 Mark Bortman - TheBortmans | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 26th January 2007 brodie | questions about your trip - From: Back to School!! i am planning a 2 month trip with 4 & 6 yr old to costa rica. did you get your kids in school down there. any programs for kids near manuel antonio or tamarindo? any help is appreciated. brodiepollard@yahoo.com |
| 2nd January 2007 azalea | moving to heredia - would love advice - From: Zip-a-dee-doo- DAHHHHHHH! Hi, I found your blog and am so interested in your experience. My daughter and I are moving to Heredia in a month. I will be teaching 2nd grade at Golden Valley and while I am excited, nervousness is getting the better of me. I would love to hear from you. Please email if you get the chance. azaleamayo@hotmail.com. Thanks so much. Azalea |
| 19th December 2006 Cousin Bev Bashe | Yee-Haw! - From: Zip-a-dee-doo- DAHHHHHHH! What a grand adventure you've all had, from the start to the finish. I've loved receiving all the blogs and living vicariously through the entire journey. Also, I really loved the ziplining. What a blast! An experience that few would ever have. Mark and Dara, you two look great...and the kids have grown so much in the past year. I'm happy that you were adventurous enough to spend this time in Costa Rica. Again, few would have been game enough to do what you've done. I can only imagine how the children's lives (and yours) have been enhanced. I'd love to see you soon. Happy traveling. Love, Cuz Bev |
| 13th December 2006 anonymous | - From: Zip-a-dee-doo- DAHHHHHHH! Good thing Nana Bortman wasn't there. |
| 13th December 2006 Just Jen | Great ride, huh? - From: Zip-a-dee-doo- DAHHHHHHH! Are we still on for Friday? |
| 29th November 2006 eli | - From: What have we done with our time here? I'm exhausted after reading about all of Dara's activities. Sounds like she's had quite a time and made some real contributions to a lot of people and programs. ........ As for Mark, though, I think we're entitled to more than 4 sentences about what he has been doing. (Maybe tomorrow's blog?) |
| 24th November 2006 eli | - From: The people in our neighborhood Well, of course we're glad you're coming back to the States. As much as we enjoyed our two visits with you in CR, we look forward to being able to see you a little more frequently once you're back. But -- keep up the blogging even once you're home. We enjoy the eloquent descriptions of day-to-day life. |
| 23rd November 2006 anonymous | Mixed Feelings - From: The people in our neighborhood I remember so well the excitement of returned home from overseas, combined with the sadness of knowing that a very special era is ending. What a gift you have given the children--and yourselves. How great for you (and for us) that you can keep the bogs as mementos. Don't forget to blog your re-entry tragectory. It should be an interesting experience in itself. Happy Thanksgiving! //Barbara Klingsporn |
| 23rd November 2006 Just Jen | Sad to see you go ! - From: The people in our neighborhood We are happy to call you our friends and even though we didn't get together often we're glad you were a part of our lives here. You will be missed not only by us but by all the other people whose lives you touched in your short time here. Remember, you're loved here too. Once our house is finished you'll always have a place to come back to in the mountains above San Ramon. We love you guys! |
| 21st October 2006 TheBortmans | Response to j.p. - From: Independence Day - Costa Rican-style Hi j.p. - We had no problem at all...I don't think you would at any of the private schools here. Send us an e-mail if you have more questions. Dara |
| 11th October 2006 j.p. | - From: Independence Day - Costa Rican-style Hey guys, We've been reading your blog closely, as we're thinking of coming down to C.R. with our kids. One question, did you have any issues registering them at school on only tourist visas? Keep up the writing... we're living vicariously through you!! J.P. |
| 3rd October 2006 ArtF | Rosh Hashanah - From: Independence Day - Costa Rican-style What you did in Costa Rica is what most Israelis do. They go to the beach! When do you return. we miss you. Art |
| 20th September 2006 Ashleigh Smith | Hello! - From: Visit from Nana and Pop-pop Hi, my name is Ashleigh and I'll be leaving the states for CR on Sunday the 24th. I am a patient of Dara's sister Marcy. I was getting my shots and malaria medicine from Dr. Hersh when she told me that you guys were in Heredia. She gave me your blog address and I have been reading about your adventure ever since. I just wanted to tell you that I have really enjoyed reading your blogs. They have helped to give me a realistic view of life in Costa Rica and have helped to allay some of my concerns about the trip. So, I just thought that I would let you know that your blogs are very interesting and useful. Also, if you have any advice about traveling it would be greatly appreciated. My email address is ashleigh1083@gmail.com. Thanks for sharing your trip! |
| 19th September 2006 Susanne | - From: Visit from Nana and Pop-pop What a beautiful place and time. I am so impressed with your phtography and writting. We miss you. Love ya fom the Sulby's. |
| 10th September 2006 Mae | Are you sure you want to go back to the US? - From: Visit from Nana and Pop-pop I know one can only vacation for so long, but how could you give up all the experiences which staying could produce. I will make my first trip in Nov. 2006, with intentions of moving there soon after that. I am retired, now, and this has come along at just the right time for me. Sometimes I wonder why I never thought of moving there sooner, but "life is what happens when we are making other plans", and one day you wake up, and realize that it is time to stop making plans, and do them, right or wrong. I'm glad your family has had this wonderful opportunity even if you must leave it all after a year. My children have never forgotten there wonderful years in Italy when they were young children. Mae |
| 8th September 2006 Rabbi Susan Schein | - From: Visit from Nana and Pop-pop I haven't been able to keep up with all of your adventures, but this one sounds/looks terrific!! We miss y'all here, but are thrilled that things are going well. |
| 8th September 2006 Eileen Cove | - From: Visit from Nana and Pop-pop Wow, it looks like you are having the time of your life!!! We are so excited for you. Lauryn gets so excited when we get a blog. You all look terrific. How wonderful to get a visit from Nan and Pop-pop. L'Shana Tovah. Stay well, Eileen |
| 7th September 2006 Rae Koosman | - From: Visit from Nana and Pop-pop What wonderful pictures! And what wonderful grandparents! I can identify with them - they are so happy to see the grandkids. |
