Tropical dreams in Costa Rica

 When most people think about Tropical they think about lush surroundings and nature. When I think of tropical landscape,I let it speak to me. I immediately imagine it the way it should look, a gift I would say, to be able to visualize something and then actually make it come to life. Conceptualizing, and creating the very thing you imagine in your mind. I ADORE TROPICAL LANDSCAPE, and it loves me. I have helped so many people transform ugly to fabulous. There was one situation where it seemed nearly impossible to create what my client wanted. First let me paint the picture for you. 

It was a five tear five level garden landscape we were working on. The owners were building a wall of Babylon is what I referred it to be! And the challenges in making it work on every level was not that easy. BUT BY GOD I DID IT!  We were finishing up and I was asked to try to find a solution to create a privacy area on level four. Kinda hard you up high and anyone from below and see the different elevations. I came up with a living wall. I first had teak posts made, beautiful hand crafted, I had a vision about the toppers I asked the artistsan to create onions in wood, and I screwed those into the posts. Then we  cemented the three posts in a semi circle then I added, screening to it and planted two types of climbing flowering vine. I fertilized the hell out of it, and with in a month or two it was completely covered and added privacy to that gorgeous outdoor dinning and viewing area. Just Fabulous!

The effect it had was incredible, and solved the problem of privacy with out large structure, or big invasive roots to uproot the pretty stone tiles.

Creating gardens and landscape and interiors during Covid was the best in Costa Rica. I got to enjoy the outdoors, use my creative powers to help others be happy. Leaving beauty behind where ever I was working. 

There was one we did where the client was so kind to us, there was three of us, me and two helpers, we cleaned up hat I call a very neglected small outdoor living space. It took us three days but during those three days they fed us and grave us libations, and were super grateful for the joy I created in there lovely home.

It was like a collages ,that I envision under a beautiful plumeria tree, we installed sod and soil, and even built a cool path way. The owner helped and made really nice wooden dividers. Simple but pretty..

Gardens are amazing they add life to a dead space, they bring color, and energy that helps man and nature.

           Learning about life is to study a garden, everything needs water to exist, sunlight and food.

                                             I would think love too, with out love everything withers.

Costa Rica, Landscaping, and pools we did through Covid

 A year of so back, Covid was ruining the lives of just about everyone. Although many people were not working, where home bound and bored, my business of landscaping and interior was going wild in Costa Rica. The living situation where I was in Esterillos Costa Rica was under new management and they were not going to renew my lease as they were changing from permanent residency to now AIRBNB. 

Covid was a life changer for me, I was creating more and more gorgeous spaces for people than ever. I know for a fact it was because people were scared, and felt they were stranded in there homes and wanted to make it a lovely environment. So we had many calls and many jobs one right after another. It was amazing how much I created with the tiny crew I had. So many places that I took from just raw dirt with absolutely nothing to paradise. Over and over we created the visions that came to me as I would estimate what it would take to transform each place.

We had some clients that were super nice and kind and others who were difficult to work with and tried to bargain on pricing. I work very hard in the heat and our price were reasonable and fair. But you always have people who just aren't happy unless they feel they are getting a better deal. Usually I found its the one with the most money that treated us this way.

Some how ideas pop in my head no matter where it is and I transform areas that were nothing to magical locations.

Covid over a year still in Costa Rica 2021

 

A lot has happen in over a year here. We've had many restrictions from fully closing beaches and parks to reopening only certain hours, and driving restrictions that are in my opinion stupid. Restricting plate numbers on certain days, only can be on the roads from 5 A.M - 9 P.M.

We've had borders open to air with health passes and insurance required, and wearing masks every damn where! Taking your temp in every store is automatic, machines that actually dispense gel and take your temp it only gives you the gel if your normal.Bars and casinos closed to reopen to only 50% Restaurants 50%,. To now Beaches back open and parks.

Tourists attractions are open too, but not many tourists its rainy season, and now you have to provide a vaccine card to enter if not the buy the Covid Insurance for the time you are here. With Land borders reopened and same requirements. 

