Quiet day in "El Campo"

We finally opted NOT to go to town today!  Spent the day searching for cars ... don't know what is up with that Rover in Quesada; many cars of various varieties in our price range.  Chilly today (warmer than where most all of YOU are though), windy and cool tonight.

Roy made these taco thingies w/some wonderful leftover beef & potato mixture from Isobel at Essprezzo de la Casa (it is common here, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is called), some juevos revueltos (scrambled eggs), some local cheese and some cilantro. Pretty yummy!   He only got shocked by the stove twice!  Our kitchen is a disaster, with NO room to work, so breakfasts & dinners are simple.  Mostly we just munch some fruit or veggies and call it a meal!  Probably good for us anyway.  We have found a couple of semi-drinkable wines, so there IS that!

Been trying to track our container, but the vessel tracker has had our ship just off Playa Rosarita, north of Ensanada, since the 29th.  Our container is, however, for SURE on that boat, as I've been tracking that too!

Tomorrow, we will most likely venture back down the hill to the feria, as our loaf of whole wheat sourdough is pretty much gone.  Plans on Sunday include breakfast at Javier's house for Mari's Birthday & Super Bowl in Grecia.  Who knows what Saturday will bring!  That is all part of the adventure!

Gee, 7:30 already?  Where does the day go?

Night All,
K

The Banking saga may be at an end & Celebrating with our friends!

This late morning, we vegged our morning a little after being on busses at 7 for the last umteenth days, hopped on at 11.  Rode to Grecia for the final leg of our banking journey.  Got our number for Servicio al Cliente and within 5 minutes (whoa!) it was our turn.  Received our debit cards (Roy's is WAY cooler than mine ... mine is "BN Mujer" and apparently "es mas feminina"!  I like Roy's poison dart frog better ... just sayin!

Then, take yet another number and wait for "la plataforma" and Javier to set up our internet banking.  Wait for it ... wait for it ... both Javier & MariaElena acknowledging us, as they pretty much know us at this point, but still wait ~ Finally our turn.  Get called by Marvin (don't let the name deceive you) who has NO CLUE why we are there.  Calls over MariaElena, and she says that they don't typically set up accounts for peeps, 'cause there might be problems, but we trust Javier and he has an open space, so we move.  He walked us (me) through the setup and we transferred $$ to colones and I made a deposit and we were done!

Back to el Parque Central and called M&M, who were on their way to Grecia.  They had Mari's B-I-L & Nikki with, so no room in the car, so we said we would take the bus back up, which we barely caught at 1:30.  Home @ 2:15. We actually got here before they did and had a moment to "clean up" the house before they arrived.  Per our request, they brought a couple of bottles of Trapiche Malbec (and a cooler of beer that we didn't request) and showed up about 3.  Bear in mind, cleaning up the house when you have NOTHING isn't all that hard.  Didn't mop though.

M&M brought a huge box of school supplies for the boys, Michael, Daniel & Luis.  Nicole went off to play w/the boys and we adultos proceeded to attempt to drink all the beer on the property (quite a lot, but we still have plenty).  Many laughs ensued and our friends left around 6:15.  Our newest friend, Les (Mari's brother-in-law ... a gringo from Montana (formerly of North Dakota, don-cha-know)) will probably join us at El Estadio in Grecia for SuperBowl on Sunday ... 3 p.m. for pre-game festivities!

Roy is currently watching old episodes of  "The Red Green Show" on his computer ... Marco was totally enthralled!

Enough for now, have to get up early to do something, don't know yet what that "something" is!  Might involve a car, might involve scrubbing walls.

Pura Vida,
Kathleen

p.s.
Turns out that, the price of auto fuel is going up next week.  Why?  ARESEP reported that the increase is due to speculation created in the international market because of the lack of fiscal policies in the United States last year.  Sigh ... no matter where ya go, there ya are!

Success!

On the bus at 7:15, in Grecia at 8.  Roy stood in line @ Banco National so we would be one of the first in at 8:30 when they open.  I walked to the "Parque Central" and waited for Marco.  Approached by street person wanting I don't know what, and I stupidly said "No hablo Espanol" ... Duh!  Why couldn't I have said "I don't speak Spanish"?  Anyway, Marco shows up at exactly 8:15, with new, improved letters from he & Mari and printouts of my IRA papers, which I emailed to him (our printers being somewhere else at the moment) and I was off to the Bank, a block away.  

Waited outside (actually in the open sub lobby) for 15, got in and sat to wait ... much waiting.  But not long this time, due to our impeccable timing, and soon we were sitting at Javier's desk, yet again, and he was reading letters, looking over IRA docs, asking for passports, asking for docs on purchase of our house, asking questions about: marital status, former occupations, income (? what is that ... I don't have any) and making photocopies of everything .  1.5 hours later, we had 2 accounts (one in colones, one in dollars) and were told to return tomorrow (it is ALWAYS manaña) to pick up our Debit Cards and get set up for internet banking!  Debit Cards in a DAY?  Why can't the rest of the system work that way?

