Out And About

Caught a ride to the other side of Atenas and had a very pleasant walk back home. It's ma job ya know. This picture was at a small resort where a new acquaintance and neighbor occasionally works. What a view and you can see the same even if you're in the pool.

Piggies the likes I've never seen before.

The same goes for the cemetery. The road past this leads directly to the church.

This vehicle is deceivingly small and there are many smaller cars and trucks made by the same company's we all know. We need vehicle's like this in the States but we'll never get them. The reasons against them in my opinion are not good enough.

There are the well known brands of motorcycles here and like cars and trucks much more expensive than in the States. These are Chinese made and I believe cost less than a $1000. I understand too there may be issues with parts. Stateside there are guvmint regulations that make manufacturers supply parts as part of doing business there.

Big smiles from these two young caballero's.

I had a very good meal here for $5. Haven't been back but am going. There are many places to get some real decent food.

Back home and this little guy had met up with a window and was out like I was in San Isidro but recovered after quite awhile and flew off just after I took this.

A couple flower pictures.

Not at all a good picture. My camera is not capable of getting decent shots of let's say birds. Maybe later a better one as these birds allow you to get close. Not this time though.

Market Day

Have not been taking many good pictures but you can get the idea. Most of these have been played with a bit.

These people had the best homemade sausage you wouldn't believe. On the expensive side and that's okay. Next week as I have to eat what's in the fridge now.

So you get 4.4lbs of tomatoes for a buck. These were a different variety than what I've been buying so I got several to try. A bag of these red/green peppers is 80 cents. It's 500 colones to a dollar.

Out And About

I like this picture but one below it is in better focus and when zoomed in on you can really get a good look.

Finally made it inside the church. It's just impressive.

This is not an iguana but a garrobo. Have not seen that much animal life but looking all the time. A lot of birds though.

Unfortunately and accidentally this garrobo just now  met it's demise. It was by fire and some of it's features are gone.

Atenas is noted for it's ox carts which were used to transport goods. This is the only one I've seen so far.

Not to far away I found this Chinese joint. Have a hard time not trying places like this. It was on a side street that dead ended. Notice the English and the prices reflect reflect gringo prices. I'm going to try this today. They have a rice dish for 2500 colones ($5) that I will try. Went yesterday but the cook did not show. He is Chinese.

Did have lunch in town and it was very good It was at a eatery I will visiting much more and will try to post a bit on the food in future posts. You will find out about this one below though.

My cooking facility's are not that extensive so I will be going out more to get some better food than what I can prepare here at ma place. That is not a complaint - just life.

Expectation are low for this place I tell you.

Only If You Have Too

Life moves at a slower pace here in Costa Rica as it does in say West Africa and many Third World countries. Two lines from Ghana that I use to this day are - "If it's not here today it will come tomorrow". Tomorrow could be a day or months. The best one is "anytime from now" and you can take that one more than literally as well.

I am here as a guest in this country nothing more and anything I say on this blog are observations only! Not judgements nor criticisms.

The equivalent here is known as "Tican Time" and some outsiders have a huge problem adjusting to that. Things move a bit slower and are certainly laid back in a lot of ways but not when it comes to driving. Wait till I get one driving like crazy down narrow streets with obstacles and pedestrians all over. Yikes!

Sunday Morning And Life In A Different Place

Very peaceful and I like the greetings the priest gives all who enter to attend Mass.

It's Not A Zip Line

It's a clothes line and a long one on pulleys. This is what's outside my door.

Around The Neighborhood

I am actually staying in Barrio Los Angeles. Walked into Atenas and back home today. Not too bad - I'm thinking two miles maybe a bit more to the town square. I went a bit farther. This little city is not that big and already got it pretty much down.

I asked about the old and old is different here. For the climate here this house is considered old. I wish I could tell you how old and the same goes for the two below it. 

This house very close to Atenas town center is supposed to be one of the oldest. Pretty cool I think.

This appears to be an old business building. One of the give away's to old is on the left of it where you see clay tile. While riding in the car there were two houses right in this area that had clay tile roofs. I have not seen them again but will. Please click on the picture to get a good look.  

The houses below are very nice as you can see.

The are mountains around and from this house the view must be a good one.

An older house with the mountains as a back drop.

I'd live in any of these houses.

 Believe every house I have been in has had huge (15-16") shiny tile floors. I like it a lot. It would be nice to visit a higher end house and show you that. The place I'm staying is nice too don't get me wrong.

The architecture is pleasing to me but that does not mean there will be any closets or hot water.

It's All About The Kids

It's no different here. The kids are a huge part of life. Make a point to click on the pictures once and maybe twice and take a real good look.

First time ever at swimming lessons. This was good stuff.

 Yes - it's all about them.

Hola anybody home?

The church is just across the street from the town square. I have to admit this was pretty impressive. Wanted to go up front but it was a long way and people were doing business.

The trees in the square and these just out front are huge.

Huge like the church itself.

This has nothing to do with anything other than you don't pump your own gas here.

A Nightmarish Travel Story From Peru

I read this account of what happened to these travelers very recently from Wyoming while in Peru and the bad did not stop for a long time. This is totally bizarre.  LINK

Mi Casa

I made it to Costa Rica and the town of Atenas easily. Took some pictures of where I'm staying. Went and picked up some groceries in town and tomorrow will walk in and look around a bit more. It's laid back and my hosts are very pleasant.

 This flower is huge.

The house I'm staying in.

This is a small neighborhood equivalent of a 7-11 without the gas.