8 hour round of golf? Really? And it cost WHAT?

So, I had the opportunity, and honor, to be invited to play in the annual DHL tournament (benefit for children's hospital) at Cariari Country Club on Friday ... albeit at 6:30 a.m.  So, left home at 4 on Thursday afternoon,with a stern command to call home upon arrival, in the "bounce-zuki".

Traffic was, mercifully, light and I made it to M&M's in just under an hour (so much for 45 minutes to the Golf Course ... more like 1.25 hours!)  Way quick for the "back" road, that is to say, NOT the "freeway" ... but the route the bus takes.  New pavement all the way (what a concept in this country).  Had a wonderful visit with Mari and Marco, picked up the documents on our car (we are SO legal on that now, insurance, registration and everything!), ate ravioli w/Mari's really good homemade sauce, drank a bunch of Imperial and finally got to bed around 10:30 for a wake up at 4:30.  Ahhhhh ... a bed with Sheets!!!!  However, it is the "City" with it's accompanying noises.  As much as I complain about Oso & Chara (the barky dogs next door, less barky these days) I really appreciate living en el campo!

Marco & I were off to Cariari at 5:15 for registration, cart & club rental (remember, I STILL don't have my CLUBS, shoes, gloves, balls, tees, or towels!!!) secure a caddie (mandatory), ate breakfast, met my playing partners (a couple of 30-something sweeties) and at 7:30 we tee off.  We started on a Par 3 with heavy wind right to left ... and to the left was a ravine edged by elephant bamboo.  My tee shot (very pretty, I might add) ended up in the greenside bunker and both the guys' shots went LEFT ... EEK!  Victor was fortunate, however, as he hit a big stick of bamboo, bounced onto the apron, and we didn't have to hit out of the bunker.  I made an excellent approach shot, but we two putted ... pretty much a harbinger of things to come.

We had a GREAT time, even though we didn't score well.  Neither of the guys has much chance to play these days ... oh, yeah, me either!  Gee, it only cost around $260!  Not a price to which I am accustomed!  Works out to $32.50 per hour.  I can think of a LOT of things I enjoy that cost less than THAT!  Probably won't be playing that many charity tournaments here ... at least without my "stuff".  Although, I haven't spent dime one on golf for 2.5 months ... but still!  Just sayin'!

We didn't get back to M&M's till 4 p.m. and I was totally beat!  Rested for a few minutos and then back up the mountain.  Made it home in an hour, even with following a "Pipe" truck from Tacares all the way to Grecia ... many kilometros and the odd sugar cane truck (how do they GO that slow?)!  Roy had had a remarkably interesting day too, which I may make him post on his own at a later time ... it WAS interesting!  Slept like a log till 6 this morning ... LATE for me these days.

Sorta quiet, lovely morning with coffee, scrambled eggs w/ham, tomato with cheese & fresh basil and catching up on email.  Load of laundry on the line, etc.  Around 2 or so, some neighbors (two doors up with a vollyball field!! and 10+ hectares (pretty much 25 acres)) stopped by on their way home from their walk.  We visited at our house for a while and then were invited up to theirs.  Visited for around 1.5 hours and got to know them a little.  Macho, Emma & David.  Macho is tico, no English, Emma is a tica, but was born & raised in the US (as was David).  Their home is pretty much what we would like to see in ours ... open, vaulted ceilings and full of hospitality!  Macho has a sister who works @ Municipalidad (City of Grecia) and is going to check out how few hoops we can get away with jumping through on our "project".  Sounds like there won't be all that many (fingers crossed).

Our load is due to be delivered mid-week and I am really getting tired of hearing Roy say "Oh, for a hammer"!  Soon!  Beds with sheets, "sawsall", hammers, ladders!  Life is about to get serious!

BUT, our friends, Dennis & Cheryl, will be here tomorrow night, not "here" here, but in Alajuela.  They are bringing "a few" things for us, so we will head to Alajuela early Monday morning to:  a) welcome them to CR;  b) get our "things";  c) go change money @ BNCR (we have accounts, therefore don't get charged an extra fee);  d) take them to SJO for their flight to Tamarindo.  Won't see them again 'till probably Saturday next and hope they have a WONDERFUL time in Tamarindo ... in 96 degrees, while we are here in 80 degrees ... comfy! It is after 9, so it is (or after) my bedtime ... Tenga Paz!

K