"YO-YO" in Paradise is my acronym for
"You're On Your Own".
This is not a site for tourist info on Costa Rica.
It's just some Tales and Tattles of my experiences, observations, and the ups and downs of every day living by the Pacific Coast in Costa Rica.
Living here, you learn to live with security bars, lock up everything, be particular where you park your car and who you befriend. It's a melting pot of nationalities here and the crime flourishes. One of the biggest dangers is the one you will never see, the parasites. I've blogged about this before (here are a few) when I saw a guy that had "Chagas" on Dr. House and he was asked if he had visited COSTA RICA or another tropic place recently. Here's another one of my post about Take Your Pills. I bought mine today because I can't remember the last time I took them. They are a little different now.
Well, I have a new one for you that I saw on the Discovery Channel! Trypanosome Parasite. "Trypanosomes are a group of kinetoplastid protozoa distinguished by having only a single flagellum. All members are exclusively parasitic, found primarily in insects."
Check it out, it's known as the Sleeping Disease in Africa. If you Google parasites, it will definitely cause you to pause and consider... what's REALLY out there!!
Everybody that knows Cesar Millan's Daddy, loves Daddy. My favorite eposide was Cowboy Daddy at the ranch. Daddy passed away on Friday. If you'd like to read more, go to Cesar's Way site. Here's the page.
Melissa Jo Peltier wrote a beautiful article about Daddy. Melissa Jo is a very Special Lady. Awhile back, I wrote on my blog, asking for help with my red-zone dogs and their fighting. She reached out and helped me. I will always be grateful and indebted to both her and Cesar for teaching me "Cesar's Way".
This is the notice I received about Daddy: February 20th, 2010 Cesar Millan, all his family and friends, his staff and volunteers, and dog lovers all around the world today will mourn the passing of one of the most loyal, trusting, well-balanced, and influential pit bull ambassadors the world has ever known. Daddy, Cesar's longtime friend and partner in canine rehabilitation, died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday the 19th of February. He was sixteen years old.
He lived each day of those sixteen years happy and fulfilled as Cesar's right-hand-" man," helping to shape the behavior of entire generations of dogs by showing them the way to balance. He stood as champion for calm-submissive pit bulls everywhere, and was instrumental in helping to repair their image as violent, savage, uncontrollable beasts. He successfully battled cancer and weathered chemotherapy, and even got the opportunity to present at the 56th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards!
His name is now added to that honorable roster of dogs gone by whose influence is still felt today, and which includes some of Cesar's beloved childhood heroes: "Rin-Tin-Tin. " "Lassie." … "Daddy."
He has been immortalized by Dog Whisperer fans in all mediums, from painting, to photographs, to charcoal drawings and papier-mâché sculpture. And, of course, he lives on in his work, reflected in the balance and calm-submission of his protégé Junior, the countless animals to whom he was a positive role model, and in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him as a calm, sweet, and mellow example of a widely misunderstood breed.
In Loving Memory.
If you would like to leave a message of condolence, you can do so on the CesarsWay.com website
I sure have become a better driver living here, more defensive, that's for sure. I've learned to down-shift instead of using my brakes when going down a mountain. I've learned to use my safety brake ALL THE TIME when parked (past post - Take It Slow). I put on my seat belt out of habit now. I hated wearing seatbelts before here. Now, NO ONE has to tell me to put that thing on, I'm more than willing with all the crazy drivers!! I AM a better driver but I've gotten into some very bad habits. Like doing a U-turn in the middle of Jaco or double parking when I'm just going to be a minute. Not to mention, parking on the opposite side of the road (facing ongoing traffic). Everyone does THAT!!
I've joked a double yellow line is just a suggestion here but starting March 1, 2010, we may be seeing some law enforcement happening! Over-loaded trucks (with people) is a common site. In fact, the other day I saw a pick-up truck stop to pick up some workers on their bikes. They all loaded-up in the truck and in the back. They had about seven bicycles stacked up and a few were sitting around the edge trying to balance them. I couldn't believe my eyes. The driver took off like a bat out of hell and down the road they went.
All cars have to pass inspection once a year but now you have to have an emergency kit in your car. THIS is a GREAT thing!! A fire extinguisher is new on the list as well as jumper cables,,, the list is long.
Happy Trails and Be SAFE and Legal!! Photo from a past post - "Hauling".
I've been drinking Coke since I was a baby. My mom put it in my baby bottle. I became addicted at a very young age. I've since curbed my addiction, I only have Coca-Cola every now and then. Did you ever put peanuts directly in the Coke bottle and drink it?? Good stuff. They sold the little glass bottles of Coke here but when I looked for one the other day, all I found were the plastic bottles. Looks like that may be a thing of the past,,, 6 oz. glass bottles of Coke.
