Ally

I returned from visiting my husband in Costa Rica last Sat. but I've been too busy to write!

I arrived about 10:30pm on Fri. 2/11.
It was a long day of travel, with a 5 hour lay-over in Dallas, and I was so happy to see Rick waiting for me just outside the airport door, as I had my carryon, plus a huge crate of things he had requested....and a boogie board! I had the items sort of balanced on a cart, but the airport people don't like you taking the carts outside. Luckily, when they saw me waving at Rick, they let me go out to leave the stuff with him and bring the cart back.
I was SO happy to be in Costa Rica with my sweetie! We talked non-stop on the drive to Finca Que Ama, where we stayed for two nights before heading to the beach. The drive was uneventful, and seemed short with all the chatter, but it actually took us a little over an hour, I think. It was quite dark, but there was no one on the road, so did not feel hazardous.
Arrived at Neta's about midnight and was happy to finally meet her and gave her a big hug! She had someone take our bags and we were off to the room. Now comes the bad part. I must admit, I was 'feeling no pain' tipsy. I had wine on the plane and Rick had brought me some wine for the ride to the hotel. As I was running in my slip-on shoes trying to keep up with the man who had my bag, I fell out of my shoes, and into one of the path lights. Neta was screaming, "Ally! Oh Ally! Are you alright"? I just sat up and started laughing. What a great first impression, huh? I was not so much hurt as I was embarrased, not to mention feeling bad for distroying one of her path lights!
When I got to my room I took off my pants to inspect the damage, and it was a little worse than I thought. I had scraped up one chin fairly well, (even through my jeans!) and the ankle on my other leg was a little messed up as well. Neta took a look and insisted on going back up to her house to bring me something to put on the scrapes. She didn't ask if I had brought something myslef, she just took off for her house. What a sweetheart. I know she was tired and probably just wanted to go back to her own bed, but she was really concerned about her clumsy guest.
I don't know what it was that she gave me, but it did seem to take away the sting a bit.
By now it was going on 1:00am and it was time for lights out! Not that we went to sleep right away..hey! I had not seen my husband in weeks!

Ally

Part two:

I woke up to find myslef in a very lovely and spacious room, the 'Cafe' room in shades of what else, coffee and cream! And the bed was so comfortable too! Hard to find comfy beds sometimes but this one was! Rick was up and making coffee from the In-Room Service.
I proceeded to the porch as it had been too dark to see anything the night before, and WOW! What a view!! I sat on the private porch for about 30 minutes while Rick putzed on his computer, and just felt happy to be there! My shin and ankle were both stiff, but not so sore I had trouble walking, so I was grateful for that. After a while, Rick and I went up to the dinning area where the view was even more spactacular! It was VERY, VERY windy out, (Neta said it had never been that windy before!) so we could not really enjoy the outdoor dining this morning, but it was nice and cosy inside. We talked with Neta and Arbel while waiting for our architect, Olga, and her son Martin to meet us for breakfast. They were going to take us shopping for tile for our hotel today. Turns out she brought both her sons and a cousin with her and Rick made introductions all around. Olga speaks no English and I speak little Spanish, so I felt like a thrid wheel many times during the upcoming week, but she is a lovely lady and I really like her. Martin speaks English so when Olga has business with us, he comes along as a translator. Rick spent a couple years in Panama as a child, and his Spanish is getting better everyday, but even he needs Martin sometimes. He and Martin have become very good buddies the past few weeks and Martin sometimes calls him 'Uncle Rick'. Anyway, we all sat down with Neta and Arbel to a wonderful breakfast of pancakes and various fruit, and of course juices and more coffee and it was all delicious and plentyful. After lingering around that table for an hour or so, we finally got on our way back towards San Jose for the shopping.

