Harry's Here!!

That's right, straight from Brazil and this time, he brought his wife, Christina. Today was my first day surf shooting since I can't remember when. My photos show it. Costa Rica always comes through and the waves picked up about the time they arrived. He brought back with him an identical board to the one the waves snapped two years ago.

Ya all (hence ya'll) remember? It was when my telephoto was fairly new and I still playing (still am judging by the photos I took today). Check it out when Harry was here if you missed that....
http://yo-yoinparadise.blogspot.com/search?q=harry

Let's all cross our fingers for Harry that his board can withstand the challenge of Hermosa's Brokin' da Board Beach.
It's so cool his name is Harry Costa!
Bíenvenidos Harry and Christina Costa!!!

Raining in Waves

This has been an unusually dry rainy season. Due to El Nino, we've had some incredible high tides, bringing in tons of beach sand. A couple of days ago, with the big rain and high tide combo, people experienced the ocean at their doors again! The weather has been so beautiful lately, I wondered if the rains were ever coming... well they did.... starting about two nights ago and they came with a vengence, BIG lightning and thundering. It's been raining quietly in waves ever since.

For those that think of us living in Costa Rica as lucky, I'm not sure it's luck but there definitely is a flip side you don't hear much about and that's how the rain comes and stays and alters your life for a couple of months. Beats snow any day!!

I compiled a running list of different rains way back when.
http://yo-yoinparadise.blogspot.com/2007/10/rain-check.html Adding a new one, Wave Rain.
I don't have a "rain photo" so I'm posting the Lapas that fly over every day (except when it's raining).
As I published this, the rain just "turned off" again.

Out My Backdoor

I don't have to look very far to find willing subjects to pose for the camera. This iguana is a regular.
Do you know they climb high in the trees? I've watched them come down from the trees head first and tail first, each one having their own style and finesse. Those sharp claws coming in handy on the descent. Sometimes they fall which can stun them into not moving for several minutes.

WHICH REMINDS ME to tell you.... Don't think an iguana is DEAD because he isn't moving. They play possum. REally! I have rescued many iguanas from my dogs and they will 'comatize' for about 5-10 minutes before coming back to life and escaping. It happened yesterday with a beautiful HUGE young green iguana. They are my favorite, very colorful. The dogs had him pinned behind some plants and he was "in the zone". By the time I got my camera, he was gone.

So, the next time you think about bagging that poor 'dead' iguana, give him a chance to come back to life.
He really may not be dead!!

Here are some past posts on Out My Backdoor:
http://yo-yoinparadise.blogspot.com/search?q=out+my+back+door

Coming soon, photo of Iguanas romancing in the trees. Funniest thing to watch but photos don't do it justice!
Iguana -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_iguana

Eighteen Wheelers

This is the truck stop between Jaco and Hermosa. No gas station, restaurant, bathroom, nothing. Just flocks of scarlet macaws passing over and the ocean breeze. One day while passing, I saw all the trucks lined up and just had to stop and get a snap shot. I hear them all the time coming off the mountain doing the "jake brake" thing. It's sounds like they're coming through my living room. There are no laws against jake breaking here like in Florida but hey, we don't have mountains in South Florida.

Check out the BEAU-TI-FUL lines on the highway. Yes, they are new. You know you live in a third world country when you get excited about lines being painted on the highway!! Nice lines. I got a photo when they were laying them down. I call it "Dragging the Line". It's after a song with the same title.
Dragging the Line

Fix Ya'll Some Tea??

I know I have been severely lax blogging lately. The rains are commencing so I'll probably get back to blogging.

If you've ever been to my house, you know the first thing I ask is "can I fix you some tea?" It's a Southern "thang", pushing over-sweetened tea and sweet stuff on people. You can expect to drench your thirst and be fed when you visit a Southerner. A virtual friend of mine, Shannon from Canada (Novia Scotia), sent me a huge box with books and CDs full of music. One of the books was "Culture Shock USA - The South". I'd say most of the stuff in it is true (although customs are different in other "southern" regions) but they sure did leave out a lot of stuff!! How can a non-Southerner truly depict the South? It's a funny read though and it's amazing how much I have forgotten or just thought everyone was like that, not just us southern hicks.

One of the things most difficult to adjust to is our water here in my area. They are working on a better filtration system but until then, when it rains, we get muddy water. I've posted about it before. My sister calls it Exorcist Water. Usually, they turn off the water during a big rain as not to clog up the filters. The water is red or as some refer to it, "chocolate". It's a joke of mine when someone comes over to offer them ice with their tea, either "Hermosa water" or "bottled water" ice.

