http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Costaricasteven/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Costaricasteven en-us Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:39:22 BST Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:39:22 BST As someone who has spent most of his life in cities and college towns it remains an unexpected turn to own an organic coffee and fruit farm. These are THE crops of Costa Rica and before tourism and foreign investment became such a powerful part of the economy coffee and bananas ruled.My farm in El Empalme has an amazing ocean view and the sunset in the Pacific is an inspiring experience. El Empa http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Alajuela/San-Ramon/blog-267713.html Here in San Ramon people live by the wisdom of living in the mild weather of the Central Valley and vacationing at the beach. Most locals and tourists visit the Pacific beaches such as Samara Jaco Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio but the Caribbean beaches are a whole other experience hellip and worth the trip.The Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is not Latin but rather settled by Black and Indigenou http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Limon/Puerto-Viejo-de-Talamanca/blog-248986.html In Costa Rica there is only one sport hellip soccerfutbol. So watching the NFL is an exotic mysterious thing for Ticos. For me and a very small group of friends it is a pleasure when it is time for the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl. Herersquos an idea of what itrsquos likehellipLast Saturday after a hard day of working I went home to watch the Patriots and Jaguars game but things don http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Alajuela/San-Ramon/blog-238438.html While therersquos something charming about a white Christmas itrsquos way overrated. I barely escaped a week of snow and ice storms in Upstate NY to return to the mild weather and festive Latino scene here in San Ramon. Our partners Pablo and Mary welcomed us back as family and our neighbors and friends shout their greetings as we walk the streets of San Ramon. After 6 years here I feel acc http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Alajuela/San-Ramon/blog-228909.html I donrsquot consider myself a funny person but when I met my first and best friend here in San Ramon Pablo Hidalgo hellip making him laugh was a joyful part of our time together. Now many years later our friendship has deepened and the laughs are a regular part of our day. Here in San Ramon making people smile and laugh is held in higher regard than showing how smart or knowledgeable you a http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Costa-Rica/Alajuela/San-Ramon/blog-219001.html