Return to Paradise

My friends Fred and Brigitte own one of the most beautiful houses in Esterillos.  In 2007 I  house sat this house for the month of April and then again mid June until the end of October of that year.   This was one of the most magical times of my life.  I was fairly new to Costa Rica and within one year of my having landed in Esterillos Oeste for my first time ever - there I was living in the most beautiful home of my life.  It was like a dream.

This week I have the privilege of being here again.  Next Saturday the family who will be here until October arrives from Seattle - or maybe it is Hawaii - can't remember.  Until then - she is all mine.

I moved in yesterday morning.  It was like coming back to a place so familiar - full of wonderful memories - home......

Mamados is the reason I am here.  She is the dog of the house.  A tico dog that found her way up this hill about 6 years ago.  She was smart enough to find Fred and Brigitte and won their love.  I met her my first month here in Esterillos back in Sept. 2006.  I have loved her since the day I met her.  I understand her and she trusts me.   We are bonded.

This morning I woke up in the super size king size bed.  Before the sun came up, I was aware of tropical birds of all sorts crying out to meet the new day.   Mamados was lying on her bed just below me.  I was aware of being happy before I even opened my eyes to see the sun rays coming in the open windows.  First thing I did was go down stairs, open all the doors, check the pool for frogs, crabs, anything that may have fallen in the pool.  Thank goodness - nothing.  Stripped and dove in......

As I said, the main reason I am here is Mamados.  She needs to be walked and that is my priority and so within the hour of getting up - off for the beach we headed.  This hill is the place I lived for 4 years before moving into the house I now live in.   As I was heading down the hill I realized this was the reason I used to be in such good shape.  A shape I have somewhat lost this past year........Something to work on.  A routine I had for 4 years, now somewhat altered because I now live in a different place - something else to work on.

The photos are of the house itself, the bedroom I sleep in, the views of the surrounding area including the jungle, mountains and ocean.  The walk is past my former cabina and the hill that kept me in shape, the beach, monkeys which I did see but did not take a photo of and of course my Mamados.

Pura Vida in My Paradise

Mangos, Mangos and.....More Mangos

May and June are mango season in Esterillos.  There are more trees than any one can count and as a result, mangos are everywhere.  There are in the streets, they are on the few sidewalks we have, they are in everyone's freezer and frig.  So many mangos it is impossible to keep up with all of them and as a result there is this smell.....not offensive, and not overpowering, but a smell - the slightly intoxicating fermented smell of fallen mangos.  

A few days ago I was visiting Kate and Dave when a bombshell hit the roof - actually it was a mango.  They have several large trees in their yard and this time of year they are under siege.  I personally love this.  I can go to their house at any time - walk around the yard and find a fresh fallen mango.  Most of the time it is split from the fall, but just wash off the dirt and a few bugs - nothing better than a perfect ripen mango.

Here's some internet info about the history of mangos and health benefits:

The mango originated in Southeast Asia where it has been grown for over 4,000 years. Over the years mango groves have spread to many parts of the tropical and sub-tropical world, where the climate allows the mango to grow best. Mango trees are evergreens that will grow to 60 feet tall. The mango tree will fruit 4 to 6 years after planting. Mango trees require hot, dry periods to set and produce a good crop. Most of the mangos sold in the United States are imported from Mexico, Haiti, the Caribbean and South America. Today there are over 1,000 different varieties of mangos throughout the world.

We all know the importance of fiber in our diets. If you are eating your mango-a-day, irregularity is not a problem for you and so we'll spare the gruesome details regarding constipation, piles and spastic colon. Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against degenerative diseases, especially with regards to the heart; may help prevent certain types of cancer, as well as lowering blood cholesterol levels. An average sized mango can contain up to 40% of your daily fiber requirement. For those of you who are physically active, whether working out or constantly on the go, mangos are also a great way to replenish that lost potassium. Deliciously rich in anti-oxidants, potassium and fiber - the mango is the perfect fruit! Truly 'the king of fruit'.

Once upon a time in Paradise...there lived a Fairy

How often do we have moments in time which are so out of context with the rest of our lives that when you look back on it - it seems like a dream.......  One such moment happened to me last year - Mardi Gras 2010 right here in Esterillos Oeste, CR.

The previous year was EO's first ever Mardi Gras thanks to Mike and Martha Overton.  They are from Galveston and every year participated in that city's annual event. Because they had participated in Galveston's festival for so many years, Mike was the one who actually decided Esterillos should also celebrate this wild, crazy day.

Mardi Gras 2009 in EO was funky but a ton of fun.  It was mostly local gringos who participated by dressing up, balloons and streamers on cars, face paintings, music, fun.  Pretty simple but made for a very fun day.