So, in less than 2 weeks, it would seem that we've accomplished what takes many gringos months, sometimes years, to accomplish:

• Electricity
• Land Line
• Bank Accounts
• Internet

So, tomorrow, something novel ... we are going to the BANK!  First to Servicios de Clientes for the cards, then, I assume we take another number and wait for Javier to demonstrate how to use their internet banking system.  Wonder how long it will be before we can avoid going to the bank for a day or two?

OK, fine!

Who'da thunk it?  Kiki wasn't out at all!  She found a new place to hide ... in Roy's suitcase!

Night all!

Late Breaking News!

OK, nothing earthshaking (except the frequent earthquakes, of which we've felt none), but it is after 11 and Kiki is OUT ... sigh ... hunting, I suppose.  Gonna have to leave the outer barred door locked and the inner door ajar.  She can get in, and hopefully nothing else, except una pequena perro, can!

Buenos Noches,

K

Cars, Banks & other challenges + good kitty stuff

January 27, 2013 - The Car

We went to look at a vehicle.  Sounds easy, si?  Pero, NO!  Bus @ 8 from here to Grecia, then a bus to Naranjo, then a bus to Ciudad Quesada en San Carlos, through one of our favorite towns, Zarcero.

Just a couple of older photos of the topiary in the central park there!   

Got to Quesada @ 11:30 or so, meeting the guy with the Rover @ 1.  Tenemos Mucha Hambre!  (we have much hungry!)  Grabbed a burger at Charlies Burgers ... meh, but it was food.  First beef I think I've eaten since we left!  

Guy (Luis) shows up early (thankfully) and the Rover looks & feels good to Roy.  He really wanted something "stock" and the Lime Green is definitely NOT ... but for what it is and the price, we did a handshake deal.  New clutch, new water pump, new radiator, pretty good tires, current RTV & Marchamo (DEQ & Registration).  So, told Luis (& his dad, Alberto ... to whom the car actually belongs) that we would get our banking thing out of the way and arrange to return in a few days.  Using their abogado (Attorney) as I don't want to pay one to go with us on an all day event!  Should be OK!

Then, do that trip in reverse!  One thing to ride in a bus on I-5 or 101, but way different here!  Almost like going to the carnival!  

January 28, 2013 - The bank & other challenges

Up early otro ves (again) and, before we got on the bus to Grecia @ 7:10, schlepped our two small loads of laundry up to Essprezzo de la Casa (because Isobel is a totally wonderful person who feels sorry for us because we don't have a Washer and said she would wash (if we would dry) until she could find someone to do it regularly).  Off the bus in Grecia ... First stop:  Banco National de Costa Rica (the only place to bank, per Marco).  Arrived at the bank about 40 min. before they opened, but I notice a line already so decide we need to be in it!  Using the translate function of my phone, was able to ask about the differences in the 4 ATM machines in the outer lobby (one is for dollars, 3 for colones) & also the location of the Municipalidad de Grecia (gotta pay the garbage bill, don't ya know).  

Bank opens @ 8:30 and we are about the 7th & 8th in.  Go through the security airlock thingy ... an interesting concept that I can't post a photo of because it is forbidden!  Explain to the girl @ the touch screen thingy that spits out numbers that we are there to open a new account.  We got our number for "la plataforma" ... which differs from "las cajas" in that las plataformas do more technical stuff ... not just changing money or cashing a check or making a deposit.  Finally get to Plataforma #2, only to find that Javier doesn't speak a lick of English ... I thought they taught that in school here (they do, but they are shy to speak it).  

Soon, Javier snagged MariaElena, who has perfect English.  MariaElena explained to us that we needed two letters from Tico customers of BN saying what nice people we are, our passaportes, a paid bill and documents on our house.  We had most of that, but set out to obtain the rest, saying we would (in the words of the "Governator", "we'll be back").  

Called Mari, who said Marco was in meetings all morning and she was running late for work.  Explained what we needed, then texted Marco with the same info.  Feeling totally hungry again (it is only about 9:30 and we left so bloody early ... too early for desayuno (breakfast), we walked to Cafe Delicious ... a notorious "Gringo" hangout and had breakfast.  Talked to a blustering, bragging gringo for a few minutes about his Mountain Bike, and we are off to Municipialidad to pay a year's worth of Garbage.  Now, mind you, they pick up on Monday & Thursday, just put the bag by the road, and it is only around $65 per year ... AND you get a discount for paying by the year.  Eat that WesternOregonWaste!  Waited for a while for my number to come up and approached "la plataforma" ... yeah, they have those EVERYWHERE!  Sadly, the young lady with whom I was "speaking" ... I am beginning to use that term very loosely ... didn't speak any English ...sigh!  She turned me over to a nice young man who explained that, because we were NEW owners and the National Registration of our ownership hadn't made it's way to the Municipalidad, it would take a while to complete the paper/computer work.  He got all the pertinent information from me and asked me to come back at 1 p.m.  What is a girl to say?  "I am NOT leaving till we accomplish this!"? ... Nah, I go!

