Tranquilo

Here in the Costa Rican Southern Zone, we are approaching the end of the rainy season (known here as winter) and the start of the rain-free season (Central American summer). Yes, we have seen a LOT of rain in Costa Rica. 

But like everyone told us, even during the rainy season, most mornings are cool, clear and beautiful, often followed by afternoon  deluges. We acclimated to the cycle just fine, even enjoying some downtime in the afternoon.

In a couple of weeks the bright tropical sun will beat down on our tin roof ALL afternoon. We're not sure we're looking forward to that.

I find it harder to think of blog topics these days, and perhaps that is because our lives have become attuned to our sedentary routine. Living in one place like we're doing these days is not at all like traveling, when everyday meant a new experience, a new adventure. But then again, when I look through our recent photo files I'm reminded that we still continue to cover a lot of ground. 

Upon our return from the US, we moved into a clean little house in a typical suburban Tico neighborhood. There is a little corner store, frequent bus service, and excellent internet - all things that the San Vito tree farm lacked. 

We're living really close to neighbors now - which exposes us to the many charming and not-so-charming quirks of modern Tico culture (such as the way many of them treat their dogs).

On the action-packed side of life, even though we haven't found a home site, we've begun designing our next home and will have our first meeting with an architect and builder soon. Bass Ackward?

Most weeks we manage to tromp all over 3 to 6 properties, telling ourselves we're getting a better notion of what we want. That's really just a slim attempt at justifying all the effort.

One of our side trips marched us into a bamboo nursery & construction company. Then serendipity introduced us to a new friend who builds bamboo furniture, and hooches. A hooch is a 100% bamboo "house on a pole". Same guy knows how to raise Emus. How could we get bored?

So yes, life is very interesting, even if we have "settled down". 

And for that we are very thankful.

I just really like this gal.

Pretty much the extent of our kitchen.

This variety of bamboo comes out of the ground at 4 to 6 inches in diameter,
and can grow more than a foot a day.

Some beautiful black bamboo timbers. Cured and treated with boric acid 
to prevent termite infestation - ready for construction.

Bamboo is a graceful renewable resource that matures in 5 years, not 50 
- and when harvested, sprouts up again from the roots.   
Talk about efficient!

Diana at BambuTico loves to share her bamboo knowledge.

Chicago's O-Hare airport.
One of the 8 airports we traversed on our US trip.

Checking out a well-stocked fruit stand in San Jose, 
the capital of Costa Rica.

Back to touring properties. This one had several streams ...

... and a lot of elevation gain to reach the upper pasture.
The finca is about 3/4 mile from one end to the other.

Jhonny's dog enjoyed his day in the bosque.

The land needs more trees. Pasture tends to slide into the river.

Want to meet people? Ride the buses!

On Marcos' finca. He lovingly cares for his cattle, chopping "camaroon" 
for their evening meal.  He's trying to sell his farm in order to
pay for cancer surgery.  Ouch.

Marcos's bull watched us siliently for 3 hours. Spooky.

Hanging out in the barn during the mid day rain.
Being able to chew the fat in Spanish opens so many doors.

Inspecting another hillside with Wedel, our trusted real estate guide.

The mighty Rio de El General floods, so even the most 
charming riverside plot cannot be considered.  
Yet another lovely piece of land we walked away from.

Neighbor's dog spends his days on a 6 foot chain,
and climbs to safety on a junk pile when the yard floods.
Really tough to watch how Ticos treat their dogs.

Carving the Thanksgiving Guanabana.

Guanabanas can weigh over 25 lbs.
They taste like a tart fruit custard.

Serious Yum.

Seguimos adelante, como siempre, buscando aventura y amistad.

And we go forward as always, looking for adventure and friendship.

And even a little fun.   <<< click it !!