What do you do all day? - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

I want you to get the feel of the day.  

I want to point out to you again point out, that living here, you can be as busy as you want to be, or not (for all of you worriers). It's all up to you. If you can't find something to do, then you aren't trying very hard!! LOL

Last Saturday -- the plan was to walk to our friend's house for breakfast - it would be our first time walking to their house as they live a distance away (that's pretty much all we had on the agenda). A couple of other friends were going to stop by in the afternoon to drop off some Vitamin C. 

I'd also like to reiterate, once again, how friendly the local people are! On our walk we met a neighbor -- he even joined in on a conversation with us when our Spanish is limited and the neighbor (whom we had never even met before) spoke no English!! You can still survive!  

At our friend's home we had a very nice breakfast of homemade crepes and since they are growing their own coffee we joined in on some coffee prep and learned more about what it takes to actually end up with a fine cup of coffee. They are both very knowledgeable. 

I am still getting used to coffee so mine has more milk in it 

If you are interested in a healthy lifestyle, Costa Rica is a great place to be. We have been fermenting our Kombucha but we've been a wee bit stuck, so we get a little instruction about scoby division. Kombucha is the beverage the ancient Chinese called the “Immortal Health Elixir?” It’s been around for more than 2,000 years and has a rich anecdotal history of health benefits like preventing and fighting cancer, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases. 

We also have 2 Brazilian Aloe Vera plants which have excellent medicinal value.  We've been told that we can now start making our own medicinal aloe mixture. It has been said that aloe plus honey may be a successful cure and preventative for cancer and other afflictions. You should do your own research but here is a link 

Finally, we ended up at our other friends house and got to see his amazing aloe plants - they are such beautiful plants and he has over 100 - all grown from just 5 small plants.

We had a yummy raw vegan dinner and of course some wine and good conversation.

2 of the 3 cooks

And... as it turns out Sat was the Festival de la Luz and we got to see the fireworks from their spectacular view.

photo source and more information Tico Times 

Pancakes and Flower Power - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

I'm so happy that we have new neighbors that moved on our ridge a couple of months ago. AND, they are from the Bay Area. As a matter of fact they lived fairly close to where I lived for about 10 yrs. 

With many of the expats here, usually the biggest commonality is that we come from the US, but in this case it is even better because in addition to being from the same country, we are from the same local area and they live close enough for us to walk to their house (very important since we have no car). 

Anyway, yesterday they walked over to our house (which was an easy (?) 40 minute walk (for them) - we have not tried it yet) and we decided to go up to Isabel's (the restaurant where we have our Friday happy hour) and have breakfast. 

The place was full because there is another group of expats who go there for Sunday breakfast after their church service.

At any rate  -- we loved the breakfast!! The pancakes were the best I've had in Costa Rica and Isabel serves US style bacon (for any of you who still eat bacon). Costa Rican bacon (tocineta) is not the same, not sure why, and nothing against the local food, which we eat most of the time --

 but sometimes it's just nice to have food you are used to and also get to speak English 😁

enjoying a caramel latte @ Isabel's

After breakfast, we went back to their house (in the rental car my brother drove down from Tamarindo) and Kate gave us a tour of their garden. Gardens are quite the thing here since so many of us have lots of yard and beautiful views.

Her hubby is a coffee expert (they are also growing coffee on their land and roasting it themselves) He made espresso for us and we chatted on their patio for a while.

We had a beautiful Sunday!!

Kate picked some of her gorgeous hydrangeas and gave them to me to take home along with some yucca.

(I actually had enough for 3 separate flower arrangements) 

Thanks Kate because the hydrangeas in our yard are pretty pitiful - I must say!!

If you live in the cooler regions of Costa Rica you will see plenty of hydrangea flowers (Hydrangea macrophylla).

Originally from Japan, (the Spanish name is Hortencia). Hydrangea is common in the highlands of Costa Rica (we are at 4,200 ft). The shrubs are everywhere around our neighborhood with their large inflorescences of blue, pink or white flowers with coarse green leaves. If you look closely at the center of each flower, you will notice miniature flowers with petals, stamens and pistils. What looks like large showy petals of each flower are actually calyces (the sepals of a flower collectively, forming the outer floral envelope that protects the developing flower)

The root is considered a useful botanical tonic for the kidneys and bladder. However, the buds and young leaves are toxic.

In Costa Rica, hydrangea blossoms are most commonly blue, but interestingly enough, the blossoms change color depending on the soil. In acidic soils, the flowers are blue. In alkaline soils, they’re pink. White flowers indicate the soil is neutral. 

Pancakes & Flower Power from Devon on Vimeo.

