My friend, Marco, my "Ticopedia", works down in Parrita and provided me with these photos from his cell phone. The old bridge is now under the new bridge and the water lines running under the old bridge are broken. Parrita is a low area and they suffered severely from the rains. People say it's the worst in 60 years. Marco is o.k. but his place there was flooded with six feet of water. Some lost all.
That's some lyrics from an old song by the Temptations. I sure miss not having my playlist on here. Yes, the sun finally came out yesterday and everyone flocked to the beach (those that could). Even in the darkest times, the light shines through. The clean-up efforts and collections for those who lost their homes are still in progress.
Here are some photos from my beach yesterday.
Paddle out in Puerto Rico
Kelly Slater dedicates his historic 10th world title to his friend and rival Andy Irons.
A final goodbye at the final event in Hawaii at Pipeline in December.
Here's what they said on the news in an interview with Andy's close friend.
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You may think I am talking about the book/movie but no, it's Bob.
Bob Marley.
His music soothes me, cures me, and helps me to remember it's a better day, every day. Something most don't know about me is... I always make brownies to Bob Marley music. AL-ways. Today I was making a batch and just as I was about to stir in the chocolate and walnuts, "Stir It Up" came on. Don't cha just love when that happens. I made "Stir It Up" my official Brownie Anthem today.
Listening to Bob, I remembered how I've learned Costa Rican people (Ticos) are very resilient. Rarely do they tell you their problems and if by chance they do confide in you something bad, it's followed with "Pura Vida". Amazing people. So much hardship is endured here on a daily basis. That's what struck me hardest when I moved here. During the rainy season, it is especially hard and unpredicable. Regardless, you will see the Ticos smile. They know Pura Vida.
Jaco Beach today
Playa Hermosa today
It's been days since I've been out so I loaded up the pups and we went for a ride to check things out. I didn't get off the beaten track because I know there are lots of mudslides and wash-outs everywhere! The rivers are widening and taking everything with it.
Jaco town looked pretty good. All the recent road blocks for drainage construction work on Pop's road paid off. I'm sure some of the shops downtown have been flooded due to this rain but it looked good in town compared to years in the past.
I came home and watched the news and saw just how fortunate we are (unless you live by a river) in Jaco and Hermosa. I took photos of the images I saw on the news. I could not believe my eyes and the tears started to swell.
So much suffering.
Some of you can't watch the news here and so I am posting these pictures for you so you know what is going on.
I've posted the pictures on Flickr.
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/ticamachatourscostarica/sets/72157625195479315/)
Click HERE to go directly to the set "Rain without Mercy".
After seeing this, the rain sounds like Angels crying.
(Jaco photo from 2008 rainy season)
That is how I am singing that song today, God bless Costa Rica, Central America!
We have had so much rain, it has caused deaths and hardship for many people living here. Yesterday, I received this notice from the Chamber of Commerce in Jaco:
Dear members and friends,
Due the rains that have been affecting Garabito the last days and specially last night, Daystar Properties, Red Cross, Jaco Canopy Tour, Municipal Police, Fuerza Pública, Fire Department, Ministry of Health, Chamber of Commerce and Catholic Chuch have joined forces and created a temporary station at the Daystar Properties offices. In order to help the people affected by the rains they are requesting for non-perishable food and water mainly. Also they need clothes, baby diapers, toilet paper, bath towel, personal hygiene items, toothpaste, toothbrush, blankets, among others. Please help these people that need it. Your donation can be delivered in the Daystar Properties offices located 50 southeast from Municipality of Garabito. For more information please call at 2643-1213 Municipal Police, 2643-2853 Chamber of Commerce or 2643-1290 Daystar Properties. Thank you very much!
PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS!!!
I've lived here awhile now and have seen mudslides and people scooping mud out of their houses. One house I saw, the lady had water almost waist deep, carrying her puppy out of the house over her head. It is tragic when the rains come and stay for days unending. I am safe and dry. All the work Jose and I did with digging a trench around my house and filling it with rocks has really helped with the drainage. In fact, most of the work Jose and I did while he was here was to prepare for the rainy season. Thank God, all is good and I have a warm, dry place to sleep at night. Many folks here don't right now.
See this article published today in La Nacion:
Aludes y lluvias dejan 21 muertos y 19 desaparecidos
(you can translate)
God Bless Americas, my home sweet home.
Yes, that's the lyric that comes to mind on days like these days lately. The rain has not let up a bit to let the sunshine even peek through. It reminds me of why I even started this blog, it was during rainy season... many, many moons ago.
I was feeling isolated and the steady sound of pouring rain for days on end was making me a little nuts. I escaped into cyberspace and figured out how to make a blog. I'm so glad I did. I have inspired and been inspired in ways I would have never dreamed. You wouldn't know unless you read from the beginning.
Pura Vida.
You all know how I love to take nature pictures and just love the iguanas around my house. I was shooting through the window screen at one of the iguanas grazing on my hibiscus (Amapola) hedge, in the rain, when a hummingbird popped into the viewfinder for a super quick cameo appearance.
Don't cha just love when stuff like that happens!
Luckily, I am a crafter and a creative person so on days like this, I can find one million and one things to do while listening to the rain.
Here's some rain music.
No, this is not Ray Charles playing Rainy Night in Georgia...
but this guy sounds good. I couldn't find Ray singing this on YouTube.
CHOCOLATE RAIN - another one of my most favorite rain songs! Now he has Cherry Chocolate Rain.
Now it will be stuck in my head for DAYS!
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(that's funny,,,, I only get SPAM!!)
