Gyspy.On a shoe string

                          Bogota Colombia flower fa

 I landed in to Bogotá on Monday evening and rested in a beautiful hotel called la Manoir in downtown Bogotá. the following morning we left to go on two selected farm tours. These tours were  only for buyers or retailers and distributors they took us about 35 minutes outside of the city to area that was mostly cowpasture.We turned into the most beautiful Spanish style gates and what lied ahead was a really good reception area with herbal teas and Jamaica teas,The best Columbian coffee and a mountain of cookies made locally. The big group was standing around and wondering what all the sacks were on the table I went up and grab myself one and then handed one to Helen and after that started a chain of all of the guest grabbing one. After a short video the led us into some of the green houses the processes of the greenhouse is extremely complicated they line the floors with rice hulls,there is not a a Leaf on the The ground everything is pristine clean and organized. There’s row upon row in raised beds made of mulch that is done on site they recycle all of their water. They have a big pond with fish which fertilizes the water and then is filtered back into the flowerbeds. This one particular company that we visit it was called  Plazoleta,They grow alstroemerias, status, limonium, snapdragons, lucadendroum and in various varieties. The tour was about an hour but they gave us a break in between to show us the factory where they actually clean the flowers and sleeve them and box them and ship them all over the world. The facility was so clean I just couldn’t believe my eyes, and all the workers were happy.  The floor was spotless the whole room smelled of the beautiful sense of all the flowers and combination. They had a tremendous display of their products presented for us so that we could view them touch them smell them and ask questions about them. At that time they had another spread with all kinds of homemade Columbian appetizers. Some of them were filled with cheese some of them filled with chicken some of them filled with beef. They also gave us a selection of juices made from the local Fruit which I’ve never tasted. One was called Lulu, it’s kind of a yellowish gold orangey cast color, the flavor is laced with perfume of flowers, kind of a star fruit combination strawberry taste? I don’t now but it was really good I was enjoying myself thoroughly it was a great tour they gave us loads of information you as a person that’s just interested in doing this and traveling into Colombian Bogotá there is hundreds of firms that will take you on tours for very cheap you talk to an agency and they set it up it includes other people and the bus picks you up like at one of the hotels and ours cost around $30 we sought to farms and included our transportation and included snacks on the bus.  It also included the second tour and in a Normas lunch with beer and wine and a cocktail was greeted as we walked in the cockpit was made from tropical fruit to the area and rum very delicious, and then there was appetizers and homemade roast beef sandwiches or they roasted the beef on a grill outside. We had strawberries and cream we had homemade teeny tiny Yukon potatoes that originated I was told from this area soaked in butter and garlic and those were just phenomenal. On the table Was a large platter with crispy plantings salted and a dip made from cream cheese honey and some kind of fruit juice it was really good! They also serve as these chocolate covered fruit that look like a little cherry with the handle of leaves and they were called ouvchuva.  when we arrive to the farms we had a reception,Then they took us on a tour, then a second reception with appetizers and then ended the tour n yet a different area of the farm. They literally use everything from every leave to stem to compost it in recycle it back into the ground there is no harsh pesticides most of the pesticide use is a organic type of pesticide and there’s people brushing the plants on a daily basis the workers that work there are just also happy, and very into what they were doing from what we could say I was really impressed this was something that I will never forget and I would suggest if you’re interested in plants or flowers at all. This is something you should do.