| 7th September 2006 Pop-Pop | Great report - From: Visit from Nana and Pop-pop Wonderful report -- thanks for reminding us what a great time we had. And the photography is terrific, too -- I was particularly impressed by the photo down the bottom, of Ari in mid-air going off the water slide. |
| 17th July 2006 Naomi | I'm IMPRESSED! - From: No more teachers, no more books... Hello Bortman Clan! Ari I am extremely impressed with your science project. Eli, I can't believe you are writing all of those words!!! I can't wait to have you back at Kol Emet so I can have you in my class. Thank you for sharing your blog, I really enjoyed reading it! Hugs and kisses to all of you. Love, Naomi |
| 8th July 2006 Eli | Ari's story - From: No more teachers, no more books... Very impressive job by Ari in writing that story. I guess you need a Spanish spell check program on your computer to help him -- it's obvious that many of the spelling errors result from the fact that some Spanish sounds are not spelled the way they are in English. |
| 7th July 2006 Susanne | I'm a yankee doodle dandy... - From: Happy 4th of July! No Fire Works! Oh, man!Pack up now! Just kidding. It sounds wonderful. We all miss you so much. The kids are seriously miffed that you won't be back until December but I told them we could try to come visit. So what adventure is next for you? Shall we try the crazy computer phone thing? Kiss the kids for me. Love Susanne and the crew! |
| 6th July 2006 Saratica | lost again - From: Happy 4th of July! We couldn't find the picnic... and they had HOT DOGS. Our favorite!!! See you! |
| 3rd July 2006 TheBortmans | Great Idea - From: Beware the Power of the Ocean Barbara and Hal, that is a great idea! We don't have a name yet, so we are open to suggestions. Dara, Mark, Ari and Eliana |
| 3rd July 2006 Barbara & Hal | Name That Car - From: Beware the Power of the Ocean A classic jeep like yours should have a name. Does it/he/she? Want to hold a contest? |
| 28th June 2006 The Johnsons | Happy Birthday Ari! - From: We're staying Yeah! A new Bortman Blog : ) That's so cool you get to stay a bit longer. It's like a whole different world.........Fairfield continues to be the same old same old. Tho you missed the Entrance Sign drama. High comedy indeed....have your heard? The other sad note is that our next door neighbors, The Hughes, have their house up for sale. They're so nice but another job change..... Hope Ari has a great birthday! Love, The Johnsons |
| 28th June 2006 Rae Koosman | - From: We're staying I'm of two minds - glad for you that you're staying longer and sad for us that we won't see you for many more months. The pictures were just wonderful - kids and your both look great and happy! What more can we ask for! |
| 28th June 2006 anonymous | I wish you only the best - From: We're staying I wish you only the best in this once-in-a -lifetime experience. for the children - incredible. I can just see the college application essays . . . Art Finkle |
| 28th June 2006 Just Jen | Congratulations - From: We're staying YIPPEE! We're glad you've decided to stay. It gives us more time to get to meet you. Isn't it amazing how you can be so busy here? We've got company here for a couple of more weeks then perhaps we can get together in Heredia. Still hoping to see Sally, Hal and the kids again on their turf this time. Jennifer of "The Sheridans of Sesame St". |
| 28th June 2006 Vivien Freeman | London calling - From: We're staying Hello Everyone - sorry never to write, you sound like you are having a good time and I wish you all the very best. Hope to meet the whole family before your children's weddings! All is wel here - girls and boys are great. Bryony and I are going to Croatia on Friday for nine days, Dubrovnik and surrounding areas. lots of love from London vivien |
| 28th June 2006 Saratica | oh man - From: We're staying Those O'Boyle boys are cute. Almost as cute as Ari and Ellie!!!! We are so glad you are staying, too! 'ta luego... |
| 5th June 2006 Andrew | Nice blog entry - From: Six Months Already? Great blog entry. It is great how your kids are developing here! What a terrific experience for them! -Andrew http://www.AngelValleyFarmBandB.com |
| 5th June 2006 Just Jen | Hope to meet sooner or later - From: Six Months Already? So glad to hear you'll be staying longer. Positive thinking! We've been working on our property the past week so no time for play. Funny how we can to relax and we're busier than we ever were in the states. Life is good though and we're glad to be here for life. Like you said, NO regrets whatsoever. On dentists...great experiences here as well. Both our daughter and I have been for cleanings and fillings, too many fillings. Good experiences for both of us and easy on Bill's wallet. (If anyone can call a dental experience 'good') Take Care...Sheridans in San Ramon. |
| 3rd June 2006 anonymous | Happy you are having such a great time - From: Six Months Already? Happy you are having such a great time amid the privations. SPECTACULAR photos. Miss you. My personal best on this Shavuot. Art |
| 3rd June 2006 TheBortmans | Skype and Instant Messenger - From: Six Months Already? We are on Skype and Instant Messenger. Our skype name is daramarkb. For instant messenger, I use markpb1@yahoo.com (I am on most days for work). Thanks to grandma and grandpa, we have a web-cam, too, so we can do video. Please give us a "call" whenever you feel like it. |
| 3rd June 2006 Rae Koosman | Skype - From: Six Months Already? Have you guys got a Skype number? Let us know and we can talk! |
| 3rd June 2006 Sally | Nice to see you again! - From: Six Months Already? Hi Bortmans - enjoyed reading your blog entry this morning! We'll have to try the park, you told us about it but I'd forgotten! And the doctor thing here is excellent... I've been reading about indigenous medicine men, too. Wild stuff... I think I'll become a medicine woman/acupuncturist... whaddya think? See you around - Saratica! |
| 22nd May 2006 Saratica | Expat from Santa Barbara de Heredia - From: The Green Season Has Arrived Hola Bortmanns! I've had a link to your blog for awhile for just caught up and will subscribe. We are living twin existences!!!! We ran away for a year, too, to have an adventure in Costa Rica. Our boys started at the European School (now at another school - we say so many schools, the choices are huge)... well, I could write 1000 words now. But our lives are amazingly similar. My blog is abroadincostarica.blogspot.com - come visit. We should have lunch sometime - I'm definitely going to the bird house. Thank you - keep writing. I try to do a little everyday - I want this journal forever! Hasta la Vista, Saratica (Sally O'Boyle)(hey, new life, new name!) |