So, with 2.5 hours to kill, Roy and I decide that there MUST be things we need to do ... like sit in El Parque Central and enjoy the day ... too restless me for that!  I go off in search of a nail parlor, found two, one closed with no hours posted, the other unable to contact the nail lady.  Sigh again!  

Park benches are everywhere, there must be at least 50 in Grecia's Parque Central ... of course all made of cement ... so you don't sit there too very long before your butt goes numb!  Still no word from Marco, so let's walk around!  Not getting any messages on my phone, but getting the message that there IS a message ... hummm.  Deleted a bunch of apps n stuff hoping that I would free up space, as we strolled.  

What did we buy?  Well, a really cool hangie thingie for socks & undies when you don't have a clothes dryer!  A Dishpan (been looking for one for over a week), a couple of bottles of drinkable wine (not everywhere, mind you!), two more 4 tiered plastic rollie thingies to serve as cupboards and such till we have the real thing & a "non-mummy" type sleeping bag, as I've been stuck with the "mummy" type and it is driving me nuts.

Anyhoots, must have deleted enough stuff from the phone, because around the "appointed hour" (1:00) I got 7 texts in a row, mostly from Marco, saying we would need a CPA to open a bank account!  What?!?!?!?!?  Really?  They didn't tell me THAT at the bank, only that it is easier to open savings than checking ... I don't care as long as I have a debit card and internet banking!  I never write checks anyway!  Texted back w/ info that the bank didn't say anything about a CPA ... he said OK, but I don't know exactly what he means by "OK".

Waited for another long time in La Municipalidad and got it done!  YAY!  No more pesky garbage bills for a YEAR!  In Gearhart, we paid nearly $30/month ... do the math!  It is only 2:00 pm.  ... It only took around 3 hours to pay it, but it IS paid.  

Knowing that the bus was leaving for San Luis @ 3:10, we caught a cab to Maxi Palí and bought a few of the above mentioned things, Phone rings, Mari, "where are you" ... "en Maxi Palí, y usted?"  "en Grecia, con sus letters ... we will pick you up"!  So ........ Back to Banco National ... where they are serving #500 and we are #529!  This isn't the quick stuff either.  Marco & Mari (and their granddaughter, Nicole) said they would wait in the park.  So, we wait, we wait, we wait!  Bear in mind, it is 2:30 and the bank says it closes @ 3:45 ... so, about 3:30, it is our turn.  We feel really confident that we are going to get this done.  I drag out the letters from M&M first thing ... along w/photocopies of their Cedulas (government ID that we hope to have someday) and Javier takes one look and runs off!  

Marco

Marianella

Really, seriously, takes off!  We see him here and there all over the bank, with letters in hand ... no one comes to tell us what the hell is going on ... beginning to expect la policia!  Finally, around 4 or so, Javier & MariaElena come back and explain that, apparently, MORE information is needed in the letters.  We did as they asked, but, as Bill Mahr would say, "NEW RULE"!  Also, the bank needs documentation from our bank in the US, which is in the container!  So, we left, not before I was near shedding a tear or two, and met M&M in the park.  You all don't know Marco, but he pretty much doesn't put up with much Pura Miedra (bull shit), so he was sorta pissed too!  

Despite the fact that we were going to take a bus home with ALL our "stuff", it was lateish, so Marco insisted on driving us up the hill.  Being sorta pissed, he took the third different way up here, which neither of us had ever taken, very rural, very narrow, the most directo, but even the Taxis don't take it!  There is this bridge ...... we will take you there when you come!   Had a couple of beers (well, M&M each had one & we had wine) and they were off to the valley to resume their own lives!  I don't know what we would do without them!!!  

When we arrived home, the first thing I noticed was that I.C.E. got us on our VERY OWN electricity!  Rats, now we have to pay the bill!  ;-)  For those who don't know, getting electricity, internet & phone in less than a month here is a phenomenal feat and we did it in only 13 days.  

Emailed and then called (thankfully) our bank in Gearhart and voila, the PDF we need is in my email.  Forwarded to Marco for printing (our printers are somewhere between Oakland CA and here) and we MAY be able to finish opening a new bank account in only two days!  

Walked up the hill to retrieve our wet laundry, only to find that our new friend, Isobel - owner of Essprezzo de la Casa, had not only washed it, but line dried and folded it!  It is so nice to be able to make good friends no matter where we go!  She wasn't home, but her charming 16 year old (I think) daughter was, and delivered the "ropa" (clothes) and proceeded to get into an art conversation w/Roy!  I anticipate many more such conversations soon!  If we get a photo of them, I will update this post.  

January 28, 2013 - Update on "the grrls"

Since Kiki's big adventure, the girls are both pretty much sticking close.  Too Close!  I actually felt like I was curling this morning when I had had enough of Kiki sleeping on my pillow with her claws in my hair ... kitties slide really well on tile!  NOT HARD, OK!?!  No walls involved or anything!  Anyway, the grrls seem much closer since the move, actually playing together ... hide 'n seek is tough when there is nothing to hide behind!  Kiki out 'n about at the moment, she had better hurry up, 'cause we are getting ready to crash.   

