The only way in and out of the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area used to be a rickety, one-lane bridge, which if caught in an unfortunate moment, could take over 3 hours to cross. It was a frightening bridge, the kind that in the 2 to 10 minutes of crossing you found yourself preparing words for the impending meeting with your creator, especially when sandwiched between two 18 wheelers!
However, this month the new bridge finally opened. "Gracias a Dios!"
During my first two crossings of the NEW BRIDGE I was singing my hallelujahs! And in fact, at the second crossing, I reached across and took the hand of my passenger, an innocent Canadian who hitched a ride with me from Del Pacifico, and squeezed the dickens out of it. She had no clue what I was doing, until she glanced to her left and saw the appearance and condition of the old bridge. About half way into my excitement, she enthusiastically joined me, singing "Hellelujah!"
For all of those skeptics out there, here is the proof. The bridge is FINALLY complete! Now, let’s begin praying for the completion of the Parrita bridge.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Meet Larry
Those of you who know me well, know that I cannot go anywhere without my Ipod. I have it strapped to my arm or hip everywhere I go. It’s my sole source of music, regional and global news, sales and marketing tips, spiritual insights and discussions, guided meditations, Spanish lessons, real estate blogs, U.S. economics, world history, and much, much more. I make it a daily routine to download new material and listen to it while exercising, driving, working, and relaxing. I ALWAYS have my Ipod with me. It’s my lifeline to the world.
Today, I came home from work, having back-to-back meetings in Esterillos, Herradura and Jaco, eager to decompress. In typical fashion, I walked over to my Ipod docking station to listen to my new podcasts. However, tonight I noticed something quite strange about my typically squeaky clean, white docking station. “Why the heck was there a large black polka dot precisely where my Ipod needed to dock?” It took me a couple of seconds to get over the enormity of it, but to my surprise, I found the largest, unidentifiable, black insect that I’ve ever seen inside my house, and it was lingering on my docking station!
What am I to do? As of yet, I still have not figured it out. I’ve never seen anything quite like “Larry” before. (Yes, I’ve given him a name due to his grandeur. An insect this large needs a name.) So I am unsure whether or not I should try to move him. Does he jump? Will he latch on to me like a soldier ant? Umm. I just don’t know. So, I’ve decided to take pictures and write this blog, all the while watching to see if Larry moves. So far he has not.
I don’t know who will win out…my fear of having Larry jump on me, or my obsessive nature to hear Barack’s speech at the DNC, which I downloaded to my Ipod this morning. Stay tuned!
Today, I came home from work, having back-to-back meetings in Esterillos, Herradura and Jaco, eager to decompress. In typical fashion, I walked over to my Ipod docking station to listen to my new podcasts. However, tonight I noticed something quite strange about my typically squeaky clean, white docking station. “Why the heck was there a large black polka dot precisely where my Ipod needed to dock?” It took me a couple of seconds to get over the enormity of it, but to my surprise, I found the largest, unidentifiable, black insect that I’ve ever seen inside my house, and it was lingering on my docking station!
What am I to do? As of yet, I still have not figured it out. I’ve never seen anything quite like “Larry” before. (Yes, I’ve given him a name due to his grandeur. An insect this large needs a name.) So I am unsure whether or not I should try to move him. Does he jump? Will he latch on to me like a soldier ant? Umm. I just don’t know. So, I’ve decided to take pictures and write this blog, all the while watching to see if Larry moves. So far he has not.
I don’t know who will win out…my fear of having Larry jump on me, or my obsessive nature to hear Barack’s speech at the DNC, which I downloaded to my Ipod this morning. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sunset in Manuel Antonio
Beautiful. Breathtaking. Peaceful.
What more can I say? Even during the "green" or rainy season, Costa Rica is nothing but spectacular!
What more can I say? Even during the "green" or rainy season, Costa Rica is nothing but spectacular!
Quepos Farmers Market
I highly recommend anyone staying in Quepos for the weekend to visit the Quepos Farmers Market. It’s worth the experience. The Quepos Farmers Market is an outdoor market held every Saturday from 6 a.m. until 1.p.m. on the seaside boardwalk in Quepos.
I arrived around 11:00 A.M. to find the market hopping with its usual crowd of vendors, locals and tourists. This is my 3rd visit to the market and soon be on the way of tradition! The Quepos Farmers Market is not the most aesthetically impressive market by any means, but the friendliness of the vendors, locals, and toursits makes up for aesthetics! And too, the market offers some interesting spices, fruits, and vegetables, many of which are new to the palate of the tourists and foreigners of Central America.