| 18th May 2006 Adina | belt test - From: The Green Season Has Arrived Congrats on the yellow belts - it reminds me of when Josh just started out. Who would have thought he'd be going for his second-degree black belt next year? They call him Mr. Rosenberg when he helps out in class. Very cute... |
| 12th May 2006 mark | Should I stay or should I go now... ? - From: Busy, busy Trip An old Clash song I think (great British Punk band). Mark/Dara I know that feeling. It seems you have been in Costa Rica a long time- probably flown by. With Kids it is not easy to make the right decision always and your own personal objectives come to the fore. I moved my family to Moscow last October and after much consideration and a bloody cold winter, my wife and 6 yr old did not come back after a break in late March. School, the pull of relatives etc. Our plan was also to stay longer (July) but I am currently in Moscow on my own so in case I get into trouble...englishman abroad, time for me to go to. I leave here end May. So I think you have given it a good shot, Don't be surprised that people just won't understand what its all about when you get back to the states. Anyhow it was your experience and not theirs- people have and are limited by their own experience, enjoy yours while it lasts! You can still support Costa Rica in the soccer World Cup! Hasta Luego Mark Pegler |
| 12th May 2006 eileen | What fun. - From: Disney World Looks like you guys are having the time of your lives!!! It was so great that you visited Kol Emet. I wish I knew about it ahead of time, I would have loved to see everyone, I know that Lauryn was very excited. Stay well and have fun!!! Eileen and Lauryn |
| 11th May 2006 Stephie | Disney World - From: Disney World I'm so jealous that you went to Disney without us!! Maybe next year... |
| 11th May 2006 eli | HS Spanish tutor - From: Busy, busy Trip How much do you (Ellen and Rob M.) think Ari ought to charge Joel to help him with his HS Spanish? |
| 11th May 2006 Ellen and Rob M. | - From: Busy, busy Trip It's so great to read about your adventures. We miss you. Can Joel call you for help with his HS spanish next year?? |
| 10th May 2006 anonymous_tico | Golden Valley - From: First day of school… I read your passage online and was happy to hear how Golden Valley was doing as a school. I myself worked there during the first few years of the formation of the school. I felt that things were unorganized and controlling and that employees were mistreated. I hope this is no longer the case and hope that you continue to enjoy your Costa Rican experience! |
| 8th May 2006 Adina | Sorry I missed you guys! - From: Busy, busy Trip I didn't know you were coming back home. If I would have known, I would have stopped at Kol Emet. I don't think your kids have any self-confidence issues or any issues with making new friends , but I'm sure that their unique experience of living within a new culture is just one of many that they will have growing up in which they learn about tolerance, respect and what it is to be human. |
| 8th May 2006 TheBortmans | Replies - From: Busy, busy Trip It does seem there is a little bug on the site affecting some of the pictures -- we're already working on posting pictures of Disney for the next blog and we're having problems. Hopefully the site will be fixed soon. Also, as noted in my Dad's e-mail, we have skype and Instant Messenger so if anyone wants to talk, we're around (and we have a web-cam so you can see us). Mark |
| 8th May 2006 The Johnsons | Belated Happy Birthday Eli! - From: Busy, busy Trip Got a little behind here on the blogs with all the sickness/medical issues going around in our house....it did cross my mind at yesterday's Fairfield Garage Sale that it's been awhile since a Bortman Blog Update had popped up! Happy Belated Birthday Eliana! Just seems like yesterday your Mom was at our house right before you were born! Such a big girl now! Ari is a big boy now too : ) Glad to hear you are all doing well : ) Love, The Johnsons |
| 7th May 2006 Cousin Bev | Finally!!! - From: Busy, busy Trip I'd almost given up on hearing from you again. Thanks for the new blog. The kids look wonderful...just beaming. I'd imagine that the entire experience has been a positive one for them. One prob.: although the captions came through when the pics were clicked on for "larger image," some of the pics didn't show. Wonder why? The smaller versions were just fine. It's been a joy following your adventures. Hope more blogs are coming...but, if not, thanks for the vicarious fun. Have a blast, no matter what your choice is. Love to you all!!! |
| 7th May 2006 Art F | Come home - From: Busy, busy Trip I miss you guys. Art |
| 7th May 2006 eli | at long last - From: Busy, busy Trip Nice to get a travelblog at long last. I know we've talked on the phone and via skype a few of times, and we enjoy those conversations, but we don't get all the details that show up in the blog. So, keep both the skype and the blogs coming. Also, how come Ellie and Schuyler look so serious in the photo of the two of them? |
| 1st May 2006 Ron | Hoping to learn more - From: The Birthday Month Celebration I don't know the Bortman's and stumbled across the entries here but have followed their adventure with great interest as I've contemplated doing the same. Hope to learn more soon and that all is well. A cyber friend. |
| 7th April 2006 Adina | Happy Birthday Ellie - From: The Birthday Month Celebration Wow, Dara, if Cramer's or McCaffrey's can't make it, then my kids aren't going to have it! Now I know who to turn to for great-looking cakes! I'm glad that Ellie had such a special birthday. Miss you all... |
| 7th April 2006 Dalete, Dave, Dani, Adam, and Maya | Happy Birthday - From: The Birthday Month Celebration Happy Birthday Ellie! Sorry we missed your birthday... Looks like both parties were a blast. Great job on the cake, Dara . Keep enjoying your adventure and having fun. We miss you. Fairfield is not the same without you. Thanks for the Blogs updates - we love reading them. The Gellers. |
| 3rd April 2006 Tracey Magee & family | Happy Birthday Eliana!! - From: The Birthday Month Celebration Finally found the time to enjoy your latest blog! Loved the photos! What a wonderful birthday celebration sounds like you guys had a lot of fun - after 2 fun-filled parties Eliana must feel very celebrated! Dara as creative as ever...loved the cake and the Bikini Bottom decor! You guys seem to have really adapted to life over there. Don't get too settled/attached we miss you over here... |