New Off Road Project

"The Real Costa Rica" 

I am working on an exciting new CR off road project which is a joint venture for a series that I am co-producing. I don't have a release date yet, but as soon we complete it and my partner gives me the "OK" we will have it available to share. 

Lots of interviews, videos and helpful info 

So Stay Tuned. 

I think you will enjoy it

Oktoberfest San Ramon Costa Rica - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

A Little History of the Oktoberfest

But the definition of “the world's most important beer festival” does not do justice to the indisputable reputation of the Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest (or "peoples' festival" in German, is a large event in Germany which usually combines a beer festival or wine festival and a traveling fun fair). Held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germanny. It is a 16 - to 18-day folk festival running from mid or late September to the first weekend in October, with more than six million people from around the world attending the event every year. 

Historic Background - Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on 12th October 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. 

Have I ever been to an Oktoberfest celebration? Nope! Never cared about it at all and really not that fond of German food or beer, so why bother? 

Well... because we're in Costa Rica and part of the fun is trying new things plus we enjoy going to Hacienda Vivace. So, when our new neighbors (who moved here about a month ago from the Bay Area) said they were going and offered to give us a ride, we took them up on it.

I'm really happy that we went. We had a great time. The place was packed. The music was awesome as was the food (prepared by our host Andy - who is a chef). They even had a vegetarian selection which was made with homemade rye bread. Lavanson and all the other vegetarians, were raving about it. 

Check out the video below - also I wanted you all to see Andy & Nancy's beautiful home (Hacienda Vivace) a little more close up. I've done videos of events at the house before but this time I wanted to give you a better idea of just how big and stunning, it really is.

Oktoberfest, San Ramon Costa Rica 2018 from Devon on Vimeo.

The Week in Review - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

Another busy week in paradise!

Saturday

Sunday 

Jazz in San Ramon

 Monday

Tuesday

Bought 2 more pieces of pottery

Wednesday

Thursday

I have eaten some delicious sausage at one of our expat friend's home. When I asked them where they got it, they said they have it made in Grecia. I asked them where and they told me that they take their own fennel seeds and chili flakes (not available in Costa Rica) and take them to a Carnicería (meat store) in Grecia and have it made (it is pork w/20% fat) the butcher provides the casing. So, after I "borrowed" some fennel seeds and chili flakes I went into town and located the store. Isidro is the owner. He makes it for 3,000 colones ($5.18 US) per kilo (1 kilo = 2.2 lbs) So I ordered 2 kilos yesterday and it will be ready for pick up today. I will let you know how it comes out.

Oh, we had a visitor this week from Atlanta. Her name is Kia. She attended the Sisterlocks Annual meeting with me and also went with us to The Sunday Salon Jazz Series. She is a Sisterlocks Consultant and cosmetologist, so she also cut my hair for me. 

Kat Yoga With Kia

Limón Costa Rica - Day One - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

Here's a little bit of the backstory -- in case you are new to the blog, or just missed my previous post.

Originally there were about 12 of us who were going to the Caribbean Coast to attend the annual Calypso Music Festival in Cahuita. Unfortunately, that weekend, there was a TERRIBLE storm which closed the road and flooded the area. 

So, we rescheduled for the weekend of Aug 4th. 

And that brings me to today's story...

Lavanson and I have visited the Caribbean Coast four times and we have NEVER stopped in Limón longer than a few minutes on our way to Puerto Viejo.

I have to ask myself "why"?

Statue of Christopher Columbus who was the 1st European to set foot in Limón on his 4th and final voyage in 1502

One of the reasons is pretty obvious, Costa Rica tourism is directed to the Pacific Coast to locations such as Playa Jaco, the posh beach town of Manuel Antonio and points north in the ritzy areas of Guanacaste, such as Playa del Coco, the famous beach town of Tamarindo and the very popular tourist area of the Nicoya Peninsula, and there is very little press about the Caribbean Coast -- home of the Afro-Caribbean people (except maybe to warn people of the "dangers" there).

Limón has a rich history! 

.

On this beautiful day, we spent an afternoon in Limón. We walked along the ocean, drank coconut water  marveled at the beauty of the central park and had a very nice lunch at nearby Cafe Gecko.

There is a walking tour available for  Limón where you can learn more about the history - unfortunately the tour can only take 10 people and we had over 15 so we could not take it on this particular day, however on our next trip, it is Number 1 on our list!!!

The Caribbean has some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, EXCELLENT food and a laid-back Caribbean vibe! The Caribbean Sea shelters coral reefs and tropical fish and its sands are where four different species of turtle lay their eggs each year.

Be sure to check it out on your next visit to Costa Rica!

