Neighbors Helping Neighbors! - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

A violent upheaval is going on in Nicaragua! 

Nicaraguans have been seeking refuge in increasing numbers in Costa Rica due to the unrest taking place in their country since April. Costa Rican Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Epsy Campbell announced that Costa Rica has built two shelters to house Nicaraguan migrants fleeing the country’s violent political crisis. “What’s happening in Nicaragua is unacceptable, and it’s having direct consequences on our country. The world has to focus on Nicaragua,” Campbell said.

The local expats in Grecia are supporting our friend, Romeo Gallegos. He is a potter who fled to Costa Rica - in exile from Nicaragua as his life was in danger there.

There is a GoFundMe page set up for those interested in helping the family.

In addition, many of us are also buying some of the exquisite ceramic pottery that the family makes. 

We are happy to help where we can!

I think this one looks beautiful in my living room!

Costa Rica has asked international organizations for help in dealing with the growing crisis.

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 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.

The Comeback - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

I hired a gardener and we have begun replacing some of the flowers and plants that were destroyed in the storm.

The Comeback

The Comeback from Devon on Vimeo.

Easy For YOU To Say - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

"Just order it online and have it shipped"
Easier said than done!

People always look at me funny when I tell them that, it's not that easy, to have things shipped to me in Costa Rica. First and foremost, there are really no addresses here. There is no free, everyday mail delivery here. I use a mail forwarding company called Aeropost to deliver my mail. All of my mail is forwarded to the Aeropost office in Miami and then sent to my local office in Grecia for pick up. Each time I receive a letter or package, they send me an email and deduct $1.58 from my credit card (packages are more) and I go into town to fetch it. I've gotten pretty used to getting my mail like this and it's not the worst thing in the world. At least I can GET mail! You can also opt for a PO Box at the local post office for a small yearly fee, but either way - you pay! BTW - I have really cut down on the amount of mail I receive and it's nice not to have a mailbox full of junk everyday!

Sending and receiving packages - that is a whole other thing! I have not sent any packages yet and I have had not ordered anything because in addition to the fact that even though Amazon delivers to over 100 countries and there is even an Amazon Costa Rica -- it still isn't that easy. 

You folks back in the states have been spoiled rotten with your Amazon Prime - no shipping cost - next day delivery!!

My darlings, "Come with me to life in paradise!"

You might also want to consider this when you decide whether to ship your personal belongings.

Case in point -

I enjoy photography. I forgot and I left my battery charger and battery plugged into the socket in California. It took me 4 months to get it because I had to have it sent to a friend in LA and then she brought it to me when she returned to Costa Rica.

Anyway, I have noticed that since I have been here I have difficulty getting enough light for photos at night or indoors (one reason I don't do many LIVE videos). I was contemplating getting a new camera ($700) until I researched and found that a better alternative would be to buy additional lighting for a fraction of the cost. After watching a bunch of Youtubes and researching what lighting is best, I finally made a decision. I was going to ask a friend to bring it back with her on Monday when she returns but both of the boxes were huge so I decided to do my 1st online order. You can pretty much order anything that is NOT on the "prohibited list" (the prohibited list includes seeds, COSMETICS, vitamins and fire arms to name a few)

I went to Amazon.com and found my items. The total for both was $201. So I went online to order Amazon through the Aeropost site (you can't use the regular Amazon website). Everything was in Spanish. I went to Chrome so that it would be translated and tried to set up an account. FAIL-ed. I tried to call - could not find a number listed. Tried to call the main # in Miami - got a fast busy signal every time for 2 days. I went through all my emails from Aeropost and finally found one from a lady named Amanda who said she was "at my service" for online orders. Tried to call her - No answer. She also said she was on whatsapp so I tried to call her there, still no answer. I left her a text. She never picked it up. (can you feel my frustration starting to set in here?)

I finally found another # on the Amanda email and called it, (I asked for Amanda and added that I needed someone who spoke English) so they connected me with Billy, who told me that Amanda didn't speak English. I told him my story. He asked me for the links to each item and placed the order for me. I was pretty happy till I received the quote/order for $355 (AND included tax). With our passports we can order up to $1,000/yr tax free -- so I sent 3 emails asking to have the order revised. No response. Yesterday, I attempted to contact someone, anyone, with no luck. As a last resort, I decided to start the online "chat help session" I got a lady who said she spoke English (I think they all use a translator of some sort but who cares?) I told her my story. She explained that she had to cancel and re issue the order, which she did (order total $289). However, there is still a little matter of an exemption form I needed to complete (and sign) to have tax eliminated (the info attaches to your passport so they can track your exemptions). I completed the form online, charged the item to my card and thought I was on my way, until...I discovered she ordered the wrong item!