Ally

Part three:
We followed Olga and her family first to the cousins house to drop her off, then to Olga's house so I could see where Rick spends so much time. They live in Puriscal (sp?), about 20 minutes from Finca Que Ama.
Finally, off we went in the direction of San Jose. I can't really tell you where the tile shop was exactly, but it was huge. We spent a couple hours there checking out every tile they had, and made some very nice selections. This past week, Rick returned to the shop and took pictures which he emailed to my brother and sister and they love them too, so our tile is now selected!
Anyway, by this time it's closing on 2:00 and Rick decides he wants to take me to a friends house who is having a party somewhere in the valley. After getting lost a couple times, we finally arrived about 3:00. I was introduced around to all and was promptly seated for some good gumbo and red beans with rice. Yummy! I was hungry! Unfortunately, I had been seated next to a rather obnoxious guy who had obviously been drinking the entire day and he was so loud! He was screamng questions at me even though I was sitting next to him! Rick was also getting tired of him, so he took me away to see the gardens. I have seen beautiful gardens in Costa Rica, but none like this! Beautiful flowers of many variety for about three acres! The guy who owns the house and property (very nice man named Steve Reily) told me he'd been planting and working on the garden for 8 years....believe me it showed! He told us that when we are ready we could come by and he would give us several cutting of plants that will do well in our area of Nosara! How great is that!
So, now it's getting close to 4:00 and we still have to make our way to Price Mart to pick up things for the beach rental house, and stop by Rick's Aunt's house to get his digital camera, so we beat feet.
By the time we got back on the road to the Finca, it was about 6:00. NOW we know why it's not a good idea to drive at night! The previous night it had been late and no one was on the roads, but this was Saturday evening and it seemed everyone was on the road. And when I say on the road, I mean 'in' the road. Couples, friends, entire families and dogs, etc, walking in the streets, in the dark! It was crazy! Rick and I were both relieved when we finally made it back to the finca without killing someone or ourselves. Oh, and there was also a large fire on one of the hills and at one spot it was burning right next to the road...just around the curve, a blind curve, was a firetruck blocking most of the road in both directions. Whew. Like I said, it was good to get 'home'. We met a honeymoon couple from Isreal and we all sat down to a wonderful dinner of Neta's "grandmother's chicken and 'no' she would not give us the recipe" LOL!) and some great little vegetable patties, plus cole slaw, and heart of palm salad and it was all great. I ate way too much, but hey, I'm supposed to be on vacation! Soon after, we went back to the room.

Ally

Part four:
Woke up to an absolutley beautiful morning! The wind had died down and we were able to sit on the outdoor deck for a wonderful breakfast of eggs, gallo pinto, cheese, fruit, toast....and what's that? A little container of tuna fish salad? Yep. Neta, it was kind of strange to be served that little bowl of tuna salad, but it sure was good! Just not used to it for breakfast! We sat around and chatted with Neta and Arbel and once again, she gave us very, very good advise about living and running a hotel in Costa Rica. Then it was time to leave. I had enjoyed my short time with my new friend so much and was sorry to go. I can't wait to take my sister one day and spend an afternoon or two at the pool. The only thing I can say that I was not expecting....was how CUTE Neta is ! No one has ever mentioned that!
So, off we go. We made very good time and in about 3-1/2 hours we were pulling up to our hotel site. I hardly recognized it! Last time I saw it , it was a jungle...now it's cleared and has a big bodega on it for the workers (15 of them!) to live, and the main hotel and a couple of the casitas have been staked out, and footings were being dug out, and rebar was being put together...and wow! I can't believe this is actually happening! I was teary eyed! After a tour, we drove to the house Rick had rented. The house is owned by a vet who, just by chance, lives near us in Austin and we had just met him a couple weeks before Rick left for Costa Rica. Small world! I was not prepared for the view from this house. Rick had said I 'would not believe it', and was he right! There, in front of me is the most awesome view I've just about ever seen. The house is right above the Nosara River and there are birds everywhere. The river flows into the ocean and you can see down the entire coast for miles. I was in absolute heaven. I spent more time on this porch than anywhere else on this trip. It was just so beautiful and relaxing I didn't want to leave! We relaxed on the deck the rest of the afternoon, just soaking up the view. That night, Rick put steaks on the grill, made a salad and baked potatoe. We ate out on the deck, with candlelight and the sound of the ocean below and again, I was in heaven.

