Monday, November 30, 2009
La Finca de Dona Daisy (Dona Daisy's Farm)
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Saturday, November 28, 2009
Waste Now, Want Not Later
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Con Mucho Gusto - (With Much Thanks) this Thanksgiving
Although we will not be eating a Thanksgiving meal today, we will celebrate our day living with gratitude for each moment, each breath, each smile. Being in a 3rd world country for this day is a real reminder of all of the abundance in our lives. We will celebrate this day by exploring the beauty of this region by raft as we spend the morning traveling down the Sarapiqui.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A Morning in the Life of L & J
(Stay Tuned for the Sequels – An Afternoon and An Evening!)
So this is not going to be a deep or profound post, I just want to share what one morning in our life is like here. We awake usually around 7-7:30 with no alarm - just whenever the sunlight starts creeping in our windows. I carefully look at the floor before stepping out of the bottom bunk because I have found giant millipedes and baby lizards roaming in the wee morning hours. Jaxon likes to catch them, although sadly he pulled off the wiggling tail of the baby lizard this morning. The tail flipped and flopped like a fish out of water, but the lizard seemed no worse for the wear as he scurried off under my bed. If Jax is still asleep when I awake, I’ll write a little or I’ll roll out my yoga mat and stretch, breathe and sit for a bit to get my head and body clear.
When Jaxon wakes up it is time for breakfast! He is a hungry, growing boy. Usually we have cereal, toast, maybe yogurt and fruit, coffee and juice. We went to the grocery store last night and here is what 15000 Colones or about $30 will by you in Sarapiqui – Choco Crisps cereal, milk, small heavy whipping cream (for my coffee!), 2 avocados, 3 bananas, 2 yogurt smoothies, 2 yogurts, a giant carrot as big around as my wrist, Oreo cookie wafers, a roll of cheese crackers, bakery bread sticks, a bag organic sesame logs, a small can of peas, one pack of microwave cheese popcorn and a 6-pack of Imperial beer (Costa Rican). I think that is it. Groceries are surprisingly expensive here! We fix our own breakfast and dinner, but lunch is included.
Then we go and check in at the main lodge to see if there is any work for us to do. Yesterday we went to a local school while Sergio gave a presentation on the rainforest. The day before, we took a GPS through the forest and mapped points to help design a topographic map. In a few minutes we leave again for two more schools. (I need to hurry and get dressed, so will wrap this up!)
The kids are extremely rambunctious as this is their last week of school. You can smell the anticipation of the holidays in the air. All of the tico houses are already decorated for Christmas with lights, garlands and even tiny snowmen – so funny since they probably have no idea what those white, round men really are they never get snow here. And the porches have little decorated Christmas trees. (75% of Costa Ricans are Catholic.) The children finish their school year this week and return in February to a new grade, so for them, this is their summer holiday about to start. Yeah – 3 months of freedom!
They do not celebrate Thanksgiving, so not turkey and stuffing for us this year. However, my new American friend Stephanie and I are going to cook a Costa Rican style Thanksgiving on Saturday. I can’t wait to report on that!
I will post some pictures of our room and some “roommates” when we return from the schools.
So this is not going to be a deep or profound post, I just want to share what one morning in our life is like here. We awake usually around 7-7:30 with no alarm - just whenever the sunlight starts creeping in our windows. I carefully look at the floor before stepping out of the bottom bunk because I have found giant millipedes and baby lizards roaming in the wee morning hours. Jaxon likes to catch them, although sadly he pulled off the wiggling tail of the baby lizard this morning. The tail flipped and flopped like a fish out of water, but the lizard seemed no worse for the wear as he scurried off under my bed. If Jax is still asleep when I awake, I’ll write a little or I’ll roll out my yoga mat and stretch, breathe and sit for a bit to get my head and body clear.
When Jaxon wakes up it is time for breakfast! He is a hungry, growing boy. Usually we have cereal, toast, maybe yogurt and fruit, coffee and juice. We went to the grocery store last night and here is what 15000 Colones or about $30 will by you in Sarapiqui – Choco Crisps cereal, milk, small heavy whipping cream (for my coffee!), 2 avocados, 3 bananas, 2 yogurt smoothies, 2 yogurts, a giant carrot as big around as my wrist, Oreo cookie wafers, a roll of cheese crackers, bakery bread sticks, a bag organic sesame logs, a small can of peas, one pack of microwave cheese popcorn and a 6-pack of Imperial beer (Costa Rican). I think that is it. Groceries are surprisingly expensive here! We fix our own breakfast and dinner, but lunch is included.