I will spare you the gory details. Suffice it to say I had to go into town today (via taxi for $20 round trip), re sign the form, have that order cancelled as well and a new one issued.

FINALLY - The total WITHOUT any tax was a whopping $334.16 (and that was minus about $46 for taxes)!!!!! The 2 items originally costing $139 and $62 were now $213 and $124 respectively (duty calls).

Second thoughts yet on shipping your belongings? LOL

Update - later this evening I received an email saying my order was processed and a tracking #.
Wish me luck!

And please don't anyone ask me again "why don't you just order it online?"

Two of my Favorite Gals from Mexico - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

I always try to bring back a little sumpin, sumpin from our travels!

This time I brought a couple of gals with me! (gals fly free!)
Dia de los muertos Frida Kahlo paper mache
and I think the other one is Bellisima paper mache De La Catrina

(there were so many of them in the shop that I had a hard time deciding which ones to buy)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Riviera Maya Update - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

Do you happen to remember one of my main goals for our trip to Mexico (other than border run and the wedding of course)?

Well, just by chance, I actually found a Sephora in Playa del Carmen. I had planned to go into Cancun to shop, but when we inquired at the concierge about transportation, we were told that the cost would be $60 EACH way! OUCH!!! The concierge suggested we might try shopping in the smaller, closer little town of Playa del Carmen for about $25/ea way.

So we went for it.

The last time we were in Cancun was about 20 yrs ago and boy how things have changed! On our 1st trip we had to catch a "chicken bus" to our resort (the Copacabana). I remember thinking that I wasn't much interested in visiting again. This time -- it was a whole new ball game! The highway was nice and wide and speed limits were up to 100 km/h in some areas. There were also many beautiful resorts lining the road. So I guess it comes as no surprise that the sleepy, almost non existent, town of Playa del Carmen has really grown as well.

Oh and BTW - coming through immigration in Mexico (no hassles and with a smile even) we were given 180 days compared to the 90 day max in Costa Rica.

"Mexico you are looking pretty good!"👍👍

We shopped on 5th Ave at a beautiful multi level mall and I found a Sephora. Yep, went in and they had the entire line of Fenty Beauty by Rihanna -- Black Girls Rock!!

I had the beauty consultant match my color for me. He also did my makeup and I bought several items. I am still not convinced that I have the correct shade so I ordered what "I" think I should be and a friend is going to "mule" it back from the the states when she returns from California on Dec 4th. (muling is a term used when you have a product(s) delivered to you -- that you probably cannot get on your own -- by shipping or having someone pick up the product for you elsewhere and bring it back to you via airplane)

we bought the hanging mobile -- bottom right

**Note**
Once I get my Fenty products I am going to record

 my very 1st video makeup review!!

It is very rare to find any type of makeup tutorial on youtube featuring women over 50 (and especially black women) and in my case, well...we know that I am quite a bit past 50 -- so I think a video review is in order!

In the meantime, my makeup consult @ Sephora is below.

My trip to Sephora in Playa del Carmen from Devon on Vimeo.

My Jaco Review - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

As you know,  a couple of weeks ago we went to Jaco for a few days. Although we had driven through (or near Jaco) on several occasions, we had never spent any time there.

This time we took our newbie friends (they arrived in Grecia on 8/9 with their 2 young children) and headed to Jaco for a 3 day visit. We hired a driver with an SUV to take us (the cost was $125 for all 6 of us). Pick up time was 7:30am. We hired the driver mostly because we didn't want the hassle of all of us getting our local bus to the bus station in Grecia and then riding to San Jose and transferring in San Jose to the Jaco bus, so early in the morning. We took a scenic route and stopped in Tarcoles at the crocodile bridge so that they could see the crocs and we could take a little stretch. We arrived in Jaco around 10:00am. Jaco is located on the Pacific Coast about 1 1/2 hrs from San Jose  -- and we are about 1hr and 15 mins from San Jose. It is the closest beach to us. We took the bus back (cost just under $5 each and takes about 2 hrs). The bus ride was pleasant and on time - I would have no complaints taking the bus again.

Lavanson's brother is now back from the US and living in Jaco so we were able to see his new apartment (very nice!). He has 2 bedrooms and has offered for us to stay with him on subsequent visits - which we will take him up on! He was also our guide during our stay.

