The day before - Our Life in Costa Rica

So I think I pretty much met my goal of posting pictures everyday this month! My plan was to resume posting twice a week, except, I have been getting so many inquiries from people contemplating moving here (Trump fall out).

I have been asked me to continue posting frequently. So, we shall see. I am also working on adding a section where I will feature pertinent information for people moving here, like best areas to live, schools, services etc. Also working on an FAQ, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from our Friday in town 

(errand day and feria day)

We learned that the feria would be closed today (Sat) and that the special hours on Friday would be 8am - 8pm (usually noon to 9pm). So we hopped on the 9:00 bus and headed into town. 

first stop...

Lavanson wanted to buy more sublingual vitamin B12

(which we could not find in farmacia #1) 

Notice the jello on the shelf? Costa Ricans eat Jello and drink lots and lots on Tang! 

Inside of a typical farmacia. If you have to get an immunization, you go to the farmacia and they give you the shot, not the doctor. 

 We had to go to several different pharmacies. 

Thank goodness they have nice benches where I can sit and wait while he asks. His Spanish is pretty good these days. Me, still? Mi Espanol est malo! 

My seat was right in front of the weight machine.

 I noticed just about everyone who came into the farmacia got on the scale. It spits out a paper with the printed results on it. I did not get on (I stopped torturing myself years ago)

Last stop was Macrobiotica in the mercado central. 

No luck but you can certainly work up quite an appetite walking up and down the streets of Grecia!

Grabbed some breakfast at Arte Latte (right across from the church. (I took this picture while we were eating) Lots of expats hang out there as they have a more American style menu. While we we there, we met up with our friends Leeana & Mark (going to the feria as well) So we decided to go together. We caught a taxi (convenient stand, right by the church). Cost for trip to the feria was about $.80. We were there in 5 minutes.

 After the feria, we walk down the street to Maxi Pali to do grocery shopping for other items

 (Oh BTW, right before we left home, I was getting ready to get into the shower, and...the water went off.  Very typical here. They are forever testing the water here. No complaints though, as the water is excellent. We no longer have to drink bottled water (cha ching - think of the savings!). 

When we returned home, the water was back on)

 Sunset from El Cajon

Friday evening we attended Holiday Party #4, celebrating the last day of Hanukkah 

with friends on El Cajon ridge. 

Sign of a good party, right? 

Nuff said!

Tonight we close out the year by celebrating with friends in Escazu

Party #5. 

See you tomorrow!

Happy New Year!!!

Have a safe New Year's Eve everyone!

The ever changing clouds of Costa Rica - Our Life in Costa Rica

Its official name is iridescence, although often referred to as "mini rainbows" because large portions of the edges of clouds briefly exhibit many of the colors of the rainbow, in a more muted tone. 

As seen from our patio

It's time! - Our Life in Costa Rica

 Coffee season has arrived!

Each year coffee is harvested during the dry season when the coffee cherries are bright red, 
glossy and firm. 
They leave behind unripe, green beans to be harvested at a later time. 
Most coffee berries are handpicked from the plants. The berries are then taken to beneficios (processing plants), where they are washed and removed of pulp. The beans are then dried in the sun or by a machine. Afterwards, beans are sorted according to size and shape and sealed off in bags.

our coffee tour

Please click if you missed my post "Coffee Talk"  or the related video

Today as we walked to the bus, we could see the workers out picking the ripe, red coffee beans. It's a family affair including the pets.

coffee in our yard

These are the bags used to harvest the coffee beans

We have coffee in our backyard and Marcelo told us that the long rainy reason has caused problems for the coffee. I'm happy that they have started picking it. 

Emphasis on prevention - Our Life in Costa Rica

During our Spanish class last Thursday, we were having an off topic discussion with our teacher, Shirley. We often use a portion of the class (it is a 2 hr lesson) to pick her brain about life in Costa Rica and she also answers any questions we might have about customs etc. (She is also the person who helped us get our house here last year)

Anyway, we were discussing the different horns that we hear passing by the house and she mentioned that one may have been from a health care worker. She then explained, quite matter-of factly, how health workers come around to every house once a year to check on the people (the population of Grecia is over 15,000). They have your full medical records, know what medicines you are taking and any vaccinations/shots etc that may be due. She mentioned that they check your heart and blood pressure and help with issues pertaining to your home and pets as well. What? (we looked at her and then each other -- with our mouths open) She then went on to say, she had tried on 2 occasions to take her toddler in for her scheduled vaccination but for different reasons, was not able to get it done. When the health care worker arrived, she knew all about her attempts, and had the vaccine with her, and gave it to the baby during the visit. It's all FREE!! What? (she looked back at us like "what" they don't do this in the U.S?)