Ally

Part five:
Day three. Wake up in our cozy room with a view and, what's this??!! My ankle is huge! Very swollen! Was it like that yesterday and I didn't notice? At least it still doesn't hurt...stiff, but not really painful, thank goodness! Rick made coffee and headed off for the site as it's now Monday and he wants to make sure all the workers are 'working'. Me? I just sat on that beautiful patio and took in the sights while having my coffee. I put on a new bathing suit and matching skirt I had bought for the trip. Rick absolutely hated my last bathing suit, and so did I. Since losing 15 lbs, I was able to find something cuter. I had told him the last night that I really thought he'd like my new suit, but he was reserving judgement until he saw.LOL! Well, he came back from the site and saw me on the patio in my new suit. He said, "That's a cute little outfit". I told him, "This is my new suit" and pulled up the skirt to show him the bikini bottoms and he said "excellent honey!" I was so happy!
So, then we head off to the beach. Him to surf, me to walk. I was really expecting it to be a lot hotter than it was. I've been to CR a few times at that this of year and it's always been very, very hot, but this time it was quite comfortable, IMO. I'm used to Texas heat, so it's all relative.
After a couple hours he comes in from surfing and we head to the site again with the camera. Took some pictures of the site to send home, then went to 'our' house.
It's noon by now, so Rick whips up a great salad..lettuce, tuna salad, tomato, cucumber, heart of palm and a little balsamic I had brought with me. We dine on the patio, of course. By now, my ankle is really, really big. Maybe it was the long walk? So as Rick heads back to the site for the third time that day, I grab a good book, and put my leg up with a bag of ice on top. This would be our routine for the remainder of my trip. Beach in the am, and ice on my ankle every afternoon. I didn't mind. I love to read, and I had an incredible view when ever I Iooked up from my book.
It's valentine's day! After a nap for Rick, we get 'dressed up', a sundress for me and shorts and Aloha shirt for him. He called La Dolce Vida and they had only one table left for the entire evening, but we had to go now!
No problem, off we went. Had a fabulous dinner. We shared a large salad, then he had Mahi-Mahi , I had a 'special' of penne pasta with ham, baby peas and mushrooms in a cream sauce. We also had a very good bottle of wine. I think the tab was about $80 with the tip.
I could not eat all my pasta. I had it wrapped up to go. I decided we would probably not eat the leftovers, (had so much food at the house) so I gave it to the parking attendant. He thought he was just holding it until I got in the truck, so Rick told him I was giving it to him. He broke out in a huge smile. It was a good moment for all of us.
Next, we headed down to Marlin Bills for a nightcap, so I could say 'hello' to my friend who works there. That is just about all I could say, as it was Valentine's night and they were busy too!
So, off to the house, put some soft music on the CD player, and well, you know.....

Ally

Part six:
The next couple days are the same as the last. Except for one thing. The monkeys!! Rick was working on his surf board one afternoon and asked me to boil some water so he could remove the old wax. I told him I'd put it on to boil and then was going to take a shower. Well, I'm in the shower and I hear him outside (there is a window in the bathroom) say, "No way! Alison!" Well, I thought I had somehow done something wrong because he rarely calls me Alison, it's usually "Ally". So I say, What, did I turn the wrong burner on the stove?" He says "NO! You're not going to believe this, but the monkeys are right here"! Okay, long story shorter, there is an 'umbrella' tree (don't know the actual name of the tree) about 6 feet from our patio chairs. Even with Rick working right there, a family of monkey's, dad, mom and the most precious baby I have ever seen, go right up that tree and start eating the fruit. Talk about up close and personal! Got some great pictures!
Later, he makes me an excellent meal of chicken and pasta in a peanut sauce (have you noticed he does all the cooking? He's an excellent cook and can make something great out of patio furniture) we listen to some music and talk a bit, then it's off to dream land.