I had to finally do a border run I am not a citizen, although living in Central America for many years , border runs are crazy now. Extremely stressful, with so many documents to prove you are healthy, airline tickets to show you are leaving at appropriate time.

Talk about a basket of stress! My god I was like really is this worth it any more? Rents going up,real estate sky rocketing, people moving here buying up properties and hotels, changing the economy but I'm  not sure for the good. 

It really is terrible that I have not blogged more in this time but its been a bit boring  only doing a few things with friends and mostly hustling to make it. I have not doing anything really too exciting traveled  during Covid to USA and Back and Went on a border run to during Covid inpouring rain.

STAY AT HOME CUDATE EN CASA

I'm sure there's thousands of bloggers if not millions, out there giving their version of this world disaster. I can't even call it anything other than that! It's a disaster, it's a war of germs! And what better place to be, then in a tropical environment with lots of nature, clean Air, lots of sunshine and the sounds of birds singing? Where would that be? Costa Rica!

I returned back to Costa Rica, over a year and a half ago. Since my return things have been peaceful, and profitable, renewed old friendships, and I've made lots of brand new friends. This has been a very good thing, and I recommend as a gypsy on a shoe string, This is a great place to wait out this disaster.

Now I live off of a small pension, and try to get side jobs just so I can exist. Not hard here for me at all, in fact there's no way that I could live the way I live, in USA or any other country, the way that I do live here.

So much is going on in the last year and a half it would take me 10 1520 blogs, to get you up to speed as to what has happened to me since I've been There back it's something else honestly. 

Instead of catching up, I'm going to write about how I feel, in this disaster. I don't think in all my years I've ever experienced anything such as this. I won't say that I haven't been through some crazy shit in my life, but I will say, that all of those life experiences that I've gone through, Has helped me to be wise, and calm, and realize that worry is a useless waste of time. That prevention goes farther then trying to fix something after the fact. A lot of us know that right? So from the beginning of me hearing about all of this a number of things went through my head. For example immediately I thought it was invented, control population, prove a point of power, By that I mean now able to control people in a way they never have been able to control. But we all realize it's for our own good, telling us to stay home. Quidate en casa, then I felt disgust, That's such a germ could contaminate the whole world, pretty much devastating the majority of the population.

So what do I do? Call family I talk to them about things, then I realized that I live in a pretty close circuit community, with a mix of different nationalities, and I started talking to them. Right away I knew, that staying away was probably the safest for me.  Now during the past 4.5 months I really realize my choice to stay is the best thing could've ever done.

These past four months, I've been busy creating gardens and landscape, for about six different people. It's been hard not easy work, considering the heat and the torrential rains, but at least I was occupied and made a little cash to pay my food my lights my Internet and cable. The government here has been very strict everywhere you go, is a sink installed in front of businesses or banks or stores, requiring you to wash your hands before you enter. And then it went to demanding us to wear masks and shields, and then it went to taking your temperature and disinfecting your feet before you enter any business or bank or store. Driving restrictions, certain plate numbers Can drive on certain days, and then we went into an orange alert. Orange alert meant driving restrictions, curfews, closed bars discotheques casinos hotels theaters salons, anything that really isn't a necessity as far as they're concerned. And then it went to open them back up, and then close them back down. There's so Many businesses that are closed completely.

Even with all of that, the people remain calm, peaceful, and are trying to obey what the government is ordering all of us to do. A pandemic such as this, I don't believe has ever been experienced in this country. The people are mindful, gentle humble, and are worried about the tourism, That comes from United States. United States happens to be, the biggest source of tourism for this country, millions of dollars comes through that airport, and supports a major portion of this country. With all of the riots, and violence, number of cases, that exists United States at this point, they have decided not to open the borders to USA. That's a huge decision, economically, and physically for the people that live here.