The second tour was at a farm called Yasa, This one was located in a really strange area it was off the main road we went down dirt roads in the curves what look like to be a dump area, stacks of wood piled up miles high on either side. Piles of concrete from construction site and then you pull up to these giant iron gates. The gates open and there’s three guards with guns, my thoughts were how interesting that they have gotten is guarding this greenhouse farm. But I guess it’s just all part of the country. We entered there was a big reception tent for us they greeted us and told us that we were family and they enter into their video area. When watching your video and explaining how they have worked so hard to refine their products and they do only probagation development by cutting, which means they biologically cut a piece of the plant that’s perfect that they breed and then they reproduce those in a laboratory . They had their two biologist there and one of their scientist that actually works on the property to the owners the owner son who manages their marketing and a designer and about for other sales people it seem like. I was standing next to one of the owners actually between two of the owners and they both seem to like me a lot they were really nice there’s a cute into the story. We viewed their farms they had the most beautiful types of chrysanthemums they also grew carnations but we didn’t get to go into that greenhouse. Their chrysanthemums were just  so perfect I’ve never seen so many varieties and so many colors in my entire life. They too are a green grower there is an association here in Columbia that is all about green and I guess it’s becoming so popular worldwide that they have strive to be upping ranks in their commodity. Very interesting the process of breeding and how they can make the plant produce one flower or multiple flowers depending on how they prune the blooms that are on the plant.  They also are able to control the size of the flower by there pinching the bud in a certain way some of the blooms or as big as my hand in the raider plant is not normally capable of doing that but they have somehow found through this biology how to change the process organically. I was really impressed with these guys, I am a gardener and heart and I love gardening this is an extreme garden but it was really cool to see how professionally they do these things in a way to conserve and not use chemicals to change the plant itself.  After that part of the tour it seemed that the owner son and the two owners cling to Helen and I, they just seem to like us out of this group of 50 and kept talking to us over and over and what was funny is the colors of the building where this orange-ish and peach and black and I chose an outfit especially for the farms that was orange peach and black weird. I’ve had people say that I’ve got a psychic minor sometimes I’m able to Chandlear I don’t know whatever but I have this gift for real. They let us into this town and we have the best reception ever they were so nice to us and everybody was so accommodating I think that this should be On the list of tours should you decide to venture into Columbia it was beautiful and well worth the $30. Thank you Plazoleta thank you Yassa I’ll be seeing you soon !

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                    Taking Costa Rica with me wherever I am

This particular evening reminded me of the precious moments I spent with a good friend of mine in Quepos Costa Rica before my departure recently. My friend Dinia, a Zumba Student with me in Quepos, and Manuel Antonio Costa Rica.

This itsy bitsy teeny tiny sea town is a based on a cape of sea at the foot of Manuel Antonio. The primitive outdated Costa Rican town even as it was stole a small piece of my heart. The Majestic and magical views of the sea from the only ocean side park in town was always a place to find a wonderful sunset and some peace of mind. I walked  (as you know if you have ever read any of my writings here) everywhere. Ever since my car was stolen some years ago in Costa Rica I was bound to walking everywhere, taxi's or bus. This part of Costa Rica believe it or not I miss. I learned how to accept my life and to use it to my benefit. I Will forever be taking Costa Rica with me no matter where I am in the Earth.

The Tropical breeze, the hot humid climate the smell of flowers and fruits combined with sweltering heat, is something I will never forget.    I enjoyed teaching Zumba in this heat, losing weight like crazy, never being able to drink enough, insatiable thirst, and exhausted from exertion!! What I wouldn't do to be exerted right now! bored stiff and sitting like an old MAID. 

When I was walking,  I would always looking for shade to rest my head and  cool down.  The crazy drivers, and horns, sirens and alarms on cars!!! FOR WHAT? I have no idea most of them are not anything that literally need alarms but the theft threat is so prevalent that just about every heap of metal that travels the roads have them. SOUNDING OFF ALL THE TIME DAY AND NIGHT and sometimes in sequence as if it was a symphony of car alarms.

I do not miss that but it was kinda of humorous and always happening so you became accustom to it in time. ( SO THEY SAY) not me!! I hated it but it is humorous at times mostly ANNOYING more than humorous.

The one thing I should say if you are wanting to travel to the country is, be aware that eyes are always on you, the reason is when they see a extranjero, (Foreigner) they know your on vacation or that you are living somewhere in the country and sorry to say can become a target, Here are a few things I noticed of travelers and especially USA citizens.  DO NOT TALK SO LOUD, lower your voice do not be so obvious, be aware of who is around you. Not that you should always be worried but you are in a slightly poor country where the poor have no scruples when it comes to robbing. ANY OPPORTUNITY is not robbing its an OPPORTUNITY to them.  Be aware,  Be friendly, say hello to people, try to at least say buenas, or hola. That is a way of greeting people that you walk past and for sure say Gracias! Thank you.....

Never leave if your a woman your purse on the floor, or on a chair back, put it on the table or around you in front. Do not leave things exposed in your car, perfect opportunity for someone to see it and say wow I need that! Do not wear big jewelry makes you a target, and if you are in a beach town on the south coast do not worry about changing your money. THEY USE USA DOLLARS, in fact in most places I found they will take the dollar just like the colones, but they may try to give you the lowest rate of exchange. Just be cool, and enjoy, watch the wild life, be careful driving they are some of the most radical drivers ever!  there is so much more but even in saying all of this I MISS IT. I lived there for so long, it is for sure ingrained in me, and no matter where I go in the world I will take Costa Rica with me. 

