My First Full Week

What an exciting week this has been for me. My first full week in my new home in Costa Rica!

I opened my bank account, got my CR phone and phone number, grocery shopped, started cooking homemade meals for the first time in 15 years. Truth be known, if you can call scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit and toast and a homemade chicken and vege soup cooking then I cooked! I have so much to relearn in that category! I went to San Jose with my friend, Cathy Klein, and to two parties where I was able to meet other Americans who have made Costa Rica their home.

I have so much I want to do, but with no car it is more difficult. For a few minutes I was feeling sorry for myself this morning thinking how isolated I felt. Then in a second I told myself to hush up and take control of my life! I will figure this part out next week. (Scarlet and I have that in common. We will not worry about that today. We'll worry about that tomorrow!) It is a little more difficult than I first anticipated though. I was ready to walk to the end of the street and catch the bus when my neighbor told me it was not a great idea because there were some really mean dogs down that way. He told me if I took a large stick I'd probably be okay. HUM....5'2 (and 3/4's") 115 lbs. LOL...When you are this short 3/4" you take! I'm not liking those odds though! I do consider myself resourceful, but not stupid! It's time to make good relations with a taxi driver! I would love to get a car. Not a nice lovely car. Just one to get me from point A to point B. I don't feel I am in the financial position at this moment. It did cost a lot to move here with all my belongings. A somewhat reliable car can be bought here for $3,000 to $5,000. However, at that price it would be a bit of a "culture shock" car, but I am totally up for it!

There is so much beautiful nature around me. I wish I could catch it all on film. I'm a pretty good photographer, but nature shooting is tough! Everything moves so fast. I have dozens and dozens of butterflies and hummingbirds that cover a bush with purple flowers right outside my living room window. I still have yet to get a picture that captures it. I saw my first Toucan yesterday. Too fast to get my camera. Today I saw a flock of parrots flying over my house. Again, no camera in hand. This is the most naturally beautiful place I have ever seen on a daily basis. If any of you photographers have suggestions please do!

Did I mention the sounds of all the birds? Nature's pure band! I do want to learn what all these birds are called. I have not recognized any except for the Toucan and the Parrots.

Pura Vida!