I have a sweet tooth, so my favorite purchases are the incredibly fresh fruits you can buy for less than a $1.00! Examples are: papaya; piña (pineapple); sandía (watermelon); melón (cantaloupe); mango; mora (blackberry); granadilla and maracuya (related to the passion fruit); guayaba (guava); cas (a type of bitter guava); pipas (green coconuts); and the largest aguacates (avocados) you will ever see!!
The veggies are fresh as well…and unbelievably large. I found a carrot that measured over a foot long with a diameter of 4 inches. It probably weighed 2 pounds! (I felt sorry for the chef that was going to have to dice that sucker up!) Some of the more exotic vegetables include the pejibaye (relative of the coconut, with a taste that’s similar to a combination of chestnut and pumpkin); chayote (waterpear); yuca (yucca of manioc); and camote (sweet potato).
Fresh chicken (I mean REALLY FRESH!) and cheeses are also available, as well as local handicrafts and artisan pieces.
I invite you to view the video to get more of a “taste” of the farmers market. Buen provecho!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MrNnBl9I90
I arrived around 11:00 A.M. to find the market hopping with its usual crowd of vendors, locals and tourists. This is my 3rd visit to the market and soon be on the way of tradition! The Quepos Farmers Market is not the most aesthetically impressive market by any means, but the friendliness of the vendors, locals, and toursits makes up for aesthetics! And too, the market offers some interesting spices, fruits, and vegetables, many of which are new to the palate of the tourists and foreigners of Central America.
I have a sweet tooth, so my favorite purchases are the incredibly fresh fruits you can buy for less than a $1.00! Examples are: papaya; piña (pineapple); sandía (watermelon); melón (cantaloupe); mango; mora (blackberry); granadilla and maracuya (related to the passion fruit); guayaba (guava); cas (a type of bitter guava); pipas (green coconuts); and the largest aguacates (avocados) you will ever see!!
The veggies are fresh as well…and unbelievably large. I found a carrot that measured over a foot long with a diameter of 4 inches. It probably weighed 2 pounds! (I felt sorry for the chef that was going to have to dice that sucker up!) Some of the more exotic vegetables include the pejibaye (relative of the coconut, with a taste that’s similar to a combination of chestnut and pumpkin); chayote (waterpear); yuca (yucca of manioc); and camote (sweet potato).
Fresh chicken (I mean REALLY FRESH!) and cheeses are also available, as well as local handicrafts and artisan pieces.
I invite you to view the video to get more of a “taste” of the farmers market. Buen provecho!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MrNnBl9I90
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
La Negrita August 2, 2008
I decided to come to Costa Rica a week prior the KSI Discovery Weekend, under the questionable eye of my family. I am still having a hard time explaining why it is I cannot separate myself from this country. "You just HAVE to visit to understand!” I find myself saying to them relentlessly.
To be honest, I came early not only because I simply love being here, but also to participate in the pilgrimage to Cartago to pay homage to La Negrita. Every year the devoted followers of La Negrita make their way to the Basilica de la Virgen de los Angles. This year the number was in the millions – 2 million to be precise. Pilgrims travel as far as 300 miles partake in the event. “Impresionante!”
The reasons are endless and branch from the mere physical to the deep and spiritual. Some come to ask for healing from their ailments. Some to give gratitude for their fortunes and/or health. One woman in particular I spoke with asked to win the lottery!
Regardless of the reasons, the tradition has carried on since 1635 when a young girl brought home a doll like figure, which mysteriously reappeared at its original site. Church officials concluded it was the Virgin Mary revealing herself, and a church was built on the site of the statue’s discovery. (Research the Black Madonna and you will find similar stories throughout the history and culture of Latin America. Also see the Virgin of Guadalupe.)
I've posted video that I took while at the Basilica….Enjoy!
To be honest, I came early not only because I simply love being here, but also to participate in the pilgrimage to Cartago to pay homage to La Negrita. Every year the devoted followers of La Negrita make their way to the Basilica de la Virgen de los Angles. This year the number was in the millions – 2 million to be precise. Pilgrims travel as far as 300 miles partake in the event. “Impresionante!”
The reasons are endless and branch from the mere physical to the deep and spiritual. Some come to ask for healing from their ailments. Some to give gratitude for their fortunes and/or health. One woman in particular I spoke with asked to win the lottery!
Regardless of the reasons, the tradition has carried on since 1635 when a young girl brought home a doll like figure, which mysteriously reappeared at its original site. Church officials concluded it was the Virgin Mary revealing herself, and a church was built on the site of the statue’s discovery. (Research the Black Madonna and you will find similar stories throughout the history and culture of Latin America. Also see the Virgin of Guadalupe.)
I've posted video that I took while at the Basilica….Enjoy!
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