Happy New Year

I never knew how much I would miss my family and friends when we made the decision to move to Costa Rica. When I moved, I gave up the years of my sweet nieces and nephews growing, performing, evolving. At the same time, I realize that I am missing out on years with my mom, those of her own transition into a different phase of life. I miss having in person heart to heart talks with my girlfriends and, of course, I am not around to see their children either.

At the same time, I never realized, when we made the decision to move to Costa Rica, that we would meet so many wonderful people from all around the world. Amidst the mixing and mingling of the festivities of the year´s end, we´ve found ourselves engaged with people who we never would have met if not for our decision to move here. Among them are friends who have become like family to us. Friends who have watched our girls grow up and who have been there through the good times and the bad.

I have this incredible collection of wonderful people who I am grateful to have in my life. Whatever distance, small or great, I have learned to make the most of every opportunity to spend time with each of them, no matter if it is by sharing a meal, or even an instant message. So, in the spirit of the occasion, to all of you magnificent individuals, who constantly help my soul grow, and to the wonderful people who I have yet the honor to meet, I wish you the best in health, happiness and success in this and all years to come. Happy New Year!

Walking the Dogs

Since our recent move, I have started taking our dogs on daily walks around the new neighborhood. It is a lovely place. The unnamed roads that we take have not been paved yet and there are many directions to choose from. As we walk, we pass many quaint homes and pastures with horses and cows. For the most part, typical of Costa Rica, our neighbors smile warmly and offer morning salutations.

There is no question, however, that our daily loop through the neighborhood is looked on as a bit strange. It is uncommon for locals to walk their dogs. To top it off, I am a woman, dressed in loose fitting work clothes, sneakers and a bandana on my head. An anomaly. As I walk, men marvel at my ability to control two shaggy beasts. Mothers pull their children a little closer as they make their way to school, and a few older, traditional ladies clearly don´t approve.

The other day a little girl called out to me from her yard. She asked me why I walk back and forth with my dogs everyday. She thinks this is very odd, and with four years behind her, she had no qualms in letting me know. Gringos are sort of freaks in our needs and habits. Walking dogs around in circles is a clear example. I may only know what the four year old is really thinking, but no matter what the others have crossing their minds as I cross in front of their homes, I still feel welcome.

Settling In

The last few weeks have been busy ones. There is always so much to do after a move, and we still have many boxes left to unpack. We have a lot more space around us now, almost enough to go for a true farm theme. I laugh at the thought of this, because deep down inside, I know I am a city girl. Chickens are enough of a farm for me. Rather than eyeing the terrain and placing goat quarters and horse stalls, I am conjuring up visions of Christo and Jeanne-Claude style art installations. Hopelessly useless!

Our oldest has enough space on our property to ride her bike around, and our little one has some fancy, new, all terrain sandals, which she capably straps on everyday to go exploring about. There are nice hilly walks in either direction from our gate that seem to satisfy our dogs, and our cats are quite content with the new wilderness to explore. My husband and I have toasted to another page turned in our now sixteen year adventure together, and so life goes on.

It has been interesting to move within the same little town that we moved to six years ago. It was so foreign then. I had no sense of direction, harldy any command of the language and, of course, I did not know a soul. Moving again has made me realize how much a part of the community we have become. Now I can chat it up with the locals, I know where almost every unnamed dirt road leads to, and we have had a rather steady stream of friends drop in to check out our new stomping grounds.

What is interesting is as I look out on the same hillsides I have been living among for so long, everything that is so familiar is still foreign. I am still a guest here. The landscape that surrounds my home is made of soil trod on by the ancestors of a culture that will never be my own. And as foreign as it will remain to me, so am I to this place. Always a Gringa, and a strange one at that.

What I love about Costa Rica, from May 2008

There are lots of things that I wish were different about Costa Rica. But, to keep it all in perspective, here is a list of the things I do love about this place:

Living in the mountains. Above all, I love the year round moderate temperatures. It can get hot enough to feel great in a pair of shorts and a tank top, and just cold enough to feel cozy in a sweat shirt and jeans. We never need heating or air conditioning, in fact we don't even own a fan. The fresh mountain air is also great for sleeping.

Not needing to have a doctor's prescription for medications saves a lot. I like that when I need something I use, I just go to the pharmacy.

Our vet. Dr. Mariano Villalobos in Puriscal is an excellent veterinarian. He is knowledgeable, professional, and very affordable. (Kitten shots, dogs nails trimmed, and a once over on a cat with a hair loss issue- $30) He has saved our dog's life twice and otherwise lovingly cared for all of our pets.

Our caretaker. Don Orfilio is an exceptional human being. He has looked after our property since before we bought it and has continued with us for three years now. He knows the land and vegetation. He has taught us a lot. Having his help would be much more expensive in the US.

Establos San Rafael. http://www.establosanrafael.com/ This is the stable where my daughter takes riding lessons. We would have been hard pressed to afford lessons of this quality in the US.

Fresh fruits and veggies. These are available all over the world, but just the fact that they are of a tropical variety is exceptional.

Free range meats. We are not vegetarians, and if the saying holds true, "You are what you eat," then I can bet we are "tranquilo."

Watching toucans in a tree while I fold laundry- That's pretty cool.

The first four months of the rainy season. Everything is green and fresh. Mornings are sunny, afternoon rains are hard and short lasting. It's not too muddy. The best though is the way the clouds float around, very enchanting.

The beaches. There is nothing like taking a break on one of the many picturesque beaches of Costa Rica. Our favorite is Manuel Antonio.

The roads. Many people complain about the roads, but the back gravel roads offer an experience beyond any other.

Lupe, from October 2007

The Tree, from October 2007

I have a special relationship with Costa Rica. Part of me can't imagine living anywhere else. How could I ever give up living in a place where cowboys ride their horses through town and clouds float right through my house creating the most enchanting atmosphere I have ever witnessed? Why would I ever leave the fresh air and mellow lifestyle? On the other hand, life has been more complicated here in so many ways that at times I feel panicked by the thought of staying permanently. A perfect example of the paradox of this place happened out at our cabin.

When we first built I stood out on the deck and delightfully looked out at our fairly mature flowering tree. The pale pink blossoms looked like cotton candy, and I imagined watching the girls grow up along side that beautiful tree. It made me feel good that it was there. Then one day our care taker, Don Orfilio, called to ask us if we had cut down that tree. My heart sank. It turns out that two boys came in and cut it down with good intentions of contributing it to the future construction of a green house at their school. I don't have any particular relationship with God, but that day, I was sure I had been sent a message, "Go girl, this place is no place for you."

The odd twist is that the boys were not able to actually carry the tree out on their bike, and so when Miguel expressed how @%^$&* upset I was, Orfilio decided to plant it again. I'm not talking about a seed, or a new tree from the nursery, he simply stuck the cut tree into a hole in the ground, right next to the cut stump. Guess what? It's growing. It may take years for it to be as tall and beautiful as it was, but it is the same tree, and the fact that it is sprouting leaves after being hacked down and left on the ground affirms my high esteem for this enchanting spot on Earth.

So, I carry on here absorbing all of the wonder of these tropical mountains, and hoping that the struggles and disappointments we have had and will encounter along the way are building some remarkable character that I will be glad about one day.