                                                    My life is a part of the PURA VIDA

                                                

Reminiscing my travels with Anthony Bourdain ALL ABOUT SPAIN

As I sit here in a cold  little house, watching Anthony Bourdain eating and drinking delightful delectable bites of tapas in Spain and watching the bullfights. I am recalling my time spent in Spain eating and drinking my way around. The life of Spaniards is a really different life, as I look back a life to live with passion and love of food, Wine, Dance and Music.  Feeling is a big part of living, not just working and passing of people not be able to take time by stopping in a local bar and chatting with friends, and work mates, strangers eating free tapas and drinking mass amounts of wine, or absinthe,or great beers with lemonade ( Shantee). Dancing in a crazed state, or sleeping mid day in your siesta.
Yes as I review my memory, while watching him eating his way threw Spain, I realize if I could have been less closed up open to expand my reality. I am sure I could have enjoyed even further than I did originally.

Spain will always be a love for me, It was not easy as some of the people are hard, very stern some loving and welcoming, depending on the areas you are in. Of course the more humble types were in smaller towns, not in Madrid or in Barcelona, but in the small outskirts of these areas were you find the welcoming plazas were everyone gathers, sits half the day eating and drinking and then returning to there jobs.

The architecture, overwhelming to a designer who notices every stinking little details, to witness the geometric and grand arches, the  columns, fountains, sculptures. How the light was affected in the framing of the structures, the inlaid tiles in repetitious patterns and marbles. the rounded peaked ceilings. So beautiful and so amazing to ponder that  this was all done in times when technology did not even exist. Nature was the dictator to all that was built, forms that reflected fruits and  plants, and mathematics were the key to the structures as engineers developed the most complicated and intricate designs in history.

To visit Spain and not fall in love would be a crime, I fell in love with it but fought it as of course I went as I normally do on my adventures on a shoe string, very little money and no travel partner. But If this should ever happen to me again ,I would diffidently return to Spain after I am in Italy, and be sure to spend time listening to the Spanish Guitars, watch the Flamenco Dancers, eat my self sick with the sausages, and hams, drink loads of wine, and for sure eat CHUROS with Chocolate sauce!   I have met some lovely Spaniards, some of which I miss dearly, They are a type of DEEP and very Real people who live for the food, the companionship, the drink and the dance. THIS ONLY  LATELY I have learned is one of the true keys to life. What is life if you are not passionate? mundane, superficial and empty. PASSION cones from suffering, and most of them have done some sort of suffering, Making them a Passionate society. I CAN RELATE, MY SUFFERING has made me a PASSIONATE AS WELL.  SIMPLE is best!

Little mini Adventure to Nicaragua, to the APOYO RESORT

This past week I had to leave to do my passport run and I made a trip to Apoyo laguna, it is a natural lake crater in Nicaragua, between Catherina and Granda. The lake is enormous and untouched, no polution nor contaminates. It is fed by natural springs and the temperature runs about 80 degrees. Most of the Laguna is un inhabited, by humans. But nature is abound, its very lush and beautiful during green season. I think green season is probably the better time of the year to visit this amazing resort.

I took the bus from Jaco to Punteranas, got off had a taxi drive me to Baranca which is about 5 minutes on the other side of Punteranas and waited an hour for the Tica bus to pick me up and drive to the border. At the border it was pretty simple got out showed the passport paid 14 dollars and then walked thru. Got back on the bus drove 300 feet and got out again and waited for immigration on the Nicaragua side to pass us threw. We drove about 50 miles and that was where I was left off, a place called Mondaime, a small community near Catherina, a village of artisans, and many plant nurseries. After passing about 25 or so we entered a winding road to the mountain top where the Crater Apoyo laguna is. This giant crater with spectacular views is really something to see and just beyond that is the lake Ometepe.

The road was paved with bricks as far as we drove winding and turning not steep at all, very beautiful with lush green trees that met the ground at places where the feeder roots or bejuco were touching the ground and growing back up. The whole ride was seriously like a video game, so thick with vegetation and with flowers, butterflies,and birds. Pretty amazing in itself.