I won't lie I've had my moments of craziness, where I felt like I never see my grandkids or my children again, because me leaving here, would prevent me from returning back to the country. Because I am a resident of USA. So once I leave I can't return. So I'm kind of in limbo, I don't really wanna leave, but I want to see my children and grandchildren. If I had residency in Costa Rica, I could leave, and return. But for some reason I don't qualify for any of the possibilities of residency. I could be a pensionada, but that requires a specific amount of income, and unfortunately mine fell short just a very little bit. I've come to terms with staying, The hopes that the US Embassy allows us somehow to get our passports stamped so that we can remain here. Otherwise who knows what's in store for us. Those of us that live here and have lived here a long time, without residency. Everyone knows this isn't a rich country, it's not glamorous, Known for its nature and wildlife, beautiful beaches, waterfalls and scenic surroundings. The weather! Even though in rainy season, it rains a lot it's still very beautiful and warm, in fact it's more beautiful than it's ever been. Every day I look out my porch, a balcony that overlooks the jungle,With monkeys, lots of birds, Falcons ,parrots, And many other animals. I'm so grateful that I'm in a place that I feel safe, and healthy, and happy to awake every morning! It's a double edge sword, right now very boring we can't go anywhere or do anything, beach is only open from 5:30 in the morning to 9:30 in the morning.Beaches are Patrolled by the police. If you drive on a day you're not supposed to, you're pulled over and your license plates are removed, and you receive a fine. It takes 60 days to get your plates back, so I guess you won't make that mistake again!

In my next blog, I'll post photos of the gardens that I created from beginning to the end, some really pretty some big some  little, All the same very beautiful. I hope you're all making it through this I hope I have some Readers left! Plan on continuing writing, whether you agree with my style or not. It's my choice to blog what I feel and what I see and what I experience. It's now mid July, and who knows how long these borders are going to be closed. I don't believe the country can take much more, the collapse is on the edge.

Navidad en Colombia Part 2 Christmas in Colombia part 2

I was ask to leave the Quinta where I was staying in Jerico, because Rosieta had guests coming from Spain and Bogota and all over. She asked me to find a hotel, so I looked for two days no room as I said previous, I felt like Mary and Joseph trying to find an Inn and no space in any Inn, or private home. I knocked on private home doors and asked if they would allow me to rent a room, I searched walked up and down hills exhausted finally I went to one that was near the Quinta called Hotel Porton, The owners where there, I spoke with the woman one of the owners, and told her my story. How I was pretty much alone, was asked to leave the Quinta because of previous guest coming and I have no place to go. She was booked felt very bad for me, but could not figure out how to rearrange her guests that were already booked up. There lunch came I sat on the sofa very tired and now feeling sad. I asked if I could just rest on the sofa for a while, to decide what to do next. She said fine, but our lunch is coming, I said just eat I will go when I am rested. They after there lunch and then came over to me both of them and there little girl. She said listen why not just come to our house on the farm for the holiday since we are booked. You can have a room till then, and we will come and get you to be with us for the holiday. I was shocked and honestly did not know what to say but of course accepted. I thought it would be completely different than it turned out but it was fun and a good experience, and great writing material for the book I am creating.  I stayed in there quaint hotel for 

five days, the bells of the cathedral next door rang every 15 minutes and the first two nights were horrible, there was no toilet seat on the toilet, and after the second day the shower broke and they never fixed it so two days with out a shower.                                                                               

       

The view from the second story of the finca

I was upset and asked them to give me tools to fix it I could have but they had no tools there, honestly was not happy no sleep and no shower makes a girl ugly! I manage to get one three people who work the hotel, to change my room and from then on things were great. On the 24th I did as I said took all the little gifts I bought for the children I met, and gave them to them then Yolima called and said for 

me to get my things and come to the finca. Finca is a farm,it was about 45 - 50 minutes away. I  thought she was sending a taxi, but what she sent was a motorcycle guy to carry me down the winding mountain roads to the finca. I was in shock! How in the world do I bring my suitcase on the back of a motorcycle?  Secondly I was scared to death, the hills here are steep and winding and some are not paved so well. Were in the Andes ok?? It was an old run down motorcycle and he had several bags of things he was carrying. Yolima called asked if I was ready I told her look I never ride on  motorcycles and why not sent a tuk tuk, a small three wheel taxi like you have seen in the Philippines, or in Latina America. She said if you want to pay for that your self go ahead!   