Ally

Part seven:

On Wed., Olga and Martin come to Nosara and will be sharing our house with them. Rick had told Olga that they would not be able to stay with us as there is only one bedroom and I'm on vacation and would prefer my own space. "Nonsence" I say! "You call her and tell her they can stay here if they want to"! There are two full bathrooms in the house and a futon in the living room they could sleep on. If they wanted to do that, it was fine by me. They said great and thank-you!
Olga insist on doing all of the cooking and cleaning when she stays with Rick and this trip was no exception. I guess it's her way of making some kind of payment for letting her stay with him for free. As much as Rick loves to cook , he doesn't mind the break for a couple days. Besides dinner, I hardly see Olga at all. She was always running around buying construction materials, or at the site working.
This day Rick and I walk down to the little fishing cove near the rental house. It's not a nice place for swimming, too many rocks, but Rick had found a little sand grotto along the cliff that was so nice. It was great fun to watch all the fisherman catching fish and birds trying to get the fish! Quite funny.
There are dozens of huge plumeria trees on the walk to the beach and hanging over the beach. As we sit there, the seeds are falling from the trees and Rick is collecting them. He has taken soda cans and cut them in half and has planted about 30 seeds in them already. With our hotel being named "Plumerias al lado Del Mar", we certainly want a lot of Plumerias on the property and now we'll have them! I know that Rick will be succesful with the planings, because he planted a bunch at our house in Austin and now we have about 2 dozen trees!
That afternoon, same routine....nap for Rick, book reading and ice for my foot. The swelling is now not just on the ankle, but on top of my foot too, all the way to the toes! Still, it does not hurt. Very strange.
Had a nice dinner with Olga and Martin then we all sit out on the patio and watch the movie "Shark Tale" on Martin's computer. It's in English, but has Spanish subtitles for Olga. We all enoy it then off to bed.

Ally

Part seven:

It's already Thursday and I have to leave Saturday! So sad!
What to do today?? Oh yeah, the beach, the site, the patio, the book and the ice.
We also took a trip to Garza to see a local artist about making a sign for the hotel and making some plumeria tiles for us, and maybe a mural or two at the hotel. Rick had met this artist and his wife (Fernando and Celise) on a previous trip. He had stayed for dinner with them on that trip and Celise had sent Rick home with a small container of cheviche. On this visit, he returned her container and also gave her a bag full of tupperware that he had brought from our home in Austin. We have so much of it, so decided to share. She was very happy to have it! We had a nice visit and since then Rick has been back to see him and did hire him to paint out sign and do some tile work.
Cool.
This evening was the beginning of the end of my good vacation.
The gardner came this afternoon. He raked the sand/gravel in front of the patio, and apparently, stirred up the sand fleas! We all got bit that night but while everyone else was fine, I found out I'm allergic to those little buggers. I woke up the next morning with dozens and dozens of big itchy bumps all over me! They were discusting! And while they didn't bother me TOO much during the day, (besides looking really, really ugly) it was almost impossible to sleep at night! Oh, and yes, I had on my "Off" with deet but that didn't stop the buggers from biting. I have since been told that nothing but "Cutters" cream will work so I'll try that next time. But really, in my 15 or so trips to Costa Rica, this has never happened before! Oh well.
Olga and Martin decide to leave today so Rick and I could have one last night alone together, how sweet!

