It has been amazing to see Shel dive into this Blog project of his. I just was given the editing task and cleaned up the info, spelling and grammar a bit. But the essence is his and I was grateful for his interest in capturing this special travel moment in time. Yep--I have lots of photos to share and will be working on sending a set of photos of the week via Flicker. This place was quite the little hidden gem. We were wooed by the travel adviser entries and ended up keeping it simple and staying there for a week. (the roads were compromised with the earthquake for our second stop but we never were sorry to not do more exploring.) We really had to tear ourselves away from these people. I was so not ready to come back. The hiking shoes and rain gear became quite comfy. I had a pair of rubber boots for the mud and was satisfied to sit in the late afternoon and watch the newly arrived egrets swoop in and out of the trees and across the water. After I returned from a photo shoot, my new friend Anthony (a foodie who went early to watch and help Anacelli make our dinner) said he thought I was having a "religious" experience.
Pablo and Ana are very conscious of their community and do everything they can to help their neighbors and make them a part of their business. It didn't take long before I decided to take marketing photos and to come up with some plan to also help the community with my art. There is no question that we left a little bit of our hearts in this amazing part of Costa Rica!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Back in AZ
Fairly easy trip home on USAIR. Plane was about an hour late because we had to take on additional fuel in Mazatlan Mexico.
All in all , this was just the trip we needed at this time. Costa Rica really got into our blood and we plan to return sometime next winter to visit Finca la Anita and our friends Ana, Pablo and Liz.
All in all , this was just the trip we needed at this time. Costa Rica really got into our blood and we plan to return sometime next winter to visit Finca la Anita and our friends Ana, Pablo and Liz.
We Dont Need No Stinking Badges
Headed back on Thursday morn for San Jose and the flight back to Phoenix early Friday morning. It was very difficult for us to pull ourselves away from this place and our new friends.
After an uneventful trip for the first hour and a half (finally used to the bumpy roads and simple bridges--Paula wondered where the potholes were) we entered the Pan American Highway in Bagaces. We are cruising along on the road for about a half hour and I get flagged down by the policia! My guide book warned me about this but as I passed a truck, exceeding the speed limit by 15kph, there he was waiting for me. He showed me his radargun and the 95 kpm was right there. He takes out his ticket book after taking my passport and calling me by my name. He tells me the fine was to be 30,000 colones (about $60) and that that I had to go back to Liberia (2 hours in the wrong direction) pay the fine at the bank and then go to court the next morning! He also asked when I was returning to the USA and when I said the next morning he gave me a look like that was too bad. Finally, after several back and fourths, I asked him if I could pay him directly and he said yes. So out came two $20 bills, which he took with a smile, and let me go on my merry way. We both felt quite queasy after that experience! Such is life in Costa Rica. "Pura Vida" (translation: "it's all good") were the words we saw everywhere. In this case I guess it meant "cash talks with the policia".
I can only say watch your speed at all costs especially when the limit changes from 80kph to 60kph entering each little town. We did get stopped again, but only as a courtesy stop to check our passports. The whole ride back we were on the lookout for the police. We intend to fly into Liberia next time. No more 5 plus hour drives to our rainforest retreat from San Jose!!
After an uneventful trip for the first hour and a half (finally used to the bumpy roads and simple bridges--Paula wondered where the potholes were) we entered the Pan American Highway in Bagaces. We are cruising along on the road for about a half hour and I get flagged down by the policia! My guide book warned me about this but as I passed a truck, exceeding the speed limit by 15kph, there he was waiting for me. He showed me his radargun and the 95 kpm was right there. He takes out his ticket book after taking my passport and calling me by my name. He tells me the fine was to be 30,000 colones (about $60) and that that I had to go back to Liberia (2 hours in the wrong direction) pay the fine at the bank and then go to court the next morning! He also asked when I was returning to the USA and when I said the next morning he gave me a look like that was too bad. Finally, after several back and fourths, I asked him if I could pay him directly and he said yes. So out came two $20 bills, which he took with a smile, and let me go on my merry way. We both felt quite queasy after that experience! Such is life in Costa Rica. "Pura Vida" (translation: "it's all good") were the words we saw everywhere. In this case I guess it meant "cash talks with the policia".