When I bring out the tray of "Hermosa ice", I am always delighted in their surprise. It's not real Hermosa water, it's frozen tea. It's soooo hot here, ice last about a nano-second. I freeze tea in ice cubes so when it melts in the glass, I just get more sweet tea. People always choose the bottled water ice until I tell them my secret.

I've noticed Ya'll is 'spelt' by non-Southerners as Y'all. I know it is an abbreviation of 'you all' but that's not how real Southerners spell it. It's Ya'll, ya'll. AND we don't call it sweetened iced tea. It's just called 'tea' and we all know it's sweet (REAL sweet) and served with ice. I don't know many of "us" that drink hot tea so we don't even think to offer that!

O.k. I'll try and think up a better post next time. Ya'll come back now, ya hear!!
Oh, and we don't "prepare" or "make" anything, we "fix" it.

FYI - Here is what they have to say about the correct spelling of Ya'll.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ya%27ll
Guess that makes me an idiot but hey, I'm used to getting that coming from the South.
Bless their hearts, they just don't know about Southerners.

Shannon called me and was shocked I had a Southern accent. I've tried to loose it but the older I get, the more I fall back to it. You should hear my Southern Spanish!!

Recipe for real Southern Ice Tea:
Boil water, take off the heat, add 5 small Lipton tea bags, cover and steep for five minutes. Pour hot tea over one cup of sugar in a pitcher, stir to dissolve sugar and then add more water to fill pitcher.
Guaranteed to make your teeth hurt and add a little zip in your step!!

Seven Years

Time sure flies when you're having fun. Well, maybe not all fun but it sure goes by quickly when you stay busy. It's now been seven whole years since I arrived to live in Costa Rica permanently. The first couple of years were spent working on the house I bought. The rest, well, the days pass very slow and the years pass by fast. That's life in the tropics. I am definitely not the same naive person that stepped off that plane with two dogs and a parrot seven years ago. Costa Rica teaches you life lessons that you aren't aware you are learning until time passes. This has been the experience I was searching for when I was considering making the move. Starting over again, learning a new custom and language (failing poorly at Spanish) and discovering things about myself I never knew. Being married all my life (practically), I didn't even know what I liked to eat! It has been a real journey discovering myself and my new homeland.
Pura Vida. I wouldn't change a thing (except eliminate the crime here).

I thought I'd go back on my blog to when I first started YO-YO in 2006, when my blog was new and much better. Here is the post:

You can't HANDLE THE TRUTH
Great line - Colonel Jessep, from A Few Good Men.

So you think you may want to move to
beautiful, lush Costa Rica?
It takes a brave soul to "Sell off and
Sail Away" to a place you've never LIVED...

Visiting here is NOTHING, and I repeat,
Nothing like living here.

I think after living here two years,
one is not considered a Rookie
but not a Vet yet.
After 5 years, you show some tenacity
and (hopefully) gain the local respect
and AFTER TEN YEARS,
You're a Veteran.
You deserve some sort of special Medal.
Chances are, you'll stay here forever.

Some days, I still feel like Dorothy in Oz,
clicking my heels like hell to get "home".
I'm going on my fifth year soon.

Note:
I don't get this "ex-pat" status us gringos have here.
I'm not in exile - I'm a North American (from the South) in paradise.

Sunset on Sunday

that's right.....I've been studing Photoshop. Correcting exposure is fairly simple, it's the watermark that has taken hours to figure out. Now, onto borders............

Got Wood?

I couldn't resist posting this snapshot of a house I photographed while driving lost in Escazu a couple of weeks back. I took this photo as I was passing in traffic so no time to frame it up. It appears this guy cannot even get in his front door due to all the generous donations of wood.
The sign reads "No Mas Madera Gracias", translated "No More Wood Thanks".
Funny stuff.

Darling Ducklings

I now know what kind of duck this is, Black-bellied Whistling Duck with a pink bill and feet (thanks Carol A. for info). I had thought there was only one duckling but when I returned home yesterday, I let out two dogs and Macha found the whole flock of ducklings hovering in the corner of the yard, under the lemon tree and banana trees. It was a yellow and black blur of little fur bodies scrambling to get through the fence to the other side AWAY from Macha. Unfortunately, Macha is just too quick and already had one in her mouth. I rescued it from Macha's jaws but it died in my hands. The rest of the bunch hurried off into the tall grass. I spent the rest of the afternoon searching for them with a bucket in hand. I wanted to collect them and take them to the river but I never found them. Not being able to find them is pretty incredible since the chicks are brightly colored yellow with black spots and there were about 10 of them traveling in a huddle.

