It’s Saturday morning at 9:33. I’ve already walked to the mini mart for juice and cheese.

 

That’s because I forgot to get them yesterday when I was in town. I also didn’t get another notebook for my continuing Spanish lessons, but I have at least 30 pages of lined paper left until the next trip to town.

 

At the minimart, I greeted the owner/operator with “Buenas dias!” He responded with an enthusiastic grin and welcoming response. And then we shared an actual, fullblown 100% Spanish conversation, and I understood everything he said, although I know he was probably keeping things basic for me, because he knows I’m still in learning mode.

 

He’s very cool.  Sometimes I walk there just to get an item or two simply so we can visit briefly again. He makes me feel very welcome each time.

I asked my mini mart amigo, “Tiene queso?”

 

He said, “Si, aqui” and shepherded me to the refrigerated section of the store, which is tiny and close to the front.  He indicated the shelf with queso (cheese).  I didn’t see any cheddar staring me in the face, and the refrigerator shelf was low and deep, so I asked, “Tiene cheddar?”

 

He said, “No, pero tengo mozzarella.”  He pulled out two small plastic bags of it, and I nodded okay.

 

Then he spotted a small plastic tube of creamy cheddar and asked if I’d like it, too. I grinned and enthusiastically responded, “Si! Por favor!” so he took it out and carried it and the mozzarella to the cash register.

 

Then he asked, “Algo mas?” At first I said “Si”, so he headed back to his morning routine. Almost immediately, I realized that he had asked me if I was going to get anything more, and I hadn’t been planning to.  So, I said, “No, es todo,” so he headed back the few steps to the get behind the cash register.

 

But then I thought for a moment and changed my answer to, “Perdone me! Necesito uno mas. Un momento, por favor!” He smiled again as I quickly got a quart carton of apple juice.  I would have preferred peach (melocoton) juice, but he only had that flavor in single serving sizes, and they’re more expensive that way, so I got the apple juice instead. (I’ve just now ordered melocoton for Monday at Mas X Menos.)

 

I always have a good time there.  I think he does, too. He’s very upbeat and kind — and he  probably gets a kick out of watching a grown ass gringo trying to sound semi-intelligent and sane in his native tongue!  I’m glad he’s the forgiving type!  “Algo mas?”  “Si! No! Si! Un momento!” — ACK!!!!  — while I figure out what the hell it is I actually want to do right now! LOL!

 

This is a friendly, welcoming neighborhood.  Heck, I haven’t been in a CR neighborhood that hasn’t been. Do they even exist?  Given the kind, laid back, rational, relational culture, I kinda doubt it!

 

MEANDERING BACK HOME

 

On the way back from the mini mart I  passed two ticos — a Tico and a Tica, actually. I said “Buenos dias” to both as I passed.

 

The middle aged (this probably underestimates her age) Tica was wielding a machete like she’d been doing it her entire life. And she probably has. But she still appeared entirely feminine — just strong and capable like my dear, hardworking mother was into her mid 70’s before brain cancer attacked, debilitated and ultimately killed her.

 

It astounds me to see so many people using machetes as a routine tool, but they’re pretty much required around here. The foliage grows rapidly and if they didn’t keep it cut back it would take over entirely. I’d probably cut my arm or leg off if I tried to learn how to use one now. The blades appear to be close to three feet long! (I haven’t gotten close enough to one to measure it. Not sure I want to! HAH!)

 

“SLOW DOWN — YOU MOVE TOO FAST!”

 

Meeting and greeting the neighborhood Ticos as I passed them this morning slowed me down enough to re–view my surroundings on the way back. I never want to grow accustomed to the beauty of this place, but when I walk the same route every day, it can begin to look same-ol same ol until  I stop, look, and listen more attentively and then I can easily get pulled back into the absolute splendor of it all. (This is true no matter where you live.  Slow down! It’s going to take 75 years to get to 75 years old whether you walk or run. Make the time count — appreciate it ALL!!!)

A species of Costa Rica butterfly

The leaves/fronds on these trees are ENORMOIS.

The ones you see here are nearly twice my height

(I’m 5’6″ these days)

This beautiful plant grows here naturally.

In the U.S. I paid plenty to buy a small one!

 

I can’t get ever get too much of pura vida. It’s a marvelous, magical part of el todo mundo!

 

I can’t wait to welcome you to come and enjoy it with me!  But while I’m in this specific casita (for at least a year) be sure you’re able-bodied, ambulatory and capable of climbing an almost vertical final thirty feet up and into my home!  That’s my only concern.  Ya gotta be at least part mountain goat to get up here!   I’m used to it after a month, but it takes a lot of getting used to!

 

 

My landlady’s home is maybe 80  feet away as the crow flies, but

waaaayyy down

below my casita, as you can see in these images, day and night