I then decided to only take a few things in a plastic bag and go for it. I walked up the Hill and the  

man had me get on. We drove slowly as I was very scared no lie! I was screaming and holding on tight, my helmet did not fit it was falling off and I was laughing out of fear.  As we rode I saw the most beautiful views, and lush mountain sides covered with coffee, and bananas, beautiful houses down in the Vallies and over head tall mountains towering over the road. I looked up and saw five parachuters jumping off the mountain side, floating over as we wound our way down the mountain to the valley. We rode up and down and around omg! Finally after some time we came to a dirt road with big rocks, not gravel but big rocks it rains so much that they use large rocks that way the road stays stable. It was bumpy and lumpy and scary I was crying laughing and happy and scared all in   one!  Little creeks passed thru this roadway in many areas, we would slow down cross and then fly again. Finally I could see the three story beautiful house and the finca in the distance, he pointed out beautiful trees and plants and mandarins, oranges, lemons bananas, plantains and cardemon. Finally approached the drive way up the house. I was in awe, there were lots of people there a man starting a  fire to cook over and ladies cooking in the kitchen, Yolima greeted me it was Christmas Eve. Cows in the background sheer plateaus, and mountains surrounding this serine location. I stayed for three days in this house with a number of people the rooms simple hard beds, they were drinking guaro, a local liquor everyone here drinks the taste of anise , and pure fire. I had one rum and coke, and watched the ladies make buneulos a round fried ball of corn and wheat with cheese inside, and this deserts they make called Natilla, its a sweet corn starch base, with panela a raw sugar, and coconut, kinda like a gummy bear texture,gelulous but good. You eat these two together, odd but good. Then we all sat around listen to loud Colombian music laughed talked and watched others get disgustingly drunk.  Then at 11:00 pm we all walked to the cousins finca a ways a way, we took lashlights and walked down the mountain to the beautiful finca. There were about 40 or so people all sitting in a circle waiting for the barbecued meat to get done,all were drinking laughing and picking at peanuts and other simple treats. We ate meat late and potatoes roasted on the fire, I danced a little and talked to lots of people , then at 2:00 am we walked back to the house. In the dark. The next day the same thing, I walked around enjoyed the beauty took moments alone and was in awe of the site but cursious on how they do what they do and not realize what a beautiful thing they had there! DRINKING IS A HUGE PART OF CHRISTMAS HERE , I personally did not partake only one or two drinks was enough for me.  Some very crazy things went on I just accepted it and laughed and thought wow Christmas is very different in Colombia, for more on this adventure please follow me on there, and be watching for the book with lots of details and lots of fun things to read and enjoy! Hopefully the series I am working on that. 

      

   

Navidad en Colombia Christmas in Cololmbia Part 1

 Its been a whirlwind of adventures this past couple of months, I have not been blogging because I am writing a book of my crazy adventures here, the happenings the angels that entered my life the good the bad and the wonderful. For my readers, if you are interested please send me a note of encouragement or a thumbs up or comments. I am working daily on the details, the cast of characters, and have talked to someone about producing it in episodes to view, so not only the book but hopefully a series of Where is Marianna? This particular story today is about the time spent during the holidays here in Colombia, its so different than any where else in the world.