On the way to the Resort which is on a nature reserve, we saw people carring baskets on there heads and loading up a truck with flowers to be sold at the market during the week. Groups of pickers were picking some of most vibrant flowers you have seen, In english it is a form of Celosia, its brain celosia its like a weed here I have it in my garden in front of the Cacao lounge but its a wild flower all over central America.

 

As we drove I saw it become more and more dense jungle but ever so beautiful like a fairy tale really you see all the branches that are twisted and untouched for many many if not hundreds of years and the size of the plants are enormous as well.

We entered the resort,  a thatched hut style entrance, very famous and a traditional look in Nicaragua then it leads to a number of units and villas in the resort. The reception employees were all so sweet and kind and simple type of people.  They gave me my room key to my little apartment that had a king size bed, big glass doors looking over the jungle, a dinning room table ,and a small kitchen in the back of the apartment. I quickly put my things in the room and  asked the tram driver to take me to the bar restaurant . They have a tram and takes you all over when you want to go, reason is there is 100 units in the whole resort the pathways are long and some are steep up the mountain side. They also have a conference room and now are building a very large and very luxurious garden style Restaurant with many levels, and by many levels I mean lots of different platforms in which you can sit and eat or drink coffees, eat pastries and or chocolates, maybe even wine tasting is being considered. But First up the hill to see the view before sunset of course to check out restaurant and bar the swimming pool on the top of the hill.

 I had them make me some tostones, which are not on the menu and some snacks since my travel was so long with out food and not yet dinner time, I asked for a strong shot of Flor de cana which is my favorite rum of Nicaragua. The whole experience at this resort was nothing but peaceful and quiet, a great wellness resort, a meditation resort and a healing resort. The experience with Gerado there General Manager was nothing short than beautiful and positive! he was so kind and helpful with me. We took the evening and talked with one of the owners of many of the units there and now partnering in the new grand restaurant that is about to be opening soon.

That is Ann she plans on bringing women s

wellness groups to the resort soon an these are some of the parrots that wander the property freely and yes they do talk! This tree is filled with these nests they were pretty interesting they had some down at a lower level so you can physically see them close up.

One of the many units that are rented daily, weekly or monthly. Fully equipped ready for relaxing

That evening we drove into Granada which is only about 15 minutes away by car, Granada is a colonial type pueblo in Nicaragua that is starting to be very popular with tourists now, they have patterned there street restaurants

after Italy and Spain. They block off the streets and its open to the public with dancing, music, food and many very interesting places are hid behind the facades of colonial style buildings, as you look in you can see gardens, pools fountains lounges and many interesting style shopes but the outsides are just simple Colonial style fronts. Really different

The following day I spent with Ray one of the partners in the new restaurant at the resort its going to be probably a very interesting and very good quality dinning, and events. They are planning on doing destination weddings and more. It had so many levels including a Cafe shop when you enter, a possibly wine tasting area, and many levels of seating in the restaurant and bar, they are also opening a swimming pool with a veranda above it.

These are photos of the new restaurant, many different levels when its finished its got a ways to go but I would say there are bout 10 different levels that you can dine, eat, drink and enjoy the views of Laguna Apoyo.

You should look this place up and book it, its a safe clean and most natural environment, Contrary to what proganda is out there Nicaragua is as safe as any where else. The location of this place is so isolated and so natural that you feel peace from the moment you arrive and during the whole time you are there the service and people and the management are all super! I could say I really loved it.

https://www.facebook.com/ApoyoResort

When will the struggle end? After your Dead and gone?

Back to the Story: So Since Clint has been gone I found out several things that were undone in the new Adventure of Cacao lounge. One is back owed rent, SHIT! that is a killer! Then taxes, and a few other things. In the two months time he has been gone I manage to make enough to cover three of the back owed  but still owe two more!!! then the Apartment he was behind on this as well. I KNOW I KNOW your thinking how did you not know this? Ok I will tell you how, When I asked him things ok he would say yes, But never confided in me the problems, When I talk with him on the phone after he was in a immigration jail he told me he just didn't know how to tell me or deal with all this. I asked him why didn't you just give some money rather than none, at least that keeps people off you for a while and shows them your making efforts?  Silence is what I heard after I asked that..... so I am now bound with the issues, taking responsibility  for them of course. 