Late last night, I kept hearing a bird calling, for hours. The birds are quiet at night. It sounded like a toucan but with more lift and flurry. I was told this type of duck whistle when they take off (hence the name). As I tried to go to sleep, listening to this weary call over and over, I couldn't help but wonder if the mother was calling out for her lost duckling (the one Macha killed). I wondered if all the flock was in a safe place and if she ventured out away from the others to call to her missing duckling as not to endanger the others. There are many hawks in the area.
Life is a challenge in the jungle. It really is survival of the fittest and the strongest (and smartest).

The Dotted Duckling

For all those that have kept up with my blog, you know I love nature and animals, especially all the living things around my house. These are my favorite subjects. This morning I looked out and a duck flew into my yard. I know they use the tall palm in my yard for nesting so I looked around for her ducklings. In the past, I have seen as many as ten little ducklings fall 30 feet (about 10 meters) from that palm tree and in a straight line, they follow their mom to the river. Those days were BEFORE the fence. I watched to see how she was going to get her one and only duckling pass the fence. The duckling dodge in and out of the chain link fence but the mom was blocked by her size and would not fly over so I went out and opened the gate for them. Momma Duck waddled pass me and ushered her little duckling into the free world. I was so thankful I found them before the dogs did. I'll keep watching for more ducklings.
She looked as though she paused to say "Thanks Macha" and waddled out with her one precious follower.

Church on Sunday

Church in San Mateo, March, 2006
September, 2009
Recently, I made a trip to San Jose to renew my residency and on the way back I got a great surprise. The church in San Mateo has been under renovation for a long time. It was late so I couldn't stop and go inside but looking through the front doors, it looks beautiful inside as well. I'll have to return and take my time.

"Church on Sunday" is in remembrance of my mother.

The Last Frontier

Around these parts, I consider the vacant coastline down around the pig farm and out at Tulin ("Four Corners"), the last frontier. They tore down the deserted concrete buildings that have been out there for years. Guess, those people believed that electric/water was coming WAY OUT THERE. Well, from what I hear, it is NOW. Rumor has it, a wealthy guy from Pakistan bought all of that property and it is slated for construction of a housing development of 400-600 houses. Us good people here in Hermosa can thank this guy for improving our water system (so I hear). We are getting a huge water filtration system plus all the bells and whistles! I'd prefer to live with the dirty Hermosa water (after it rains) and keep Hermosa Beach just like it is, thank you. Progress sucks sometimes.

This is my water after a big rain. So you see, picking this water over the construction of housing that will bring us better water, is saying a whole lot!!

Post note: Seems Playlist (TeriTunes) is on a permanent blink. I cannot edit songs or play them on my end so I'll probably delete it. If you want to hear some music, Southern Rock, go here.

Pura Vida - I learn from my dogs

Check out this past post: http://yo-yoinparadise.blogspot.com/2006/09/pura-vida-i-learn-from-my-dogs.html
I blogged about this way before Cesar Millan taught me that "dogs live in the moment". His show has been a gift to me and my dogs and I so much appreciate everything I have learned. Thank you Cesar and Melissa Jo (and others) for bringing dog education to humans.
This is my most favorite thing, to walk my dogs and watch them enjoying themselves. Never underestimate the power of the walk!! They are almost cured of fighting. No fighting for months now!! These are the two sister dogs that used to fight, running on the beach, loving life!

This is my Macha, looking down the beach to see if there is another dog to chase. Bad Macha!! Can't break her of that one,,, but I'm working on it. She chased a horse on the beach that day and ruined our little photo session!

Farewell Brandon

Here's wishing you a happy life and hoping you find your way back to Costa Rica one day. Pura Vida.

Leap Frog

Every night, at dog feeding time, the toads come out for their share. These photos were at dark with a cheap camera. I'll have to feed the dogs earlier to catch the show with a better camera. The frogs fight over the food. They actually bite at each other (I've witnessed this) or in these photos, climb on top to prevent the other from eating. This pinned frog got some food anyway!! It's hilarious to watch! The dogs don't even steal their food. It's all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T! ("Rules, Boundaries, and Limitations" - Cesar Millan)

(just another one of my frog blogs)

Just for Fun, too

Check this out: http://www.zazzle.com/surfer_alberto_costa_rica_calendar-158199620614146970

I've been working on making a promotional calendar for a local surfer, Alberto.
He doesn't know yet!!
Surprise, surprise!!
Want surf lessons??
Find the good surf spots?
Call Alberto Vasquez, Surf Instructor and Guide, 506-8915-5159

Just for Fun

This is George with a new hair buzz. That guy's got great style on a board.