Up early tomorrow, otro ves, & abajo a Grecia por una mas dia en el banco!  Marco w/b there @ 8:15 to deliver paperwork.

Pura Vida~

Kathleen

Ciudad Quesada manana, en la manana

Tomorrow at 8, we catch the bus to Grecia, from there to Naranjo and from there to Ciudad Quesada (forecast: 84 with light showers), pretty much a 4 hour trip all told to look at this:

$4k ... Note the color!  Wish us luck!

Breakfast!

The only things on this plate that did NOT come from the Feria yesterday are the eggs & the cheese, which we did not buy because we already had them!  

Almost forgot the "Saga of the Suicide Shower"!

Some of you may know what a "suicide" shower is, some may not.  For the benefit of those of you who do not, it is a shower head, often "hecho en Brazil" commonly used in Latin America and other countries where electricity is expensive, as in Costa Rica.  This is a strange looking shower head which contains an heating element, the temperature of which is, mas o menos, controlled by the water pressure.  Now I know that the name alone might cause one to go stinky for a VERY long time, but the fact is that, according to my research, no one has actually died unintentionally from getting clean.  Beats freezing your a$$s off en las montanas!

We were left with (blessed with?) one that didn't work at all.  The heating element was pretty much kaput when we moved in, so Coooooooooooold showers for the last week.

On our trip to town Thursday (to find the router), we happened across una Feretteria (hardware store), where they had several hanging from hooks on the ceiling.  Inquiring as to price brought some serious consideration ... hummm ... do we get the one with the funky tubing with which to rinse ones self ... uh, it is a shower, isn't it ... or the one that is like $25-30 dollars less that doesn't have the funky tubing hanging off it ... gee, let me see!  Do, I want to stand under the shower to rinse or away from the shower and hose off with the funky tube?  Yeah, that's what I thought ... no tube for us, although the old, dysfunctional one had one.

So, very early Friday morning, Roy installed the new "ducha"!  What a wonderful shower that was!  Photo to follow as soon as my phone gets it sent to my computer.

Off to the Feria! (Farmer's Market)

Hopped the 9:00 bus and arrived in Grecia at around 9:45.  Wandered around window shopping for a while, ate a bite @ Delicious (notoriously a Gringo Hangout, but with OK food & Coffee.  Close to noon (opening time) we grabbed a cab to the Feria (not necessary, but who knew!).  They were just setting up (nothing is actually on time here, ya know), but what was out was beautiful!  We'd been there only 15 minutes or so, when we got a call from Clark (remember him from the "pick up the fridge" post?) that the Friday Gringo get together was starting and did we want to come.  Sure, why not.  So we didn't buy a thing, as we didn't want to schlep it all over.  Caught a taxi back up the hill (probably not necessary again, but it WAS uphill) & met up w/Clark at the red metal church of many photos (check out google earth).  Had a couple of cervezas, then walked back down to the Feria, where we bought:  Dill, Spinach, Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Papaya, Mangos, Tomatoes, Avocados, Basil, Escarole, and I am sure there are things I forgot, but you get the jist!  Then walked the 3 blocks to the bus stop and waited for a few ... not knowing what time the bus was going to run exactly, decided to splurge on yet another taxi up the hill.  Now, this costs us about $11 each time, so we REALLY can't be making a habit of it!

Upon reaching home, decided to give the router config another try and, here was an email from the manufacturer!  Got it in ONE!  We are now wireless and headed up to Isobel's (Essprezzo de la Casa) for coffee & desert.

Ciao for now!

Kathleen

Yesterday's Adventure

So, we were expecting IDNet @ 9 am on Thursday:

Text Received (8:59 am):  Kathi we have a problemas with the car, if you have a stair we can send today.

Text Received:  Sorry forma inconvinient

Text Sent:  ?  I don’t understand.  Ladder?  Escalera?  No tengo, hoy (at this point, I’ve not yet figured out who is sending these messages)

Call received:  “Hi, this is Juan Carlos (INet), we have car in the shop, but have another car can’t bring a ladder.  Maybe tomorrow.”

We then trundle down the road & locate a homemade ladder (perhaps the only kind around), thanks to our young friends (their Uncle lives next door to them) and call Juan Carlos back.  He is now sending the second car … internet MAY be possible later today! 

10:20 am … still waiting!

11:35 am … he is here, but now we have to go buy a router if we want wifi.  Yet another challenge.

Caught the 1:20 to Grecia, went to Banco Nacional to pay the installation fee (all bills are paid @ the bank, usually online, but we don't have an account yet).

Did that, than discovered Raul Vega which is a GIANT department store ... you would never know to look @ any of their probably 6 entrances ... looks just like any other tiny tienda!  Sadly, no routers ... everything else, tho.  Asked where, "no se" ... figures.

Went around the corner, asked again, they pointed and said 150 meters (a block & a half) ... NOT!  Asked from there, 150 meters ... and, voila!  Got a cheapie and rode bus home to configure.  2.5 hours later, still not configured.  Called IDNet, they said they would open a "help ticket" for Friday.  OK.  I also emailed the company who produced the router, expecting nothing.  