| 3rd April 2006 The Klingsporns | HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELIANA! - From: The Birthday Month Celebration We enjoyed reading about your wonderful birthday celebration and seeing the happy pictures. What a great way to turn 5 years old. It's a birthday you'll never forget. |
| 21st March 2006 Eileen Cove | - From: Our Volcano Adventure Wow, those views are amazing!!!!! It looks like you are having the time of your lives. Continue to enjoy. We love the updates. Stay well. We miss you, Eileen, Mitch and Lauryn |
| 16th March 2006 The Johnsons | - From: Incredible Waterfalls and more So cool! Right up our line with frogs, waterfalls, birds and loved the volcano adventure. Always a treat to read the latest! Must say I'm amazed how "worldly" the kids look. They are so fortunate to have this experience. |
| 10th March 2006 Rae Koosman | - From: Our Volcano Adventure The pictures were fantastic!! You all look great and happy. Haven't heard from you ihn a while so this was a real treat. We miss you! |
| 9th March 2006 TheBortmans | Wow, a picture in a comment! - From: Our Volcano Adventure Hello Liz, Good to hear from you. How did you get the picture in the comment? Great picture, by the way. Dara, Mark, Ari and Eliana |
| 9th March 2006 Liz Petty | looks like fun! - From: Our Volcano Adventure I visited Poas with Alvaro but it was all fogged over that day. Looks beautiful! Say hi to the kids. I hope your adventure continues to be amazing! liz  |
| 9th March 2006 Art F | Volcano - From: Our Volcano Adventure Wow! What a treat. Art |
| 9th March 2006 David | - From: Our Volcano Adventure Hope all is going well in back in Randolph, bummed we didn't see Dara. My brother just returned from CR and loved it. He supposedly was down there to look at real estate (though I think he spent most of the times in the casinos) and was surprised at how built up (and therefore expensive the north was) so he's going to return again to head south. I like the concept of having family offshore in case I ever need to go on the lam. |
| 21st February 2006 Emily Lyons | HI - From: Ellie Back to School Hi my name is Emily and I was online looking at Costa Rica, I love the country although I don't know a ton about it. I came across your site for some reason and your adventure sounds amazing. I am wondering how you found a host family. I am a single mom from Minnesota and I want to go on an adventure with my son. I was thinking of renting an apartment but I am also concidering a host stay instead. I am just wondering if you would mind e mailing me and letting me know what service you went through or how you went about finding a trustworthy family to live with. Why did you choose to stay with a family and not rent? Do you know of anyone in Costa Rica looking to host? My e mail is lyon0169@metnet.edu. Thanks, any info you can share would be great! Emily |
| 20th February 2006 Bobby & Terri Fink | A wonderful experience - From: Ellie Back to School Dara & Mark, Ari & Ellie, what a wonderful experience you are having! We've enjoyed your entries and can only imagine how positive this experience must be for the kids. We will continue to follow your adventures!! Oh, and we are keeping an eye on your house....literally.....everyday!! :) |
| 15th February 2006 Adina | Karate - From: Whew, what a week (part 2) Josh is a black belt in tang soo do and it changed his life. It made him more self-confident and less shy. It's a great sport! |
| 14th February 2006 Andy | please send video - From: Whew, what a week (part 2) Jared took Karate - I'd love to see the videos about Ju-Jitso in Costa Rica |
| 12th February 2006 eileen and lauryn | awesome - From: Whew, what a week (and this is just the first day)! Well, you may be up to midnight but it is worth it, we enjoy reading everything that you are all doing. Lauryn even asks me to print out the pictures of Ellie because she misses her. We got a lot of snow in Bucks County today ( Sun. Feb.12)We have anywhere from 12-20inches depending on some drifts. Anyway, enjoy yourselves and we look forward to reading more on your travel expirence. And Ellie, good luck with school. |
| 12th February 2006 TheBortmans | Snakes - From: Whew, what a week (and this is just the first day)! We haven't seen any Fer de Lance snakes, but we'll keep our eyes open. There was a story on the news the other day about a guy getting bitten by a snake. We couldn't catch what kind of snake it was, or where in the country it was, but he seemed fine -- must not have been a poisonous one. |
| 11th February 2006 Barbara | snakes - From: Whew, what a week (and this is just the first day)! Keep the blogs coming, i so enjoy them! I was watching a program on PBS a few nights ago and they highlighted the Fer de Lance - a nasty snake they say is indigenous there. They also say they are coming into the towns because their natural habitat is being destroyed. Have you seen any? |
| 11th February 2006 eli | weather - From: Whew, what a week (and this is just the first day)! So sorry to hear that it was 'cold and dreary with rain on and off all day' one day last week. I sent you (a little earlier today) the weather report for Yardley -- 10-13 inches of snow expected. It's 25 in Boston today and we're going to get 12-18 inches of snow starting tonight. So -- tell us more abut how cold and rainy it was. |
| 9th February 2006 TheBortmans | To the Millers - From: First Week of School Hi guys - It's great to hear from you and we'd love to help you in any way we can, but we don't know how to reach you! If you click on the Contact the Bortmans button, it'll send us an e-mail and then we can reply and just e-mail back and forth. We look forward to hearing more about your upcoming adventure! |
| 3rd February 2006 TheBortmans | To the Millers - From: First day of school… Hi guys - It's great to hear from you and we'd love to help you in any way we can. If you click on the Contact the Bortmans button, it'll send us an e-mail and then we can reply and just e-mail back and forth. We look forward to hearing more about your forthcoming adventure! |
| 3rd February 2006 TheBortmans | We miss you - From: Beautiful Birds! Adina, you are too funny! We miss you and everyone back in Yardley. |
| 3rd February 2006 doug | getting a preview of CR - From: First day of school… Thanks for your using travelblog, it has given me invaluable insite for my future visit to Costa Rica. I know from my own experience that it is a bit of work to keep a log/diary every day - so thanks! |
| 2nd February 2006 shannon | our family wants to do what you did... - From: First day of school… hi bortmans..we are the millers (shannon37, craig40, cole, 13, jack4 and georgia3) and we are heading to CR in october hopefully for a year...how did you decide on the town you are in? |
