June 29

We were back in the fields today wielding machetes and creating mulch for the plants we were going to plant. After, we watched the Spain vs Portugal soccer game. Woo who Spain won. Half of the volunteers left this morning for good. So it's pretty quiet. We cooked dinner together and had a nice night.

June 28

Today we helped to build an earth-made home. We did a process called cobbing where you mix clay, sand and saw grass and put it in patties and press on the earth walls. It was a lot of fun and work and we all got really dirty.

June 27

We went to Dominical to swim. The waves were huge--Aaron says they were the size of two mommies. the boys were in the ocean for hours. I packed sandwiches and luckily made enough for our friends that showed up. Dominique went surfing for the first time. She's an 18 yr old volunteer that I work with. The kids picked up seeds and traded them for homemade ice cream. It was a perfect and beautiful day. LOL it was the second no rain day of our trip (at least while we were at the beach).

June 26

Saturday, we were supposed to go snorkeling in Uvita but it's raining like crazy and cold. If it's nice we'll go to Dominical to have homemade ice cream and try some surfing or just hang on the beach.

SO here I am writing, Aaron's playing war and Ethan is practicing shooting a slingshot out of the house, which is really easy with no doors or windows. We may have a movie night tonight. We'll see how it goes.

June 25

Friday, I finished planting my garden. There's been lots of rain lately. We're getting used to the bugs and we don't seem to be getting bit as much. I love Fridays because the cleaning woman comes (yvonna). All of the volunteers have different levels of commitment to their chores and keeping things clean. Need I say more.

We had a big dinner of chicken pot pies and strawberry lime cheese shortcake. Tiffany made me a special veggie pot pie. It was all so good. The last two nights have really helped Ethan to feel better--yummy food, cuddling and hanging out together.

More Pics

Enjoy!

June 24

It's Thursday-time to post some photos.

Yesterday, Ethan and I finished the layering the garden and transplanted US sunflowers. The sunflowers here are much different. I taught yoga later and then I made rice and lentil dahl for everyone. We (not the boys) went to a bar to dance and laugh. It was a blast. We are really blending well as volunteers. I am enjoyng getting to know them as I learn about plants, farming and permaculture.

Today the boys came into the city. We helped shop at the Feria (farmer's market). I love bargaining.

This weekend we're going to take a bus to the furthest beach south-Uvita. We're going to hopefully find a boat and guide to go whale/dolphin watching and snorkeling. We'll sleep at another beach and then try to surf on Sunday.

June 22

Woke up early and got to work preparing layered beds to plant Aaron's seedlings. I shoveled a lot of chicken manure, dug in compost pile, nitrogen fixers and touched things I'm not used to touching (fungi, huge spiders, ants, decaying matter of all sorts. I learned about manure tea--not so sweet smelling. Ethan's favorite job so far was to cut down green matter with a machete. He was so happy to chop trees and large leaves.

We swam again in the river. It's so refreshing! I love having the water pounding on my body in the falls close to the house. The boys love climbing and jumping off the rocks.

Only a light sprinkle of rain today.

The other women volunteers and I made the tastiest empanadas today. We made veggie and cheese filled as well as meat, veggie and cheese. I will definitely continue to make those when we get home. The boys loved them too.

I know the blogs are getting shorter, and that's because we are really getting into the swing of things.

June 21

Today after a lot of rain, I worked on clearing a plot of land. The boys and I swam in the river. I lead yoga and then meditated with a group of community members. It was a good day with no major glitches.

June 20

Probably the nicest weather day we've had so far. Packed up camp early and headed towards the beach. Stopped for a typical breakfast along the way-homemade tortillas with cheese in the batter, eggs, rice and beans. The boys had the same thing but with beef. We stopped to see a lot of big and lazy crocodiles that hang out under a particular bridge.