     

I experience serveral things during the holiday, first in Rionegro San Antonio in the small pueblo 

where Rosieta, and Dona Marta and don Josue live. You will know all about them when you read the     book or hopefully watch the stories I ve been busy writing. Then later in Jerico Colombia a small  pueblo that is a cow farm town in the Andes. In San Antonio the feeling of Christmas is not the same  as I felt in USA or Europe or other parts of Latin America. The planning and decorating of townships and homes begin after the 24th of November, Its commercial,but still has the flavor  of the old world 

Christmas, the base of Navidad is story of Baby Jesus, and of course papa Santa Claus is also a big part of the holiday season.  

The people  in all the street corners selling ribbons and candles because they a tradition of lighting the candles on that certain night. I had gone with Dona Marta one afternoon on her day off after she  went to her exercise class of swimming in an Olympic pool.  We went  shopping in Rionegro.           

 It was so congested and filled with people shopping, farm people,the people of the "Campo"they say.  

 Many Venezuelan's that has fled the country and are accepted into Colombia. They are clearly different, poor in there looks and hustling in the streets to make any sort of money they can. The . country of Colombia has welcome them with open arms, so there are so many of them all over.

 Marta could tell the differences in Piasa's ( the name they called Colombians) from Venzulanos.She pointed many out to me and soon I could tell the differences as well. We shopped,I bought strings of pearls to sew on a blouse I created, she bought ribbons for me to make her a garland our of fresh 

materials and candles for the saints night of Navidad. We walked all over and shopped then I treated  her to ice cream in the plaza, we sat and watched all the people shopping for Christmas.   

           

The following day I asked Don Josue the major domo of the Casa Grande of Rosieta where I was   staying,  if he could pick me branches of pine, Euculyptis, and Cypress, I saw it growing on the property so he did and I created for them by hand a garland for there tiny apartment, and a wreath for the door. They never in there 26 years of living on that finca had anyone make or create anything for them for Christmas, I constructed it in less than an hour an mounted it on there window of there apartment which is in the back of the grand house.  

    

      

     

        

 

                 

I then decorated there tiny tree with the left over eucalyptus and pine and ribbon and stuck some in the wreath so it all matched, this gift of my talent to them was such a blessing, they were  overwhelmed with the look, even though to me it was not that great. I have done some incredible things, but it was perfect for them, simple yet pretty, and they never have had anything such as this ever. The next day I made a banana cream pie for them and myself!    

Understand Pie is not known much in Colombia in fact when I have show others the photos of a pie they have no idea what it is. I had shopped for the pudding but there was none, so I created it by hand with eggs and corn starch,vanilla milk and panela,  like an English pudding of sorts, adding  the banana at the end to give it that flavor my crust was perfect and the whipping cream that was a joke to find!! They call it batta Creama its in a bag, you have to add the milk. So it was good but different, they were delighted that I would go to this level of giving, but for me if any of you know me this was not much.   Considering I make really good food and create for many years beautiful  decorations! I was humbled to do this for them. Marta actually hugged and kissed me and Josue was overwhelmed that I could even do this! Later I made a large arrangement with the leftover over Eucaplytus, and cut some Helconias that were growing in the garden to put on a table when Rosieta returned.   

         

       

         

 I remained in San Antonio until Rosieta returned she was off in Cali doing something with friends and checking on one of her farms. After she sent me to Jerico to her Quinta, Now I am being brief on  this because I am seriously writing a book of everything that has happened here ,incredible places and literally miracles. I am blessed to have come here even though the beginning was horrible, you have  to read the book or watch the series to know what has happened to me. Back to CHRISTMAS!! Ha ha. So I left from Medelllin on a three and half hour bus ride over the Andes to beautiful Jerico. I am  literally in Love with Jerico. The climate is hot in the day and cold at night, perfect for sleeping. I spent several weeks in Jerico, meeting locals and talking to people in the small lovely inviting town.  The lights of christmas everywhere, decorating like mad men, mostly the same style with old cinemea, ribbon and fake greens that I used years and years ago. I was invited but some of the girls of a tiny hole in the wall restuarant called Candelijas, they are darling lady's they invited me to go on ad  adventure in an old land cruiser across the mountains on a one lane road to see the lights of other smaller pueblos, That in itself was a crazy experience. 11 of us in an old lands cruiser, them singing drinking and laughing. I myself did not drink,I get car sick very easily so I remained sober and sat next to the driver that was flirting with me the whole time. WHAT A TRIP THIS WAS! You will have   to read the book to hear it all but it was fun, crazy and some wild things happened. 