Made a few magic jack calls and off to bed!    

Meeting Grandma - January 23, 2013

Wednesday night, upon our return from the Valley (sure hope Julio can figure out what is wrong with his Mercedes SUV), we gifted the boys with Frisbees & a ball and bat as a token of our appreciation for their attempts at locating Kiki the day before.  They were like, well, Kids @ Christmas!  The three of them (& Roy) played with the toys for a while (OK, I hit a homer across the street) and all of a sudden, their Grandmother (abuela) shows up!  Her name is Clarisia and she is a very charming and gracious lady.  We visited for about an hour, had juice, many laughs and even learned some interesting tidbits about the neighborhood.  Seems that the former owner of this house, Don Alexis (who did us no favors) used to feed the barky neighbor dogs PILES of sweet bread, so now we know that they are looking for.  Not going to get it from us, though. 

Before Clarisia left, she invited us to her home, which is not all that common.  Here, usually one only invites family or very close friends into one’s home, so this is quite an honor.  We seem to be being readily accepted into the neighborhood, maybe it is just curiosity though, as the only other gringo we know of in the immediate neighborhood isn't all that gregarious.  Time will tell.  

Morning "Shortie"

After a week of suffering with only an "E" data signal (don't know what this means other than it ISN'T 3G) and only able to access email on the phones, We've got IDNet coming this morning, so my phone decided that it was time to receive 3G!  Figures, doesn't it?  All I had to do was threaten!  Roy's phone, however, still is stuck on "E" ... don't know why!  More later!

K

First Trip to Price Smart

Overslept this morning, so didn't make the 7 a.m. bus to Grecia ... there is, apparently, NO 8:00 bus, so caught the 9.  From there to Alajuela.  Took nearly 2 hours, but we got there, caught a cab and hit Price Smart.  Julio picked us up and we went to look at a Rover (for which they were asking way too much), then bought toys for the boys on the hill, then looked at a Toyota Corolla Wagon (for which they were asking way too much) and then to Grecia.  Having a late lunch then stopping to buy a phone!  Our new telephone number 011-506-2444-5467.  Sounds like we can get internet going possibly as early as tomorrow, too!  Things are moving along.  I am actually using my phone in the restaurant as a mobile hotspot to post these two~

Apparently, there are probs with the items we mailed ourselves before leaving.  There are used clothing items in them and, not sure exactly yet, but it sounds like they must be fumigated ... Gee, is CR worried about Oregon Coast cockroaches?  Really?  Looks like two small boxes of misc. "stuff" is costing us around $80 ... so, please don't send care packages!

Food on the way out, Julio nice enough to stop here so we could eat and I could post.  More later.

Ciao!

Kathleen

Musings on the last week in San Luis de Grecia

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Up to the house for the first time.  Stopped in Grecia at “el ICE” to see about phone, electricity & SIM cards on the way.  Got the SIMs, electricity w/b going in Marco’s name, land line in Mari’s … I guess that is just how it is done when you are an undocumented person! 

Don Alexis did us no favors, I will say that!  Floors filthy, the inside of the exterior walls incredibly moldy, interior walls just plain dirty with a little mold.  Hung out for a bit, had a couple of beers, picked some chayote from the back yard & then back to the valley, with a wonderful lunch w/Marco, Mari and Nicole on the way. 

Took a taxi to WalMart near the airport to pick up a few things & spent way too much money … easy to do when you have NOTHING!  Clumping kitty litter is not easy to find.   Early to bed. 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Moving day.  Marco picked us up, and Alberto picked up a bunch of our “stuff” … too much for one car!  Went into Grecia Central & hired a “carga taxi”, then to Clark’s to pick up the fridge, table & chairs & bed.  All hombres amazed at Roy’s strength moving Clark’s trailer sideways alone.  Then the hunt for the repair shop, where the range was, ensues.   After asking several people on the street as to the location of the Rosville Grocery (repair shop across the street) and many cell calls, we found Clark, the “carga taxi” and the shop.  Then the fun begins!  We don’t have the “repair ticket” and Dan neglected to leave instructions as to the disposition of the stove.  After about 15 minutes and several failed attempts to reach Dan on his mobile (he is in Nicaragua), they finally released the stove to Clark (me), I paid the bill and we were on our way once again. 

Up the hill to the house only to find zero electricity and ICE saying that we have to replace our meter box and wiring to the house before they will reconnect us.  Marco, our savior, found us an “electrician” … yes, I use this term loosely … and just after dark he had all the wiring done and had us ganged into the next pole (not wanting us to be in the dark all weekend).  119,735 colones later (approx. $240) and we have the new meter box & wiring to the panel.  Can’t imagine what that would have cost in the States.  The labor portion was only 15,000 colones, or about $30.  Materiales son muy caro (expensive) but labor son muy barata (inexpensive). 

Tuna san for dinner and early to bed … like WAAAY early … In the living room, as it is the cleanest at this point. 

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Discovered that the neighbor dogs, mama Charro & son Oso, like to bark pretty much all night … bad enough if they were in their OWN yard just meters away, but just outside our front windows?  Not much sleep. 

