lots of references to food

There are so many references to food through out the day. From advertising to daily interactions with family and others. It's just a constant reminder of the situation I find myself. I may be on a feeding tube the rest of my life, WOW! I have really taken my health for granted, even though I've been battling this cancer for 20 years. I never really wanted it to interfere with my life. For the most part I lived my life. In hindsight, (ha ha ha) I know I would have done more, been more reckless. It has been small losses over many years, easy to accept and move on. Now the cumulative effect weighs heavy on me hourly, daily. At the same time I know I'm still healing. The nerves in my jaw are firing trying to reconnect, sometimes causing shooting pain.When I'm around people, family just making facial expressions cause my jaw to tense up. Not exactly a charlie horse, but the tension causes pain. I never understood when people around me would make the statement, your health is most important.

Back in Costa Rica

I have been back in Costa Rica for a week now. First thing I did was try to get the phone going at the airport, apparently an IPhone needs to be configured for Costa Rica. The Govt power and communications company can't do it or won't. So much fun! Looking forward to seeing how the new solar works at my jungle cabin. The next day I purchased groceries and refrigerator  and headed out to my place. After paying way too much for a cab, I plugged in the refrigerator, just my luck the one in the store that doesn't work. So another trip to town, oh well next week. I was able to exchange the refrigerator for another, more $'s for the a cab and yes the fridge works. However, after about six hours I noticed the warning light on the batteries was showing red. Well, we have had two and a half days of rain, we all know that if the sun doesn't shine on the solar panels, that the batteries don't get charged. I'm thinking propane refrigeration now. I'm enjoying the peace and quite of the rain forest. I'll head back to the States the end of September to be with family and do some traveling in the Midwest.

More solar

Last week I was able to visit family on the Central coast of California, San Luis Obispo County. On the way over I encountered a solar farm in construction. www.topazsolar.com & www.firstsolar.com These two links will take you to the web site to gain more information on the project. The project is on the Carriso Plain on route 58 going from Bakersfield, Ca. to San Luis Obispo, Ca. Route 58 is very desolate, you get an idea of how parts of the west were before so much population and all that comes with progress. You also have to make some sharp corners and jog back and forth around the property owners land. Back in the day the roads (wagon trails) didn't cut through a persons property they jogged around those 160 acre homesteads.When I went through there last October the construction hadn't started yet. As I remember, it was just happen stance that I took this route. Last Oct. I missed the exit for route 46 to Paso Robles. Well last week I was planning on going route 101 along the coast, beautiful drive. Some how I missed the exit for route 101 and continued on route 5 over the Grapevine. Of course there was construction going on and the signs were not as clear as they could be. Sometimes the best part of the journey can be getting there.

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San Luis Obispo County, California, USA

Price of what?

I like the price here. I don't think I'll like the price of Healthcare when the Affordable Healthcare Act starts doing more damage to our economy. Come on the Gov't has screwed up Social Security and can lose track of millions of Tax payer dollars, do we really want the the Gov't to take over or, tell us how to handle our healthcare?

Solar Array

Saw this and had to stop and take a look. It looks like this is an option for areas where the Sun does shine.

An update on this, I was testing a  post from my handheld device (I-phone) just a quick blurb. I needed to take more pictures of the actual solar panels. At this time I'm glad I caught the web site of the builder, www.blueoakenergy.com. You can go to the web site check out some of the projects they have done. It was somehow very intriguing to me to see a City setting aside land to power BART in the Bay Area, some 180 miles away.

Feeling Better

Well it's time to get back to the Blog. I have recovered from surgery. All the cancer was taken out. This is very good news. Enough of the tongue was taken to leave me with a speech impediment. Mainly it's the r's that are hard to pronounce. I think some of it possibly being lazy, and not wanting to move the tongue because was so painful for a bit of time, I'm looking forward to it getting better with time. Yesterday at the DMV (Dept. of  Motor Vehicles) I felt a little self conscious. I was there to take the test for Motorcycle permit. I did pass and was able to practice a little yesterday. Mostly I have been staying with my sister and her husband. Her grandchildren have been here for two weeks, having fun with them, going to the beach and just hanging out. Was able to see a lot of family during a little get together for the Grand nieces.

Adventure or Ordeal

My daughter told me lately that the difference between an ordeal and an adventure is attitude. I'm on an adventure. I have had a good run in remission, almost eight years. Now I'm scheduled for surgery next week. I have now come to the point of partial acceptance, turning it over to my God. I must say the last few days have been a roller coaster ride. My friend Tom said "just think you have been given a second chance, some don't get that". I find great comfort in family and friends, who support, wish well and pray for me. For all those who are in the same battle with cancer or some other medical condition, while it may not be easy, I say CHARGE!

What adventure is in store for next week

Well the weekend before I was in Tn. visiting my daughter, and helped a military family paint and move to a new place. This last weekend I moved one of my other daughters, out of situation. Over all things went fairly smooth. There were a lot of what ifs going into the situation. It was very emotional for me to do this for my daughter. Family will always come first. I know there are things that we missed. However the circumstances and the emotions were too painful to continue. I remind myself that it is all just stuff, and health and happiness reign over possessions. At this point in time I look forward to my next adventure, what ever that may be.