Love this, he (don't know the guy) looks like one of those dolls with bendable arms and legs!

Just another day in paradise....

Banderas Bonitas!!

Banners are still lining the streets of Jaco and Hermosa mountain road from the ISA Billabong World Surfing Games held a couple of weeks ago. This photo was taken on Calle Ancho in Jaco on Sunday.

Birds of the Same Feather....

flock together. The Lapas have returned in full force. I counted at least 16 on Sunday. The almonds are ready for the plucking so they are attracted to these trees. What a beautiful sight to see them in flight.
Makes me smile every time!

Technical Difficulties

I've had more than my share lately. It all started over installing a new wireless router. They should pack a technician in the box with it!! I can't get Playlist to work right either. It has that old message about the artist not authorizing in foreign countries. Works, doesn't work, that's COSTA RICA.

For all those that have said you are "so lucky to live in Costa Rica"... yes, it may be some luck but mostly it's sheer tenacity and persistence that got me here and keeps me here. It ain't easy, those that have come and stayed, know this. If it were luck, I'd say mine has run out but I'm still staying here.

I'll be back to blogging once I get my computer back on track! In the meantime, enjoy my favorite artist at the moment, Adele.

Basket Baby

Out of all the photos I shot during the Billabong surf event, this one of a little girl passing in a bicycle basket during the parade, is the one I remember.

A Special Day

To all the mothers, everywhere.

My Angels - Blessing in Disguise

About a week before the BIG EVENT, I turned into a serious nail bitter. Just on one finger, my thumb. I was so nervous anticipating what was coming. Everyone said, "you have to get a guard!" I didn't want someone hanging around my house for a week and that expense! As always, I had faith that it would all be o.k. and kept biting my thumbnail, worrying about the what ifs.

The first day, Saturday, of the 2009 ISA Billabong World Surfing Games, they poured into Hermosa in droves. They had designated "PARQUEO" right next to the location of the event but everyone chose to park off the side of the road and down little dirt roads. My front filled up with cars first with everyone blocking each other in and stacked on top of one another. When it rains, I have a big sippy hole in the front (a sippy hole is what is created when you mix mud with water). Luckily, it didn't rain that first day and everything worked out. I was trying to get "the powers that be" to block off that area with tape and barrels like they did in other areas. No response. Sunday, the parking guys from San Jose show up. I wasn't to thrilled about THAT!! I still went out there to meet them and offer them coffee. I watched at a distance and they were doing an amazing job of keeping the traffic moving and getting cars in and out. I was impressed. The police didn't show up until later on Sunday when things got a little hairy with the mass exodus. By Tuesday, they were my best buds and I had a steady job of keeping the four of them in coffee, tea, ice, chairs, umbrellas, black plastic for rain, the garden hose to wash off beach sand for their clients and I even made PARQUEO name tags with their photo on it for I.D. purpose. They had claimed the whole front as their territory for the week long event.


What a week it was! Rains came, people got stuck in the "sippy holes", it was maddening at times but these guys kept everything under control. They even kept the trash picked up during the week. By the finals the following Friday and Saturday, I was feeling pretty blessed to have these guys here. The police did finally come the day before the finals when ALL OF CR (it seems) was here. They told the guys they had to leave. It really bothered me that they had worked so hard and was going to mi$$ out on the last days of the competition but, hey, pura vida, they had made money already. Turns out, they had done such a fabulous job, the police let them stay until the very last,,, till late Saturday night for the big concert. I feel so fortunate that everything worked out like it did. This was PEAK TIME for robberies and such. I felt my guardians angels really looked after me this time by sending me these great guys!! They gave me a huge tip, too!!
Thank YOU!!
If these guys show up at your house to park cars or you see them parking cars at another event, I recommend them highly,,, and please tell them, Macha says HOLA!!

All Pau

Before and after....

That's Hawaiian for all done, finished. I walked down to the beach to see the progress and it's wrapping up. They've torn down most of the structures. This was the site for the concerts. Do you see the sink in the photo?
Some things remain, like the four light poles with two lights on each pole going to the beach. I wonder if they will leave the wireless and cell service.
That would be a bonus.

The river just changed it's direction and is now flowing where people slept the other night.

These photos were taken high tide this morning.
I still want to post some more of the photos I took during the event,,, and I will as soon as I catch up.
Hermosa is beautiful. Jaco is cleaned up. Jaco was totally trashed, totally. I truly believe people think by throwing their trash down, it creates jobs for other people,,, which it does.


I took these shots with a little carry around camera and you can't see in the photo but the Costa Rica banners go all the way down the road. It's really a beautiful sight.