Then we go and check in at the main lodge to see if there is any work for us to do. Yesterday we went to a local school while Sergio gave a presentation on the rainforest. The day before, we took a GPS through the forest and mapped points to help design a topographic map. In a few minutes we leave again for two more schools. (I need to hurry and get dressed, so will wrap this up!)
The kids are extremely rambunctious as this is their last week of school. You can smell the anticipation of the holidays in the air. All of the tico houses are already decorated for Christmas with lights, garlands and even tiny snowmen – so funny since they probably have no idea what those white, round men really are they never get snow here. And the porches have little decorated Christmas trees. (75% of Costa Ricans are Catholic.) The children finish their school year this week and return in February to a new grade, so for them, this is their summer holiday about to start. Yeah – 3 months of freedom!
They do not celebrate Thanksgiving, so not turkey and stuffing for us this year. However, my new American friend Stephanie and I are going to cook a Costa Rican style Thanksgiving on Saturday. I can’t wait to report on that!
I will post some pictures of our room and some “roommates” when we return from the schools.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
After the Boots, the Umbrellas
Not every moment is an adventure, but that is what it is like to live in another place, as opposed to just taking a vacation and staying in a hotel. I am trying to explain this to Jaxon. We do not have the resources to raft, zip line and play all day for 30 days straight. There may be some boring moments, but then we rest up for the more exciting times ahead. We are here first as volunteers and as tourists second.
The volunteering has been humorous thus far. I had really expected that Jaxon and I would be doing some important research and helping out scientifically, but honestly there is little for us to do here. They are finding small tasks I think just to keep us busy. Yesterday we scrubbed the communal umbrellas. The day before that we scrubbed 50 pairs of stinky, rubber rain boots. (They said the boot area never looked so good!)
But we are finding pleasure in very simple moments here. Even in washing boots and umbrellas. Even though these tasks seem totally futile, we still we do them without complaining. (Well, Jaxon did a little bit.) But we played and laughed at the silliness of "our volunteer work." It is somewhat like the Buddhist idea,'"After the dishes, there are still dishes." You just do each task with mindfullness and when it is complete, you move on to the next thing. I like this from Thich Nhat Hanh, which illustrates this idea a little better:
I think this is an important lesson for Jaxon. When he complained and even I admitted that it was kind of stupid, we still did it and were able to make it fun. I told him that we are here to help and even if we do not think what they are asking of us has value, that we are still to do it and then we move on to the next thing - like an amazing hour in the rainforest resplendent with brilliant blue butterflies, green snakes and yellow birds. Not every moment is going to be that exciting, yet every moment has meaning and can be pleasurable if you just remember to LIVE in it. It's the time spent washing the boots and umbrellas that gives us a way to measure our time in the forest.
Another simple pleasure is that every day after lunch (which is the same EVERY day!), we get a helado (ice cream) and go sit on the hammocks together and watch the wildlife. This has become our ritual and I look forward to that 20 minutes every day.
Life is beautiful in the simple moments. It doesn't have to be all bungee jumping and Class VI rapids. This is what we are discovering here.
The volunteering has been humorous thus far. I had really expected that Jaxon and I would be doing some important research and helping out scientifically, but honestly there is little for us to do here. They are finding small tasks I think just to keep us busy. Yesterday we scrubbed the communal umbrellas. The day before that we scrubbed 50 pairs of stinky, rubber rain boots. (They said the boot area never looked so good!)
But we are finding pleasure in very simple moments here. Even in washing boots and umbrellas. Even though these tasks seem totally futile, we still we do them without complaining. (Well, Jaxon did a little bit.) But we played and laughed at the silliness of "our volunteer work." It is somewhat like the Buddhist idea,'"After the dishes, there are still dishes." You just do each task with mindfullness and when it is complete, you move on to the next thing. I like this from Thich Nhat Hanh, which illustrates this idea a little better:
Bathing a New Buddha
To my mind, the idea that doing the dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you are not doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in warm water, it really is not so bad. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to go and have a cup of tea, the time will be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity, for each minute, each second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles! Each bowl I wash, each poem I compose, each time I invite a bell to sound is a miracle, each has exactly the same value. One day, while washing a bowl, I felt that my movements were as sacred and respectful as bathing a newborn Buddha. If he were to read this, that newborn Buddha would certainly be happy for me, and not at all insulted at being compared with a bowl.
