February 2011

February. We had a fantastic party featuring four draft ales, all fresh from Costa Rica’s Craft Beer Co, Costa Rica’s premier microbrewery. Segua, an amber ale is the favorite, Libertas is catching on as alternative to Stella. Especially made for us for the anniversary, we had a dunkel weizen served in wheat beer glasses and an IPA. The brewer, CS, is from Dogfish Brewery and all his beers are all truly amazing. We had about 100 people here which is a more manageable group than our larger parties. Some of our regulars had other commitments and they were missed. We were glad to see our friends who could come and there were many new people who came primarily for the beer. The Black Sheep is becoming an ale house.

We have had some interest in our house— three parties looked last week. And John just sold three lots in the A section so there is movement here on the mountain. The people who bought John’s lots are from Florida and one of the women is planning on building soon. I have a link on the side of this posting about Finca Dona Cielo, where we all live--in the most natural environment I have ever experienced.
We are considering another spot to move in Costa Rica—Orotina. Temperate climate ,located halfway between San Jose and the Pacific and on the main road to San Jose so we can get in easier for medical appointments. We will visit soon.

Here in Nosara, it is sunny, hot, with blue skies and delicious gentle breezes. Usual when it is stormy in the US, we get the strong winds—but not this year. We keep the gardens around our house watered so they are green, but the area will get dried out until the rains begin in May. My pool gets warmer every day and I continue with my midday swims and occasionally a mid day siesta. My friends, Lorae and Cathy from Boston were here last week visiting and enjoyed the tranquility

We were interviewed by a Boston Globe reporter late January for an article about people who move abroad for retirement—we are the example. It will be in the Sunday February 27th issue in the travel section.

Internet was down for a couple of days so I went to the library to use their free Wi-Fi. The library has books for Ticos and expatriates—I borrowed a couple of bestselling memoirs to continue my writing education. Also, it was good to see the local children learning how to use the computers and it was good to be at the library and to be reminded of the diversity here in Nosara.

We are beginning the preparations for our Saint Patrick’s Day party. We are hoping for Zopolit from San Jose but it is hard to plan things with certainty, here. We had a great crowd last night at the pub—40 people for a pre wedding party. Our water was out….but we managed…Costa Rica is the land of “Pura Vida”, and besides the “ Pure Life” of living here, every day we are also grateful for water and electricity. Pura Vida, Joe and Helena