| 2nd February 2006 Adina | My take on birds - From: Beautiful Birds! My first experience with birds on me, close to me and around me was when I was 11 at Busch Gardens. My parents thought it would be cute to get a picture of me with the parrot that talked. The parrot sat on my shoulder. I had overalls on. The bird picked off all of my buttons and broke my overalls so that I looked like Corduroy all day. And that, my faraway friend, is MY bird story. |
| 31st January 2006 Rae Koosman | - From: Beautiful Birds! You did a great job describing your visit to the "bird place". Mark taught you well! |
| 31st January 2006 Robin | - From: Beautiful Birds! No offense to Mark, but it was nice to hear about the surroundings from a female point of view. I could really image the vivid colors of the birds - of course the pictures really helped, too! |
| 31st January 2006 Marilyn | beautiful birds and family - From: Beautiful Birds! It is such fun to follow your adventures! Miss you all...... |
| 30th January 2006 Cousin Bev | Yeesh - From: First day of school… If MY brain cells were scrambled with all the options for schools, I can only imagine how confusing it was for you guys. But, I think you went about the job carefully enough, and have made the right decision. Of course, time will tell. |
| 30th January 2006 Dman | - From: First day of school… I knocked out the New Generation school solely on the name. |
| 29th January 2006 Linda | lol - From: Our luck runs out... This one had me laughing out loud! Miss you all. |
| 29th January 2006 Jon-A-Thon | Lovin' it - From: Our luck runs out... Keep it up Mark. Great stuff! |
| 29th January 2006 The Johnsons | Oh the suspense! - From: Our luck runs out... The suspense was killing me! Couldn't wait to read the continuation and so happy to hear you are all safe. You are such a descriptive writer! A joy to read and love the pictures/Dara's comments : ) |
| 28th January 2006 Rae Koosman | Eternal Optimist - From: The sun, the surf, the scarlet macaws, and the sign! Your closing remarks seems so ominous - "our luck is changing" - that I'm kinda worried. We're going to Florida tomorrow 1/29 and hope to pick up your next blog there. I'm hoping that it really isn't anything bad. Love, Rae |
| 27th January 2006 Marcy, Craid, Jenna and Jordana | gorgeous sunsets - From: The sun, the surf, the scarlet macaws, and the sign! Wow! Ellie's hair is getting so long! It's so amazing to see how the kids seem to have already grown so much!!! Harder to see it in the few internet cafe videoclips we've managed so far. I love the pictures of the kids in the sunsets... they look almost professional... except for the mud of course. We can't wait to see you all in a few months. |
| 25th January 2006 The DMan | - From: At the Beach So happy you slowed down so I could catch up. Waiting for client information for year end filings (Dara, remember Public Accounting) is a great time to read Bortman blogs. I'll distill the thousand comments I have from reading about your last 2 months into 3: your tales of driving around off road reminded me of our visit to Belize when we went through 3 rental cars because we kept breaking the axles; can't wait to show Maddie & Soph the picture of Ari with the toucan - they loved them down in Aruba (which is about as immersed as we get in a foreign country); will pass on your comments to the next American I hear complaining about how stamps went up 2 cents. Big OTB party in NYC next month that Rachel agreed to go to (even though it is her birthday) so I'll make sure to write. I know Mark must be suffering from OTB withdrawal by now! |
| 21st January 2006 David and Dalete Geller | - From: At the Beach What a great life experience for all of you. We miss you but are so happy for you. Keep up the Blog writting, you are doing a great job (and we get a chance to live vicariously through you). The kids really enjoy the pictures of Ari and Ellie and ask about them often. The Gellers. |
| 17th January 2006 Alvaro del Castillo | Hola Mark - From: At the Beach Hola Familia Como estan todos?, Pura vida! Espero verlos pronto en Asis para visitar el volcan Arenal. Magdalena y su familia les envian saludos. Abrazos, Alvaro Proyecto Asis www.institutoasis.com |
| 15th January 2006 The Johnsons | Amazing! - From: At the Beach WOW This is TOTALLY amazing!! So glad to hear you are all fine and having a wonderful adventure! Your travel blog was so fascinating to read! Can't wait for your next entry! Happy New Year! Susan, Glenn, Jay and Marc |
| 14th January 2006 Eileen Cove | - From: At the Beach Wow, I am jealous. Your trip sounds amazing. You may be a slave to your computer but writing these memories down will last a life time. Everyday when I go to the computer Lauryn asks me if there are any new pictures of Ellie and her family. So we thank you for your hard work in keeping us updated. Have fun!!! Love, Eileen |
| 14th January 2006 eli | map - From: At the Beach Well, I finally took the time (all of a minute, actually) to find a map of Costa Rica so that I could better follow your travels. For the benefit of your other readers http://centralamerica.com/cr/maps/mapcosta.htm is the first one I looked at. I can click on the national map and zoom in to see Alajuela and Jaco, and see just what you were describing. So, keep the news coming, especially now that I can follow along with a map. |
| 13th January 2006 Just Jen | Great Blog! - From: Settling in in Heredia Stubbled across your blog while working on mine. We are moving to Costa Rica in about a week from Tempe, Arizona with our 9yr old daughter. I'll enjoy reading your blogs & comparing our adventures. Pura Vida! |
| 10th January 2006 TheBortmans | about impromtu shops - From: Settling in in Heredia Another comment on a comment -- Good point Barbara & Hal. Downtown here does remind me a little of the Mission District. I was just thinking about how things would be received back in Yardley. If we even let our grass get too long we hear about it. |
| 10th January 2006 eli | commenting on a comment - From: Unforgettable Christmas I think your commenting on a comment is a nice touch -- makes the blog a little more conversational. Keep it up. |
| 10th January 2006 Barbara & Hal | Impromptu Shops - From: Settling in in Heredia We know exactly what it's like to have a nearby garage or sidewalk suddenly become a shop! We live in the Mission District of San Francisco! Mark, is that how you're going to sell flowers? Go for it! |