I can only say watch your speed at all costs especially when the limit changes from 80kph to 60kph entering each little town. We did get stopped again, but only as a courtesy stop to check our passports. The whole ride back we were on the lookout for the police. We intend to fly into Liberia next time. No more 5 plus hour drives to our rainforest retreat from San Jose!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Dinner at Aracellis'
Talk about your local flavor. Last night Paula and I--along with Finca la Anita guests Anthony and Shauna from Portland-- shared dinner with Aracelli and her family. Who is Aracelli you ask? She is a local "homemaker" who opens her home to guests of Finca la Anita who are interested in meeting a local family and enjoying her food. Aracelli is a master on her kitchen wood stove-- this means wood lit on a simplebase). A simple meal of salad, stewed chicken, plaintains and rice and a custard like dessert were truly delicious in this native setting. But, the best part of the evening was meeting her family....husband Alfredo, sons Steven age 16, Jonathan, age 12, and daughter Allejandra- age 10. These people were so warm and welcoming, like most everyone we have met in this country. You are immediately embraced and kissed. Everyone greets us with smiles and warm hellos! Even though Liz was the only one in our group to speak fluent Spanish (mine is getting much better as the week progresses), and they spoke little English we had so much fun. We even played a Spanish/English version of Bingo after the meal with the cards holding different categories. When the word "snake" came up--Alfredo yelled "BUSH"!! Lots of laughs and high fives! There were many smiles at the mere mention of the name of our new President. Yes--we feel proud to be Americans away from home. We all laughed and laughed as we each tried to speak the others native language like a native! They insisted we pronounce the words exactly! Paula swears she is going to learn Spanish now.
Whatever these people lack in material things they make up in warmth and appreciation for the simple things they do have. We could all take a lesson from them.
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Whatever these people lack in material things they make up in warmth and appreciation for the simple things they do have. We could all take a lesson from them.
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Obama at the Santa Maria Volcano Lodge
January 20th Inauguration Day
We spend our lives accumulating an account of memories; put this one, January 20th 2009, in the bank!
When we decided to go to CR and miss all the Inauguration events we were a little disappointed. I set the DVR to record the entire day so we could see all the happenings when we returned.
Today we opted against the usual activities and instead went to Santa Maria Volcano Lodge to watch the Inauguration on CNN. In the absence of a picture, let me say that the use of the word “lodge” here is a euphemism. The lodge consists of a small open air restaurant with a couple of cabins. Charming but very rustic.
On a small screen with colors that were heavy on the blue side we watched Barack Hussein Obama take the oath of office. The first African -American President. We were joined by our new friends Liz, Shauna and Anthony. Being in another country and watching democracy unfold at its finest, we were all so proud to be Americans and optimistic for our future. We were brought to tears. Something about leaving your country, even for a brief vacation, makes you appreciate what we have. Barack was inspiring as usual. He speaks to the “better angels” in all of us.
The Inauguration was followed by a lunch made by Rosalba, the owner and chef extraordinaire. Homemade cheese, spiced beef and chicken, patacones and other stuff that I can't name but tasted great was the little snack we asked for. We all toasted with beer or fresh pineapple juice with rum. We shared the meal, again, with our favorite Toucan, Mincho, and his friend Mini-Mincho
We spend our lives accumulating an account of memories; put this one, January 20th 2009, in the bank!
When we decided to go to CR and miss all the Inauguration events we were a little disappointed. I set the DVR to record the entire day so we could see all the happenings when we returned.
Today we opted against the usual activities and instead went to Santa Maria Volcano Lodge to watch the Inauguration on CNN. In the absence of a picture, let me say that the use of the word “lodge” here is a euphemism. The lodge consists of a small open air restaurant with a couple of cabins. Charming but very rustic.
On a small screen with colors that were heavy on the blue side we watched Barack Hussein Obama take the oath of office. The first African -American President. We were joined by our new friends Liz, Shauna and Anthony. Being in another country and watching democracy unfold at its finest, we were all so proud to be Americans and optimistic for our future. We were brought to tears. Something about leaving your country, even for a brief vacation, makes you appreciate what we have. Barack was inspiring as usual. He speaks to the “better angels” in all of us.
The Inauguration was followed by a lunch made by Rosalba, the owner and chef extraordinaire. Homemade cheese, spiced beef and chicken, patacones and other stuff that I can't name but tasted great was the little snack we asked for. We all toasted with beer or fresh pineapple juice with rum. We shared the meal, again, with our favorite Toucan, Mincho, and his friend Mini-Mincho
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Generations
Part of the charm Finca la Anita (FLA) is not just the beautiful surroundings but the people you meet. Fellow travelers/adventurers form a bond here, if only for a few days. In this environment you become fast friends irrespective of age. Steve and Kristen, Shauna and Anthony are around the ages of our children. It hardly seems to matter as we share the FLA experience and lots of stories together.
Last night we ate and drank til late and as they shared some of their life experiences and perspectives. The evening gave me insight into a generation that I can’t get from my children as their parent. The four of them are successful, nice, caring people who face a different set of problems and challenges than Paula and I did at their age. It became clear to me that they find themselves in a far more complicated world than we did. They probably have more opportunities and choices to make then we did, but lots more stress and doubt in making those choices. Kristen, a writer for msnbc.com, wants to interview Ana and Pablo for a story on their life and about viewing this historic moment here in the tropical rainforest of
Today we are off to a local bar/restaurant to watch the inauguration. Liz went to alot of time and trouble to make sure that we would have a place to watch it. Kristen, who is a writer for MSNBC.com, wants to do a story about viewing this historic moment here in the isolated tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. We will let you know when it comes out.