Stopped at a beach just outside of Manuel Antonio National Park. It was beautiful-will post a pic. Big waves but not too big; nice chairs to lay on, umbrella to lessen sun. Soft sand, people, snow cones, warm water...Aaron got a bit of sunburn. All the boys had a blast.

Went for a nice dinner at El Avion. It's a restaurant made out of a cargo plane. We all ate and watched the sunset over the water. Then the rain came and we had to leave the restaurant. I thought we were headed home and then the last wonderful treat of the day...we had homemade ice cream at Ruby's. I had coconut...

The boys had one more exciting thing, it was time to call their dad. They were so excited to talk to him.

Aaron makes everyone laugh by asking "what?" every time someone asks something.

June 19

Saturday, in Los Tacotal on a tico permaculture farm with 40 people at a community building, interdisciplinary biodynamic farming conference in Spanish.

The boys played in the very high river, picked limes that looked like oranges, made lime water and played limeball (just like baseball but the ball sprays juice when you hit it), ate smores, made spears and a big fire out of wet wood, which is what everything is lately-wet.

Tiffany and I hung out in camp with the boys, made food, talked, played in the high river, etc.

Some the nicest people I've ever met were at this conference. I kind of stood out as one of the three white women.

We ate on our own-remember lasagna, chocolate cake, sandwiches...mmm

There were lots of birds and very large bugs; I may include a pics of the huge beetle.

Aaron is feeling more comfortable with everyone and starting to do his usual funny act! Ethan has been missing his dad and Mitchy. Hopefully, he get his energy back.

To bed early we;re leaving in the morning.

June 18

Friday, we worked a bit and then decided to go to a communal farming conference 3 hours away. It was a long and nice drive down the highway near the ocean (Pacific). When we got there, the drive in was horrendous, I mean I have never seen a road so unsuitable for driving. We made it up. There were 7 of us in the car. At the town of the farm, people were gathered and the sun was ready to set. We set up camp under some huge tarps, which were really useful.

Tiffany, Aaron and I cooked before we left and that's what we ate. Eggplant Lasagna (Ethan said he couldn't eat it because his stomach hurt), and Aaron's chocolate cream surprise cake, which he says I ruined because I wouldn't let him bring the whipping cream camping. There are no whipped cream bottles or cool whip dispensers here.

So good, great sleep. It was cool and pretty bug-free. More pics on Thurs.

June 17

So things are getting pretty busy. We went to the city-San Isidro today to buy groceries that we don't grow on the farm. The farm raises animals-cows, pigs, chickens, lamb, sheep, goats, ducks, and geese. They grow all sorts of herbs, grasses, vegetables and fruit.

We are leaving Friday to go to a permaculture festivals or community gathering where farmers from this side of the country will attend. It will be in spanish and english. We will camp which will be interesting with the rain. I love an adventure, obviously, but, I'm a little nervous about camping in this rain. I'll let you know how it goes. I wn't be posting for a couple of days and no pics until next Thursday. Questions and feedback are welcome. It's a great place to be, but it's not a place for slackers.

Luego. )Later)

June 16

Another beautiful day at Fuente Verde. Today I made pancakes for everyone with Gabe's (11 yr old) recipe. We planted mimosa trees, sunflowers (not the kind I'm used to), thai basil, tear of Job, sweet potatoes, and ornamental ginger. We pulled and moved invasive grasses. After lunch and showering (in the shower with ice cold water-I think the washer was interfering), I headed out with some of the gals to go to a yoga class. The studio was beautiful with the most amazing view of Manuel National Park, the class was good yet strenuous, the teacher kind, competent and loving. BTW-it was free, she never charges and it was 2.5 hours long.

During the class, the biggest rain that I've seen so far came. We had to wait before we could head home. WHen we did, the bridge was overflowing and the kids were excited to go to the river. I wouldn't let them swim with the abundance of water. THeir job today was to build tree forts as decorations. They were complete with a popsicle stick elevator, houses, and a gondola that connected their two trees. EThan and AAron ran away with this "job."