| 7th January 2006 marcy | hospitality - From: Unforgettable Christmas all i can say is "wow!" i hope the kids realize how lucky they are to have these opportunities because you guys are really special! can you ever imagine jenna on a horse???!!! |
| 7th January 2006 Marilyn | Terrific photos - From: Unforgettable Christmas I am so in awe of your following this dream. I wish we had the opportunity to do something like this when the children were small. Be well. We miss all of you. |
| 7th January 2006 Adina | - From: Unforgettable Christmas My kids are looking at your pictures and reading your blog and they say that they could never do this - they are not that flexible! They are afraid of horses and most farm animals, they think swimming with a flashlight is unbelievable and they don't like ham and cheese. Your kids are great because you are wonderful parents. |
| 6th January 2006 Art Finkle | Sounds great - From: Unforgettable Christmas I compliment you for making an adventure for your kids and yourselves. And you have that human contact so vital to culture. |
| 6th January 2006 TheBortmans | RE: Hospitality - From: Unforgettable Christmas I'm trying something new -- commenting on a comment. Yes, it's true, they exhibited tremendous hospitality. This family, in particular, but others, too. For example, the Monday after Christmas, Asis was out of food for the animals. Alvaro, the kids and I went and visited a few people around the area to see what we could scare up. Everyone was very generous and really went out of their way to help us and were very interested in giving the kids new fruits to try and showing them interesting things in and around their homes. |
| 6th January 2006 eli | hospitality - From: Unforgettable Christmas Another great report or a memorable adventure. When I look at the size of the house in the photo above and then the number of people your hosts invited to stay over, I marvel at the sense of hospitality these folks demonstrate -- hard to imagine anyone here (suburbia, USA) with that generous an outlook. |
| 6th January 2006 Rabbi Schein | Mazal tov! - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster Explained (and More) I just caught up on the many blog entries I had fallen behind. Mazal tov on finding an apartment and a school and on starting to learn Spanish in a more organized way! It sounds like a wonderful adventure so far. Keep it comin'! |
| 5th January 2006 Rae Koosman | - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster Explained (and More) Wonderful description of your trip to Asis. I can't yet get over the adventure you guys are having. The kids are so lucky - especially to have parents like you. Keep on having fun! Feliz nuevo ano - or something like that. Yo hablo espanol tambien. |
| 5th January 2006 eli | super report - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster Explained (and More) Thanks for the report of your Asis adventure. Sounds like everyone had a great time. Perhaps Ellie can learn to sing her Turkey Song in Spanish, to go along with the Chick Song. (Un pavo es un pajaro comico....?) I don't think Ari's ever had such long hair -- looks good. We look forward (noww that you have the technology) to what's going on now that you're back from Asis. |
| 2nd January 2006 Eileen Cove | - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster Happy New Year. You adventure sounds like so much fun. Lauryn asks me all the time how Ellie is doing and I show her the great pictures. Continue to have a blast. Stay safe.Hugs and kisses Eileen and Mitch and kids. |
| 2nd January 2006 Chris Anhut | la Pura Vida - From: A Quick Catch Up Mark, Sounds like pura vida has already started to embrace your family! Glad to hear you are making your way through the lesser sensational parts of relocating and moving on to 'digging in'. Look forward to hearing about the many wonders of CR as things unfold. |
| 30th December 2005 chrissy | - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster Hi ex pats: everything sounds great. meanwhile Yardley is hopping...I went to breakfast with Michelle...she had whitefish, I had eggs...need I say more. Back to school on the 3rd but hospital here I come...tell anyone you care about to keep their animals away from penn for at least several months. Love and hugs and kisses, chrissy et al. |
| 25th December 2005 Barbara | wow - From: The Turning Point... so great that you found an apartment! I loved the pics. we just returned from a week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Wish you would be in Costa Rico long enough for us to come and visit!(just how long do you think you will be there?) Keep the blogs coming! |
| 24th December 2005 The Campbell Family | All is well on Fairfield Road! & in Costa Rica!! - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster Everything sounds wonderful and the pictures are fantastic! We will be keeping an eye on the blog and your family adventure in Costa Rica. The holidays are upon us and it is a great time to be thankful for all that we have both near and far! I’m sure the experience you gain will always be cherished and never replaced - you must continue to share with us all. Be safe and we will see you soon! Happy Holidays! Bruce - Stacy - Bruce and Brendan! |
| 23rd December 2005 Kim McCord | - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster What an adventure! We are so jealous. Happy Holidays & a safe 2006. |
| 21st December 2005 eli | sounds terrific - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster You can see from the comments on the last two blogs that lots of us yanquis anxiously await each new entry. So, keep them coming, even if they are just quick notes that you manage to squeeze in between fighting off the monkeys and chasing toucans. |
| 21st December 2005 Anthony Diana | You are both nuts. - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster As I sit in my NY office for long hours reviewing documents, I then read your blogs and realize that you are the only people I know who would do something this insane. Then I see a picture of your apartment, and it is bigger and nicer than my NY apartment. I guess if you want a real adventure, come to NY. I love Costa Rica, and hope you see the water safari near the Nicaragua border. There is a great place in the cloud forest you guys will love as well. Good luck. P.S. As a father of two, I particularly like references to kids being cranky, difficult, funny, wonderful, tired, hungry, etc. Makes it all so real. |
| 21st December 2005 cb from winchi | wow - From: Jet-Lagged Rooster everything sounds simply terrific...I am really living your adventure vicariously and smile as I read your blog. |
