Sisterlocks in Costa Rica

​My friend Kia returned from the states with her crew and spent several days in Limon doing some Sisterlocks training there.

Kia says "I was on a real mission to Costa Rica to answer the call of the Afrocarribean women. #S.O.S means Save Our Sisterlocks and that's exactly what I did. Sistahs around the world need assistance with keeping their natural hair. As a natural hair stylist I felt the need to help. It really made me feel like I am living my purpose."

Then they came to Grecia and particpated in our interview series @ La Terraza Guesthouse B&B.

But..they weren't done yet...Onward to the impromtu Re-Tie party at my house!!

Thanks to Kia, LaRetta & Linda 

helping to promote & expand Sisterlocks in Costa Rica!! 

We really need it!

Sisterlocks in Costa Rica from Devon on Vimeo.

A Day of Interviews

A Conversation with Dr Carmen Hutchinson Miller - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

This is a video trilogy discussion with my friend, Dr Carmen Hutchinson Miller.

Carmen Hutchinson Miller is an Afro-Costa Rican, born in the Port of Limón.  She is a member of the Caribbean díaspora and a third generation descendant of Jamaicans who migrated to Costa Rica in the late 19th century.

Puerto Limón

Dr Carmen Hutchinson Miller, completed her PhD in history at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. She holds a B.A. in Theology from the Universidad Nazarena de las Americas, an M.A. Education from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and an M.A. History, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. Carmen Hutchinson Miller is currently a University Professor here in Costa Rica.

Dr Hutchinson Miller is the ONLY certified Sisterlocks Consultant in Costa Rica. I had originally planned to interview Dr Miller on these various subjects anyway but...it just so happened that on Saturday I was at her home for a long overdue Sisterlocks hair re-tightening appointment and we began discussing a few very interesting topics (which as travelers, we should all be aware of) so I thought I would share our conversation with you (btw- there is no discussion of hair at!!LOL).  I grabbed my phone and began recording. (Please excuse the camera angles. I was having my hair done while also shooting the video!)

The conversation is in 3 parts.

The topics are:

Video #1. How and why did black people immigrate to the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica in the first place?

Video #2. "America" is more than just the United States of America
And, are YOU guilty of being an arrogant gringo?

Video #3. How much do Afro-Costa Ricans really know about the struggle of African-Americans?

and...here is video #1

Conversations with Dr Carmen Hutchinson Miller (video #1) from Devon on Vimeo.

Carmen Hutchinson Miller is the author of several books as well as numerous articles:

Hutchinson Miller, Carmen. “Contemporary Gender Relations Among Afro-Costa Ricans.” In Love and Power: Caribbean Discourses on Gender. Ed. Eudine Barriteau. UWI Press. 2012: 418-449.

Hutchinson Miller, Carmen. “Portrayal of Eugenia Charles in the Regional Print Media 1980-1995.” In Enjoying Power: Eugenia Charles and Political Leadership in the Commonwealth Caribbean.  Eds. Eudine Barriteau and Alan Cobley.  Jamaica: UWI Press, 2006: 239-258.

Hutchinson Miller, Carmen. “In Memory of my Ancestors: Contribution of Afro-Jamaican Women in the Cultural and Economic Development of Port Limón, Costa Rica.  In Regional Footprints: The Travels and Travails of Early Caribbean Migrants.   Eds.  Annette Insanally, Mark Clifford and Sean Sheriff.  Jamaica: Latin American-Caribbean Centre (LACC) UWI in association with the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), UWI, 2006: 266-291

Black Hair Care Services - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

Black Girl Hair Update: 

Photo Source

Lots of ladies have contacted me regarding hair services for women of color.

I have posted some photos from my appointment with my Sisterlock Consultant yesterday. She came to my house to do my hair. I usually have to go to her home in Heredia. Perhaps if we have more people in the Grecia area we can work it out so that she will come to us. 

I have also attached her price list. You can reach Carmen at carmenhutchinsonmiller@gmail.com

For those with relaxed hair - in Grecia Central, I have finally located one salon that can do your hair. My friend Verdette went to him about a month ago. She doesn't have the name of the salon, but the stylist's name is Henry. Ph# 8949-9393 cell & home 2494-7356. Per Verdette - You should bring your own preferred shampoo and conditioner. Also if you have a preferred relaxer you can bring that too. He was running low on the one he had (you might ask him when you make the appt to double check) He uses only flat iron and no barrel curler. She had touch up, cut and style. The cost was $100 USD (which she thought was a bit pricey - maybe "gringo" pricing). But, hey, if you can't do it yourself, at least there is somewhere to go. 

IMO - Still best bet in Costa Rica is to have natural hair that you can do yourself although there will be more options for stylists in the San Jose area. 

Hope this helps!

Packin up - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

Yes, it's time!

video

Pre Packin Mexico Bound from Devon on Vimeo.

Give me a head with hair - Our Life in Costa Rica

Some may find it easier than others to locate a good beauty salon in Grecia.

above - expats on our ridge have the option of having their hair done outside on the beautiful patio. Done by NY hair stylist - she does not do relaxers for black women

Give me a head with hair, long beautiful hair

Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen

Give me down to there, hair, shoulder length or longer

 Hair - Hair Lyrics |

Fernando is a Colombian barber. He has a shop located in Grecia (near MasQ Sabor).

 He cuts hair for men only

Flow it, show it

Long as God can grow, my hair

I want long, straight, curly, fuzzy, snaggy, shaggy, ratty, matty

Oily, greasy, fleecy, shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen

Knotted, polka dotted, twisted, beaded, braided

Powered, flowered and confettied

Bangled, tangled, spangled and spahettied

 Hair - Hair Lyrics | 

Hair Update: Black women (and/or women with kinky hair texture), if you are not wearing your hair natural so far I have NO answer to the question of "where can I get my hair done?" Sorry, will keep looking

It's All Good! - Our Life in Costa Rica

Every day we discover something new. It's all part of the fun.

This morning we leave our house at 7:45 for a noon hair appointment.  First stop will be Arte Latte to meet 2 expat friends for a farewell breakfast (they have decided to return to the states). She is homesick for her grandchildren. This happens quite frequently to folks when they make the move here and is something everyone should think about carefully when considering relocation abroad.

Then, on to Heredia for my appointment. My hair consultant recently moved to Heredia from Alajuela. The 2 cities are very close but this will be our first time in Heredia since we visited in 2015. Going by bus (love looking out the window)! Should be fun. We love exploring.

Have a great day everyone!

and

Farewell to Mark & Leanna  - Hope to see you again soon!

Photo: On the beach in Puerto Viejo March 2017

Who's going to do my hair? - Our Life in Costa Rica

A bit off topic in a way, but still important to those wearers of Sisterlocks and Brotherlocks.

First International Sisterlocks Client in Costa Rica from Devon on Vimeo.

Email subscribers please click link for video