The First few days after I returned from being jailed for my passport issue, I do not think a person around knew what I was feeling in my head and heart.

Frightened, overwhelmed,alone,lost, a gamete of feelings I could not even define. My head was so hot it felt as if it was going to melt inside of the skull. I had rushes of strange thoughts. I calmed it and tried to put music on all the time to change my feelings and not dwell on things. Change the channel in my head like you do on TV, CHANGE IT and think of other things so I would not go out of my mind. Some how a few jobs of nice proportion came and I kept busy doing things so that helped. But it did not clean up the mess, its still lingering over me. Now it the slowest of slow season has hit and I am banged with the same issues and no where to go no way at this point that I can think of to resolve them. 

 First of all I teach Zumba, this brings in only enough money to eat and keeps my sanity and most of all helps others to keep theirs and brings me health. With out that I think I would literally be totally insane at this point.

The other jobs at this time, are Cacao lounge, I am fighting for this place! it is worth fighting for. People seem to love my products, the creations of my hands and my mind. I give thanks to my mother for that. She was the inventor of the most delicious incredible desserts and I am following right behind her path, My ratings on Tripadvisor are all almost 5 star. My floral work still very beautiful when I get orders, ( right now no money to even have flowers in the store very sad for me I love Flowers I love art of Flowers. I can not wait till it turns around here and the house is filled with Flowers and the smell of chocolate, pastries and flowers fills all of the Cacao lounge.

One other small job, just doing some listings on line for a friend, and placing press releases on calendars for there events in Food and Wine. Thank for for this friend, this particular friend has been my back, my support my arm , my shoulder I adore her and praise her for being so loving and kind to me. She has passion for what she does and she knows that I have passion too for what I do.

CACAO HAS TO GROW... I have plans, but how to accomplish them has not formed in my mind or in reality yet.  

Still in Costa Rica

               MACHA, who visits me occasionally but now with a mate. 

Were to begin, so much has happened in such a small amount of time. Lets just say I was in Quepos Manuel Antonio for about a year, I taught Zumba there for the community sports center, and at a few hotels and one bar. 

It was not like I thought it was going to be, it was hard and the economy in Quepos/ Manuel Antonio was very down. I lived in a small two bedroom apartment with my friend Clint,in comparisons to USA or Europe this apartment was basically poverty. It was situated right in front of the septic tank, a huge pad of concrete as you enter the apartment. Even as it was, I tried my best as a challenge to my ego and my heart to make it beautiful with plants and free plants that I dug out of the jungle. The inside not much I could to with out income. I basically supported Clint and I with Zumba for months and months teaching some 7 times a week. He had did a few massages but the area there was so saturated with massage therapists that he had a very difficult time finding anything to do. 

He became bored depressed, I worked constantly to be able to eat and survive, I had a serious injury in my knee for months and he helped me to heal it with his massage and ice. It was serious, I didn't tell anyone I just continued. I tried everything I put ads for Creative cooking classes, for tours for anything I could think of to survive but not much came. I kept the hope of my chocolate Idea which I have been working on, and dwelling on for five years. I had no idea how this was every going to come about or develop , but I keep the hope alive in my spirit and my heart as something that could possibly support me, and a new adventure to at least try for the next few years.

After a month of two of absolutely no income, Clint one day says" I was thinking about your idea with the chocolate, I want to invest my house money in this idea!" house money meaning his pay off from the house as a partner with his family. So we both worked on the paper work and the he after three months got the payoff. I looked around in Manuel Antonio for a position, found a cool place and worked on the plans with an architect and discussed with the city the changes that needed to be made, but in the end that fell thru and we did not proceed.

I decided to go back Jaco, I said lets just go for a weekend, We pay for for a cheap hotel and watch the movement in Jaco, I talk to someone online on Facebook and they had a rental house that we could rent inexpensively almost furnished, by almost furnished meaning it did not have everything you need. We went and watched and we both thought Jaco would be a much better place to be putting a new chocolate business.

After months of staying in  that strange situation, of that rental house. This is another entirely different story, in fact I experienced and saw things that I could not or should not write on a blog as it could endanger my life. THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER EXPERIENCE THAT IS so weird that it is literally a miracle that I am where I am now. 

I began teaching Zumba here, and that helped me to know more people and opened a door for a new place that is private and safe and is peaceful finally as I wished for. 

