YouTube - "Fields of Gold" by Eva Cassidy

YouTube - "Fields of Gold" by Eva Cassidy

Sunday in Poasito

Dennis had heard on the news that the people of the earthquake area were asking people to start coming back. They rely on tourist dollars to make a living. There are many coffee shops, restaurants, souvenirs and the like in this damaged place. Coffee, strawberries, vegetables are a mainstay of the region.
This was as far as you could go, Poasito. You can see from the signs that the crater of the volcano is still a little ways up and Vara Blanco and La Paz Waterfall are still off limits to all but rescue workers and residents of the area. Many people are still living in camps, here in Poasito. I chose not to take pictures of the camp or to post a couple of pics of homes which had been destroyed. You may find those on your own with a google search.

This was the turn around point to all but rescue workers and the delivery of supplies.

We had lunch here and it was really good, old fashioned food. The store carried strawberries (the best I have ever had), souvenirs, and was also a distribution point for donations. While we were there, several families came by to get milk, food donations and clothing. Sadly, these sorts of disasters affect in the worst way, those who have so little to spare in the first place. It was heartbreaking, but encouraging to see the amount of donations which have been given to the people of this area.

Jams, cookies,candies, and all mostly homemade.

This was not for tourists. This is a way of life in this region. Oxen are used to haul coffee, crops and whatever else is necessary.

We had coffee at a really cool coffee shop. It was very colorful, and fun. This is sign a tourist had painted for the cafe. It is true, Costa Rica has had no military since 1948, instead they voted to put that money into health care and education.

Afternoon coffee break......

Sunsets and Eva Cassidy

This is a sunset behind our apartment. Isn't it beautiful!!! We are lucky to get sunsets like this in Costa Rica. I am glad I caught it for a photo. Not much happening right now - just doing some chores and listening to Eva Cassidy. WOW!! What an artist! Google this lady. Sadly she passed away not too long ago at a very young age and the world is certainly no better for it. Gladly she did get some recording done before she passed.

Tomorrow is Inaguration Day!! I am very excited for America! I hope President Obama will be able to right some wrongs, actually lead the country and enpower the people to help make the changes which so desperately need to take place. It is exciting as well, to see and hear people of another country become excited about our new phase of Democracy. Ticos (Costa Ricans), and a few tourists from Europe whom I have had the pleasure of conversing with, have all expressed a great hope in the new leadership. Yes, the world does look to the U.S.A. for many reasons. We can be the prime example of determination, dedication, and compassion. It not only comes from the top, but from us, the regular people as well. I have seen this many times in my travels where the opinion of the United States is molded by the attitude and actions not only of the leaders, but of the regular traveler as they visit other countries.
Let us work together, not be so cynical about "Change" in our email forwards.
Finally a President the country is behind. A President who is fresh, has a good vision, a good plan and someone I feel is truly "for the people".

6.2 !!!!!

If you haven't heard by now, we had a rather strong and long lasting earthquake yesterday. I was here at the computer when the tremors started. We have tremors often so at first I wasn't too concerned, HOWEVER, when they kept coming, I decided I best get toward the outside. We live on the second floor and I didn't want it falling out from under me. These tremors lasted about 35 seconds! As I went through the house the pictures were askew, the windows were "waving" like water, the glasses were clinking together. As I got to the front door, the power line poles were swaying like nobody's business. The people in the park across the street were sprattle-legged trying to keep balance. It is a really weird sensation to feel the floor/ground moving like waves. We had no damage, thank God! Awesome.
The epicenter was in Alajuela, Volcano Poas on the other end of the valley. Of course, there is alot of damage to the homes, roads, and bridges in that area. There are places the entire hillside is sluffed off from itself. Not many people were seriously hurt. The statistics change as time goes by, but luckily, not many hurt or killed. I pray for those who have to clean up after that earthquake. Check out AMCOSTARICA.com or LaNacion.com (Costa Rica) and you can see some the photos of the damage.
Another item on the gratitude list for sure!