Oh and BTW - Puerto Limon is the largest and most important port in Central America for commercial use!

Below is a short recap of the day.

Day One - Welcome to Limon from Devon on Vimeo.

It's A Family Affair - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

For those who do not follow me on Facebook

Family has arrived in Costa Rica!

A BIG Welcome to Russell!!

Photo of Lavanson and Russ at the SJO Airport on Wed.

My brother Russ is here! 

He has visited Costa Rica often back in the 80's,mostly the Tamarindo area so now he can also experience the Central Valley. 

So Happy that he's here!!!

Friday trip to the feria for fruits and veggies

Friday night @ Isabel's dinner toast

From the Atlantic to the Pacific - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

wall mural @ Playa Jaco

Since our trip to the Caribbean was canceled unexpectedly due to weather, we decided to make a trip to the Pacific Coast instead. Playa Jaco is only about 1 1/2 hours from Grecia and can easily be done as a day trip.

We left at 8:30 am and were home by 5:30.

Two of the couples were celebrating their anniversaries and we could not let them leave Costa Rica without seeing at least one beach!

We walked around a bit in Jaco and then spent several hours relaxing on the beach

We had a very nice lunch at one of my favorite spots, The Green Room.

We stopped in at my friend Craig's shop, Jaco Fine Meats. I bought some smoked bacon and Charles's bought some ribs (cooked and ready to eat) 

Craig

Then we loaded ourselves back in the van and headed home.

Tale of 2 Volcanoes and 2 Expats - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

We contacted The Bold Nomads (Tassie, Kevin and their 4 children) when they moved here back in September and our plan was to visit, however they live in Turrialba which is about 2.5 hours away by car. 

It just so happened that they were going to be in San Jose yesterday so we decided to catch the bus and meet them for lunch.

Earlier that morning we noticed that Volcan Turrialba (one of Costa Rica's largest volcanoes) was erupting as well as Volcan Poás (which is the volcano about 9 miles from us.

We can see them both from our house (not to be confused with "seeing Russia from my house" 😎)

We will definitely be getting together with them again soon. 

 from our house 

Lunch @ Café Mundo in San Jose, Costa Rica

Fruit Festival Class - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

Overwhelmed by all the fruits at the feria?

Well worry no more...

Isabel Arguello a Spanish teacher on El Cajon in Grecia holds Spanish Conversation Classes

On Sunday she held a "FRUIT FESTIVAL". Where we learned about and experienced different flavors, colors, shapes and tastes of a great variety of our Costa Rican fruits.

Spanish only allowed, NO ENGLISH!!

It was very helpful. For any interested, Isabel will be happy to host one for you. Let me know if you are interested and I can put you in touch with her.

Fruit Festival Class in Grecia from Devon on Vimeo.

A New Store Opens in Grecia - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

Walmart - the store you love to hate!!

Let me start off by saying, I am NO fan of Walmart. The conditions under which their US employees work is atrocious among other things!! I DO NOT shop at Walmart in the states.

However, Walmart is BIG in Costa Rica. 

Walmart entered the region in 2005 and became Walmart Centroamérica in 2006. In 2009, Walmart Mexico acquired Walmart's operations in Central America from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and two minority partners. In 2010, Walmart Mexico became Walmart de Mexico y Centroamérica, Headquartered in San Jose, Costa Rica

Walmart Centroamérica

 operates 531 stores in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica

Walmart invested $160.5 million in Costa Rica, a record high for the company. The investment included the construction of 24 new stores in Costa Rica which will generate 839 new jobs adding up to a grand total of 11,600 Walmart jobs in Costa Rica. The company has 247 stores in Costa Rica – owning all Maxi Bodega, Más X Menos, and Palí stores. These stores are meeting shopper’s basic needs and benefiting thousands of customers in Costa Rica. Source

 I have not shopped at a Palí store, however this is the store of choice for many of the locals

So why I am willing to shop at Walmart ? Well, they have created almost 12,000 jobs for many Costa Ricans which has helped them improve their lives and their standard of living in the process. Furthermore, by law all employers in Costa Rica have to provide health care and other benefits for their employees, like an extra month’s pay at Christmas time. One of the company’s stated goals in Costa Rica is to improve the quality of life in the communities where it has stores. In 2011 Walmart’s associates donated more than 6,000 hours as volunteers in a variety of community projects. Source

Costa Rica workers seem to be a lot better off than than their counterparts in the states. 