Last night we ate and drank til late and as they shared some of their life experiences and perspectives. The evening gave me insight into a generation that I can’t get from my children as their parent. The four of them are successful, nice, caring people who face a different set of problems and challenges than Paula and I did at their age. It became clear to me that they find themselves in a far more complicated world than we did. They probably have more opportunities and choices to make then we did, but lots more stress and doubt in making those choices. Kristen, a writer for msnbc.com, wants to interview Ana and Pablo for a story on their life and about viewing this historic moment here in the tropical rainforest of
Today we are off to a local bar/restaurant to watch the inauguration. Liz went to alot of time and trouble to make sure that we would have a place to watch it. Kristen, who is a writer for MSNBC.com, wants to do a story about viewing this historic moment here in the isolated tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. We will let you know when it comes out.
The Blue Morpho
The Blue Morpho
This is why we are here! About a year ago we watched a movie about a young boy with a brain tumor and a troubled scientist who find their way to CR in search of the Blue Morpho butterfly. The butterfly is said to have special healing powers and to make the story short, finding the butterfly fixes both of them. The movie is based on a true story. Paula and I were so enchanted by the filming in CR that she requested that this be her birthday trip. So here we are in the Santa Maria Rincon Park enjoying the hike but not necessarily in search of the Blue Morpho. (just hoping we will see one before we leave CR.) Driving about an hour over unpaved bumpy mountain roads, crossing about six streams without bridges in our 4WD we arrive. After only a few minutes of hiking, we cross a stream and out flies the Blue Morpho (identified quickly by Liz!) . Its brilliant blue color sparkles in the filtered sunlight.
The Blue Morpho is a sight to behold. The butterfly is about 8 inches across and a dull brown with its wings closed. But when it opens its wings it sparkles a brilliant blue in the sunlight-- almost electric. Later we paused by another stream for about a half hour and are visited by several Blue Morphos..a special moment on a very special trip. Paula called it Morpho Highway as one after another just seemed to come up the stream and flit around. I got a little crazy trying to photo one. Their movements are really fast and hard to anticipate. Paula--the photographer- just sat there as they swirled around her, willing in all that healing..and leaving the camera in the case! Our friend Anthony actually snapped one earlier and said he would send it to us. But a postcard will have to do for now.
Following our hike we stopped at a local outdoor restaurant -Santa Maria Volcanco Lodge- and had a meal that scored 11 on a scale of one to ten. Rosalba--the owner is quite the cook. Our Liz had communicated well and we were dazzled. We kept shooing their pet Toucan (Mincho) from the table. Quite a bold bird. This is the real CR for sure.
This is why we are here! About a year ago we watched a movie about a young boy with a brain tumor and a troubled scientist who find their way to CR in search of the Blue Morpho butterfly. The butterfly is said to have special healing powers and to make the story short, finding the butterfly fixes both of them. The movie is based on a true story. Paula and I were so enchanted by the filming in CR that she requested that this be her birthday trip. So here we are in the Santa Maria Rincon Park enjoying the hike but not necessarily in search of the Blue Morpho. (just hoping we will see one before we leave CR.) Driving about an hour over unpaved bumpy mountain roads, crossing about six streams without bridges in our 4WD we arrive. After only a few minutes of hiking, we cross a stream and out flies the Blue Morpho (identified quickly by Liz!) . Its brilliant blue color sparkles in the filtered sunlight.
The Blue Morpho is a sight to behold. The butterfly is about 8 inches across and a dull brown with its wings closed. But when it opens its wings it sparkles a brilliant blue in the sunlight-- almost electric. Later we paused by another stream for about a half hour and are visited by several Blue Morphos..a special moment on a very special trip. Paula called it Morpho Highway as one after another just seemed to come up the stream and flit around. I got a little crazy trying to photo one. Their movements are really fast and hard to anticipate. Paula--the photographer- just sat there as they swirled around her, willing in all that healing..and leaving the camera in the case! Our friend Anthony actually snapped one earlier and said he would send it to us. But a postcard will have to do for now.
Following our hike we stopped at a local outdoor restaurant -Santa Maria Volcanco Lodge- and had a meal that scored 11 on a scale of one to ten. Rosalba--the owner is quite the cook. Our Liz had communicated well and we were dazzled. We kept shooing their pet Toucan (Mincho) from the table. Quite a bold bird. This is the real CR for sure.
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