Costa Rica Ed's Blog

One Month Later…The Infinite Kitchen

costaricaed — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 01:31:41 +0000

Work, recruiting, weekend orientation meetings…the list of things that interrupt progress is endless. But thanks to Jackie working on the kitchen while my weekends were tied up out of town, and the ability to work from home on the few days I was in town, progress was made, albeit slowly.

We now have new lighting in the kitchen, new dishwasher, new countertops, new sink, backsplash is in and ready for grouting, range is ready to be installed, walls partly painted, and doors and drawers in progress. My target is May 8 to be done…later than original timeline…but such is the life of home reno.

Here are photos of the project:

New Dishwasher

Sink Lighting

Bar Lighting

Counter Disassembled

New Granite

New Sink

Backsplash Ready for Grouting

March 13, 2011: Costa Rica Ed – The Home Life

costaricaed — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 02:15:07 +0000

I would like to thank those of you who have commented and emailed me about my travel blog, and while Jackie and I relish in our time in our newfound paradise, we are just like the rest of the majority of you. We are working towards our vacations and eventually retirement…our retirement coming in 4 – 5 years (hopefully) in Costa Rica. Until that time come, we will be planning our next vacation time to El Sabanero and doing the everyday things of the normal “working stiff”.

My job in logistics has me travelling fairly extensively, away from home for 3 – 4 days each week. Jackie, in accounting, gets to stay at home after working long hours and covers the home-front with our 5 cats and a dog who require her attention during the week. During our home life together, we seem to be always project oriented. Whether it be painting a room or the exterior of the house, reconstructing a bathroom, planning a garden, or refurbishing a thrift shop find, we seem to always be involved in a project.

Our current project is the most bold we have endeavored and that would be renovating our Kitchen and Family Room. This is a project we have been planning for a few years, but finances and time have limited the plans to make a kitchen we would be comfortable in and would have the maximum return on investment we would be looking for. Our current kitchen is very functional, but out of date with laminate countertops, sturdy but dark cabinetry, dull flooring, and appliances that need upgrading.

Old Kitchen

Old Kitchen with Pass Through

Family Room Pass Through

So off we go towards granite, stainless steel, hardwood flooring and cabinet refacing. Being a novice DIYer, I would like to take on those projects that are within my limits. Bering a design idiot, I am leaving the concept creation to Jackie. So, I am refacing the cabinetry, creating a lighter, burnished cabinetry which will brighten up the area. After a couple of design plans to work with the cabinetry within the pass through, we decide to move the cabinetry to a free wall and open up the entire area, meaning more deconstruction.

After picking out the granite slabs, having electricians to do the lighting and circuitry changes needed, choosing the hardwood and getting quotes from installers, the DIY work begins for Jackie and me. Jackie is not fond of painting, but agrees to prime the base cabinetry for my refinishing. We both work on the deconstructing. So now we have progress in works:

Priming Cabinet Doors

Taking over for Jackie Priming the base cabinets

Base Coat on Cabinet Door

Finished Coat on Cabinet Door

Base and Drawers Refinished

Starting the Deconstruction

Jackie deconstructing

Ed Deconstructing

Deconstruction Completed.

Progress to be documented.

March 5, 2011 – Reflections

costaricaed — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 03:27:38 +0000

Upon returning to the United States, spending the week in Wisconsin, and coming home to weather of rain and snow, I find myself still in a good place, reflections of our 11 days in Costa Rica. Work is still here, along with the pressures and time away from home, but after this trip to our getaway, I realize my time with Jackie and the good things we have together define me more than anything else.

Although it is trite, it is true that pictures say more than any words so I will return to this blog to reflect upon the sights we experienced, which hopefully will ground me with the realization that things are not all about deadlines (which are still important) and reports (again, enormously necessary), but that there is also peaceful beauty to the world that Jackie and I have had the unique opportunity to experience together…and will visit again.

Middle Class Simplicity in Allejuelia

Artist's replication of a typical Coffee Cart

Traffic on the Inter-American Highway to San Jose

In the cloud forest.