Getting lost with GPS

I have been in the South (United States) visiting my  daughters. Before leaving Ga. I bought my self a new iPhone. Upon landing in San Diego, I caught a Taxi to an Urgent Med. to take care of a medical issue. Well I found my self in downtown San Diego, needing to get to Old Town to meet my brother and his wife for diner. I pull out the new phone, go to maps and start tracking my location and direction I'm moving. I go about ten blocks, thinking I'm heading toward the water. I sure thought I saw the water through those buildings. This doesn't look right. I stop and ask a passerby, "do you  know San Diego well"? She respones with "yes". "I'm going to Old Town which way should I go"? "Your walking"? "I live in Costa Rica I'm used to long walks". And of course she tell me to go back the way I came, and get down to the water and folllow Pacific Coast Hwy. It took about an hour and a half to get there. Welll worth the walk to get the exercise, since I'd been on three flights to get to San Diego. San Diego is such a beautiful city.

I can post again

I have been locked out of the ability to post, welcome relief. Was just on the phone with a airline agent and because of a time change with a future reservation, I will receive a full refund. That was a simple call. I hope to get back in the swing of Bogggging!

Learning experience

Well I learned something I've been wanting to know when I got on the wrong bus yesterday. I learned that the 9:50am Trocopa bus out of Palmar Norte uses the coast route to San Jose. It still takes the same amount of time, approximately five hours. It does stop for a lunch break north of Uvita 25 minutes and another short break about two hours later. It just happened to be the one time I didn't ask the driver if he was going where I was going. Most buses out of Palmar go through San Isidro. He obviously didn't look at my ticket very closely. I went to San Jose for half price, I only paid to go to San Isidro what a deal. So the eight $ diner at KFC made up for it. I love the excuse to come back to La Fortuna, although it is a bit warm (the fan is on), had some lunch when I got here, will get diner in a couple of hours. As I found out last time I was here and headed back to San Jose that the bus from La Fortuna goes by the Int'l Airport on the way to San Jose so will save $25 on a taxi to the airport when I head to the States on Thursday the 26th. Looking forward to seeing family in the States.

Chg. in Lat. chg. in Attitude

While in the shower the other day, there was a jumping spider on the shower curtain. Well I just let him be. When I first was here in Costa Rica I chased those spiders out of the house, when I could catch them.

Well I finally did it

Well I knew it would happen sooner or later, I left my wallet at the store where I bought groceries. It was the last stop before going across the street to wait for the bus in Palmar. The blessing is that a nice man came across the street and gave it to me before I hopped on the bus. Wow, that was a close one. With only twenty days to go before I head for home (the States) I'm glad to have my wallet, ID and credit cards.

I was drawn by the music

As many of you know I'm a man of faith. Music goes strait to my heart. It stirs the spirit and puts me in touch with my God. So just around the corner from where I'm staying is a Methodist Church, I could hear the Praise songs, I had to go join in. Yes, I could follow along with some of the sermon, however with it being in Spanish I could only get so much of it. Attending, I realized how much I miss going to a regular Sunday meeting. A perfect day of reflection, I have a month before I return to the States to visit family and figure out my next adventure. The time here has gone slow and fast. There have been days that I've just wanted to pack up and go home (the States) and days that have been nothing but some of the best experiences of my life. A wise person once told me look forward never back.

Treated to Tamales Tico Style

Carmen stringing up the Tamale.

The group making Tamales.

And it goes in the boiling water.

Ready to make an open fire.

Finished product.

Yesterday there was a student group staying at La Posada Inn. www.posadainn.com They have come two years now. This year they were given the opportunity to make tamales. The process went smoothly and all turned out well. The main ingredient is a masa, potato, garlic, water and salt combination. I prefer this main ingredient to the mostly corn filling I usually get in the states. And of course your veggies and with or with out meat. All wrapped in banana leaves and boiled. The group had there fun, now it was time for the Ticos (workers here at the Inn) to make tamales and diner. I felt like one of the family, this is a community I know I could live in. So, treated to tamales and coffee made from fresh hand ground coffee beans. The partially sleepless night was worth it. I thought that was enough, well then comes the diner and the wine, what a treat.