In Costa Rica the Ministry of Labor (Ministerio de Trabajo) sets the minimum wage scale.  The wage scale is  applicable to all workers in Costa Rica.   The minimum wage scale is reviewed by the wage council of the Ministry of Labor twice a year. As of Nov 21, 2017 - According to information provided by the Ministries' of Labor of the Central American countries -- Costa Rica paid the highest minimum wages in the region, while Nicaragua pays the lowest. All employers in Costa Rica are obligated to comply with the minimum wage scale.   An employer may not pay their worker’s less than the amount established in the minimum wage scale.

In Costa Rica the Walmart supermarket chain has

11 Walmart stores, 36 Mas X Menos stores, 39 Maxi Palí stores and 162 Palí stores.

Would I prefer to shop at another store? Sure I would, but as a retired expat living in Costa Rica with no car, we sometimes make choices we might not choose if we were in the states. The nearest alternate store option for us is PriceSmart (similar to Cost Plus) located in Alajuela (a 25 minute bus ride to Grecia Central followed by 45 minute bus ride to Alajuela plus a taxi ride from there to the store) then back again on the bus with bags of groceries. 

Whether Walmart is a good choice for the people of Costa Rica is a decision for the people of Costa Rica to make. This is not my fight!

A quick 60 sec look at our trip to the new store Mas X Menos (More For Less)

A New Store in Grecia, Costa Rica from Devon on Vimeo.

The BIG Event - Dîner en Blanc Costa Rica 2018

Well folks, it's done and here it is!

I won't bother to tell you how DIFFICULT it is to edit 52 videos and 225 photos into a 7mins 27sec video!! Suffice it to say, I am happy this event is only once a year! 😊

Here's a little more about the event:

 “The best way to be invited is to know a member (somebody who has been a guest) of the "Secret" Dinner in White, and to benefit from their sponsorship.

Once you participate in one, you'll be invited to the next one. “On the other hand," the rules warn, "if you withdraw at the last minute, you will be permanently blacklisted.”

For those without a sponsor, there's always the possibility of signing up on the official website. But not all cities offer that alternative, and generally the number of places is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Celebrating it's 30th anniversary in June (expecting 20,000 attendees), the idea, created in 1988 by Frenchman François Pasquier, who wanted to have a dinner with friends around the idea of "Bring a meal, and bring a new friend," at the Bois de Boulogne in Paris and he asked them to dress in white to identify themselves. The Diner en Blanc is now a patented concept held in 30 countries and 80 cities -- including Montreal and other cities in Canada, Bombay, Panama City, San Jose Costa Rica, Buenos Aires, Jamaica, Zagreb, Kuala Lumpur, Kenya, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Seoul and Bangkok (to name a few). 

There are approximately 30 cities holding events in the US.

In my opinion, this event is definitely not for everyone. You'll need a bit of "e-n-e-r-g-y". The length of time was increased this year in Costa Rica (event time 3:30pm - 11pm) adding an additional hour to the party time. 

There are a lot of younger people there (in some other cities the crowds include a more mixed age group ) however, in Costa Rica, the event is still in its infancy -- and let's face it, sometimes it takes us older (wiser/and more mature) crowd a little longer to catch on. 

The cost of the event is $39/person (which includes round trip transportation to and from the event site) .

We have always found the people to be very friendly and welcoming and you really don't need a partner to join in the dancing. I am very happy to have celebrated the Dîner en Blanc experience with the people of Costa Rica! We even made some new friends. 

Besides your white clothing, picnic basket, tablecloth and table accessories you need only bring that "young at heart" spirit"

We had a great time and look forward to 2019!

Let the Music Play, And Dance the Night Away

(pt 2 video below)
All music from the event playlist

Let The Music Play from Devon on Vimeo.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Dinner - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

We are back from another AMAZING Dîner en Blanc Costa Rica!!!

This event keeps getting better and better! This is only the 4th year for the event here in Costa Rica, so kudos to the team- they did a FABULOUS job!! 

In between events, I keep my eyes open for all things white. Some items for the table and some for myself to wear and to accessorize with. Since I actually like white clothing, I have built up quite a little wardrobe of white clothing pieces.  And...now that this year is a wrap, I have begun my search for next year. Yesterday, Verdette picked up some tree branches that we will paint and decorate for use as a centerpiece for next year. 

Another very important component of this fun event, besides the planning, is the packing up and the bus trip to the undisclosed location. While on the bus you can see everyone with eyes glued to the windows trying to guess where we are going. Of course for the locals it is much easier--- For us...not so much!!

This year, as the bus climbed higher and higher, I think a lot of people were still wondering where we were right up until we stepped off the bus!

Instructions & Location for 2018

• Remember: Le Dîner en Blanc is all about making friends! While you wait, interact with the other guests to see who will be sitting next to you. It’ll be easier for you to get settled once you reach the event location. 