Jungle Clearing

The Poor Man's Umbrella

Enormous Hydrangea

The Coffee Dog

Coffee Cart

Cafe D'Oro - Unroasted Coffee Beans

Local Butterfly

Coffee Plantation

Interior of the Iron Church

Local Church Sarcophagus

And Goodnight To Costa Rica

February 27, 2011 – Adiós Paraíso

costaricaed — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:11:56 +0000

It is always a sad day when we have to leave our Paradise, but all good things must come to an end. I must say that an extended stay in Costa Rica provided us with enough time to both explore the beauty of the country with the relaxation a vacation affords. Jackie and I are both leaving refreshed, relaxed, and, knowing we will be returning soon, leaving with an anticipation of our next experience in Costa Rica.

Our flight changes left us with a layover of 8 hours in Mexico City, which afforded Jackie more than ample time in the Duty Free shops throughout the airport. Unfortunately, my purchase of Centennario at the San Jose airport could not be checked onto our flight from Mexico City to Chicago, so, after some repacking of laptops into one bag, and the liquor into the other bag, we were able to check in another bag that we were hopeful would arrive at O’Hare unscathed.

Now, for those who are inventive, would someone create an airport chair or bench that is comfortable to sleep in?

Arriving in a rainy, cold Chicago, being greeted by a wise cracking U.S. Customs agent who missed his calling as a comedian, and gaining entry into our Homeland, the long wait for our luggage begins…only to find out it is not all there. The hootch and the souvenirs arrive in good shape, but the clothes, shaving kit, make-up & female hair care items (gasp!) are sadly missing. While we were waiting for the luggage carousel to suddenly materialize our luggage, we notice a dog carrier with a puppy in it sitting at the end of the claim area. When we realized our luggage did not make the flight, Jackie picks up the dog carrier to take to the secondary Customs agent to plead for the unretrieved dog. After assuring her that he would see to the puppy, he passed us through to make a lost baggage claim, which took about 45 minutes to get someone to help us.

It was reality time when I went to the remote lot and had to scrape 1/2 inch of ice off the windshield. This is far from Paradise. I return to the International terminal to pick up Jackie and off to the local hotel for a few hours of sleep before I have to head to the Chicago office to begin another work week. But, after the time together with my wife in our private getaway, I am in a good place. My mind (if not my body) is ready for what work and life deal out. So, I say bring it on! Give me what you’ve got. My temporary tan and formatted brain can handle whatever is dealt until we visit Paradise again.

Now…off to Wisconsin. That is so wrong.

Pura Vida.

February 26, 2011 – Cloud Walking

costaricaed — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:27:30 +0000

Today was our first guided tour which Jackie arranged on our first morning in San Jose. Gray Lines has a desk in the Holiday Inn offering a range of tours throughout the country. We chose the trip that include a drive up to Volcan Poas (8,500 ft. elevation), then a tour of the Doka coffee plantation, finishing off at an artists’ colony. An 8 hour tour. The small bus arrived about 8:45 and our guide, Donald was excellent in English and Spanish explanations of the towns and villages we were passing through and some of the culture of Costa Rica. We passed through Middle Class areas, very poor villages, rolling hills of coffee plants, which then gave way to the Fern farms higher up the mountain. The clouds started getting denser as we rose into the pine section of the mountain climb, until we were immersed in the clouds at about 6,000 ft. where dairy farming was the principle trade. The final 2,000 ft. climb was very steep and the clouds we were in held rain mist and we finally entered the park. Donald gave us the history of the Poas Volcano, and while it is considered active, it does not spew lava or steam. There is a crater, however, which is fed by the rain and due to the sulfur level within the crater, sulfuric acid is formed to the concentration of 95%. Due to the dense clouds we are in, viewing the crater will probably not be possible, but we can go to the rim, which is a 15 minute walk up yet another hill. The walk up meanders through a cloud jungle of tropical plants and flowers, the size of which were mammoth in most cases. There was a low lying plant with leaves about 5’ wide, called the poor man’s umbrella. Moss-lined trees and vibrantly colored flowering bushes pressed in on us until we finally reached the rim. The first thing that attacks your senses when you get to the clearing is the intense sulfur smell emanating from the crater. As expected, the clouds had descended into the crater and you could only see about 25’ in front of you. We decided to take a side trail that went deeper into the forest and wound around to the parking area where we were to meet our bus. Again, the density of the forest was amazing. While the trees do not grow very tall, what they lack in height they gain in volume. The walk was a bit more brisk than an easy stroll in the park, with a fair ascent into the woods before heading downward to the bus. The next stop was the Doka coffee plantation, about 45 minutes down the mountain. The road to the plantation was typical Costa Rica, with ruts, single lane bridges, unpaved, and bottom scraping for the bus, but we made it safely. Donald took us through the coffee plant from seedling through its 15-year-old life expectancy. The berries had already been picked for the season and the plants were getting ready to flower for the next generation of berries. Inside of the red berry are two seeds under the pulp, and these seeds are wrapped in parchment, which is eventually removed to create the dried bean, ready for roasting. The Doka plantation is primarily geared towards selling the “gold”, unroasted beans to the mass roasters, but they do maintain a small roasting house where they package a private label selection of blends. After some tasting of the brewed product, we went to lunch at the little buffet at the plantation before heading down the mountain for a quick stop at a souvenir shop and then onto the artists’ colony of Sarni where ornate woodworking is performed. We went into the cooperative to view their finished product, which included everything from simple toys to ornate furniture, all handcrafted. Finally it was time to head the rest of the way down the mountain to the Holiday Inn for our last evening in Paradise.