Internet proves to be elusive so far.  The “3G” on our phones is now “E” … don’t know what that means other than I can get email on the phone, but using the phone for a wireless hotspot doesn’t work.  Also don’t know if it is our location or el ICE … could be either. 

Started cleaning … front bedroom first.  Took hours w/scrub brush, scrubby sponges, garas (rags) and gancho (those funny mop thingies that you hook a gara to and use on the floors).   Fortunately, bleach is readily available and Formula 409 sometimes.   Much better!  The Kitties want out, but we aren’t going there just yet. 

M & M and their oldest grandson, Marco, showed up with groceries, a mirror, and mucha cerveza.  They visited for a while, but Marco under the weather, so not for long.  Found out we need to go down the hill Tuesday night @ 7 to the “Coope”, which I guess is the Water Cooperative, to change the water to our name. 

Stove is a “shocking” thing!  Roy lifted the top and we discovered why … how many bare spots does one expect to see on wiring?  Ick … back to the small, alcohol powered camp stove for a while for our coffee, eggs & toast.  Must now seek electrician’s tape for Roy to wrap the bare spots.

Had a visit from Tony (and his friend, Duke from Boca Raton) this evening.  Tony is from Brooklyn but sadly we didn’t get to meet his wife, Joyce, who returns from FLA Thursday.  Our friend in Friajanes, Marilyn, says she is a GREAT hair cutter and an excellent cook.  Can’t wait to meet her.  They live @ Electrical post #144 (we are at #183 … I think I’ve finally figured out addresses here … at least here en el campo (in the country)).

Sausage & Cheese sans for dinner and early to bed … maybe even earlier than yesterday. 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Amazing how quickly the days run together!  Eggs, Toast & Turrialba Cheese for breakfast … oh, and coffee, of course.  We MUST go grocery shopping soon. 

Roy took Kiki out on leash this early morning and she only wanted to go where he couldn’t.  Enough of THAT for a while. 

We scrubbed the bathroom which, surprisingly, went more quickly than the simple front bedroom.   Our cleaning implements & supplies have already paid for themselves, but we are already pining for our “stuff” (including the pressure washer), which doesn’t even depart Seattle until the 23^rd.  Sigh!  One room per day is going to have to be enough … we have time, LOTS of time.

Went about three minutes up (down) the road to a wonderful restaurant, Essprezzo de la Casa, for dinner and met the owner, Isobel.  She is from Durango, Mexico and her food has a marvelous Mexican flair!  The coffee, burritos, enchiladas & dessert (passion fruit mousse w/blackberry sauce) were all spectacular, not to mention the views!  All the fruits, veggies & coffee come from the Organic Finca next door, which belongs to her husband’s family.  It may be a good thing that she is only open on Friday & Saturday 3-9 and Sunday 9-6 or we could get back into a habit that we need to break (dining out).   She also turned us on to another “possible” for internet access, so will call them mañana. 

Early to bed again … funny what barking dogs will do for (to) your energy level! 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Up early … again!  Waiting for el ICE to come and connect our very own electricity (not the bootlegged variety, which works just fine).  By 3, hadn’t seen em, but Marco says we don’t have to be here anyway, so grabbed a bus to the Maxi Palí, which is owned by WalMart … Sigh again!  We were able to obtain a small, plastic, 4-tiered “rolly thingie” to use as our “cupboard” till our stuff arrives.  Also splurged on a dish rack and a plug for the kitchen sink!  It’s the small things in life …..!  Bought some groceries and decided that we had too much stuff to schlep back on the bus, so grabbed a Taxi for the ride home.  We won’t be doing THAT every day.  While it only came to 5,495 colones (around $11) that is a little pricy for every day.  Still, way faster than the bus.

Roy did “tacos” with diced chorizo, Turrialba cheese, cilantro, tomatoes, lime & avocado for dinner … YUM!  We bought some wine that really makes us miss our “Bota Box”.  I suppose if you drank enough ……..

Early to bed, AGAIN!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Up with the chickens again … actually haven’t HEARD any chickens yet.  Apparently not poultry country … just coffee, fruit & veggies.  The dogs were, mercifully, quieter last night.  Only woke us up a couple of times and no prolonged bark fests. 

Roy let “the girls” out this morning.  Sandy was her usual “good girl” and stuck close to the door, while we haven’t yet seen Kiki.  I think she is exploring the finca and I live in the constant hope she will come home.  It is what it is, I guess.  I’ve offered the neighbor boys, Luis, Daniel & Michael (13, 12 & 8) a small reward if they find her and bring her home.  I don’t think they are too terribly motivated … they have the attention span of children, after all.  Will keep y’all posted on that front. Update:  7:30 pm (pretty much straight up, or down as it IS ½ past) YAY!!!!!!!!!!  Kiki strolls en la casa.  She has burrs and is shaking her little feet, but eating voraciously and just got treats!!  All is right in paradise!  Glad we didn’t go to bed at our new “usual” time!  Celebrating with the last glass of the horrid wine we bought last night.  I would be drinking the Ron Centenario, but the wine simply had . to . go (if we dumped it on the lawn, it probably would have killed the Bermuda grass! 