When 2010 arrived everyone was looking forward to that year's Mardi Gras.  We were on it and weeks before, the preparations began.  Brigitte took on the task of organizing a group of us girls to make flowing decorations that would sit on top of 25 foot poles.  Assignments were made for food, music, face painting.  The war between who would have the best float was on.  The mayor of our district was invited along with a marching band, and a biker club from San Jose.

The previous year I had planned to ride a horse in the parade.  I had made arrangements with a local tico who owned the horses right below where I lived.  On the big day, when the time came to go get my horse, it was not at the stables.  The man who told me it would be ready totally let me down - the horse was still in a pasture.  I tried to get another horse and was told it would be down at the face painting booth 30 minutes before the parade at 1 pm started.  15 minutes till one......no horse.  I was upset.  As I left the concession booths and walked down the dirt road to the start of the parade, I was really upset.  There was only 8 vehicles at the most all lined up ready to go.  Just as I got to the end, two guys happened to be riding by on their horses when I asked them to join us.  They were young tico brothers who looked liked they had just landed in some Twilight Zone episode but once Brett explained what was going on and as I put beads on them and their horses - they were in.  As I finished getting the second guy ready I just asked if I could ride on the back with him.  Me standing there in my glitter covered cowboy hat, a wild colorful top and a pink tutu, black fishnet stockings with a hot pink boa - young Hymee stared at me like a deer in the headlights.

And that is how I ended up riding on a beautiful horse with my young cowboy Hymee - Mardi Gras, Esterillos Oeste style - 2009.

So.......2010.  This year I really wanted to be prepared.  About 2 weeks before I asked Vago if he could take me to the ranch the two brothers worked.  Vago's brother in law Roger knew the guys and he went with us also to ask permission.  Both brothers were there and arrangements were made for one of them to bring me a horse on the day of the event.  I thought it would be the older brother since that was who Roger spoke to but to my surprise - on Mardi Gras day,  it was Hymee, my dream cowboy from the previous year and with him was a beautiful grey gelding.  The horse was magnificent!

Mardi Gras that year was an over the top success.  After the parade and before Hymee needed to leave to get the horses back home, I asked my friend Sharon if she would take some photos of us on the beach.  Sharon is a professional photographer and was happy to do so.

The photos totally captured the moment.  Time stood still for a girl still young at heart to race down a beach with her handsome cowboy while wearing a fairy costume with her horse and the wings flying.

Life occasionally just hands you a gift that is so unexpected - so unbelievable - that when you reflect back on that time - you smile and give thanks for the magic of it all.

Thank you my friend Sharon for capturing this moment - it was truly one of my finest!

Pura Vida

E...P...I...C......Surf Day

Since early last week all the talk was about the biggest swell of the year hitting this past Monday.  It did, but it was a mess here in Esterillos.  So.....early yesterday morning - 6 am - 10 of us headed out for Corallilo - an hour up the coast - a left point break - one of my most favorite places.  I so love a surf trip and its been awhile.

Me, Brett, Kealy, Desirae, Aaron, Sean, Zack, Chris, Janna and Lisa were all on board hoping for an awesome day.  We got just that and way more - a double over head plus day!

By 7:30 am we had all the boards in one boat with me and Brett, everyone else in the other.   Our expectations were high.  When we got there - we simply could not believe how big it was.  At first no one said a word, then Kealy yelled for his board and it was on.

Kealy, Aaron, Sean and Chris were our pro surfers.  One after another breathtaking waves.  Brett and Janna stayed further in, Zack and I were right there in the thick of it - but did our best to just stay out of the way.  Lisa and Desirae stayed on the boat enjoying the cold beer.

Thank God to Desirae for coming and taking the amazing photos.  I took the ones at the beginning and end of the trip but it was she who sat in the rocking boat, watching and capturing as many great waves as she could.  We are all so grateful for her diligence!!!

Since this is my blog I just want to say this - this was the single most exciting day of surfing I have been in the presence of.  This may not be epic to some of you, but to me.....this absolutely was.  At one point I made the decision to head in closer to shore just to catch a wave.  I did manage to get up for a second and then the wave caught me.  I got slammed!  Tried one more time...slammed again.  By that time I was so far in, the paddle back out was long.  That was when I decided I would rather sit in the midst of huge waves and watch the action rather than surf smaller waves on the inside.  I am so grateful for that decision.  I can't tell you how thrilling and exciting it was to see a wall of water about 2 stories high coming straight at you, being terrified and then managing to get over the top just before the lip hit you.

Pura Vida at its' finest!