• The chosen Dîner en Blanc location will be one of the most amazing spaces in the city, so we should all be dressed elegantly! Adding a hat, a mask, or a fascinator to your ensemble is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.

• Please make sure you bring layers of clothes because temperatures will drop at night! Be prepared - but always in white! 

***

Once we returned from the event, I discovered that I have a ton of photos and videos -- so, as not to

turn this video into a full length feature film, I am splitting it into 2 videos 

Please enjoy part one and see you tomorrow (or the next day for the 2nd part)

BTW - The DJ was fantastic and we loved the music 

All the music for both videos comes from the event playlist 

Where Are We? from Devon on Vimeo.

And So It Bees - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

Update:

What's been going on??

Sunday morning relaxing while waiting for the electricity to come back on

We had some pretty funky weather over the last week. High winds mostly and some rain and lower temps. The weather was a result of the Arctic cold front that hit the US and made it's way down through the NE and into the Gulf of Mexico and then to the shores of Costa Rica.  Some of the hardest hit were -- of course -- "those living at higher elevations in the Central Valley" which is us! Once again the trees and plants took a beating (my poor garden!). We lost power for several hours on Sunday but it was restored in time for us to watch the NFL playoffs!

short video of the wind

Stormy Weather from Devon on Vimeo.

We discovered some bees flying around the side of the house. There are so many types of bees here and some are dangerous, so I mentioned it to Erla, our housekeeper.  She didn't say anything to me about it, but later that day, we saw this box she had put up on the wall. (this has got to be the most resourceful woman I have ever met! No kidding!!!) 

When our landlord came by in the afternoon he noticed the bees and the box and told us they are a species of medicinal Costa Rica bees. That's why she put up the box as a makeshift hive for them. Who knew? 

These stingless bees are called Tetragonisca angustula, one of the approximately 60 species of stingless bees that live in Costa Rica. The particular species is known locally as “Mariola,” and it creates a honey of uncommon flavor and strong antibiotic ability.  The honey is also known as “little angel honey,” as these tiny creatures shine in the sunlight and work tirelessly to create sweetness and health for the rainforest.

While stingless, they are not defenseless. The hive has a small population of soldier bees, and when the hive is invaded the soldiers will latch onto the invader’s body and beat their wings. As their metabolic rates go up, the soldiers generate enough heat to immobilize the invader. You can see these soldier bees hovering near the entrance to the hive. Fear not: they can’t hurt you.

Lastly, we found a new vet clinic at the Grecia Mall and decided to take Lily & Lola there for grooming. Cost was $20 each for bath and grooming (includes hair cut).

Lily (a couple of days after her grooming)

Lola - well, she would rather have a tummy rub than a photo. Can you blame her?

In the next few weeks we will be heading back to the states for our 90 day Visa run. Decided to use our Houston return ticket and stock up on some things we need. I still haven't received the lights I ordered from Amazon back on Dec 1st. Still stuck here in customs, so for now I will not be shipping anything else to Costa Rica! 

Oops here's another short video I forgot to post. 

We invited an expat family over for lunch and Erla fixed empanadas for us

Cooking with Erla from Devon on Vimeo.

Now... 
all caught up!

What's that noise I hear? - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

Uh huh, what did I tell you yesterday?
(email subscribers click link for video)

What's that noise I hear? from Devon on Vimeo.

Today in pictures - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

We are nearing the end of the rainy season and the beginning of SUMMER in Costa Rica.
The days have been sunny and very pleasant up here on the ridge (it has been pretty hot in town)
The mornings sometime start with some fog over the mountains which usually clears by 7 or 8am.  Then sunny and warm all day!

The end of rainy season also means the beginning of the "windy" season. They call them the Xmas winds. So far it hasn't been that bad but if it's anything like last year - hold on to your hat!!

 Coffee is ripe all around us. I expect to see the pickers here any day now

Speaking of hats...I stored these in a plastic bag and put them in the closet in one of our bedrooms. That bedroom will be occupied shortly so I had to move them, but 1st I put them out on the line to air out and get rid of any signs of mold.

Houston I think we have papayas!!! We have the 2 trees that our housekeeper planted out back shortly after we arrived. According to research "Most healthy, established papaya trees (Carica papaya) bear fruit seven to 11 months after planting." Since we are going on 1 1/2 years here, it's pretty possible that these are papayas. 

Our 2nd tree shows no signs of fruit."Papayas express three different sexual forms: hermaphroditic, female and male. Female and hermaphroditic papayas are capable of bearing fruit, while male plants cannot. The flowers indicate which sex the plant is, although the differences are often subtle."