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| Inca Dove on my balcony at breakfast this morning. Looks like a wood carving doesn’t he? |
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| Then when he flies you see the rufous wings. A fun new bird for me. |
The Central Sierra
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| The mountain range I watch daily from my balcony includes Grecia, Sarchi, and Poas Volcano. A five-shot panorama. It is La Cordillera Central or in English, The Central Sierra (a jagged mountain range) As always, CLICK PHOTO FOR LARGER VIEW |
I live in Costa Rica’s Central Valley (link is to a map) though if you visit you would say I live in the mountains. It is kind of both. I’m in the little mountains or hills of the big central valley surrounded by two huge mountain ranges, the big mountains with volcanoes and cloud forests, much higher than Atenas hills.
I chose to live here rather than some of the most beautiful beaches in the world because of the weather (70’s and 80’s year-around in Atenas while beaches are hot and humid year-around), the central location is also for me to eventually visit all the national parks, the closeness to San Jose and some of best hospitals in the world, and more shopping and entertainment possibilities nearby in San Jose and Alajuela. Also, the small town atmosphere and friendliness, laid-back way of life, no car required, just an hour and a half bus ride from a beach is perfect for me. I’m really not “a beach person,” as some here claim to be. I’m more of a “nature person,” if you please, and nature is everywhere in Costa Rica!
Once my nest is comfortably feathered in the central valley, I expect to be all over the country in some of the special nature places. Right now I’m enjoying the nature in my yard and nearby places, learning the language, and adapting to a new culture and government! Takes time! And I really enjoy sharing my experiences in this blog, whether anyone reads it or not! It is one of my creative outlets now. And yes, I’m living a dream! I consider myself one of the most fortunate persons in the world to be here and leave all the old junk of my life back in the states and my dim memories. It is a happy last chapter of a 74 year old living in Costa Rica!
Atenas Street Sweepers
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| The street sweepers in Atenas are simple. At least 4 different men walk around town with wheelbarrow, broom & shovel. As a walker, I’m appreciative of the good job they do, slowly, methodically, daily. The palms here are in Atenas Central Park, the center of town. |
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| The one I see the most on my routes protects his head & neck from the sun with his “Foreign Legion Hat.” |
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| And this guy always wears his cowboy hat, which with suspenders & boots looks to me like a Rodeo Clown! 🙂 |
Still loving Atenas, with “the best climate in the world” and mighty clean streets!
Jardín de la Mariposa
That’s “Butterfly Garden” in Spanish
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| I called this a Swallowtail earlier, but don’t think so after getting this view. Still researching for a name. |
I love my garden as much as my house and the many hummingbirds and butterflies are one of the reasons! Just have more trouble catching the hummingbirds with the camera.
Cows!
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| Walking out my compound gate. |
Not sure if I have ever mentioned that across the street from my house is a cow pasture with about a dozen cows keeping the grass trimmed until the developers slap houses on it. (Without vistas!)
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| I’m not sure of the breed, maybe Brahma? Whatever, they have big ears! |
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| And a cowboy riding the fence line! Just one wire, electrified! But the cows still get out some. Grass is always greener . . . |
Rain!
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| Life-giving Rain! Hard to photograph, but easy to accept! |
I rushed to plant my garden the first week of May because I understood that the rainy season started in May and it would be raining every day. Well, I have been watering plants almost everyday with only a few good rains thus far and none the last 4 or 5 days. Well, I watered this morning and this afternoon we got a long, soaking rain which I hope is the beginning of a near daily event. Then it started again this evening, so our longest rain yet this year. And now I know why they call it winter this season, it is cold during the rain.
My Garden in the Night Rain
The Rain to the Wind
The rain to the wind said,
You push and I’ll pelt.’
They so smote the garden bed
That the flowers actually knelt,
And lay lodged–though not dead.
I know how the flowers felt.― Robert Frost
I walk in beauty!
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| Frangipani (or Plumeria) tree in Alajuela. |
Beauty is before me.
Beauty is behind me
Beauty is above me
Beauty is below me
I walk in beauty!
– Navajo Poem
All of nature is beauty to me and in Costa Rica I feel like I am surrounded by nature more than anywhere else I have ever been. And as a walker, I truly walk in beauty! (You see more walking!)
Boxes, boxes, everywhere!