February 25, 2011 – Adios El Sabanero

costaricaed — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 03:50:27 +0000

After our Motley Crew party last evening, I wondered what shape the rest of the crew would be in come morning. Surprisingly, Jackie and I were up early and had our coffee and juice as the cochina was opening. We treated ourselves to some huevos y jam (eggs and bacon) since we would be driving across to San Jose in a few hours. Candice and Joel were next up and did not look any worse for the wear, but they are kids. They, too, are heading out later in the morning to go inland to a resort that has hot springs and were staying there for a few more days. Tom and Paul were the last to arrive and Paul was fairly quiet, Tom buried in his computer. They were leaving in the afternoon to catch a flight to Miami where they were staying the weekend before heading back to Philadelphia.

We all collected our experiences and email addresses for future conversations before gathering for a photo-op.

Motley Crew - The Day After

After talking with Harold, a travel option for us was to head past Nicoya and down the coast to catch a ferry that would take us to Punterenas, where we would catch the new Highway 27 into Santa Rosa. The ferry left at 12:30 and we would have to leave between 10:00 – 10:30 to catch it. As always, the good-byes and last-minute photos of everyone took a bit.

Motley Crew Plus Two

The last sad farewells given, we head on the road towards Nicoya at 10:30 and time would be tight. The next ferry was not until 5:00 PM, so we had to hightail it down the road. There were some concerns on Jackie’s part about a one hour ferry ride without her seasickness pills and since time was so tight, we decided to bypass the ferry and take the roads to San Jose.

While I was focused on watching out for the turn-off from Highway 1 to Highway 27, I completely missed the turn-off at Orosco, and up the mountains we went. In fairness, Jackie did not bust me too badly for missing the turn. But it was a nice day and we were making good time until we came upon an accident heading in the opposite direction, which created a minor rubbernecking back-up. We were a bit giddy when we saw the traffic backed up in the opposite direction and we continued on. But the fates were not that kind to us. About 5 Km down the road we saw nothing but red tail lights and backed up traffic. Bottom Line, we were backed up for just shy of 2 hours, policia and ambulancias running up the open lane. This could not be good. Inventive locals were walking among the stopped traffic selling sodas, chips, and even grilled food for the stranded motorists. Entrepreneurship, Costa Rica style.

Once the traffic started moving, albeit at a snail’s pace, we discovered that 2.5 Km down the highway, they were replacing a bridge and only one lane was allowed through at a time. Jackie, while slightly busting me, was cool as there was nothing we could do about it, and, after all, this is Costa Rica. We then motored down to the Holiday Inn at the airport and again were greeted by the most friendly desk clerks who treated us like most welcomed guests. They gave me refrigerator space for our perishable gifts, gave me awesome directions for dinner and department stores, and could not have been more accommodating.

