Update January 4, 2006

January 4, 2006
We had a quiet Xmas. On Xmas eve morning we visited our German Spanish teacher to drop off a stocking Joe had put together for her 2 beautiful children. They loved their little presents and it helped us feel in the Xmas spirit. Xmas eve we went to the Red Lion, the new tropical English pub. Joe is thrilled to have a pub in the area where people actually talk. The couple who run the pub are terrific and gave us a lot of information about distributors and setting up a pub. Xmas day we went to a small gathering at our neighbors, Eric and Lenore, to see the sunset. They have an amazing house— large and open with great breezes and an unbelievable view of the ocean. We are getting to know the area and making connections. Over the holiday, I did have some waves of nostalgia for the crisp winter air and the cozy feeling of going indoors but I do not miss anticipating Jan-Feb-Mar in the northeast and how cold it can get

Here, the winds are fairly strong intermittently. So far we have lost a lamp and a small painting on marble (a gift from one of our Russian students) to being blown off tables. Lavender morning glories are everywhere and there are very large grasshoppers. Temperature ranges from 70 to low 90’s and it is dry. The roads are great and Joe is turning into quite the dirt-road driver. “Eat my dust” he says as he zips down what we loosely refer to as “roads”.

We seem to have found a reliable housekeeper and a reliable gardener/painter. We still have trouble understanding the work ethic here. Sometimes it seems like people can decide to work or not work on a day to day basis.

We had a wonderful New Years. The British couple we met in Grenada, Mark and Jenny, visited for a few days—they are on a seven month backpacking tour of the Americas. They were wonderful guests and it is great for us when we have guests because we feel like we are on vacation. New Years eve the four of us visited Eric and Lenore to see the sunset. Later in the evening, we went to New Years parties at the Red Lion and then to the opening of a remodeled expensive hotel. New Years Day we watched the Third Man on our big screen projector and had NY strip sirloin steak which we were able to get at reasonable prices through our restaurant connections.

We are getting into a routine here. I am busy getting ready for my sojourn to California (temperature is in the 60’s there so I have to find my warm clothes) and we are also getting ready for the opening of the pub. There is still construction to finish. We gave John a punch list of odds and ends that are essential for completion and he assures us he will complete everything for us. We hope he will. He is busy with his new projects and I think tired of ours so we hope he will see that all the needed finish work is done.

And some technology news. Most of you may know this by now but it is possible to make phone calls through the Internet with Yahoo--computer to phone number—it appears you may need a headset with microphone to hook to your computer. You pay one cent per minute from Costa Rica to the US. In Nicoya, they buy the minutes and charge $1 for 10 minutes to the US using this method.—it works well and eventually I expect the price will come down if others discover the method and compete for business. (I am still without Internet at home).

And one last piece of news. Joe is considering getting a puppy. Will keep you posted. Write back—we love it here and we miss all of you. Love Joe and Helena