Ten of us, which is the our whole household right now, piled into the car. Believe it or not we all fit (w/out seatbelts). We headed for a pizza adventure at the Boob. It gets its name from the shape of the mountain its on. The house/restaurant looked like a Japanese temple on top of a mountain. We waited along time because they cook two pizzas at a time for the best pizza I've eaten in a long time--even in the states. The owner of the house, likes to golf so there were a couple of putting green that the boys enjoyed. The pizza was $14 (8000 colones), which is a lot by local standards but well worth it. Aaron was still hungry after our pizza and bought slices off of one of our housemates.

We laughed about stories everyone told and sang songs while Little Dave played guitar. Great day and night. tomorrow we go into the city, San Isidro, and hopefully, I'll be able to up load some pics.

June 15

SO I want to clarify and maybe Laurel you can tell me what you're talking about--this is not an eco-resort. It is a sustainable community farm. We bathe in the river most of the time and didn't have internet until today. We eat what is grown or raised here and go to town once a week to get things not produced here.

Eco-resort to me would have some recreational things to do, no bugs, glass windows, etc. The boys' room doesn't even have screens.

Okay, we do have a stove, fridge, flush toilets, electricity, hot water in the shower, a washing machine. I haven't worn a bit of makeup since arriving in CR. Ethan said to me today, "Mom, we haven't taken a shower yet." But I reminded him that he washes with biodegradable soap in the river.

It's raining right now as it does in the afternoons. the boys kicked my butt at War. I'm waiting to use the kitchen to cook dinner. If you have any exciting rice and bean recipes send them my way. The Internet is too slow to pull up websites. I can't post my pics until we get to the city--where I'll have hi-speed internet and cafe con leche. I have to admit the coffee is sooo good here.

SO the boys comments that I forgot to add to the other post:
Aaron, "fun, awesome, love it, especially swimming in the river, mango"
Ethan, "not so crazy about the bugs or the food--except for mango and empanadas are delicious, like the rain, fishing, swimming in the river, don't like working in the field; loves working with the machete."

June 14

Monday, June 14, 2010
Another sunny morning, as we prepare for a day for work. Dominique and I visited another community member, Jamie, who raises the animals. We were discussing the purchase of some meat. We spent some time with the animals and talking about her life on the farm. After we worked in the orchard planting taro roots. I liked this work much better than the hauling we did on Friday. The boys were assigned jobs at the house: 1. To paint signs in English and Spanish for around the house and 2. Using a Machete to split bamboo to make a duck fence with. Of course both of these jobs were perfect for them. Ethan was thrilled to be given a real machete to work with. He’s handled knives for a long time but never one so big.

The boys and Dominique went to the river as I fixed lunch. Lunch together was nice. After some writing, I made dinner. The boys are loving the freedom and taking on some responsibility.

So Laurel asked for the boys comments:
Aaron, "
Ethan, "

Tonight we mediated on the community platform--there were 9 of us. It's hard to get used to the dark so early-- 6pm and that's when the mosquitos come out.

One of the guys made mango ice cream and the kids and I played charades. I haven't laughed so hard in so long. Picture Aaron waddling around with his elbows bent like a chicken and sitting on each of us as he went by. You guessed maybe that he was a bee...

June 13

Sunday, June 13
I still awoke the next morning, Sunday, pretty early and did my yoga practice. No official work was to be done, but there were still so many things to do. I started to feel the effects of not communicating with people who know me. I took the boys and three local kids to the Rio Baru—the Baru River. It was beautiful about 80 degrees F and sunny. Clear crystal blue water with a sandy floor and some rocks spread about. The water was cool and the current was swift. The locals went up to the 30 foot bridge to jump in after checking the depth of the water below. Ethan decided he didn’t want to jump, but Aaron immediately chose to take the risk. Yes, I want the boys to take healthy risks, but I was feeling a bit concerned especially knowing how far away medical care is, which is a minimum of an hours walk up hill. We had no car and our ride wouldn’t be back for at least 2 hours. All went well jumping off the bridge and rocks and floating down the river. We had snacks and lots of fun with the tiny frogs that inhabited the place. This was the first time I saw a Morph butterfly on this trip.