Met the water meter reader this morning and he took my name & said we DON’T have to go to the Coope tonight … good thing, as we are usually in BED by 7 (9 at the latest).  Despite our prior experience, I find that once you get out of the city or tourist areas, most people do NOT speak English.  That is working my Spanish big time.  I am, however getting better already.  My phone has a translate app, but most of the locals are actually afraid (I think) to talk into it.  And, when they do, it is so “rapido” that the phone can’t keep up!

Roy has had his way with the stove, re-wrapping all the wiring and it is no longer a “shocking” thing!  I smell breakfast … eek, it is late!  9:20?  Where does the day go?  Breakfast was scrambled eggs w/chorizo with Tico cheese, sliced avocado and toast with blackberry (mora) jelly on the side (Roy also had Guava jelly … ok, but I lurve me some blackberries)!  Yum! 

I guess siesta is NOT in my future.  Tried, but neighbor came and I spent 20 minutes attempting to understand,  and make myself understood, concerning some questions about how long we would be ganged into the other neighbor’s power.  Sadly, I was not able to reach either of my trusty interpreters via phone, so waiting. 

Sigh ……………

Headed down to Valle Central mañana en la mañana, so will post this there.  Our 3G signal should be sufficiente, pero if not; I have other ways of finding a “hotspot”!  Meeting up w/our friend, Julio Sanchez, to look at a couple of Rovers he has spotted.  Probably more shopping … not sure for what, but I BET we have a list by the time we go from San Luis to Grecia (30 mins +/-) and then Grecia to Alajuela (not sure, can’t remember, it has been so long since we’ve taken THAT bus … maybe an hour??).  Item #1, mas Kitty litter @ PriceSmart.  Oh, and more bleach.  The list has begun!  Need to find “free & clear” laundry soap as well, everything here is perfumed to the MAX. See how easy it is to spend $$ (don’t have the symbol for colones, which sort of looks like cents symbol, but I think backward, preceding the number w/a vertical line ALL the way thru) … Oh, and perhaps a better (newer) suicide shower, because it isn’t hot here and a slightly warmer shower would totally be in order! Also a cheapo phone … our Panasonic’s are in the container!  I just got VM on the Magic Jack and have NO CLUE who it is from … who is 503-440-7950?  Home, yes, but I don’t know anyone’s phone number … my phone USED to know em!   Duh, how much good will that do without the internet connection?  We are so reliant!   

Still no internet (except email on our phones, sometimes) at the property … we (me, Marco, Mari) are working on that and should be connected within a month or so … es una broma (joke).  Hopefully a week or so.  Very frustrating, we are sooo spoiled! 

My too tight shorts fit better this morning, something to be said ……… Picked some burrs off “the Kik” and I think es el tiempo por la cama!

Hope y’all are enjoying this … let me know in comments if there are things you want to know, on which I am not touching. 

Todo es Pura Vida (but not exactly),

Besos, Kathleen

I may not have an opportunity to do this for a while, so even tho I have had just a couple (way) too many shots of "Ron Centenario", here goes!

Up at 4:30, PST and got repacked.  Kitties were in "hiding mode", and other than Roy getting bloodied up getting Kiki in the carrier, we sort of made it in time.  Wanted to catch the 6:20 shuttle, but the 6:40 was early, so that works!  Much meowing ensued!  Got to security and had to request a private screening room (a first for ME), was lucky that the two TSA ladies like kitties, although one was allergic.  I did that, while Roy gathered our "stuff" and it went well!   I was actually done before Roy had his boots back on!

Grabbed a couple coffees, a muffin & a scone (I will miss Marion berries) and chatted w/a really nice couple before boarding.  Boarding went smoothly (mostly ... except a beautiful middle aged tica with a BUTT load of the biggest candy canes I've ever seen AND had the two largest carry-on bags, as well  ... couldn't find her seat (row 5) and asked where she should be sitting at about row 16 ... sigh).  Loading was quick and ... we are lifting off early!  The "grrls" did well ... little meowing.  About 30 minutes into the flight, Kiki decided that she had that whole "zipper thing" figured out and, while I was chatting w/ Andres from Guadalajara, she un-zipped and made a run for it!  Good Grab, Andres!  So, back in the bag, girlfriend, locking ALL zippers shut!  Loved when the flight attendant said "The kittie is secure"!  Almost like Elvis has left the building!

Kitties mostly quiet for literally the whole trip ... layover in Phoenix, delayed takeoff in Phoenix, back on the plane, takeoff, GOOD GRRLS!

Arrived @ SJO about 40 mins late and that wasn't too bad.  Got thru immigration ... "how long are you staying?" ... "Our return flight is on "once de Abril" ... 90 day stamp. cool!  Then, to customs ... "Live animals?" ... gee, whatcha gonna say, NO?  So, with all my prior diligence, the girls are in country w/ no quarantine ... Big shout out to "pettravel.com!