We headed off to dinner in Allejuelia with the directions Hanna gave us to an Argentinian restaurant, Como en Casa. We arrived, and never having tasted Argentinian food, we scanned the menu and decided it was non-lethal and were seated in a most modern dining area, with crisp linens and a glass views of the street activity. Our waiter, Douglas, was entertaining and educational. He spoke limited English and we, limited Spanish, so we helped each other out. After drink orders of Chardonnay for Jackie and a perfect martini for me, we ordered separate pollo dinners for ourselves, Jackie with a tomato sauce and mine grilled with herbs. Douglas brought us fresh made bread with an olive oil spread with basil, garlic, peppers, garlic, cilantro, garlic, parsley, and did I mention, garlic? then came a perfectly sized salad with a sweet vinaigrette dressing, and then our meal…what looked like a whole fileted chicken perfectly prepared. The tastes were unbelievable. Douglas was at the ready should we need anything, but was not one of those obtrusive waiters that hovered over you. After ordering to-go boxes for extras, and a cafe Americano (black) for me, and a cafe Costa Rica (cappuccino) for Jackie, we left after having our greatest dinner of the trip, overall. Douglas was, beyond a doubt, the best waiter I have ever had at a restaurant, and the food is one more thing that will make this a regular stop for us in Costa Rica.

The drive back to the hotel, while congested, was pleasant with the windows down and the street activities providing us with the proper sounds for such an evening. This hotel has American satellite feed to their televisions, so we saw our first TV in a week, but it was short-lived since sleep was not too far along and, soon, the TV was watching us. Despite the road worries, we made it safely, were well-fed, and restful in a soft bed. Pura Vida.

February 24, 2011 – The Motley Crew Night

costaricaed — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 03:47:22 +0000

I slept like crap last night and was up before sunrise, sitting on our porch watching the wayward bulls wander down the road to eat up some greenery at the Soda at the bottom of the hill. The dogs started barking at the bulls, the monkeys started to roar at the dogs, and the monkeys woke up the roosters. It was a regular animal farm. I just sat there reading my book and waiting for the bus that brings Yami up to the lodge to make our morning coffee.

Today was one of those caliente days with no breezes and extreme sunlight. The temps got to 35 C ( 95 F) but the pool was a good respite from the heat. Harold lets us know that Susi is in the cabina ill with a stomach virus and will be resting for the day…poor Susi to miss this awesome day being ill. Our friends from Montreal, Joel and Candace, brought up a bottle of Guatemalan Rum they had and served us a snort on the rocks…very smooth. They, along with Tom and Paul were leaving El Sabanero tomorrow as were we, so we decided to have a farewell party in the evening (meaning drinking by the pool) after dinner. Since Joel, Candace, Tom and Paul had not been to Lola’s, they headed to Playa Avalanas, while Jackie and I headed to Tamarindo for some last-minute gifts and another round of sushi at Witch’s rock. As luck would have it, we got a beachside table and it was just in time for sunset and all of the colors.

Tamarindo Sunset - 2/24/11

Jackie & Ed at Witch's Rock

Awesome Sushi

Back at the lodge, we meet up with Tom, Paul, Joel & Candace who are already into their first bottle of wine. I go to the kitchen to prepare a copy of the shots we had the other night at Nibbara: Chiquica and coconut milk. The conversations got more vibrant. Travel experiences (and nightmares), life after Costa Rica, art, music…another round of shots and a fourth bottle of wine opened, and then we go into forbidden territory: politics and religion. But with a comic flare. Rocky the racoon visited us, shook his head and headed off to better company.

Before we knew it, it was past midnight and sentences became incoherent. It was time to retire to cabinas 8, 9 and 10. Jackie and I reminisce in our cabina that every time we come here, we meet new and very interesting people who create memories that will last forever. The people we meet on every trip we have made here contribute to the total experience and we will continue to stay in touch with them via the Internet.

Sleep comes easy.

February 23, 2011 – Hacienda Panilla

costaricaed — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:34:12 +0000

I can think of no better way to celebrate my 59th birthday than to wake to a Costa Rican sunrise with fresh coffee brewing in the main lodge and soft trade winds blowing over the pool area. The temperature today is expected to be 34 C but with the breezes it will not feel that hot, at all. Our plans today include a trip to the Hacienda Panilla Beach Club, which is a resort we are able to visit thanks to our hosts, Harold and Susi. It is only about 10 Km down the road and this is where Harold and I played golf a couple of years ago with his brother, Fritz and Fritz’s future son-in-law. I knew the place was scenic from our golf outing with vista views of the Pacific, but I had no idea at the time that farther down the road was a private beach club with restaurant, pool, private beach, and a pool bar. Now while Jimmy Buffett might have his Cheeseburger in Paradise in the Florida Keys, I have to say our lunch would rival that:

Cheeseburger in Paradise

After lunch it was quality pool time in an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

Hacienda Panilla Pool

As you can see, there was also a pool bar and Edgardo, our pool waiter kept us well supplied with Bahama Mamas and Imperials.