Just another example of the difference in living here, as compared to, what we are used to back in the states.

Here's the way it goes

Penn State College of Health and Human Development
Although there are many differences between the Costa Rican health care system and ours, one of the most influential differences can be found in Costa Rica’s empowering emphasis on preventative care and promotion. This ideal is embodied in the unique health care workers known as ATAPs, who are trained with basic nursing and social work skills.

Part of our time in Costa Rica was spent accompanying the ATAPs on their “rounds” — people in rural communities are visited at their homes at least once per year by an ATAP. While there, the ATAP provides any routine vaccinations, dietary tips or basic medications members of the family might need. 

In addition to checking on basic health, the ATAPs also check each home for running water, electricity, and good treatment of any pets. If there are any social counseling needs, the ATAP will visit up to six times per year to accommodate these families. 

Visiting the ATAPs, hospitals and clinics, and learning about the Costa Rican healthcare system was an amazing experience for myself and all of the students involved. The trip gave us the opportunity to see community care on a whole new level, and opened our eyes to the vast array of approaches to improving overall health.  Source

and

Under the universal system, every Costa Rican citizen has health care coverage and can use the public system. Funded by a 9 percent employee income tax and a variable employer contribution, the health system provides care to all, regardless of pre-existing conditions or the extent of the treatment needed.

There are no bills sent to patients, and prescription medications are free.

And, WE can only imagine!

Off in the clouds - Our Life in Costa Rica

The cloud formations here are amazing. Had some friends over yesterday and we sat on the back patio and watched as the sky transformed itself (several times).

Solstice Party Costa Rica Style - Our Life in Costa Rica

This is our first Christmas away from home.

Holiday Party #3

Below is a video from the Annual Solstice party we attended last week over on the El Cajon (the ridge next to ours).

Nothing better than spending time with friends at holiday time!

Thank you to our hosts Jim & Irina!!

Annual Solstice Party Dec 2016 from Devon on Vimeo.

(email subscribers please click link above)

Merry Christmas!

Kindness and Gratitude - Our Life in Costa Rica

Christmas Eve - Take Two

Another reason why...I love it here!

Our 1st Christmas away. This afternoon as we were sitting home quietly contemplating what to have for Xmas Eve dinner, our landlord magically appeared in our backyard. We've had some problems with our gate and we've been waiting for the repair person to come to check it out. It seems our landlord used his remote and the gate opened, even though it has not opened using our remote for about 3 weeks. So, he thought it was fixed. 

At any rate he also had a surprise for us! He brought us some traditional Costa Rican food from their family Xmas Eve dinner. His mother sent over tamals, bizcocho, and picdaillo. He told us that each family has their own tamale recipe and they are all different. Also the tamals can be wrapped in banana or plantain leaf (each has its own distinct flavor). He definitely thinks that plantains are better. 

He asked me to let him know what I thought. I tried to wait for him to leave so that I could make myself a plate and sit down to enjoy everything, but he was making himself busy attending to little odds and ends around the property. Finally, I could wait no longer! 

First I sampled the bizcocho, then the piccadillo and finally the tamal. 

They were all so good, I can't even tell you how good they were! And the best part was, 

they thought enough of us, to bring us a part of their dinner on Xmas Eve, a time reserved for family.

Thank you Marcelo and family

We really appreciate your kindness more than you know!

bizcocho - This is a traditional dish prepared especially during holy week; during this week people try to avoid meat. That is why prepared bizcocho is prepared with cheese and corn.  Bizcocho is a delicious biscuit prepared mixing ½ pound of crushed cheese, 2 ounces of starch,1/2 pound of dough, 2 ounces of butter and salt, then they are baked for one hour. Marcelo's family using 3 different cheeses

Tamal Carne - wrapped in plantain leaves.

Picadillo is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries as well as the Philippines, however, versions of it vary from country to country. Marcelo's family used potatoes and a vegetable called arracacha. In the land of pura vida, versions always include the name of the vegetable which represents the main ingredient to the dish.

Marcelo brought 10 of each item. Unfortunately for Lavanson, everything but the bizcocho has meat, so he cannot eat any. 

Poor thing! 

More for me!

I know what I will be snacking on for the next several days!