We met some new friends too, David Paskowitz and his wife. They are from Oakland and have been living in Jaco for about 15 yrs. He is a musician and runs a surf school.  We have a mutual friend in the Bay Area who got us together. We were also fortunate that David's group, HotWax Alien Approved, was playing locally in town and we got a chance to see the show.

us with David and his wife, Nancy

I was not too sure about Jaco before we went, but all in all, I really liked it. I did not witness any of the crime or prostitution - which is what a lot of people think of when you mention Jaco. I am sure it is there, but just like anywhere else you go, you take precaution and stay aware of your surroundings. I found Jaco to be a very pleasant place. The food was good, people were friendly, the hotel was very nice and affordable ($120/night breakfast included - I will post the hotel video separately for those interested) oh and the shopping was plentiful (all signs that make a good place to me!) It was also easier to get US brand food in the grocery stores and also in the restaurants (which was nice for a change for us).

I give Jaco an A and would definitely go back again.

You can check out more of Jaco and my review below.

 

Jaco, Costa Rica Review from Devon on Vimeo.

Jaco, Costa Rica - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

We're back from 3 fun filled days in Jaco!!

Posting some pics here for our non Facebook followers. I will post more later. I have some video from the hotel, the meeting of our "cosmic connection" and sights around town and I will definitely share my impressions of Jaco.

We met up with Lavanson's brother Charles, who is now back in Jaco.  He showed us around town. 

Playa Jaco

Our hotel, which I have featured on my blog sidebar for several years now. We finally got a chance to stay there.  More on the hotel later.

And....Of course there was shopping!!!

A Shopper's Gonna Shop - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

The gals and I went shopping in Escazu yesterday!

I found some women who like to shop! Yep, finally! Mostly everyone I know here "hates" to shop and they are pretty vocal about it. My theory is -- we are who we are. I liked to shop in the states (right?) so WHY would I stop liking to shop just because I am in Costa Rica?  Makes no sense. If you are a person who dislikes shopping -- so be it! Do something else (I ain't mad at ya!) LOL We are all pretty diverse human beings with a myriad of interests.
One of mine....Shopping!!
And now I have some shopping buddies!!!

Found 3 really cool furniture stores in Escazu too. A bit pricey but very nice just the same. After all, we were in ESCAZU!!

Loved the restaurant.  Great sangria. We were pretty hungry after shopping all morning. 

Saul Bistro - Escazu, Costa Rica

(This is not a photo of the store - this is near the restaurant)

but...

My new favorite store is Polita!!!

Store Information

• Azul by Palme S.L., Calle Colegiata, 6 28012 Madrid España

We are attending a wedding in Cancun in Nov. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what to wear. Here's a sneak peek of 2 of my choices which I purchased yesterday in Escazu (I am purposely not posting this to Facebook -- so hopefully it will be a surprise when I wear it/them in Cancun).  Please excuse the wrinkles, they were all together in a bag.

I am leaning toward the green one. The garments are made in Italy although it looks like the store is located in Madrid (if we get to Portugal and Madrid in the spring I WILL find the store!!
Trust me on that one!

This is the back of the blouse. I put it on with the embroidery side in the front when I tried it on and the sales lady kept saying "atrás, atrás" 

I finally figured it out!

Aren't these pieces, "so me"? 😀

I also bought 2 more blouses and some sandals. 

I'm good now Got My Shopping Fix!

Guess We're Staying! - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

Bought a piece of furniture yesterday!

Feeling more like home (and making up for all the furniture I had to give up a few weeks ago) 

I have much respect for the big, sturdy, beautiful, handcrafted furniture of Costa Rica but I longed for something a bit more slim & contemporary. One of our friends told me about a place where she shops near San Ramon called "USA Mart 2 American" The entire store is furniture, appliances, tools, rugs and more - all imported from the US. She had purchased several pieces for her home (which I loved). So I went with a couple of friends and bought my first piece. You have to bargain there, which I am not good at but one of my friends bargained for the 3 of us. This piece ended up costing $157 US (currently the dollar is doing very well against the Costa Rica colón) 

Great time to visit!

He Tried - Our Life in Costa Rica

And he was so careful as he was counting out all the pieces but...still we ended up with more blades than we needed. I wonder if the 2nd fan even has a blade now? 

Guess we'll be making a trip back to town to give the extra one back. Gotta love it here! That's Costa Rica! Gotta factor all of this in if you plan to move here. 