We came back home to relax and have some lunch and watch the rain come down in buckets. Dinner was uneventful except for a needed conversation about how food was to be done while we stayed here. There were definitely some misunderstandings about how we would cook and share our meals. Feeling vulnerable, I spent some time in my room clearing my mind, crying and deciding what I wanted to do. Discussion was needed and continued the next day as well.

Tonight we called home to Cheney for the first time. As you all know, we don’t have internet right now so I won’t be able to post until Thursday.

June 12

Saturday, June 12
Awaking early once more and doing my yoga, I learned that Derek does a yoga practice in the morning as well. I needed to get us up and going because Saturday we were going on a field trip. Whole grain pancakes and fruit for breakfast and then we got a ride to the bus stop. The walk out of here is about a mile and a half uphill. We waited about 10 minutes for the bus and then made our way to Hacienda Baru, a 300 acre wild life refuge. The plan was to find animals and go on the zip lines.
Derek lent me the book, Monkeys are Made of Chocolate. The author, Jack Ewing, and his wife are caretakers at the refuge. I met him upon our arrival in the reception center. He signed the book that I purchased and told me his story. Jack also gave me another article to read about how he came to be in Costa Rica from the Quepolandia.

We had some time before the tour so the boys and I took the walking trail towards the Pacific Ocean. We saw many Pizotes, which are a cross between a raccoon and a pig. We saw leafcutter ants, army ants, and various butterflies. No other humans were on the trail. When we reached the beach, there were plenty of crabs running sideways. Ethan wanted to stab and eat some, but I reminded him that the animals on the property were protected.

The time came for the zip line tour. Seven people were in our group with two guides. I had fun speaking with the guides in my broken Spanish. After getting our gear on, we hiked for 45 minutes. On our hike, we saw some bats lined up in a tree, we saw two and three-toed sloths, lots of insects and butterflies as well as a golden orb spider, which is of the large variety. We ate termites, which they said tasted like peanut butter. It’s not true, but the taste was interesting and kind of good. We saw how natives used to close cuts with large soldier ants whose pincers easily cut through leaves and don’t released once they grasp onto something. Lizards were plentiful throughout. Variegated squirrels, hummingbirds and other flying animals abound.

When we finally made it to the zip lines, Ethan and Aaron were given the privilege of going first most of the time. The zip lines were fast and fun. They weren’t the biggest available, yet they were perfect for us. On the last one we went backwards and that added a whole new dimension. Afterwards, we had lunch in their restaurant. We hitched a ride with some tourists in their cab up to the next town to catch the bus. I spoke the best Spanish and negotiated with the driver, who wanted to make as much as he could off the gringos. In Domincal, we waited for the bus. Ethan offered to pay to take the cab all the way home, which would cost about $20 more than the bus. The driver was a pirate that kept changing his rate—no good.

The bus ride home was quick (by CR standards). I met two people on the bus who would later that night show up at Fuente Verde. On our walk back to the house (1.5 miles) a friend of the family we are with hitched a ride with a pick up truck. We piled in the back for about .5 mile and walked the rest of the way.

Preparation for a potluck was going on. Lots of awesome smells-baked bread, fruit, salads, pies, roast leg of lamb (from the farm). Friends came from all around. Everyone brought food, drink and their families. There were so many people here that I lost count. Every single person I met was friendly and open to deep conversation. No one here was a Tico. Most people were from the US, but some other countries were also represented. The conversation revolved around why we were all here in Costa Rica and what we were about. No one talked about what they did for a living, their education, money, or any other thing that might be part of conversation between new people. We listened to people playing guitar, sang songs, ate, talked and laughed. Kids ran around outside playing various forms of tag. It was the latest I stayed up so far. A new volunteer arrived from Canada today, her name is Dominique.