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| Some of the book boxes in my office & the African Chest unpacked already. |
I intended to move here with only what would fit in the max allowed 5 suitcases and with more preparation time I could have. But once I was on the time line to move I couldn’t get rid of everything quick enough and decided to ship about 20 boxes of scrapbooks to photograph (make digital books) and destroy hard copies here. Then there was my art collection and good number of framed and canvas photos I liked and knew I could use some of, so boxed them securely for shipping. I also had a few boxes of misc. stuff, Christmas decorations (should have given away) and some winter clothing (big mistake!).
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| And more on the other side of my office! |
I ended up with about 50 boxes shrunk wrapped on pallets that were shipped in December, arriving in Costa Rica in shared container space on a boat by February. Because I knew I would not likely stay in the apartments, I kept my boxes in storage in Alajuela near the San Jose Airport until this week when they were delivered to my new house.
Now the lovely, uncluttered house is a mess for a long while! Though I have already unpacked 4 or 5 the first day! I have to get ruthless again to clear out this stuff, like I did with all my furniture in Nashville. I’m still getting little checks from ReMix Furniture where much of my stuff was on consignment sale there.
Once I display the artwork and photos I think fit here, I will probably give the rest away. And the Christmas decorations will go to Su Espacio Community Center for their first Christmas tree this year if I can hold the decorations until maybe November. My manger scene collection may get advertised on Craig’s List Atenas.
But the scrapbooks and genealogy books/research will be the most difficult and time-consuming to deal with. And then there’s the stamp collection I didn’t get sold before the move. Craig’s List again! I’ll be busy for awhile!
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| Artwork, photos and Christmas stuff in my Living/Dining Room. Plus the wicker trunk in my bedroom. |
Hummingbirds & Butterflies!
This is one reason I made my garden. Glad they like it!
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| Male Cinnamon Hummingbird on a Plumbago plant Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| Yellow & Black Swallowtail Butterfly on a Plumbago plant. Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| Crescent Butterfly or maybe a Peck’s Skipper on Tutti Frutti Lantana Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| Peck’s Skipper on Tutti Frutti Lantana Atenas, Costa Rica |
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| Mustard White on Tutti Frutti Lantana Atenas, Costa Rica |
I’ve seen two other hummingbirds in the garden but without a camera. Also some other butterflies.
Today my boxes were delivered – mostly scrapbooks and artwork that I shipped from states before leaving in December. More about that tomorrow! And here is tonight’s sunset:
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| A different view tonight! I walked up driveway and shot over my roof looking west instead of usual north. Also it is a 5-shot panorama. |
House Tour – Inside Today!
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| Dining Room & Kitchen with my new pot plant on right. |
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| Looking out towards balcony from kitchen. Living Room left, dining right. |
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| Living Room with my Strangler Fig Tree out the window. And my new indoor plant at left. (She had an artificial plant there.) |
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| Guest Room Bed is a couch until you get here! Living room couch also a bed! This one is my office couch most of the time. |
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| This office/guest room came with a desk and chair! I added printer table and have an extra desk chair for sale! (The one I bought while at apartments.) |
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| My bedroom without her pretty comforter on bed. I don’t care for her orange accent and plan to replace that lamp with a bronze one I saw at the hardware store today, maybe this week. I’m pretty quickly making it my home in every way. Sleep well! Ceiling fans are in here, office/guest room, and living room. A/C is not needed. Remember, Atenas has the best climate in the world says National Geographic. I leave all windows open around the clock, including the sliding glass door. That way I get breeze from all directions and a wide overhang roof keeps rain out. |
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| One bath is plenty even with the rare overnight guest. I have plenty of storage, big shower & like brown trim. |
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| Entrance Plaza to Entrance Hall at end of my driveway parking space. Fall color oil painting isn’t very Costa Rica like or tropical, but beautiful! I may not replace it. Everything doesn’t have to be tropical or Latin American! |
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| Laundry Room off the kitchen The electric dryer was almost reason enough to move! And this is an American brand with English on dials! It was fun hanging clothes out, but its rainy season now. Had I stayed in apartment, I would have purchased a dryer. |
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| “La Terraza o El Balcón” in Spanish and Latin Culture, Patio/Deck or Balcony I’m sure I’ve already said that this is my favorite room! I eat most meals here and do a lot of reading out here. I’m more than halfway through Lord of the Rings! |
Yesterday’s post was “House Tour – Outside” in case you missed it!
This is where I enjoy retirement! Pura Vida! in Atenas, Costa Rica!