My Costa Rica - Excerpts from my journal of the year 2002...
Estrada, Rio Ora, Costa Rica, February 15, 2002 - Can't believe I haven't written more in my journal. Having too much fun doing nothing. We had 14 monkeys come right across the Guyanasu trees a few days back. They hung around for five hours real close this time. They only came by once with Wally here. I don't think they liked him camping down by the river.
I'm cooking a wicked chicken soup with some kind of tuber I've never heard of before. CheChe told me it's good in soup. It smells incredible. Some other green stuff in here that looks like parsley (I have no idea what that is) and celery, onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, and carrots. Hit pay dirt at CheChe's today – the fruit truck must have just left. Have given up on shopping in Estrada – they never have enough beer or ice.
Frank is still working on the boat. He would have been done by now but he couldn't get resin and we had no car papers to get to Nicoya until this past Tuesday. Romelu (our San Jose attorney) paid the marcharmos and mailed us the sticker and papers all set to go. I stopped by the local police department to see if I had all the papers in order. They gave me a squash from their garden. What a treat!
Wally left about a week ago to meet his Tica love, Maria, at Volcano Arenal. Last I heard (from the Saint) was that he is still in the country and is coming to Playa Samara in two weeks with Maria and her 15 year old and 18 year old sons in tow. They are going to stay in a hotel and look to see what they would like to buy for property. Can't believe he's jumping into this so quickly. The night before he left he said he might be back and I said “To where?” He said “Costa Rica.” I said “Exactly where in Costa Rica?” He said “How to hell do I know?” Then I said “Well, you can't live here. No offense, but we like our privacy.” He had already stayed with us for three weeks camping and eating and basically living here.
He wasn't mad, really, but was a little disappointed. Driving him to the payphone at 11:30 at night to call Maria and translating for him (she speaks ZERO English) was getting old. I really like him but there was a big lack of privacy it seemed with the house not being totally finished and all. As far as guests go I shouldn't complain. He did cook some awesome plantains one night, pitched in on the groceries and beer while he was here, and took us out to eat. Plus he always has amazing stories to tell.
Zack is doing fine. Talked to him about three to four times a week on the computer or phone.
Set up an e-mail and hotmail account for Capt. Rob the other day. Feels good to be able to help someone who has helped us. He took Wally out sports fishing twice for free.
Frank says we are going to launch the boat on the full moon (10 more days). We will see. Not sure if I want to go at night since the locals were talking about there being an alligator at the river crossing recently just around the corner from our land.
Went to Nicoya yesterday to get some stuff I needed for the house. Went to the doctor while I was there. Just walked in the clinic without an appointment and asked what I needed to do to see the doctor. Receptionist said I didn't need to do anything. Cost $30 and I went right in. The doctor was good and asked all the right questions. Gave me a prescription for birth control pills which cost about $10 here. They are $39 in the states. I figure this alone I saved $430 for the year. I think I may go to the dentist here, too. I also got a mammogram. That cost $35.
Today I fixed the quilt and made it bigger. Crocheted a bikini top, helped Frank with some sanding, washed a full load of fiberglass clothes by hand, watered the seedlings, made lunch and dinner, tried to call the lawyer (for fisheries laws in Costa Rica), went to the hardware store, went for ice, beer, groceries, and soaked my feet in the river. Yesterday I went to Nicoya, went to the bank (two times), found a toilet brush, fishing gear, needle, crochet hook, and yarn, paid the property taxes, and sanded the edges of some fiberglass matting. More later.