted because of fewer pedestrians.

Wow.

Piano!

2008-07-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Today Manolo (landlord and amigo) repaired the electric piano. Val had me look up sheet music to Sarah Bareille's Love Song, so I practiced about and hour.

I made Susan's Best Soup today for lunch- -all the leftovers from the refrigerator into a pot, add water and spices and simmer an hour or so. Jim and I liked it, Val had half a bowl and K passed. Then we exploded hot dogs in the microwave. (Remember to remove plastic casings on individual dogs before cooking next time. Lucky I made this mistake in microwave and not broiling them in the oven.) Not bad tasting.

Today is Thursday. It has been drizzling or raining all day so far. No trip to the market today.

The drier in the house works great. Close the windows on the third floor (Val's room) to let it heat up to about 80-85 degrees. Hang clothes on cloths line or hammock up there. Towels do well off the second floor balcony.

We found bats, about three or four, sleeping in the eaves of Val's room this morning. They haven't left yet. Saw a pair of Toucanettes outside the window of the master bedroom today. Jim suspects they have a nest nearby. They are parrot green with thick black beaks, but smaller than toucans. Still working on adding photos to this site.

2008-07-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

We now have our C.R. driver's license and debit cards! The license took about four hours. It would have taken several days if not for the help of the Association of Residents of Costa Rica (ARCR).

Bernardito walked us through a maze of paperwork, to a clinic where our blood was drawn to get our blood type, a physical, an eye exam, more paperwork, and finally the photo place. Jim took care of getting the Debit cards.

We are working toward becoming residents. The health care costs for residents are phenomenally low here. Docs aren't revered as gods in C.R. like they are in the U.S. The pharmacist can refill almost all of our Rx's with little hassle, usually with just the bottle label.

2008-07-10T09:46:00.001-07:00

Our flight went without incident. Leaving the San jose airport (in Alejuela) was more interesting, however. We retrieved a total of 17 bags, and used one of those airport carts. Once outside the doors, Jim chose a cabby and followed him to his cab with Kiera and two of the large duffles, behind a cement wall partition to the street.

Val and I had the remainder of the bags, including the cart. I stopped on the sidewalk just out side of the airport door to look which way Jim went. I forgot that all travelers are fair game for the cabby free-for-all.

Cabbies know the words "You need help?" in english, then start talking rapidly in spanish, while trying to grab your luggage and take it toward their cab. Anyone can try for your business, so it is not unusual to have three cabbies hollering at you in spanish. I said no and waved them each away, as is the custom. Their manager said in english, "You cannot take the cart out of the airport, ma'am." I said "Pardonne" which I think is french instead of spanish; "Desculpeme" is the proper word for apologizing in this case. I stood still with the cart and other bags and asked Val to find her Dad. Then the cabbies started trying to remove my luggage from the cart again. I had to grab one guy's arm and say "Stop!" The manager again addressed me. I said, "I understand, but I'm not going to tip three people". By then Val was back with Jim who redirected them and led me to where his cab was.

It's a little overwhelming and intimidating to get hit with this when you first step out of the airport if you're not prepared. I guess a US woman with a load of luggage and a confused look on her face looks like a good financial opportunity. It doesn't matter how we dress or act, our language, hairstyles, clothing, shoes and other accessories clue people in to our foreign origins, as do clues from our body language. In addition, for a country where the life style is laid back, being on Costa Rica Time as they say, this moment of urgency and rushing from the locals comes as a bit of a surprise. We laughed about it later and decided to try to be better prepared next time.

Why Monteverde?

2008-07-10T09:44:00.001-07:00

Check out this link: Miracle on the Mountain to learn more about the girls' school. This is the reason we chose Monteverde as our location in C.R.

2008-07-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

We left St Louis on July 1, and drove to visit Marnee. We packed books into the car and sent our clothes by US post. The three large boxes were supposed to arrive in SC Friday, but of course that was a holiday. Saturday, no box. The kids and I have two days worth of clothes and swim suits. We will go shopping if they aren't here by monday.

We packed our books because we heard it is difficult to get current books in CR. The less-new books seem to disintegrate during the rainy season (May-December). You couldn't turn the pages on one book I looked at from a friend's library in CR- the pages were all stuck together. Little black dots of mold were growing on the page edges. I guess everything tries to recycle ASAP in CR's tropical climate.

So tonight we divide up the books to decide which will travel with us on the first flight out of the US. We certainly can't take them all. We'll return to the states every couple of months to check on Marnee, who just turned 86. We're hoping she'll come to see us and spend a couple of months. Not likely during the rainy season. The car will be parked in the garage in SC. Don't get any ideas, Marnee. Your license has long ago expired.

We depart from SAV to head to CR on July 9. I'll work on getting photos.