Edgardo the Pool Server

After a day of lolling in the pool, absorbing my book, taking a power nap and wandering towards the beach, I spot something only one could see in Costa Rica. Now I have talked about Lola the pig who would lie in the surf in Playa Avellanas, but this is a new oddity:

Toro en Playa

Bulls on the beach that got out of their corral and decided to stroll and eat anything green in the sand. The Alpha Bull kept on moving to better eating until he cam poolside for green ground cover and non-salt water.

Yummy

We drove another couple who were staying in E Sabanero from Toronto and their young son, Graham back for dinner in the lodge and cocktails by the pool. Truly one of my best birthday presents, spending a day like this with Jackie.

February 22, 2011 – A Day of Pictures

costaricaed — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:30:22 +0000

Since today was a day to just laze by the pool and catch up on my reading and absorb too many sun rays, I figured I would share some photos of our trip so far:

My Office Away From Home

Cervesa - For Medicinal Purposes Only

FT's for the Nascar Experience

My Ass is Pretty Big

Bitch Slapping Grasshopper

Our Evening Visitor - Rocky

Sunbathing Outside the Lodge

Herding up the Bramhas

The Drive to Santa Rosa

The Guanacaste Tree

Jackie Sitting Pretty in Santa Rosa

The Santa Rosa Fortress

A Deer in Santa Rosa Park

Volcan Rincon

Poolside 2/22/11

February 21, 2011 – Back to Nature

costaricaed — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:28:10 +0000

Our plans for the day included a drive up by the Nicaraguan border to the Guanacaste National Park – Santa Rosa. The drive took us through Santa Cruz, Filadelfia (not Flyers playing there), Belen and Liberia. When we arrived in Liberia, the province seat for Guanacaste, we thought it would be time for lunch, and what do we see across a busy intersection, but a McDonald’s. So after a lunch of pollo nugatas and quartre libre, we traveled up the Inter American highway towards Santa Rosa. There were mountains to the east of us that hold the upper rain forest and the peaks were shrouded in clouds, but we were under clear blue skies and hot temperatures. After about an hour, Jackie saw the entrance to the park, but with little advanced notice and driving at 100 K/h, I blew by it. Now even though this is a major thoroughfare, it is still a Costa Rican roadway with no shoulder and one lane in each direction. It was about 5 Km before we found a dirt road that allowed us to turn back.

Arriving at the guardhouse to the park, we were greeted by a very friendly, bilingual park guard who gave us a brief overview of the park. It seems that this park has a significant historical presence in Costa Rica since it is the place that the Ticas held back mercenaries that were attempting to take over the country in the 1860′s. They were going through a large renovation of the fortress after arsonists damaged it in 2003 setting some buildings on fire. There were walking paths through the park where we were able to see much of the jungle plants, although it being the dry season, many were dormant. Not much to see in the way of wildlife other than an iguana and a deer. It was a great day, though, seeing a part of the country we had not seen prior to this visit. Coming out of the park, we were able to see Volcan Rincon, which is an active volcano in this region, but the peak was covered in clouds, so we could not see the activity.

We drove back by way of Huaca and Tamarindo, settling there for our dinner. We had planned on eating at the little Italian restaurant we discovered on our last trip, but sadly it had closed. After passing a couple of restaurants up, we settled on Nibanna Bar and Beach Club (they were offering a 2 for 1 Happy Hour), for a cocktail while we decided on where to eat. Well, after Jackie saw the size of her 2 Long Islands, and my 2 Tom Collins, we decided to park our butts right there for dinner. This restaurant is the most highly rated one in town and rightly so. My tuna was large, cooked to perfection and had a mint and tomato compote that accented the taste perfectly. Jackie had the Pork Filet Mignon with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan, also delightful. The service was top-notch and most friendly. When our waiter brought us the tab, he also presented us with shots of a local interest. It was Cachica, a local sugar cane liquor mixed with coconut juice and a hint of a minty flavor. It was the perfect after dinner drink.

After a stop at the Auto Mercado (for a bottle of Cachica and a can of coconut juice), it was up the hill to El Sabanero for some evening conversation and early night to bed. Just another wonderful day in paradise.