     

 

 

 

 

We traveled for more than hour across roads that were not paved, and found another little pueblo called Pueblo Rico, meaning rich town, but it was far from rich, beautiful interesting and fun! Days have past as Christmas Arrived, I got booted from the beautiful Quinta Dona Rosietas Quinta in Jerico because he had other guests so I searched for two days to find a room, only three hotels, and private homes I seached and walked everywhere you an imagine hours in the roads hills an mountains knocking on doors to find a place to sleep for several if not weeks! Non one had rooms. I felt like Mary and Josheph searching for a room and no room at the Inns! Finally I went to Hotel Porton, and talk to Yolima the owner, she happened to be there told her my story how I was alone and had no where to stay because of the problem of the Quinta being full with other guests, her and I worked it out, THAT STORY IS A GOOD ONE THIS ONE SHOULD MAKE MY BOOK OR SERIES A HIT!! LOL anyway she took me in and then invited me to her personal Finca some 45 minutes away, here is the photo of Rosietas QUINTA in JERICO 

I have so much to tell you about Christmas in Colombia, that honestly this blog wont hold it all its all in the book already but soon! I have been a literal pied piper to children, I guess that one night i taught Zumba in the Plazoletta exposed me to people, Now the children come to me like Magnets and I have a few I have fallen in love with as well, there all so cute and so charming. I needed up buying about 8 gifts for children I do not know but see on a daily basis in the central, although one is my favorite, shes the daughter of the owner of Candelijas restuarant, EMILY, actually the two. Families tha run this place have taken my heart and I bought gifts for them all, On the 24th I brought all of them the gifts to the restuarant. 

Dish ware of Colombia

I was spending time with a new friend one Sunday, she asked me if I would like to go see various pueblos in the area to see what they offer so we took ride about 25 miles north or San Antiono,to La
Cejas. This sits at the base of the Andes, small old town very congested but full of shops and stores, we had a traditional Colombia coffee called Tinto, sorta a shot of espresso more or less.Then continued to another little darling hillside town called CARMEN DE V. I found this town very
charming,  lots of windy hillside roads, farms, and beautiful flower growers surrounding the   mountain Pueblo. This is where some of the most beautiful Dishware and plates are made from the      clay in the surrounding areas, all made by hand and painted by hand as well. Pricing seems so
 reasonable. Years back I fell in love with a line of dishes called MAMA ROE, it is from Italy, same idea, made from the clay of a small town in Italy all made by hand and hand painted but Mama Roe is simple, elegant and wonderful bright colors. These in Carmen DE V were all well made,but mostly patterns and some brightly colored. I loved them If could I would by them and shipped them back! So beautiful! Here are some examples of what they made.

       

 

       

            

 For some reason I. Was atraced to the black and white, dramatic and very Beautiful! I asked how long they have been making these dishes the woman pretty much explained its been a tradition for over a hundred years. The shop was just immaculate, they had many people to attend to you, and they sell in sets, although they create many pieces separately that match what you are intersested in and they custom make to your designs whatever you desire.

 Fluted fruit  or  pasta dsh

Large jar 

Most all the butter dishes  are in this form.

I found some in pastels but the dark blue with yellow seems to be a predominate pattern and most liked in Colombia, the Colombian flag is Yellow, Red and Blue. So lots of items here are based on that color scheme.

  

 

 

 

Napkin holders soup touring, salads, dessert and dinner plates,milk pitchers water pitchers and chocolate pitchers,  THEY DRINK LOTS OF CHOCOLATE HERE! It was fun to explore this town, I would recommend you take a trip to this area if you are a plate collector, and the prices are extremely reasonable!