Grabbed a cab & headed to the hotel @ around 9 local, 7 PST, and once the cabbie was paid off and our "stuff" was in our room, realized that Roy's Camera pack (not just a camera pack) was NOT HERE!

So, I am thinking ... "I can't believe this f....ing $hiRt!  Our WONDERFUL Front desk guy, Eduardo, didn't get off the phone till he found the cabbie (at the gas station, said he had the pack) and within 10 minutes of  "losing it", it was back! Gracias a Dios!  Amazing what a good tip w/do ... $8 fare + $ 4 tip = return of pack worth $6k.  If you don't think that is worth a $20 tip, then what is?  Do the "arithmetic" as President Bill Clinton would say!   Smiling cabbie!

Marco & Mari have taken the rest of the week off to get us settled (after delivering Cat box, litter, bed, scoop & dishes) so we will be having a great time shopping, logisticticing ... (obviously not a word, but you get it) and moving into our new home!

We still don't know when/how our internet is gonna work, but we grabbed another night @ http://hotellosvolcanes.com/,just in case,  and I gotta say, they ARE good!  We may or may not have:

Phone, internet, electricity or whatever right away, but so WHAT!  We are SOOOOO doing it!

More later, as I can ... gotta sleep sometime!

Pura Vida,
Kathleen

Our life is on the way!

Yesterday was "Loading Day", and it was quite something!  I think I am safe to say that neither Roy nor I wish to EVER do that again!  First, the container was due @ 9 am, but the driver was running a little late ... fine, we could use that extra time.  Crew began to arrive prior to the container ... I will be thanking them all by name later in this post.  Around 9:30, the truck approaches our driveway and the driver wanted to pull in to the driveway across the street so that he could back in ... Good Idea!  So, all of our crew ran across the street to move their cars so that he would have the space ... Good Idea!  Driver then gets stuck ... maybe not such a Good Idea!  After 1.5 hours of "the guys" trying pretty much everything to get the truck UN-stuck, Roy finally went & fired up "Old Blue" (1988 F-150 that is, sadly, staying behind) for one last "pull out".  It worked!  Then it took our driver another 1/2 hour to actually back the truck up and get it in place.  Hummm ... 2 hours to park a truck!  Doors to the container open up at 11:30 am and close at around 4:30 ... only an hour over our allotted hours.  Not so bad, considering.  We had 216 "things" listed on our manifest and we got 212 of them in the container. Two old dressers and two cheapo bookcases are going to live in Oregon.

You can't see all the neat & tidy boxes that were loaded first.  This is just the stuff that didn't FIT in boxes!

Now, for the kudos:

• My darling husband, Roy, who is simply THE BEST!
• My baby brother, Jeff, who spent the day in the container with Roy and impressed us all!  Those two were amazing!  Today is Jeff's birthday ... happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuu!
• My sister-in-law, Betsy, who (along with Jeff) got up at "0-dark-30" to come to the beach and nearly froze.
• Pierre & Claudia ... Claudia finished up the kitchen, while Pierre lifted heavy boxes.
• Walter & Jennifer ... Jennifer spent a great deal of time in the container with Jeff & Roy, "pretending to be a heavy box"!
• Peggy, who diligently marked off numbers as "stuff" went into the container (Betsy took this task over after Peg had to leave)
• Steve, our buddy who USED to live in Costa Rica ... but when he learned we were moving there, he moved back to Seattle!  His lovely esposa, Leda, helped a lot with packing this past week, but was feeling way under the weather and couldn't help load.  Leda became an abuela (grandma) today!  Congrats to Leda!
• John Boskovich, our old friend who rented a car and came from Portland to help
• Sean Fleming, another old friend who left his partner, dog & cat to come help.
• Sue Olson, who packed a LOT of boxes and probably would have preferred to be playing golf with that low handicap of hers.

Then, there were those who TRIED to help, but really couldn't stick around till the bloody truck was parked:

• Roni Rose
• Cathy VanWinkle

There were others who came by to offer moral support, like Sue Lorain, Joan Carter, Barb Washer, our new neighbor Hunt, our neighbor & landlord, Bob ... who kindly brought over planks to use as a ramp and also the rambunctious chocolate lab, Tigger.  

Well, exhausted, but now have to go get human to go back to Gearhart for our "farewell dinner" at John & Rita's!  

Pura Vida,  

Kathleen

Kittie Passports

Well,, we just returned from the Vet's office in Astoria where the kitties had their travel physical!  Amazingly enough, Sandy was a much better cat than Kiki, but they both did well ... much meowing on the ride, but fairly quiet once we got them into the waiting room.  Hopefully that will translate to the plane!  They are not terribly fond of their new carriers, which was to be expected.

Then call USDA, wait for call back, get information (like is it $38/form or $38/cat) ... then try to go to the Post Office to mail forms off to USDA, only to find that one of my back car doors was ajar and battery dead ... well, not completely dead ... but wouldn't start!  Sigh!  On the charger for now.

All in all, our day cost us around $350 and we didn't even buy MEAT!

Back to Packing!