Travelblog is having issues with their email provider and as a result updates to blogs are not being sent out. We don't know when the issue will be resolved. As many of you already know we've started our own website, anewlifeincostarica.com to view site click here Due to the issues with Travelblog I'm going to be transferring subscribers to the new site. Subscriptions are powered by a company called FeedBlitz, watch for an email from them next week. You won't want to miss Bill's blog on his trip to Mt. Chirripo next week. Callista an [View Full Entry]

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At the Palmares tope earlier in the month we learned about an upcoming Cabalgata in a neighboring town and made plans with friends to attend. Callista was invited to ride again with our neighbor and anxiously awaited the day. Cabalgata's are small topes generally a fundraiser for a local church or school, today was a fund raiser for the school in Barranca. At 11am sharp Callista dragged us up to Angel's house to make sure all the arrangements were made for her ride. The excitement mounted as other Caballista's (ka by eestas) arrived. Angel and several other friends of his rode [View Full Entry]

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Today was the perfect day at the beach, we are the perfect shade of red, well some of us. With the cooler packed with a picnic of sorts, sandwich makings, water and fresh fruits we headed out of the house at 8:20am, arrived at the beach about 10ish and back home by 4pm. The day couldn't have been better. We left San Ramon in the clouds to find high clouds at the beach. We are not fans of sunny days at the beach so this immediately brought smiles to all our faces. We know what the sun here can do to [View Full Entry]

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Callista went to parque de diversiones with friends the other day and left Bill and I with a day to kill in San Jose. We decided to head to avenida central and just wander. Bill does all the driving when we're in San Jose so he really doesn't get to see much. You have to keep your eyes on the road or the cars next to you when driving down town. He enjoys walking the streets and seeing what he misses. There are some beautiful buildings in the areas surrounding the National Theatre and museums. We enjoyed a cup of cafe [View Full Entry]

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The annual fiesta began in Palmares yesterday, January 10th. The festival is touted as one of the biggest in the country. Fiesta_Palmares The fiesta will continue until Jan 22 with concerts, bull fights, various races and a carnival. We're headed to the festival today for the big Tope, or horse parade slated to begin at noon with plans to spend the day mixing in with the crowd and enjoying the festivities. We've been watching the town prepare for the festival and are excited to attend this year. Last year we arrived shortly after the fesit [View Full Entry]

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Saturday we took the Tico Train Tour, paseo en tren a la tica from Atenas to Caldera for approx. $11 each. What a wonderful experience, we’d recommend the trip. We’ve seen a great deal of this country in our first year here but this was an opportunity to see it while leaving the driving to someone else. On the train we were able to see parts of Costa Rica we wouldn’t be able to by car. We had an excellent time in car 58. The crew was great, entertaining and funny when we understood their jokes. We were able to meet [View Full Entry]

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We returned to the arts and crafts market yesterday while our friends were getting their drivers licenses. Well, actually while they were waiting in line after line to get their licenses. It was Ruth’s first visit to the market. She’s planning to return with hubby and his wallet before they leave the country in a few weeks. Mola prices were negotiable, $10 for 81/2 x 11 rectangles, saw more of these than the squares. More choices were available at the artesans market than at the souvenir shop in Atenas. I'm convinced the price is better here but as I wasn't purchasing [View Full Entry]

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In Costa Rica we're preparing to blast in the New Year. The country doesn't ring in the coming year they use polvora, fireworks to explode into the next year. Fireworks are legal, even for purchase by children. I expect to hear the Red Cross ambulances along with the explosions tonight. As in the states, our plan is to be safely in our home and off the streets before night fall. No parties or guests for us this year, that’s the plan. As our circle of friends has begun to grow our time alone has dwindled, especially thru this holiday season. We’re [View Full Entry]

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Our friends Will, Mark and Ruth came to visit from Atenas so we could take them to the thermal waters with us. Callista and I've been anxious to get back for another volcanic mud mask and facial. We pass thru the town of Zarcero on the way to the hot springs so we stopped to stretch our legs. The last time our friends passed thru it was cloudy so they didn't get to see all the beautiful topiaries. The topiaries we strung with lights this time but we visited during the day and didn't get to see them lit up. We'll [View Full Entry]

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As with everything else our first year here, Christmas has been a time of learning. Old traditions have been challenged and new ones given the test. Our Christmas tree is adorned, in the front yard. No tree inside this year nor stockings hung, anywhere. It's another year in transition. Noticeable this year is Callista's maturity. Her path has started from innocence to young adulthood. The way she looks at Christmas this year is not the same. Gone are the days of Santa Claus and my baby. We are not harassed by Salvation Army bell ringers, to our best recollection we heard [View Full Entry]

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