Costa Rica Good News Report
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Kevin's Corner. .
Sharing good-news stories, adventures & poems about Costa Rica & the Pura Vida Lifestyle every day!
Life in Costa Rica is full of surprises, and sometimes the most unexpected visitors arrive! Over the past two weeks, our home and garden were graced by some new, curious guests. We first noticed them hanging out near our front gate a few weeks ago. They seemed quite vocal, but whenever we approached, they'd scatter, only to reappear shortly after, as if planning their next move. It was clear they had taken a liking to our little slice of paradise and were coordinating a way to make it theirs.
Early one recent weekend, their leader, a big, confident male with a striking appearance, decided to lead his crew—a group of five females—right onto our property. And just like that, they claimed it as their own! No fear, no hesitation, just a bold takeover of our yard, flower beds, and the cozy, shaded spots between our fruit trees and gardens. Even the paved driveway became their favorite sunbathing spot, and although they’d move if we drove by, they did so with great reluctance, clearly enjoying the warmth.
At first, they kept their distance from the patio, allowing us to enjoy our meals and conversations in peace. But within days, their curiosity got the better of them. Slowly but surely, they approached, each time getting a little closer until, one day, they crossed the line and strolled right up to us! Talking to them didn’t help, and even waving our arms or raising our voices only caused a brief retreat. Before long, they returned, their chatter filling the air, and soon they began asking for food. Bread, and especially toast with butter, seemed to satisfy them, quieting their enthusiastic requests, at least for a little while. Interestingly, they haven’t caused any harm to our property—in fact, they might be doing us a favor! Their constant scratching under fallen leaves, grass clippings, and berry bushes is likely helping clear away pests we’d normally have to manage with chemicals. Nature always finds a balance.
Now, we're faced with a bit of a dilemma. Should we gently shoo them away, build a cozy coop for them to stay, or—though it’s hard to even consider—invite them into the kitchen for a special meal? The idea of roasted chicken might tempt some, but for now, we’re content letting these feathered friends roam freely, bringing a little extra Pura Vida spirit to our home. Costa Rica, after all, is a land where nature and life blend seamlessly!
Today's Story!
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Be sure to check out the many reasons why
Kevin fell in love with Costa Rica
over 30 years ago. . see below!
The Many Reasons Why Kevin LOVES Costa Rica. .
We Love Outdoor Activities. . Especially Enjoying the Ocean Close By. .
We remember the morning that we all chartered a boat to go deep-sea fishing. . cold beer, a quiet sea, good company and a fair bit of fishing success. . and the best tuna we ever ate. Our friend, Johnny caught the first fish. . perhaps 12-14 lbs. Definitely fresh, as this fish was only minutes out of the water. The boat owner, Carlos, suggested a snack. Fresh tuna. . thinly sliced, fresh limes (actually a local sour orange as I found out later), fresh baked bread and all washed down by the best beer in the country. . Imperial Silver. This is just one moment of many that spoiled us! 30+ years and we still feel the magic!
The Ticos are Amazing. . So Warm & Friendly. .
Still a fairly young man when I first came to Costa Rica, I was about to change a tire that had decided to go flat. No sooner than getting the trunk opened did I receive some uninvited, but certainly-welcomed assistance. Apparently, they were bound to assist this obvious “old” gringo. They pulled in behind my car, we shook hands and they took over. In 5 minutes, the new tire was installed, the old, flat tire was placed in trunk, and again, we shook hands ready to depart. Payment was offered and was refused. . part of this Pura Vida Lifestyle that is so prevalent. Ultimately, my newly-found friends did accept a six-pack of Imperial Silver beer for their efforts. Perhaps there is a silver lining to getting this grey color in my hair.
A Beautiful Creature Has Captured Our Hearts. .
Cats vs. dogs! Here in Costa Rica, dogs are considered “good" and cats considered as marginally “fair." Dogs protect their owner’s property/territory while cats protect only their own butts. Our case is the total opposite. A stray cat decided to adopt us after walking into our living room from the backyard. After a long and extensive walk-through of the upstairs and downstairs, the garage and the three bathrooms, he decided that HE would let US share HIS new home. Oce (Ah-see), as he is now called, as he resembles an ocelot out in the wilds. . appears to be quite happy over the past 3 years with his new family. Happy. . as long as he gets his share of attention. His dry food is on hand for him 24/7 and his prime, raw liver is made available morning, noon and night. This cat has indeed become the protector of his new home and its owners. No dog dares to step foot on the property and if one does, it is quickly confronted with an option. . fight or flight. . and Oce likes to fight. When any of our neighbors appear on the scene, Oce disappears only to be found minutes later stalking the newly-arrived humans from some hidden spot. He never takes his eyes off our guests. When our friends do finally leave, he does sort of a victory march all around the house, as if trying to tell us that he got rid of them for us! We're so glad he adopted us a few years back!