This is the new commercial for Coca-Cola here. It's on all the time and I really "get" the "Te Amo" part. Costa Rica LOVES Coca-Cola!!! I was at our little market (Pulperia) the other day and the big Coke truck pulled up for delivery. Did you know that the trucks have ARMED GUARDS that go on their deliveries? It's a big money operation in this country.
Recently, I was getting a quote for having my septic system repaired. The leech line is clogged and some of the sewage water needs to be bucketed out to get down to the drain line (it keeps overflowing). The guy (same guy that cut down the palm) said that the workers would dig out the gray water area for "x" amount of dollars but if I bought them Coca-Cola, they slop out the first foot of Ka-Ka for free. That stuck me as hilarious. "Ka-Ka for KoKa". I decided to wait to do that unpleasant project.
I have learned first hand that workers work better with Coke! It's "a drug" as my worker says and I always get a smile when I bring him a glass of ice cold Coca-Cola. So you know, they call it "Co-ca" here.
FYI, I have followed Coke advertising campaigns my whole life, even collected memorabilia. Te Amo is up at the top as being the best line campaign. It's so simple and universally true! For the history of Coca Cola, click here.
Saw this on the way to get replacement tiles for my house. Love old cars! Haven't a clue what this is ("Zodiac") but it's old in Costa Rica because the tag number is low. (Tags are issued with the car and remains with the car for it's life)
It's been many moons since I posted to my series, Church on Sunday. It's always dedicated to my mom and this church is the newly constructed church in Parrita.
Too hilarious not to post on YO-YO!! I've missed my readers although a few (five) YO-YO blog readers from Canada stopped by my house and caught me washing clay tiles for the roof. Yes, work continues on my house and it was great to chat with them. Sally had contacted me beforehand that they were coming but I had completely forgotten. I have to admit, I felt like "Famosa en Hermosa"!! Thanks guys for dropping in and witnessing a little of "my life" right now.
Ya'll ALL know about remodeling... fix one thing, only to find five others that need fixin' in the process - that's This Old House, aka, Casa de la Macha. I haven't pulled all my hair out yet but I did have to let Jose's helper go after his first week. "Pancho" was making MORE work and I was getting none of "my work" done (I work everyday, too). Pura Vida.
The past few months have been a blur with all my attention focused on completing this project. I would print photos of it but my privacy issue prevents this. I've taken many progress photos as a daily diary to mark our "progress". I put that in quotes because a few things had to be redone for whatever reason.
SO, hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day and remember it all comes from the heart!! Love you guys!! La Macha
Here is a real opportunity. The prominent Chilean artist and longtime Jaco resident Carlos Galli has donated to us this wonderful painting. It’s an original oil, untitled and signed. It truly captures the surfer’s point of view from “inside the tube”. The painting can be seen at the Vet Clinic in Jaco, Centro Commercial Plaza Boulevard, local #20. The dimensions are: 83 x 64 cm (33” x 25”) - Value: $1,200
Minimum bid is $300
Please submit your bids to the following email address: info@mckee-jaco.com. Minimum increments are $50.
TREAT YOURSELF TO THIS GREAT GIFT, AND AT THE SAME TIME HELP OUR STRAY DOGS AND CATS!
100% OF THE MONIES RECEIVED FROM THIS SALE WILL GO TO OUR SPAY/NEUTER AND ADOPTION-PROGRAM.
Here’s some more information about the artist:
Carlos Galli, one of the best known and loved eco painters in Costa Rica, resides in Jaco. Painting since the age of four, Galli's talent has been noted since his teenage years; at seventeen he was awarded first place in the "Best Youth Artist" competition, a contest held nationally at the high school level. In 1993, he received an honorable mention in the international contest held by Airbrush Magazine in the United States. That was his first entry. Carlos' work has been recognized by prominent publications such as “La Nacion” and “Costa Rica Today” for both his art work, and his unerring ability to capture the beautiful flora and fauna with his eco-murals.
In 1995, his murals were featured in “Encuentros con el Arte”. This was a mini-documentary shown in theatres throughout the San Jose area.
His paintings can be found in private collections throughout the world, from as far away as Hong Kong to right here in Jaco, and his eco-murals are displayed all over Costa Rica. One look at Carlos’ breathtaking work tells you he is truly a gifted artist when it comes to capturing the beauty of Costa Rica.
Carlos Galli's artwork is available for purchase in Giotto Gallery in Jaco (next to Pachi’s Pan bakery).
Contact the artist at email address: galliartjaco@yahoo.com
YO-YO is over 11 years old. I recommend using this blog's search engine featured in the upper left corner. Just type in what you want to find on any given subject and see what comes up. When reading, if you see a word or phrase highlighted, click on it to go to the link. Enjoy your chautauqua (journey). I am. TicaMacha