Clint and I opened the Cacao lounge with his investment. The difficulties in obtaining permits were really over powering and he could not handle the stress of all that, but he did do the best he could and I took over where he could not handle things. As time has gone on Clint is no longer he was taken out of the country for some issues with his passport, mine too we both were arrested for bad passports, they deported him, but while he was in the jail he told me all the things he did not do for the Cacao lounge. Shocking and  troublesome! I spent 48 hours in a jail, in conditions that are not humane. First with 19 men because they had no space, I was frightened, humbled, and very unsure as to what was going to happen to me. I wont go into the behavior there as it is still to close to home to relive. 

Then I was taken in the middle of the night to a solitary cell out to where I have no idea where?? The floor was covered in human piss and bugs, only a hole to look out, a cement slab but no covering no toilet.   I screamed and yelled when I saw a guard passing in the night, I did not sleep that whole night, of course not who could and where?? I felt fear, I watched my whole life go by that night. I thought about how just weeks before I was in a mansion for my sons wedding in the most beautiful setting ever, and how I got to see my grandson Juliano, and my son and new daugther in-law and now here I was in a cell with filth and nothing to keep me warm all night, I used the toilet paper they gave me, to cover my legs and put around my arms.

 Although its Costa Rica, where ever I was it was cool at night very cool. IT WAS MY FAULT that this happened I accept the responsibility for this because I did not leave the country to be legal. HARD LESSON TO LEARN, Now I have a big fine to pay, on top of the issues that were not taken care of at the Cacao lounge.

I was lucky to have gotten a public defender, and she got me off with a fine, and community service , with the condition that I have two years to get my residency here since I run and operate the Cacao lounge. Shocked and worried I signed the documents after that night in solitary in a small court room of four people.

My friends sister lives in that area near Panama were I was, and she picked me up took me to her mansion and am not kidding when I say mansion! she fed me let me shower and gave me clothes to wear. I felt very humble and very thankful that she was o kind to me, she even bought me a bus ticket to go back to Jaco. So after a few hours I was on a bus going back to my home. I laid in my bed which is the apartments bed not my own, its old and worn out and lumpy, but I was so pleased me to in it and so thankful!

The very next day I got ready for Zumba taught a class went back change my clothes and continued in Cacao to try to find a way to save this business.  I been doing it ever since its been almost two months now. I manage to make enough month in two months to pay some of the back owed money that Clint was not paying or not able to pay. Also my fault for NOT INVESTIGATING AND FINDING OUT WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON! I was busy on my end producing, Marketing, managing the vendors and the help. But regardless I am here back in Cacao lounge, with many  burdens that are a bit overwhelming should you lump them together as my  friend TINA says. She keeps telling me not to lump things, take it one little piece at a time! its alot..

No one really knew what happened then after the second week I told people why not! I want people to know I am a survivor! I am strong and I am some how some way going to make it here.

It was nice I had several people donate money NOT ALOT but every little bit helped me to try to resolve some of this. HOW WONDERFUL some people really are, I didn't ask they just came one gave me a hundred another two hundred and one or two of 50  dollars.   My life I know is my choice but this world has become so tough, and I honestly do not know how most people are making it. 

I live so simple, I have old bedding from 6 years ago that was mine and someone gave it back to me, I have clothes most of them are giving to me and thank god for those people who gave me these clothes. I have shoes the same only four pairs right now so worn out its not funny! but I wear them !!! I have no furniture, but in CACAO beautiful things. Thank you Clint for that, every day when I come into this place I say to CACAO I love you, I am grateful for you Cacao and I hope it becomes a very successful place. I try to make people happy! by blessing them with the things of my hands.

SOME HOW SOME WAY I will make it, when I try to think of how its so overwhelming that it makes me go into fear and worry, so try not to think of how, I just keep saying it over and over and hopefully the same way it became alive it will become an success.  STAY STRONG MARIANNA STAY STRONG 

Costa Rica Zumba and Absolutely Beautiful Designs

Zumba in Manuel Antonio and Quepos is going ok, Its been tough getting it going but I am working on it every day online and talking constantly to people. The other thing I am working on daily is my Old Type of Work Design work, Weddings, EVENTS, PARTIES, Interior, and landscape. I have the pages built now its just a matter of getting up to a hundred so they are noticed on the  internet servers. I am back in Costa Rica as I said in prior blogs and its been a little rough but I am hanging in there, thankfully I had someone from Facebook recently who was kind and helped me a little with some cash and I used that to advertise my work, and buy some food! so thank you! Its been hard really, the economy in USA effects the world, really its hit everything so hard. So many people with out, Including you know who!! but I keep going and I keep reinventing and trying, with the hope that each day when I wake up some good news is in my Computer! 