Each thought, each action in the sunlight of awareness becomes sacred. In this light, no boundary exists between the sacred and the profane. I must confess it takes me a bit longer to do the dishes, but I live fully in every moment, and I am happy. Washing the dishes is at the same time a means and an end that is, not only do we do the dishes in order to have clean dishes, we also do the dishes just to do the dishes, to live fully in each moment while washing them.
If I am incapable of washing dishes joyfully, if I want to finish them quickly so I can go and have a cup of tea, I will be equally incapable of drinking the tea joyfully. With the cup in my hands I will be thinking about what to do next, and the fragrance and the flavor of the tea, together with the pleasure of drinking it, will be lost. I will always be dragged into the future, never able to live in the present moment.
To my mind, the idea that doing the dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you are not doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in warm water, it really is not so bad. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to go and have a cup of tea, the time will be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity, for each minute, each second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles! Each bowl I wash, each poem I compose, each time I invite a bell to sound is a miracle, each has exactly the same value. One day, while washing a bowl, I felt that my movements were as sacred and respectful as bathing a newborn Buddha. If he were to read this, that newborn Buddha would certainly be happy for me, and not at all insulted at being compared with a bowl.
Each thought, each action in the sunlight of awareness becomes sacred. In this light, no boundary exists between the sacred and the profane. I must confess it takes me a bit longer to do the dishes, but I live fully in every moment, and I am happy. Washing the dishes is at the same time a means and an end that is, not only do we do the dishes in order to have clean dishes, we also do the dishes just to do the dishes, to live fully in each moment while washing them.
If I am incapable of washing dishes joyfully, if I want to finish them quickly so I can go and have a cup of tea, I will be equally incapable of drinking the tea joyfully. With the cup in my hands I will be thinking about what to do next, and the fragrance and the flavor of the tea, together with the pleasure of drinking it, will be lost. I will always be dragged into the future, never able to live in the present moment.
I think this is an important lesson for Jaxon. When he complained and even I admitted that it was kind of stupid, we still did it and were able to make it fun. I told him that we are here to help and even if we do not think what they are asking of us has value, that we are still to do it and then we move on to the next thing - like an amazing hour in the rainforest resplendent with brilliant blue butterflies, green snakes and yellow birds. Not every moment is going to be that exciting, yet every moment has meaning and can be pleasurable if you just remember to LIVE in it. It's the time spent washing the boots and umbrellas that gives us a way to measure our time in the forest.
Another simple pleasure is that every day after lunch (which is the same EVERY day!), we get a helado (ice cream) and go sit on the hammocks together and watch the wildlife. This has become our ritual and I look forward to that 20 minutes every day.
Life is beautiful in the simple moments. It doesn't have to be all bungee jumping and Class VI rapids. This is what we are discovering here.
Late at Night...
It's late and the rain is falling on the tin roof. Jaxon is asleep in the bunk next to me and life is good here in Tirimbina despite the fact that the fridge has frozen all our drinks and the milk comes out on our morning Zucaritas (Frosted Flakes) in a giant white ice clump. Despite the fact that I never want to see frioles negras y arroz when we return to the States, yet it is the only thing I can eat with certainty that I know what it is. Despite the fact that I have no more clean underwear or socks and the washing machines are full and no one really seems in any hurry to empty them (they've been full all day with sheets and there are about 8 more bags of sheets sitting back there!) Despite the fact that I saw FIVE poisonous snakes on two different hikes today! Despite the fact that my mattress feels like a cement slab and the sheets have a thread count of 6. Despite all this, life is good.
Highlight of my day: This afternoon I had a solitary moment shared only with with one startlingly beautiful green hermit (which is similar to a large hummingbird with a long curved beak). As I was photographing a moth, something zoomed by my head. This brilliant flash of green then stopped a foot in front of my nose on the suspension bridge and fanned open his tail feathers and stared me in the eyes. For about 3 seconds time was suspended on a suspension bridge as this bird appeared suspended in midair. Amazing moment. (Sidebar - Holy crap - something just chirped VERY loudly in our room and it is pitch black. I think we are not alone! Sounds like a bird. Hope it is not a bat or a giant bug. I am a little bit nervous! I am shining my headlamp around the room but see nothing! OMG!)
I think I better try to go to bed now!
