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.