Christmas Eve - Our Life in Costa Rica

Taken from our patio and is called a "sundog"

Here are some Costa Rican traditions for the next 2 days

• share a big Christmas Eve dinner with friends and family then head to Christmas Eve Midnight Mass 
• tuck baby Jesus in the Manger and place gifts under the Christmas tree at midnight on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Most families have a late night dinner of pork leg and tamales on with eggnog, heavy with rum, while people visit friends and family to give presents before midnight. Then, people head to the midnight mass. It’s a long service, and many are often too tired to stay through the two hour mass. With the local traditions of food, family and fun, Christmas is definitely the happiest time of the year in Costa Rica.

Christmas DayChristmas Day is a special day for children who receive and play with presents that they have been longing for. Children in Costa RIca believe that baby Jesus is the one who brings Christmas presents to children. Some children write letters to Baby Jesus “Cartas al Nino” a few weeks before Christmas Day, asking for a gift that they desire most.Many people have the day off work and spend time with their families, friends, and loved ones. They also bring their children to take rides and eat at Fiestas de Zapote in the morning. At night they gather with friends and share drinks enjoying the night.Many churches have special Christmas Day services, some of which include choirs, joyous singing, and meet-and-greet opportunities after the church services.

Source: Christmas Traditions Ryan Van Velzer

Also today we stopped by to visit a friend on the next ridge over. We took the bus from town. It was very easy. You can almost see our house from theirs but in order for us to get to him, we have to take the bus down our ridge into town, then catch their bus back up. It took about 1 1/2.  He gave us the utility pole number nearest his house so we would know where to get off the bus, since there are no addresses. While we were in town we bought some of my favorite peanuts with lemon. (mani - limon y sal)

Here's a few pics of their house. Very cute!

Have a very Happy Xmas Eve and see ya tomorrow!

A bridge too far - Our Life in Costa Rica

Only TWO more days until Christmas

It's Friday, and we are off to town to run errands and shop at the feria. No Isabel's tonight so we will spend a quiet evening at home.

Before we go, I thought I would share this little story and these photos with you. They were taken on Wednesday as we were on our way to La Terraza (by taxi) to meet the new arrivals, Dietta & Charles.

There was a bridge you had to cross just before getting to La Terraza. Lavanson used to call it "the bridge of great hope" (it was a sort of scary little bridge).  It was frequently used to get to this particular barrio and also served as a short cut into town. You could hear the loud clickety clack as the cars (and trucks) rolled over it. I think there was also a religious statue on the other side. I guess to give thanks to when you made it safely across!

They finally tore it down a few weeks ago and most folks use the detour, but not our taxi driver. He drove right past the "closed for cars - bridge is under repair"  sign and drove right up to the end of the road and pointed to where the bridge used to be. He said a few words in Spanish to some other people who were walking by and motioned for us to get out of the taxi "aqui". When we got out, we found a temporary bridge a few feet away serving as a makeshift crossing.  We walked across the 2 support/boards, which are now the pedestrian walk way and arrived safely on the other side. Right in front of our destination (no religious statue in sight). Ya gotta love it here!

The river

a little spooky but not as bad as I thought

safe and sound on the other side

Have a wonderful day and don't shop too much!

Welcome to the New Kids in Town - Our Life in Costa Rica

With 4 days till Xmas

Welcome Dietta & Charles to the family!

These 2 happy people from Dallas (traveling with only 2 bags each) arrived in Costa Rica on Tues night around 9pm. 

They checked in @ La Terraza B& B and we met them for breakfast on Wednesday and a 

Costa Rica  Roundtable Q & A discussion

Unfortunately, their flight was delayed going out and as luck would have it, their luggage did not arrive with them

The Q & A roundtable is an excellent way to begin getting acclimated to living in Costa Rica and also provides a variety of perspectives  -- from those expats that have only been here a short while to those who have been here for over 10 years.

First things first...what about the money?

Then off to find the nearest mall to get a few new clothes to tide them over until their luggage gets delivered

We missed the bus so decided to do the 15-20 minute walk to Maxi Pali and the Grecia Plaza

Lavanson & I left them in the capable hands of our friend Marilyn, as he and I needed to catch the bus back up to our ridge because we had a Summer Solstice Party (holiday party #3) to attend.

Annual Solstice Party location: El Cajon de Grecia

BTW - we had a ball and I have LOTS more pics and video to share. I will get it up for you as soon as I can get it all edited.

In the meantime.....Holiday Photo Collection Thursday choice

Lily

See ya tomorrow!