Hanging Bridges-La Fortuna-Arenal, Costa Rica

Hanging Bridges is a great day trip. If you are up for some walking also, you can easily go on the public bus to Tileran, leaves at 8:30 am form main bus station in La Fortuna, cost $2. It's 14km to the sign just after going over the dam at lake Arenal. Then another 4km to the entrance, where there are good restrooms and a cafe with a view of the Volcano, of course it's usually in the clouds. The entrance fee is $24 and you can finish the walk in two hours. Very awesome high above the jungle floor on a suspension bridge. Not too many animals, depending on how much noise the groups make. When done with the walk take another walk back to the main road and catch the bus back to La Fortuna at 2:20 pm, again $2 and the same driver that dropped you off earlier. Carmen has been very helpful with directions and info. for tours and do it your self treks here at La Posada Inn. www.posadainn.com

Tico vs. Nica

Gollo Pinto is a Costa Rican dish, sometimes breakfast, lunch and diner. Of course there is a long running conversation over the origination of Gollo Pinto, when it comes to Costa Ricans' (Tico's) and Nicaraguans' (Nica's). And that's where the conversation started, although some times more heated than just casual. I had talked with one of the workers earlier and learned that he (Fernando) was Nicaraguan and was here for a few more months and then will return to his home. It was lunch time, another worker (Doris) asked me, "Se habla Espanol?" of course my response, "Poco". And of course she goes way to fast for me to understand. Next question "Do you know the origination of of Gollo Pinto?". Very interesting to hear them go at each other, not always understood by me. However, I could tell by the body language and volume, they were arguing. Well anyway, a great way for me to learn more Spanish and for someone else to learn more English. The conversation drifted toward the word "Gringo". Doris wondered why some people are offended with the term. I think she was alluding that some do use it in a derogatory way. She used the words Gringo Verde and Guerra (which I translated later to mean war). I could speculate on all the hidden meanings and uses of the word. Until coming to Costa Rica, five years ago, I thought it was only used in Mexico, silly uh? Growing up in San Diego County, California and traveling to Mexico a lot, I identify with endearment, in it's use. Three people got to learn more about others, themselves and another language. Doris, is a student working three jobs, paying $228 per quarter for three courses at university. Fernando, does calligraphy and talked quite a bit about the many different dialects in Nicaragua. There is a higher percentage of indigenes peoples in Nicaragua than Costa Rica. Some of the dialects are, Samo, Misquito, Ingles and Ramol.  Not sure of the spelling on Ramol can't read his writing. All are different dialects of Spanish. With Misquito, he alluded to them more of maybe a class, all doctors or other professionals. He also used to term retraso(delay) in association with Spanish. While it's important to retain the indigenes identity, it does present a problem with education and possible separatism. There are eight different regions in Nicaragua. The last little dig Doris had was that Nico's don't pronounce their "s".

Hiking, Rio La Fotuna Falls, Cero Chato Extinct Volcano

Yesterday we had a awesome hike. I made connections with a German traveler at breakfast. Started the walk in town, had to ask for directions, were redirected. About seven kilometers to the first destination, the Rio La Fortuna, Costa Rica Falls. The power of the water is so intense, imagine 24 hours a day 365 days a year, and this is the dry season. If you have lots of time and the stamina you walk just about everywhere. Good exercise for anyone. Yes, sometimes it is a little warm, I am used to it, I live in a "Sustainable Tree House" community in the southern zone of Costa Rica, fincabellavista.net. It is in the foot hills, with lots of ups and downs and pedestrian, therefore I get lots of good exercise. Anyway, the hike, while a little long, was worth the effort. The plan was just to the falls. When up there the hike to the extinct volcano Cero Chato was close by. So after a power smoothie we decide to hike to the Green Lagoon in the crater of this dormant volcano. Well there is varying information on how long the hike is, from one hour (from a local) to five hours (www.lonelyplanet.com). Our time was one hour and ten minutes, then another five minutes to the lagoon in the crater, not bad for an old guy like myself. The last ten to twenty minutes were quite brutal. We had already gotten our swim suites wet, so went skinny-dipping, glad no others were there, you know it's kind of like the tree falling in the forest, if no one hears it, did it really happen? Of course the views from this vantage point are spectacular, unfortunetly I'm still working on getting a better camera, plus I forget to charge the camera the night before, so no great pics of the view. On the way back down we caught up with other travelers and were blessed with a ride back to town. I may be able to follow up with pics of the lagoon and views, Tobias the other traveler will email later.

It's all about community

 Last week I had a "great day" looking at property with Michael Morningstar, michaelmorningstar.com. I talked about even though the property is awesome, there were too many issues to resolve. That deal has gone by the way side, Refer to my post "great day" of four days ago. Well going to the Farmer's Market on Thursday, Michael connected with one of his contacts who introduced him to Gary who has land in Uvita, Costa Rica. We were off to look at land in the canyon above Uvita. Awesome piece of land, not as big and more money, but doable. Well we had another great day. Gary talked about enchanted caves, falls, swimming holes and open usable land surrounded by jungle. We found a great piece of property. Hopefully this deal will come to fruition. There are mature coconut trees, of course I had to somehow get the coconuts for us. So I took a board from the run down shack, bent all the rusty nails down except one, which punctured my hand (I know I got my tetanus booster before I left the States) and knocked down coconuts for us all. I relied on Gary to open them up, I know I don't have enough experience with a machete. The water looked so refreshing I just had to go in.

La Fortuna-Arenal-Costa Rica

As you can see Arenal Volcano is in the clouds. However, you get the idea, most towns have that central plaza, the Church and business district. A good plus for me is that the un-eveness of the side walks is at a minimum here. Some towns in this part of the world you are constantly going up and down steps or little slopes, you just really have to watch your step.