Zapote!! and Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year, everybody!! I wish and hope nothing but the absolute best in your lives from here on out - not just for this year!! In Costa Rica, starting on December 25 and going through January 6 is what we call "ZAPOTE". Zapote is actually a town, but it has also come to mean the carnaval in Zapote. It comes complete with rides, shows, eats and bullfights! Actually the bullfights might be more accurate to be called "bull teasing". The animals are not harmed, killed or maimed, but just aggravated enough to give a good show. The "men" get in the ring, and the goal is to slap the bull's rump and run. If the bull is especially game, then you get a good show with the bull charging and making the contestants scatter like roaches when the light is turned on. On occasion, the bull slaps back as only a bull can do. This goes on for about 30 minutes and then the bull is sent out to pasture to do what bulls do....whatever that is. A fresh bull is brought in and the show begins again. Someone is always injured to some degree, and rarely even killed. But, that is how it goes. We hope for the best......

Starting an afternoon in Zapote

Waiting for the crowds. Cotton candy, fried dough sprinkled with sugar, fried chicken and of course, chop suey. How chop suey became carnival food in Costa Rica is beyond anyone's guess.

A few beers, a faithful companion and her day is made.

Dennis hates rides, but will ride ONE and ONLY ONE!! This one was pretty exciting.....upside down, and spinning. To tell you the truth, once was enough!

Opening ceremonies

This was an acutual Matador, like I said earlier, none of the animals are harmed like in Spain or Mexico.

Rodeo clown with "back".
"I like big butts and I cannot lie...." that song comes to mind.

Here we go!!!

This is "Lila". One of the clowns. He was so funny, working the crowd all the way around the arena. I really enjoyed this day, we had a blast!

I AM HAPPY, IMMENSELY HAPPY

Dennis and I spent the Christmas Holiday with some good friends from Arkansas, USA, Ted and JonPaul. Ladies and Gentlemen, it was a wonderful holiday - about as good as it gets. We had good food, good company, good rest, good drink, good conversations and a really, really good time. This sign is at a restaurant high above Turrialba, coffee country and sugar cane everywhere. I love what it says..... I am happy, immensely happy

I know, another volcano, but that is what this country is about. This is looking at Volcano Turrialba from their back patio. Beautiful view!!

Dennis, Ted and JonPaul making dinner....

Another view from their back porch.

Christmas morning....this is what we did all day.

On a bit of an outing....

This is the kitchen at the soda (small cafe) with the sign at the beginning of the blog. They are indeed cooking on a wood stove and all the ingredents are organic and grown by these good people.

These are Collared Acracaris. I saw more birds and variety of birds on this trip, just sitting on the back porch and enjoying the show. I do like to watch them.

JonPaul enjoying the view.

The front of their house. Nice place, for sure.

Sunset over the lake.

Tierra Blanca, Costa Rica

On December 20, 2008, a group of us friends got together for a Christmas lunch in Tierra Blancas (White Earth), Costa Rica. The house where we met at is an old family house built in 1910-20, and was shipped to Costa Rica after being ordered from a Sears & Roebuck catalog.

Go figure!

This house is a small, cottage style house with the original wall paper, most of the original floors, a wood burning stove and the most charming gardens you could imagne. Tierra Blancas is a farming area, especially onions. It sits high above Cartago on the slopes of Volcano Irazu. A refreshing day in cool breezes, warm sun and the fragrance of the gardens mixed with newly plowed earth. Truly a great day, at a great place with some wonderfully great company!

This is a photo of the orininal house. Maria Fernanda was not totally sure of the exact date the house was built.
This is the tierra blanca (white earth) the town is named for. This is a mineral used to make what we would call hominy. Cute house, huh!!

Looking down the mountain side toward Cartago.

One view of the garden

Next to the doorsteps

One of the bedrooms. Small beds and check out the closet space - two of them!!

The kitchen, complete with a wood burning stove

Bathroom

Making a bouquet from the side garden

Dennis took this picture. Maria Fernanda and Marco in front,

L to R: Kimberly, Laura, and Renee.

Me in the back, of course.