June 11

Friday, June 11
I woke up at 5:30 and did an abbreviated yoga practice. The sound of the frogs, crickets and howling monkeys would make it impossible for me to sleep in. I definitely like going to sleep early and waking early. Continuing the practice at home may be a challenge.

I decided to drink coffee while I’m here because it smells and tastes so good. I’ll still have a cup or two of tea as well. After breakfast for the boys, we dressed for farm work and headed into the fields. Our job today was to move cut debris from the ground around the new trees in the orchard to help collect water. The debris will breakdown in a matter of weeks or months. The trees we’re protecting and feeding are mango, avocado, banana, papaya, citrus, and others I don’t remember. We worked along side two volunteers from CA, Tyler and Brian and two others, Andy and Katy. All the volunteers are between 19 and 21 except for the boys and me-LOL.

Margim (pronounced mar heem), a tico who lives on the land, called us over to see a tree frog, the same one pictured in our lonely Planet—bright green with red eyes. Aaron worked for 15-30 minutes then spent some time looking for other critters. He made his way on his own back to the house. There he planted seeds in split bamboo trays.

Ethan and I worked along side Derek and the other volunteers for 4 hours total. We were sweaty, tired, hungry and dirtier than I’ve been in a long, long time. Temperatures were 85 degrees F with about 99% humidity. We ate lunch and then swam and washed in the river. I toured the property with Derek, my host. I love that everyone has time to chat and share about their experience even though there’s so much work to be done.

The house we are staying in can easily sleep 14 people. The downstairs where the kitchen and main living area is located is completely open doors and windows contain no glass, screen or wood. The rain falls as I cook with Tiffany, my hostess. Insects, birds, the dog move in and out. The bugs were difficult to get used to at first. Ants frequent the kitchen, bees and flies move through the fruit.

This week’s chore is sweeping for me; the boys are responsible for watering potted plants and seedlings. We are all responsible for washing our dishes after each meal. Meals are generally group projects. There’s no microwave or microwavable food. The boys were allowed to choose some foods they knew from the store, which are much more costly in CR than healthier non-processed choices. Pickles, hot dogs ketchup, chocolate sandwich cookies and root beer are what they chose.

After another wonderful meal, this time rice, bean and pico dile (a mixture of potato and squash) and some deep conversation and watching the boys go nuts around the house, I crashed early once more. I have slept more deeply here even with the noise of the frogs than I have in a long time. Some of the living things that have visited us are a scorpion, a very large caligo eurilochas sulanus (no nick name butterfly), scarlet-rumped tulanger, blue heron, a small tree frog in my bedroom, various hummingbirds, hawks and vultures,

June 10

Thursday, June 10
So it’s been 3 days since we landed. The boys were tired and scared when we arrived in San Jose. We had a female cab driver. She took us to MUSCO directly and we had great conversation. It was very crowded for 6 am. We made it through customs and immigration easily.

The bus ride to San Isidro was long and we mostly slept. I tried to call at our only stop and didn’t know how towork the phone. I needed to buy a card. Juan helped me. Finally called Tiffany. She was very surprised that we were here. She expected us in another week. Had lunch at a soda, the boys split a casado of chicken and rice. Tiff picked us up. We shopped at the open air market (yum) which had the biggest fruit and vegetables I’ve ever seen. Next we shopped at the super mercado . Went to cafe for Internet and café.

Arriving at the house, we were warm and sweaty and pretty tired.

We unpacked and learned the rules of the house and had a mini tour of the property. We didn’t have chores on our first day. It was a bit overwhelming all the large green leaves—banana trees, sugar cane and so much other foliage that blended all together. Everyone treated us like family. I have a double bed private room and the boys are in bunk beds that belong to Gabe the boy who lives in the house. We met some of the other volunteers who are young and gregarious and eager to share stories.

