property in Sanchez

Saturday, I went to look at a property with Melania and her mom. Melania is the young woman who has an electric piano, and when I really need to play, I am invited anytime to visit and play over there.
Sanchez is a remote, very small pueblo, up in the hills, about 10 minutes away and very beautiful. This property borders protected area belonging to the ICE (national electric company) watershed. (Most of the electricity in this country is hydro)
The only problem with the property is that the road up to Sanchez has in the past been the recipient of serious mudslides, isolating its residents for sometimes a week or more during the rainy season. This property is about 5 acres, up up up a hill, with electric nearby and the owners are asking $30K.

Linda's house and worker challenges

A fellow gringa buddy, Linda, is building a house here in Orosi.
Back in the US now, her workers decided to enjoy being paid for nada.
She had to fire them, and get new workers. Amidst a flurry of phone calls and emails, I was dragged into translating and helping her sort it all out. A good education for when I do my own building. Here is her house in progress, and her cute new workers.

a new blog just for flowers

I have been collecting portraits of orchids, and photos of other flowers. I had so many, that I decided to start a blog for JUST plant photos.
The blog is located at floresdecostarica.blogspot.com

Finally back in Orosi!

After two very cold months in Crestone, Colorado visiting friends and re-organizing my stuff, getting paperwork and taxes done, and having a pretty successful "leaving the country sale" I am now back in Costa Rica, in my apartment in the Orosi valley. I am continuing to look at properties, taking more Spanish classes (maybe SOME day I will be able to communicate and understand everyone!) and just in general enjoying life once again. This time, I brought my beloved dog Jessie with me.. The plane ride was a little harrowing for her, and now she has some fear of loud noises, but overall I think she is happy to be here with me, and is enjoying the new people, the new smells, and some new dog friends. She went swimming in the river last weekend, and walked over the hammock bridge with no trouble. We arrived here in time for Semana Santa, which is a week long holiday leading up to Easter. It is actually MORE important than Easter. Orosi has had a tradition for over 60 years of daily parades through the town, along parade routes adorned by cut plants and flowers. A drum brigade in three differnt uniform colors accompanies the townspeople, with a simple beat each evening. The parades represent the stations of the cross, the crucifixion, the ascension, and the townspeople carry statues of Jesus, Mary and John. Until Easter morning, when it startes really early (about 4:30 AM) and Jesus is danced around at every location.