Blogs from San Ramon, Alajuela, Costa Rica, Central America Caribbean - page 12

The Costa Rica One-Year Anniversary Blogwell, not this time.

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon June 6th 2006

To be introspective or not…. I could not remember until just yesterday exactly what day last June I moved to Costa Rica. I looked through my handwritten notes, emails, and even airline ticket receipts—essentially anything that would have a date on it. I could not find anything. Then in the middle of the night, it came to me (stupidly!): “Look back at your blog entries Andrew!” So, I went through my blog, now at 120 pages and 60,000+ words, and found an entry from June 4, 2005: “Day 1 (June 4, 2005): Today truly is the first day of the rest of my life. We made it to Costa Rica (meaning me and my friend Beth/co-partner in crime at the B&B) and are ready to start this new adventure.” So, there you have it. Mystery solved. ... read more

Fiesta Time!!!

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon May 31st 2006

Having just too much fun!

AndrewNCostaRica

This blog entry has many pictures and little text, particularly to compensate for the lack of pictures in my last blog entry and because I took so many pictures from our recent birthday party (more on this below). We decided to have a big birthday bash for our terrific cleaning lady, Karol, and our great neighbor, Fernando, since their birthdays fall around the same time. It was also a good time to “celebrate” the beginning of the rainy season (called “green season” by the national tourist board). We also decided we would go all out and ordered several trays of vegetable and meat lasagna from the man who owns the local Italian restaurant. It was definitely terrific! In addition, we had our neighbors and friends bring dishes so with about 40 or so guests, we had ... read more

Questions, on being an Entrepreneur, and other Relevant (or irrelevant) Matters.

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon May 25th 2006

AndrewNCostaRica

As I come close to my one-year anniversary living in Costa Rica (June 4, or 5, I forget exactly) I again find myself being introspective. I ask myself a number of questions such as: “How would I characterize my first year here?” “Am I happy living here?” “Did I accomplish the goals I set for myself in the first year?” “What would I have done differently looking back at the last twelve months?” “What will I do during the next year?” I am sure there are many other questions I could ask myself if I thought about it a bit longer. I won’t answer all of the aforementioned questions in this blog entry for fear of driving many of you away (I’ll save it for my “one-year anniversary blog entry!). However, I will try to answer ... read more

The weather predictions were correct; the rains have come.or not?

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon May 15th 2006

New seating area at the B&B

AndrewNCostaRica

It’s officially the rainy season in Costa Rica, at least where I live, about one hour north of San Jose. It started in earnest on Tuesday of this week with a fairly soaking rain much of the day. So soaking were the rains that we learned our pipes are clogged somewhere near the house and some unclogging is definitely required. Wednesday was a bit better and what I had hoped for during the rainy season: rains in the early evening and at night. We’ll see what the season brings. Since it has taken me a week to write this entry, I’ll note this late-breaking news: I’m not sure now if the rainy season is hear or not as the last three days have been rain-free. Stay tuned! My lawn is parched so I’m actually looking forward ... read more

Observations on San Jose, Inauguration day, etc.

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon May 6th 2006

Sloth in Manuel Antonio National Park

AndrewNCostaRica

I had to spend a few days in San Jose this week doing some business but also to have a short getaway. It’s always fun to spend a few days here even in this city; there’s a bit of an adrenalin rush with all the buildings, stores, restaurants and people. By most accounts, San Jose is not much of a city to look at. Except for a handful of buildings such as the National Theatre, there isn’t much architecture to enjoy so one must therefore focus on the people and their culture. One of my favorite places to hang out is the News Café, a decidedly gringo-focused restaurant and bar right on Avenida Central which is a major, pedestrian-only, shopping street downtown. The food is pretty good at News Café, particularly after weeks of eating “tipico” ... read more

The Adventure in Costa Rica Continues....

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon May 2nd 2006

Lot of cars at Angel Valley Farm B&B

AndrewNCostaRica

The last two weeks have been very busy with numerous guests and many, many loads of laundry, along with stripping down rooms, making up rooms, moving different beds into different rooms to accommodate various guests and other minute details not worth getting into. April was a very good month for the B&B which is great as it is also the month of the year when the “high season” ends (either around April 15 or April 30—I’m not really sure). We’re definitely a bit tired at this point. April has also been a fun month. We were also able to find some time to go to the beach, try some new restaurants, and most recently have our new neighbors Trisha and Ernesto stay with us. They are moving to Angel Valley/Rancho Lobo and their house is about ... read more

A Season of Change

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon April 25th 2006

Gringo in the yard

AndrewNCostaRica

When we arrived in Costa Rica over 10 months ago it was already the rainy season. In fact, it was raining on the day we arrived. It was a particularly bad season—at least in my view—due to the impact of the many hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico last year. Hopefully, it won’t be as bad this year. The last few months have been glorious here. Almost zero rain, warm temperatures (but not too hot) and light breezes. One certainly cannot beat the dry season weather in the San Ramon area. But all must come to an end as the various flora are ready for their winter soaking. I keep forgetting it is summer here and that it is almost over. It is interesting to note that the Costa Rican weather service makes fairly precise predictions ... read more

Reunion in San Ramón

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon April 22nd 2006

Nice View

loveoflife87

After an uneventful and disappointing Friday evening, my weekend was redeemed the next day when my host family took me to a huge family reunion of my host father's side. It was a gorgeous location and we all had a nice time.... read more

Largartija espinosa (Green Spiny Lizard)

Making T-Shirts in Costa Rica, living it up in the Caribbean and more.

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon April 6th 2006

Food!

AndrewNCostaRica

I never thought in my entire life I’d be making t-shirts. Well, not the t-shirts themselves as Hanes does do a pretty good job of it, rather, I’ve been making promotional t-shirts for the B&B. Yes, I actually did something that takes some physical dexterity! I have wanted to make or buy some promotional items for the B&B for some time now and I’m finally getting around to it. Who wouldn’t want to have an “Angel Valley Farm Bed & Breakfast” exclusive t-shirt (precision made in Malaysia!) to wear while you take out the garbage, cut the grass or even better, to dust the furniture with after a few years of wearing it! But the fact is, tourists love that stuff and the marketer that I am, I decided I needed to have some “takeaway items” ... read more

The Winds of Change?

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » San Ramon March 29th 2006

Me in Los Angeles Cloud Forest

AndrewNCostaRica

Please note: The B&B has a new phone number: (506) 456-4084! And, the pictures in this blog entry are from Beth’s recent trip to Sarapiqui. I promised I’d put them up. There’s been quite a wind blowing through here the past few days. I am not sure if it is just part of a low pressure system that will clear out soon and bring back the happily sunny days of the dry season, or if it will linger and in fact signal the transition to the “green” (rainy) season. Since this is my first transition from the dry season to rainy season, I am just not sure when it will occur or whether it will happen gradually or not. It has been a few days weather-wise! It hasn’t rained much, but we have been in the ... read more

Brianaire and his albueto at his grandparents house

Brief history of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong techn...more history

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