Zumba for me is a life saver, it keeps me sane and it helps my body stay alive and full of energy regardless of the amount of food I have or do not have.. I keep doing it! I am determined to make this work, ( I kinda have to I don't have anything else at the moment to rely on for work) But I love to see the faces of people when they are dancing, some enjoy it so much and I know I am going to be helping lots of people here eventually! Already I have met some very cool people from all over the world doing ZUMBA FITNESS! THREE HAVE BROUGHT ME PRESENTS< one a pair of shoes and Zumb pants, but I had to give the shoes away they were too big, and some Zumba things and bag I use this Zumba purse every day!! Another brought me music and bracelet, another brought me a instructors towels and some bracelets and music! THANK YOU MY ZUMBA FRIENDS.. I Need help Its not USA or Europe it is very hard to get anything here, let alone ZUMBA CHOREOGRAPHY OR MUSIC OR ITEMS! thank you people so I live for Zumba pretty much lately its all I have..  ZUMBA WITH MARIANNA LOVE

On the Design side, I built a new page and have been Putting some of my work, not all of it impossible in 30 years and I don't have the photos any more.. but I have a new page on Facebook called Absolutely Beautiful, ITS IN COSTA RICA so its kinda hard to find it still not enough friends on it yet. But its for WEDDINGS, EVENTS and PARTIES, INTERIORS, AND LANDSCAPE. So I hope that gets moving along. I actually am possibly going to be doing a Zen Garden for one of my students in Zumba he is an Architect  here in Quepos! so this if it goes through should be a good opportunity, Fun and something very wonderful to put my mark in Quepos! Other than that I am surviving, barely no lie BARELY... but I keep going. I planted a darling tiny garden outside my teeny apartment something for me to look at in the morning other than gray concrete walls and wire.

I hope soon things turn around.. When and if anyone is coming to Costa Rica please contact me I will help you with whatever you need.!! EN ESPANOL O INGLES O ITALIANO!!

Hoping today it fruitful and the Class of Zumba is full tonight! I WANNA SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE THERE!

Three Countries, Three days, three weeks.

This all began about a month ago, I was on the Island of Roatan, as you can see its in the Caribbean, of the coast of Honduras. I had a friend there old friend that was having serious problems with visa and passports, and just living in Roatan. I was teaching Zumba, doing on line work, dealing with a number of really horrible situations. He and talked much, and resolved some issues that were part of our separation in friendship. We resolved the issues, and he shared with me his desire to leave and go back to Costa Rica where we have been previously. Now this is just a friend almost like family to me, we ended up before leaving House sitting in the jungle in a lovely house private on a dirt road with very little access to the real world. Nature was abound and in the morning peaceful and filled with wildlife.

With much talking and thought, we both decided to leave the island, it was time. The issues with the roads, being all tore up, the black water sludge that was being pumped into the sea, lack of tourism, and poor economy, crime rate escalating, murders, muggings, taxi's holding you at gun point. Made this beautiful place become a scary situation, especially at night. Roatan is a beautiful place,but with the amount of drug deals that come directly into the island the amount of gangs that are infiltrating the island, it was dangerous. We held on to our faith, believed we could go and make a way back in Costa Rica. I did some research, found that a small town called Quepos, right around the corner of Manuel Antonio, had some good possibilities for both him and I, continuing my research, found its resorts, hotels restaurants, still draw lots and lots of people. The Marina had just renew there financing and now in a short time the finishing of this marina will begin and produce more revenue for this little fishing village off the coast of Pacific Ocean.

The Trip was thoroughly thought out, I planned so it was not a struggle to make our way back to Costa Rica
. I helped fix up this house we were sitting, the realtor came took photos and before we knew it the house was sold. The date was on the 22nd of  November that the owner was taking occupancy.