Ally

Part eight:
This is turing out to not be a 'short' report, but I'm almost done.
It's my last day in Nosara for this trip.
The first thing on the agenda was to go to the site and give all the workers a present, of sorts. Rick had taken a huge case of old clothes with him. Yesterday afternoon, we divided them into seven piles ( the number of workers we have on site this week) so that everyone got a couple pair of pants, either jeans or nicer pants or both, some dress shirts and tee-shirts, even silk underware! Don't know what they thought of that! Anyway, Rick has had this stuff with him for weeks but wanted me to be there when he gave them out, for some reason.
So, we asked the supervisor to bring the workers down from the hill and with Martin's translations, told them that instead of giving them to a charity in the US, he wanted them to have them. Smiles all around! It was great and I think Rick made them happy!
After that, we went to the beach for awhile, then back to the house to plant plumeria seeds and just lay around. That night we had another steak on the grill, as it was Friday, and we always have steak on Friday nights. The meal was lovely...although I didn't want to eat on the patio this time, I did, with even more deet on!! I was swimming in the stuff and I think I still got a couple more bites. But with the number I already had, I couldn't say for sure!
The next morning I was sad to pack up and leave, but we had a long drive and we were going to take Rick's Aunt to lunch before my 3:00 flight, so we were out of the house by 6:15. Made good time to his Aunts. We were there by about 10:45.
Well, she took one look and my arms and legs with all those pussy bites and had a fit. She insisted we go to the pharmacy before lunch, and quite frankly I was ready for some relief! We got some cortisone cream and pills. I didn't want to take the cortizone pills, as I've never taken them before and I'm on other meds for high blood pressure, but she insisted. She is one pushy lady. Even the pharmacist suggested that I take Allegra, or something else, but Aunt just said "NO! I asked for cortizone pills and that's what I want!". So that's what she got. I was hoping she'd forget about them, but right after our lunch, she told me to take them, so I did. I finally weaned myself off of them a couple days ago. I must say though, that it did help the bites, and it really helped the swelling of my foot too!
So we're off to the airport. I'm sad because Rick can't come in with me. Something had happened to the window of his truck (maybe the bad roads at the beach?) and the window no longer worked. It was stuck in the down position. Since he had his bags with him, he couldn't leave the truck. So we had to kiss at the curb. I miss him already of course, but talk to him 2-3 times a week, and keep in touch with email.

I am now convinced I have some nerve damage in my foot. My sister broke her ankle just about a year ago, and when I decribed how my foot feels, she says hers feels the same way. But, while hers is permanent, were hoping at least some of mine is temporary. I've not been able to go the Dr. as I've been working 11 hour days since I got home, but hope to be able to see a Dr. next week.

Well, that's the end of my report. Hope you enjoyed it. If anyone wants to see pictures, email me at [email protected] and I'll send them to you on Monday.

shillmac

Hi Ally, what a great detailed report! I'm glad you are home safely and so sorry about your fall. I hope the ankle and foot are feeling better by now. I can imagine Neta worrying about you! Yes, she is cute as can be.

Your description of your lazy, relaxing days sounded so wonderful I swear I was right there with you feeling the breeze, seeing the view!

I am glad everything is coming along nicely with the building and planning. Olga sounds like a gem. I'm glad you found her--or I'm glad Neta helped you find her!

Still looking forward to spending time at Plumeria--can't wait to see "Rick's trees"! I know it will be just wonderful. Thanks again for sharing your visit to Costa Rica! I am glad to know Rick is well and getting so much accomplished. Your gifts sounded like a wonderful idea, and I am sure the Ticos are happy to be working for such a nice and generous couple. I look forward to meeting you both someday!

Ally

Thanks Shilmac! Send me an email if you want to see pictures of that fabulous view and why I didn't mind staying around the house! Also have pictures of the monkeys, up close and personal, etc!

lvk

Hi Ally,

Great report. Thanks for the update on the progress of your hotel. Very enjoyable! I hope your foot is feeling better.

The thing that struck us about Neta, (besides the "cuteness&quot was the energy that seems to emanate from her. How great that she is sharing her experiences and her architect with you. A whole different kind of internet "match-making"

I just found out that a neighbor of mine here in CA is building a few houses in Nosara, so she may be a neighbor of sorts of yours in CR. Now we'll have two reasons to visit .

Ally

Yippee Ivk!
we'd love to meet you and our 'new neighbor'!