The Beautiful Backyard that We Have Created. .
We have been living in the same area for many years now. We are within walking distance to our 'downtown' area. Santa Ana is a small town just west of Escazu, right outside of San Jose. We're close to the bank, grocery stores, post office, the mall. . a very convenient location. We love nature, bright and colorful flowers and birds. We have created a very nice garden right off of our back porch. We especially love to go out there in the morning hours and right at dusk to watch the hummingbirds. We have planted specific plants and flowers that attract certain species of birds, so it's like a jungle out there! Waking up and preparing coffee in the morning and heading towards our little paradise in the backyard is what we do. This is indeed our 'own little slice of paradise!' I almost forgot to tell you that we have counted at least ten different species of butterflies hanging around as well!
We're Always Amazed by Our Surroundings. .
We love living in Costa Rica because of its breathtaking natural beauty and welcoming community. We are both totally enchanted by the vibrant rainforests, stunning beaches and majestic volcanoes that surround us. We have before us endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. The laid-back, Pura Vida lifestyle perfectly aligns with our desire for a balanced, joyful life. We cherish the warm and friendly locals, who have made us feel at home since Day One. Moreover, the delicious local cuisine and fresh, tropical fruits add to our daily delight. Simply put, Costa Rica is a paradise where we can thrive and where we continue to create unforgettable memories. We invite all of you to find out for yourselves what we have been experiencing for well over 30 years!
Day Trips are One of Our Most Favorite Things to Do. .
Most any morning is a good time to go directly from our backyard garden to our garage. We both have a couple cups of coffees 'para llevar' (to go) and a full tank of gas. Sometimes, we'll start driving east! Another day, we'll head west! And some days, we get a little crazy and we go around in circles! Wherever we end up, we'll stop for lunch, do a little sightseeing and take our time returning home. The entire trip takes about three to five hours and we have a chance to see the REAL Costa Rica. Doesn't cost much and we're ready for another trip a few days later. Wow, doesn't take much to satisfy our Pura Vida Lifestyle needs here in Costa Rica!
Our Neighbors Look Out for US & We Look Out for Them. .
A few days ago, I woke up not feeling too well. I had the sniffles and my cough kept me up all night! I stayed in bed. . I prepared some soft-boiled eggs, dry toast and freshly-squeezed orange juice for myself to settle my stomach. I was feeling a little better after eating. I stepped outside with a cup of fresh coffee to soak up the morning in our tropical flower garden. Our neighbor, Maria stopped by to say, "HOLA!" Maria was in her early 80's, but had the attitude of a 21 year old! I poured her a cup and we talked for a while. She was concerned my ailment. About 3 hours passed and we hear a knock on our front door. Maria stopped by with some freshly-prepared chicken soup and a few pieces of homemade bread! It smelled sooo good! This is how we roll in Costa Rica. The kind hearts and Pura Vida attitudes run rampant here. THIS is one of the many reasons why we LOVE Costa Rica! (By the way, I know that chicken soup was FRESH! I counted seven chickens running around in her yard the day before and after lunch, I only counted SIX!)
Habanero & Jalapeño & Poblano. . OH MY!
We are passionate gardeners who spend countless hours tending to our vibrant garden. Among our prized plants are over six varieties of hot peppers, each one adding a unique burst of flavor and heat. We especially enjoy sharing the fruits of our labor with our neighbors, spreading joy and spice throughout the community. I take great pride in preparing homemade hot sauce, a fiery concoction that has become a neighborhood favorite. Our garden not only brings us happiness but also fosters a sense of togetherness. Everyone signs a waiver prior to handing over my hot sauce to them. . JUST kidding! But, it does have a KICK to it!
There's MORE Reasons Why They LOVE Costa Rica
Click HERE for Page 2!
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