| 20th December 2005 Mike Dawson | Still jealous - From: The Turning Point... Finally got around to reading everything...Sounds like I had every reason to be jealous. I agree with everyone who has appreciated your writing skills. I don't think this could have been written better (except for "like a rainbow rising out of a thunderstorm" - what was that?) I'm looking forward to reading more. |
| 19th December 2005 Andy Sheffrin | Enjoy the jungle/mountains retreat! - From: The Turning Point... Great reporting. I feel like I'm there. Keep up the timely reporting. |
| 19th December 2005 Anne Groth | - From: The Turning Point... Wow...you guys have made great progress and seem to be settling in (or at least found home base). I am enjoying reading about your adventures. Can't wait to read about your trip into the mountains. |
| 19th December 2005 Robin Terr | Amazing!! - From: A Quick Catch Up Every entry I read just makes me more amazed with your experiences. I am truly speechless by all of this. Enjoy your work in the mountains. We all miss you. |
| 18th December 2005 Diane Juul | Love the Blog - From: The Turning Point... Mark and Dara I love the Blog! In the sea of junk emails in my mialbox, I love finding that a new Bortman entry has been posted. Thanks for including me! |
| 18th December 2005 Cuz Bev | New home pic - From: The Turning Point... I haven't checked out the gallery yet, but I enjoyed seeing the tiles on the stair risers (Figures I'd notice that, because I'm in the middle of choosing new flooring after a nasty flood in our apartment.). After reading about the coffee process, I had to go make some in my coffee press. The power of suggestion is alive and well. A friend once brought back come Costa Rican coffee, and I must say that it was pretty tasty. Mark, thanks for the photo/editing credits to Dara. I love the captioning, Dara, and the kids look wonderful. I can't imagine how you both have the time to write/edit/download, etc., but it's appreciated. Keep it all coming. It's great living this adventure vicariously, but it would be better being there!!! Stay well. Love you all. Bev and Dave |
| 18th December 2005 Rae Koosman | - From: The Turning Point... I so look forward to reading your blogs and looking at your pictures. You guys are absolutely the most amazing! What stories you'll have to tell us when you get back to Yardley and Kol Emet. A wonderful idea for our adult education series! |
| 18th December 2005 Cuz Bev | New home pic - From: The Turning Point... |
| 18th December 2005 Art Finkle | Odyssey - From: The Turning Point... I read with great expectation of your Odyssey. To think that you are venturing into completely new surroundings to give of yourselves to serve humanity is ennobling, to say the least. All the best, Art |
| 18th December 2005 Jeff/Dad/Grandpa | Feeling Better - From: The Turning Point... We've certainly been appreciating the detailed blog entries and pics. Between them and the webcam (when it works), it's almost like being there with you. Since Lee's friend Barbara indicated in an earlier comment that we had some "misgivings" - mostly mine, I must admit - I want to say that what I'm seeing is very reassuring. You guys and your wanderlust got us to visit Belize, which started our infatuation with SCUBA diving. Now we're eagerly planning our trip to Costa Rica and who knows what. Keep on blogging. |
| 18th December 2005 cb from winchi | so much - From: The Turning Point... I particularly love the way you embelish...I feel as though I am living the experience with you..keep it coming |
| 18th December 2005 Cousins Bev and David Bashe | Lovin' it - From: School and Heredia We're having a blast following your adventures. Mark, you really are a wonderful, conversational writer. Keep those blogs coming! Wish we could be there, too, but this is the next best thing. Love, Bev and Dave |
| 18th December 2005 Barbara & Hal | Enjoying your blog - From: School and Heredia Just because we don't comment doesn't mean we aren't enjoying reading about your adventures. Keep 'em coming! Merry Whatevertheydo in Costa Rica. Bet Heredia doesn't have Santacon.com like San Francisco, complete with ChanuClaus dressed in blue. |
| 18th December 2005 shriya raghavan | great - From: Costa Rica - south of Nicaragua and a little quirky Dear mrs Dara. It was great to read your travelblog.My mom and myself really enjoyed reading it. It felf as though we are there right in the city.We all miss you a lot. How is ari.Tell him to have great fun and enjoy your trip.Dara this is lakshmi.Your kids are amazing and good with everything you do. |
| 16th December 2005 Rae Koosman | A wonderful diary - From: Costa Rica - south of Nicaragua and a little quirky It's great receiving these travelblogs from you. I love reading them. I hope you are living comfortably by now. Your kids are wonderful little troopers. |
| 16th December 2005 marcy | thanks - From: A little catch up thanks for letting everyone in on our turkey "disaster". i'll never be able to hold my head up on this blog again. |
| 16th December 2005 eli | missing details - From: A little catch up Lovely report -- nicely 'embellished' as your mother would urge. You left out a discussion of Ari's hike down to the pond to throw stones on the ice, and Ellie's exploration of the Haunted House. Just as well -- most of us are anxiously awaiting news of Costa Rica, rather than learning more about the preliminaries, as eventful as that period was. |
| 11th December 2005 Diana & Mike Marek | - From: Now, from Costa Rica We're really excited for you! Thanks for including us in your blog. We're enjoying the updates on your travels. Happy Adventures!! |
| 11th December 2005 Marcy | Hi Guys! - From: Now, from Costa Rica The pics are great! Keep them coming, and no, we're not jealous (as we were completely snowed in yesterday and plowed in too)... The comments so far are almost as fun to read as your blogs; it's so exciting! And, I do agree with the consensus that Mark is an excellent writer...something to think about for later on, perhaps??? We are all missing you and Jordana still asks for "dahra, ahrwee, and ellllie" (sorry mark). We'll keep avidly reading! Love, Marcy |
| 6th December 2005 Barbara Schwartz | wish i had done that! - From: Our Family Adventure Dara, don't think you'll remember me but you mom and i went to Vassar together. Despite your parents' misgivings, I think it's a great venture and hope you find it to be so too. Jeff got us into the Blog, and now I've subscribed. Keep it going! |
| 5th December 2005 The Finks | - From: How we came up with Costa Rica Although we miss you, we wish you a wonderful time and great future memories. Happy holidays. See you in 7 mon. |