Highlight of my day: This afternoon I had a solitary moment shared only with with one startlingly beautiful green hermit (which is similar to a large hummingbird with a long curved beak). As I was photographing a moth, something zoomed by my head. This brilliant flash of green then stopped a foot in front of my nose on the suspension bridge and fanned open his tail feathers and stared me in the eyes. For about 3 seconds time was suspended on a suspension bridge as this bird appeared suspended in midair. Amazing moment. (Sidebar - Holy crap - something just chirped VERY loudly in our room and it is pitch black. I think we are not alone! Sounds like a bird. Hope it is not a bat or a giant bug. I am a little bit nervous! I am shining my headlamp around the room but see nothing! OMG!)
I think I better try to go to bed now!
Friday, November 20, 2009
A Night of Latin Creole Dancing
Tonight Jaxon and I went to visit my new friend Stephanie in town. She and her husband (who is a Tico) own a small gym in town. She said that few people exercise here, but she and her husband are trying to bring a healthier way of life to this very (and I mean VERY) rural village. We took a dance class with a guy who was teaching us some type of Creole Latin - even better than Zumba! Jaxon was playing on all the exercise machines while we laughed and danced. Many people showed up with their kids and in their jeans to watch and work out. It was very small gym and people were just coming and going. It was so much fun. I was wearing a black tank top, bright red capri pants and purple Tevas. NICE gym attire!
Today our volunteering consisted of scrubbing 50 pairs of old rubber boots to get ready for the Tirimbina open house on Sunday. Afterward I smelled like sweaty feet and rubber. Tomorrow we wash umbrellas. Fun. At least they have something for us to do here. I kinda thought we'd be helping out with science projects and such, but with our limited Spanish I am afraid we are not that helpful. At least we can do some manual labor! I wanted Jaxon to feel like he was working at least a little bit!
On a lighter note, we experienced an earthquake today - 5.0 (got to face one of my BIG fears), saw half a dozen white faced cappuchin monkeys, 2 howler monkeys and 2 agoutis on our hike. Fantastic! Too bad the camera batteries died! Also I bought Tang at the grocery store in the following flavors:, watermelon, lime, guanabana, gamaica (hibiscus, I think.) And some cookies called "Yippys" which are supposed to be all the rage in Costa Rica but were really kind of nasty. I bet I will eat them anyway since they are covered in chocolate!
Today our volunteering consisted of scrubbing 50 pairs of old rubber boots to get ready for the Tirimbina open house on Sunday. Afterward I smelled like sweaty feet and rubber. Tomorrow we wash umbrellas. Fun. At least they have something for us to do here. I kinda thought we'd be helping out with science projects and such, but with our limited Spanish I am afraid we are not that helpful. At least we can do some manual labor! I wanted Jaxon to feel like he was working at least a little bit!
On a lighter note, we experienced an earthquake today - 5.0 (got to face one of my BIG fears), saw half a dozen white faced cappuchin monkeys, 2 howler monkeys and 2 agoutis on our hike. Fantastic! Too bad the camera batteries died! Also I bought Tang at the grocery store in the following flavors:, watermelon, lime, guanabana, gamaica (hibiscus, I think.) And some cookies called "Yippys" which are supposed to be all the rage in Costa Rica but were really kind of nasty. I bet I will eat them anyway since they are covered in chocolate!
Earthquake! (PG-13)
So, I was sitting in our room downloading Skype to call my mom and the room began to quake. It scared the living $h!+ out of me! We put on our flip flops and briskly walked to the main hall. An American science teacher who lives here and teaches at an International school reassured us that it was just a tremor (REALLY!) and that there are over 10,000 of them a day in California. He said it is a good thing because it releases energy so that a big one does not occur. I have felt a sensation of dizziness since I have arrived here. I feel for sure that I am sensitive to the earth's movement and that I am feeling small shifts beneath me often- a little unnerving. It feels like I am on a boat. Anyway, we are ok. Apparently the epicenter was in San Jose. The rain is again softly falling and there is laughter coming from the restaurant. All is well in Tirimbina.
This afternoon we are going to visit a American friend in town and to her dance class at the local gym - she and her ex-pro soccer player husband, Carlos run it. We befriended her on the bus to Sarapiqui and I think we are both looking forward to some American camaraderie. Jax is looking forward to meeting her dogs and having popcorn. Amazing the things you miss in less than a week!
Pura vida!
This afternoon we are going to visit a American friend in town and to her dance class at the local gym - she and her ex-pro soccer player husband, Carlos run it. We befriended her on the bus to Sarapiqui and I think we are both looking forward to some American camaraderie. Jax is looking forward to meeting her dogs and having popcorn. Amazing the things you miss in less than a week!
Pura vida!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
We've Arrived!