The boys played making paper airplanes, running around and a dip in the river that is 100 yds from the house was the most refreshing moment. We had a group dinner of pasta and salad. While talking outside with someone, a toucan flew by and landed in a nearby tree. I was told that they are considered a pest on some level because of their eating habits. The locals used to eat them like many of us each chickens (not me of course). The sun sets before six pm and by 8 we were ready to go to bed.

Denver Airport

So we made it out of SLC without a hitch. We walked around from terminal to terminal (there are only 3 terminals at the SLC airport). There was a slight delay, but with our layover in Denver, it was not a problem.

Now we're in the Denver Airport. The boys ate some KFC and Panda Express-neither were my choices. Aaron's is being digestionally challenged. It's all I'm going to say about it--please don't ask because I don't want to tell.

I'm holding out for Quiznos later. Aaron is waiting to use my computer so I don't want to take too long. It's taking way too long upload an airport image. The Denver Airport has A LOT of advertising on it's free WIFI, but at least it's free. We have 5 and a half hours left of our layover. I WILL SURVIVE!

I have to post without a pic because the internet here won't let me add a pic.

To the airport soon

I think I finally have every thing ready--the kids, who are so excited they can't sleep; the house; the dog; packing; plans; oh yeah and the passports. When I went to make copies, I realized I had taken the wrong 3 and had to go back to the bank and retrieve the right ones.

We packed fairly light with 2 large back packs and 3 small carry-ons. We have some gifts to share and lots of food to eat on the plane and in the airport.

We have a very long layover in Denver-8.5 hours. What to do? Any suggestions? We discussed heading into town, but I'm afraid we won't get back in time. We have electronics, food and the possibility of taking naps. I'm sure I'll have more time to post tomorrow.

Getting Ready

Ethan (11), Aaron (9) and I (ageless) are preparing for our 5-week adventure to Costa Rica.  We have researched, read books, emailed people we know, been to the doctor, and are beginning to pack.  We will be volunteering at a Permaculture Community (a place where everything in the environment works together to sustain the environment's original look, feel and elements).  I will do some teaching and farming.  The boys will collect coconuts, take care of animals and work the farm.  

The boys are also going to school some days, which is all in Spanish with a local boy, Gabriel.  There are 12 children at the school of varying ages.  And, approximately, 12 adults who live in the community year-round.  I don't know how many volunteers and locals will be there daily.

The boys favorite part is gathering the gadgets we may need in the rain forest and on the coast.  Knives seem to be their thrill of the moment.

So many decisions--immunizations, how to travel once there, what to pack in (packs or suitcase)... I was feeling excited and then the anxiousness set in.  This is the first time taking the boys out of the country.  We've traveled extensively through the states, and they are great travelers.

So I have wonderful friends who have hooked me up with some locals (called Ticos) in case we need some support.  I have to say I never worried this much when I have traveled alone.

Some of you may be wondering where in Costa Rica we are going.  Well it's a teeny town called Las Tumbas (between San Isidro and Dominical) and the farm is called Fuente Verde (Green Fountain or Spring).  They have a website if you want to check it out: http://fuenteverdecommunity.org/home

We will also be traveling to other places, Osa Mountain Village (just above the Osa Peninsula), Cascada Verde on Playa Uvita and where ever else we can get to.  I am looking for a place to hold yoga and meditation retreats in the future.  I'd love to go to Corcavdo National Park, Monteverde and Arsenal.  These are places I visited about 7 years ago when I went with Realms of Inquiry as a chaperone.

Some of you may be wondering about Cheney.  He is healing well and will hold down the fort and take care of Mitchy while we're gone.

I realize this is a long post and has no photos, but it's the beginning.

Te hablo luego.  I will talk to you later--probably after we arrive and if the internet is working.

J