| 4th December 2005 bert kaplan | Just learned of your trip from Jeff - From: How we came up with Costa Rica Good luck to all of you...I just learned of your trip from Jeff, read your first two postings, and subscribed to your blog to keep track of your adventures. (I'll fill you in more re: who I and my family are at a later time, perhaps thru email, but I suspect Dara might well remember. After all, Bella was a Kaplan before she became a Bashe.) In the meantime, I think you'll find that you'll know more about the value of your decision to move to Costa Rica as your adventure continues to unfold...and I look forward to reading your accounts, which are beautifully written. Go for it.... |
| 4th December 2005 Beverly Bashe | Fantastic! - From: Our Family Adventure Thanks so much for including us in your spam. Cuz David and I will be excitedly reading about your travels and new experiences; plus, we're sending prayers for your health and well-being. As parents of kids your age, we would probably wish that you'd stay in the U.S., but as people of the "more mature persuasion"...ahem...we applaud your courage, daring, and sense of adventure. This is priceless for your children. Great idea for Ari to have his own blog!!! Keep everything coming. Have a blast. Love, Cuz Bev |
| 2nd December 2005 cb from winchi | so good - From: How we came up with Costa Rica such a great writer...did you ever think...to create a novel...hmm... maybe??? Keep the blog coming and send some pictures. |
| 2nd December 2005 Kathryn | All our best wishes - From: How we came up with Costa Rica Thank you for sharing all this wiht our family. YOu are an inspiration to all. We wish all the best. Jacob already misses Ellie. |
| 2nd December 2005 Rabbi Susan Schein | Yes, I WAS speaking directly to YOU! ; ) - From: How we came up with Costa Rica Yes, I absolutely WAS speaking directly to YOU! Of course, I also was speaking to myself and to everyone else. Life IS precious. I'm so glad that you have chosen to embark on this amazing adventure. N'seeyah Tovah / Have a wonderful journey! |
| 2nd December 2005 Tracey Magee & family | Slan agus Beannach Libh! (Good bye and Good Luck!) - From: Our Family Adventure So sorry I didn't get to see you guys before you left. I just got back from Dublin and had no idea you were leaving that weekend. You will be truly missed around here...but I'm so excited for you and know you are going to have a wonderful and enriching adventure. Loved your blog - what a fantastic way for us to tag along on your adventure. I/we definitely come under the category of "jealous" - we're beginning to get itchy feet ourselves!...Love to you all, Keep safe... |
| 1st December 2005 Rae Koosman | Too old to understand! - From: Our Family Adventure Even though I don't really, I am happy that I know people who will undertake an adventure such as this - and will learn and grow from the experience. I wish the best for all of you. I will read your blogs everyday. |
| 1st December 2005 The Glatzers | No really we aren't jealous - From: Our Family Adventure Virginia and I look forward to living vicariously through you during the next several months. |
| 30th November 2005 Barbara & Hal | Good for you! - From: Our Family Adventure Having lived abroad and left suburban NJ to retire to the wilds of San Francisco's Mission District (a.k.a. the Banana Belt) we endorse your sense of adventure and your educational motives. Great suggestion for Ari to write his own blog. We'd love to know his impressions, and Ellie's, too. Godspeed! |
| 30th November 2005 Daleet | Bon Voyage - From: Our Family Adventure Hi guys, These are great reasons to go on your trip. Eventhough we miss you already, we are glad you are going. We also left the U.S. for a period of time a few years back as you know. Although it was a completely impractical, economically senseless thing to do, both us and the kids had an awesome time and an enriching life experience. Love the Blog - keep it going and enjoy every moment. And...yes..we fall into the jealous category. Love, the Gellers. |
| 29th November 2005 inma | wish you luck (sure you're gonna enjoy it!) - From: Our Family Adventure Hi!!Well you know I've always been supportive of that idea I think it will be a wonderful experience, and I'm very happy about you, and I can see all the excited you are about it, if everybody were as open-minded as you guys everything would be different! I guess we all need to go out sometime and see that there is a REAL world out of the borders of our "own little world" some people just dont realise that...I really think this is great and you are amazing, I hope you enjoy it and I wish you luck....... And if you have any question about the language...here I am!!!:P Love!!! |
| 29th November 2005 Kent McCord | Have Fun - From: Our Family Adventure Sounds exciting to me! I'll enjoy living vicariously through your family. Good luck, and have fun. |
| 29th November 2005 Dante | You guys are the best... - From: Our Family Adventure You know you have my full support. Keep up with the blog, it's great! Your next big trip when you get back will be to Pittsburgh! |
| 29th November 2005 eli | suggestion - From: Our Family Adventure I suggest you start a second blog, aimed at Ari. Subscribe him so that he gets a daily report, and let him write and post his daily reports there.... Let him get his friends to subscribe to it. You and Dara can post shorter, sanitized entries for him there, too. |
| 29th November 2005 mark pegler | go for it! - From: Our Family Adventure Dara, Mark -remember me, I was one of the lucky one's who shared time with you In Belize, all those years ago- in fact I think I taught you both to play football, OK soccer- you yanks! Anyhow I am currently in Moscow- Russia,- via Belize, mozambique, Angola and my family Julia and Hope- aged 6 - Julia is a bit older (she is my wife)! are doing the living abroad thing...again! I think once you have your kids settled in school, nursery etc you will relax and have a great time- I do hope so. Hope loves her School here and that is v important for us. Moscow is not as hot as costa rica (I went there once in 1988- pretty groovy place I seem to remember -Limon had even bigger cockroaches than Belize city!) Anyhow you will be fine, leaving the USA and George bush must be fantastic in any case- why do you think we have not lived for any length of time in Mr Blair's England...I left the day he got elected. So good luck down San Jose way- great flowers there too you know. Hasta Lluego or paka Zavtra do svedanya as they say in Russia- I'ts forecast minus 4 tomorrow and you think you have problems Take care Mark |
| 29th November 2005 cb from winchi | so coooool - From: Our Family Adventure your trip log is fabulous....keep it coming and send pictures |