Well, after many long hours we have finally arrived. A couple funny things happened - we landed in Houston with only ten minutes to get from the B terminal to the International terminal. I was freaking out that we were going to miss our connection. So, I am running and dragging Jaxon and pushing old ladies off the moving sidewalk to get to our flight. I muscle my way to the front of the line and arrive at the counter frantic with my hair flying out from my ponytail, bags dragging at 9:13 for a 9:10 flight. I frantically implore in a loud manner, "Is the plane still here?" The well-coiffed, plumped and pampered attendant snubs her nose and me and says, "Of course. We still have an hour before boarding." Duh....can you say Central Time Zone? Oops - forgot about the time change! I had to avert my eyes when the little old ladies that I pushed out of the way moments earlier, plopped down in a huff in the seats beside me.
Second, Jaxon's backpack did not arrive at the airport. Well, that's not really funny, but we are trying not to worry about it. Jaxon has no clothes and I have no make up (I know...I brought make up to the rain forest. Sad, but true.) Guess we will both feel naked if the bag remains lost. So instead of heading on to our destination in the forest today, we are at a quaint, funky little hotel Called Hotel Aranjuez. Costs $37 and includes a great breakfast and some fine coffee! Tomorrow we head to Tirimbina! (Must say thanks to the kind ex-pat and took Jax and I under his wing and helped us get acclimated in our hotel and around San Jose.)
I also successfully Skyped my mom from Jaxon's iPod Touch. That thing is amazing! I have got to get one of those. Why is it that our kids have all the cool gadgets and gear and we don't have squat?
Hasta manana, mis amigos. Buenas noches y que duermas bien!
PS - Had hoped to load some photos, but am having technical difficulty.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Just thought you'd all like to know, it is 11:08pm, my flight leaves at 6:30 am, and there is still nothing in my backpack. And here I am posting it publicly instead of packing. WTH is wrong with me? Had a great dinner tonight with some of "my girls." Just wanted to shout out that I love ya'll!!! Thanks for a fun farewell, and I hope I remember to pack my underwear. And the 9 packs of gum that I bought here because I know they won't have the gum with cardamom in Costa Rica.
Less than 24 hours
In less than 24 hours Jaxon and I will make landfall in Costa Rica. OMG! What am I doing? Am I crazy?! My mother thinks I am. She is still trying to convince me to change my plans and go somewhere that is safer (translate - Camden). I am nervous, but also so excited. I cannot believe our departure time is almost here. I still haven't packed!
FYI, all you worry worts out there (You know who you are!), Costa Rica is very safe. In fact, it is dubbed the "Little Switzerland of Central America." It has no standing army and none of the strife her neighboring countries have had. The ticos (Costa Rican natives) are very friendly and honest people (so I've read - but we'll know more in less than 24 hours!) The only things to watch in Costa Rica are some it's toxic amphibious inhabitants, Traveler's diarhhea (why can I not spell that word!), crazy drivers and natural disasters (i.e. - earthquakes, mudslides, volcanoes, etc.). Not too much to worry about. Shwew.
I really am not worried though, because I am traveling with my Uncle Angelo's spirit watching over us on our trip. He passed away yesterday after a very long illness. He was an amazing man and always bestowed upon me a father's love after my own father (his brother) died when I was 15. My uncle's infectious laughter and smile will be with us through our adventures. I will carry his courage and vivacious spirit with me. I know that he and my dad will be smiling down upon us, keeping us safe. Rest in Peace Uncle Angelo. You will be missed....
FYI, all you worry worts out there (You know who you are!), Costa Rica is very safe. In fact, it is dubbed the "Little Switzerland of Central America." It has no standing army and none of the strife her neighboring countries have had. The ticos (Costa Rican natives) are very friendly and honest people (so I've read - but we'll know more in less than 24 hours!) The only things to watch in Costa Rica are some it's toxic amphibious inhabitants, Traveler's diarhhea (why can I not spell that word!), crazy drivers and natural disasters (i.e. - earthquakes, mudslides, volcanoes, etc.). Not too much to worry about. Shwew.
I really am not worried though, because I am traveling with my Uncle Angelo's spirit watching over us on our trip. He passed away yesterday after a very long illness. He was an amazing man and always bestowed upon me a father's love after my own father (his brother) died when I was 15. My uncle's infectious laughter and smile will be with us through our adventures. I will carry his courage and vivacious spirit with me. I know that he and my dad will be smiling down upon us, keeping us safe. Rest in Peace Uncle Angelo. You will be missed....
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