Surprises!

Things are never as they seem.  That's a given.  And because changes are inevitable, Jeff and I try to be nimble - but there are surprises.

Surprise #1: 
The survey process is taking LOTS longer than we planned.  We hired a topographer and scheduled the survey, then one full workday was spent in clearing brush from the entire property boundary -  by 3 men with machetes in the height of the summer heat.  When the topographer made a second property visit to "mark the points", he found numerous small discrepancies.  So which is correct:  what the topographer measures or what all the neighbors have agreed upon for many years?

 

Surprise #2:
While doing the survey, a 40+ foot tall waterfall was discovered in the lower corner of the property.  Really?!!  And no one knew about it?  I managed to make it down the steep ravine slopes to the top of the fall - but neither Jeff nor I have actually seen the waterfall.  


Surprise #3:

Someone has stolen our water.  Honestly, that's a bit melodramatic but the end result is that there is no water coming out of our pipe.  It's the dry season now and a farmer leasing a plot of land next to us for a coffee plant nursery needed some water.  He simply put a "tee" in the hose that runs from the spring on the mountain to the cabina, complete with an on and off switch.  Did he think no one would notice - or what?

When we showed up with the story of buying the finca, he pleaded with us to let him continue using it for the next month until the rains start again. What would you do?

Moreover, the water line from the new "tee" above the property is partially collapsed - literally - and has to be replaced before it'll work again (nearly 1000 feet of line). 

Somehow our banana trees put out larger, better tasting bananas. 

Surprise #4:
This week our helpers harvested the current table banana crop, cutting down 35-40 racks of bananas, each of which was so huge that it required two men to carry it.  Each rack measures at least 40 inches in length.  These extra large table banana trees are located in a grove on a hill.

Plantains fried in coconut oil -- simply the best!

The plantain banana trees are much smaller and hundreds of trees are scattered all over the finca as shade trees for the coffee.  These are the type that people steam, boil or fry - and I have to add that ours are the tastiest we've ever tasted.  Plantain racks are much smaller and easier to manage than bananas, as are the plantain trees, and we have been able to give away or eat all that's produced so far.


Surprise #5:
There's an Indian grave site amidst the banana trees on the hill that was raided long ago.  Could there be more?  If there are, should we leave them alone?

I'm so confused . . .

  
Surprise #6:

This is an Internet foto - we didn't actually see them

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When walking the water hose line yesterday, we heard the unmistakable, repeated yowls of howler monkeys - in the proximity of the trees by the cabina.  Have you ever heard howler monkeys?  Oh my God, they're 
dramatic! 



 
 
Surprise #7:
There's a hive of honey bees housed in a large yucca tree trunk.  Jeff figured this out when clearing the brush next to it and hit the trunk with the machete.  That white boy can sure RUN!!  He says he's not buying any more bright orange shirts.

Travis shared his ideas of "Natura Cultura", plants, and
spiritual balance as we begin to enjoy our life on the finca.

Gotta get Starr some new pants.
These doggone weed seeds really jump on her.  
She looks and feels like a porcupine.

What amazing and helpful friends we have in Costa Rica.

The place is surprisingly big - and it seems to be growing.
It's also quite overgrown - and growing more every day.

Honestly, it feels a trifle overwhelming. 
But we remind ourselves that we wanted this experience, and we got what we asked for, dreamed of, and searched for.  

Every day brings more surprises.

What is it?  Maybe the chickens will eat it.  
Oh, what chickens . . .?!

Gandering at local livestock.  Is this for us?

Wild Castor bean?

A male bonding ritual with our neighbor Franklin.  
He's an angel in human form.

This young man hopes to make this iguana into a pet.  
Notice the home made harness.

Workers building a home with MgO SIP panels 
(magnesium oxide structural insulated panels) 
- like we want for our home.

Trevor and his crew will probably build our new home 
within the next year or so. 

Hanging out with the Nicaraguan construction crew.

Expats are a stylish sort.   
You too could dress like this and stand around talking in the sweltering heat 
near the Costa Rican beach - if you wanted to.

So where are we going to live while waiting for the home to be built?
And what do we have to do to fix the water?
What about all those sad coffee plants?  
      Cut them down so they can regrow?  
      Forget about them and let them die naturally? 
      Forget about them long enough to figure out some other things?
How will we get the weeds cut down on 19 acres?  
      Or do we need to?
Where will we put the bamboo and fruit trees?
What can we get done before the rains begin?
Should we just live in a tent or yurt on the property?
And that old cabina . . . ?