It's simple, but it's different!!

Let There be Light - Our Life in Costa Rica

I'm going to gripe today. Just a little!

This is a side table. Or should I say, the closest thing to a side table (end table) that I could  find.  I bought it for probably close to $75.  I guess maybe they don't use them here in Costa Rica. 

These are the lamps we have in our house. They are supposed to provide light. We had 1 lamp (the tall one - left rear) which was to light up our entire living room (max 40W)

We have a few more lamps around but they are all about the same size. 

TINY!

I finally broke down and bought a full size lamp the other day. I just could not stand it another minute. Besides not giving off enough light, the lamps look like they belong in a child's room. Seriously!

In town @ my favorite high priced department store they had about 5 full size lamps to choose from. The full size lamps were all way up on the top shelf. Had to get someone get it down for me 

(the price tag was not visible) 😖

We even checked other furniture stores in town (and PriceSmart) and believe it or not, 

they did not have one single lamp! 

I finally bought this one which seemed to be the best one for our living room. 

Cost $104

Makes a big difference! (max 100W)

Oh and checkout my other side table. I bought this one here too when we 1st arrived. It was over $100

Now if I can just find a dimmer.....(have not seen one of these around either)

So, this is just a heads up if you are planning to relocate here

As the Boys Scout motto says

"Be Prepared"

In the land of the Boruca - Our Life in Costa Rica

Costa Rica hosted their 6th Annual Blues Festival on Feb 18 in Playa Potrero, Guanacaste Costa Rica.

There was a group of 13 of us from our little town of Grecia that made the 4 1/2 hour trek to the event.
Larry & Deborah (our good friends from the adjacent ridge) drove Lavanson & me up to Guanacaste. It was our first time going. We had heard a lot about the area, and it was originally on our short list of "possible locations". (Guanacaste, is a province in northwestern Costa Rica bordering the Pacific, it is known for its beaches and biodiverse parkland) We ruled it out due to the very HOT weather. The area also has the least amount of rain in the country. 

Our 1st stop was to Villas Sol in Playa Hermosa (we LOVE this place so will report more later) for a couple of days to hang out with some folks who were visiting from the states and then we would journey onward to Playa Potrero to meet up with the rest of the group from Grecia for the Blues Festival.

My most prized possession from this trip... <3 <3 <3

We visited an art gallery in Playa del Coco run by a family of Borucan artists. I picked up an authentic Boruca mask (with certificate to prove it)

The Boruca (also known as the Brunca or the Brunka) are an indigenous people living in Costa Rica. The tribe has about 2,660 members, most of whom live on a reservation in the Puntarenas Province in southwestern Costa Rica, a few miles away from the Pan-American Highway where it follows the Rio Terraba. The ancestors of the modern Boruca made up a group of chiefdoms that ruled most of Costa Rica's Pacific coast, from Quepos to what is now the Panamanian border, including the Osa Peninsula. Boruca traditionally spoke the Boruca language, which is now nearly extinct.

This is Grace. She is married to one of the Boruca artists

The gallery shares space with a restaurant. 

We were in the gallery for a little over an hour. While we were there many people came in and bought artwork (I also bought a leather wrist band). We left to take a walk on the beach to get some ice cream but returned for lunch about an hour later.

The wall was almost empty and there was only 1 mask left!

Bread Line - Our life in Costa Rica

It's Friday and you know what that means - it's feria day!

See the frosted pastry  in my cart above? It's carrot cake!

Our basket

There was very long line yesterday for the vendor below (light blue shirt) and the line was full of expats. That got our attention and made us curious. So, we wandered over to inquire.

We learned that the line was for bread(s). 

The vendor lives in the nearby city of Atenas. He makes several different breads (US style) If you remember back, I mentioned that the bread here is absolutely LOUSY (along with the cheese)! He makes french rolls, sour dough, cinnamon swirl, herb bread, pretzels, bagels (which everyone loves) along with several pastries (like carrot cake). He also has bacon (which he cures and smokes), sausage, ham and some cheeses. You can also pre order (which might be a good idea) because by the time we got up to the front, there was very little left -  he did have these 2 loaves of bread (herb & brioche) and I also got some bacon. I ate the carrot cake last night. It was yummy. We will check out the bread later today. It will be nice to finally have some good bread (I stopped baking my own due to the tiny easy bake oven in our house and the recipe altitude adjustments that need to be made).

When you live in Costa Rica, the simple things can make all the difference!