OUR DATE WAS SET. On the 21st, We took a ferry from the island at 6:30 am loaded down with three suitcases, a carry on, computer and banners I boarded the Ferry. An hour long tripin to the sunrise to the mainland Honduras. From Honduras I paid a taxi to take me to the bus station to go to Teguchigalpa. I got there just in time to buy the ticket and board the bus. This trip was hours and hours the whole day actually traveling through mainland Honduras. Beautiful but dangerous country,various types of terrain, from flat farmlands to steep rocky mountains. Honduras is now the number one country in the world for crime and murder, so gracefully left with out a problem. I spent the night in a seedy, dirty little hotel around the corner from the bus station. The noise level at night was horrible. Screaming drunks, prostitutes, and motorcycles blasting most of the night. I ate at a little Chinese Restaurant across the way that was outrageously good and cheap. The next morning at 5:45 I dragged all that luggage around the corner one block to the Tica Bus Station and bought the next leg of the trip.

Nicaragua, Entered the bus after eating breakfast at the bus station in a tiny little soda on the side of the station that actually was quite nice and had plants and a parrot. The food typical Honduran, not my favorite. This bus was beautiful, luxury style, with air and bathroom, Crossing the boarder in Honduras to Nicaragua,simple but had to unload all the luggage our self and pass through customs, Although the Nica's, were kind to me and didn't search anything and passed me right through the fee then dollars. The trip was gorgeous and pleasant, the sites in Nicaragua are very pretty and memorable.  Ometepe, is spectacular to see in real life.  I was smiling most of the time thinking how amazing this is, and how I had very little money to do this and managed to make it happen.

I got in this brain wave, playing games with myself on the bus, to see if I really had this ability that my friend says I have. For many years, I feel or think something, and its strong and then it comes to past generally with in the day or the hour. So I thought ok If I have this, lets see if I can make it work. So I just let my mind go, saying I want to see whats coming before it comes. I thought of a man in a red shirt, I saw it in my minds eye, and about 20 seconds later a huge group of people were walking on the road side and in the middle was a man in a red shirt?? ok that was fun, I continued to do this and was shocked at what was happening during the ride through Nicaragua Wow I really do have this if I could only just tap into it and make it work for me! Other friends call me Bruja, this is a slang word for witch, but its not a bad connotation like Americans think. It means you know things before they happen. Continuing on the trip it took most of the day to cross Nicaragua,Lovely country. I saw an old ox cart with oxen a some areas that have not progress through time. I saw brick makers making bricks in the hot sun, Many Sugar cane fields, lots of coffee plantations, Banana plantations, gorgeous hills and mountains. Rich valleys with crops of sorghum,and spices. A really shocking area of Homes like something Out of California's Pasadena, or Beverly hills??? Wow... and then very poor shacks made of nothing but tin and dirt floors. Children playing with no clothes on, dogs running a muck, and chickens and turkeys wandering about everywhere.

Then we got into Managua, interesting metropolitan city. They day Dangerous after 10 at night. Nice that Tica bus now has hotels built into the bus station, so you disembark, and unload and walk around the bend and there is the check in counter for the very nice modern clean classy small hotels with about 25 or so rooms. Indoor gardens, birds, and really shockingly modern!
Rooms rate 23 a night, very reasonable, the beds were beautiful the best so far in months, the sheets smelled of vanilla, the pillows crisp and so comfortable, towels perfectly laundered and soft.

I saw this couple board the bus in Teguch, and I watched them in the bus as we traveled. The woman was vibrant, and man quiet and introverted. Such opposites in personalities. I loved her, was Leary of him. But when I was checking in they were also, so I asked what they planned on doing after check in. Going to eat and have a drink. I asked If could go along with them, and of course they said yes.

So we all went in a taxi to the of all things the Mall in Managua, cool multi level mall with lots of restaurants and things to see. Hadn't been shopping in months and months, although I didn't buy anything, not much money to spend it was fun to watch the people and look at the products, VERY CHEAP very cool and fun. I ate at a bbq Nica style in the mall, My god that was good good.. had a drink of Flor de cana, had to that is the countries rum! and then back the room. To rise early in the morning to load and move on.

Heading towards, Costa Rica we moved very fast, the little game I played earlier I continued on this leg, I had a sense that something was going to happen to the bus, I actually spoke it out about five minutes in to the new part of the journey. I felt it, although the bus sounded fine I could sense something was going to happen, that we were either going to be stuck or transferred to another bus.

Then I forgot about it for about two hours, this particular driver was hauling ass, he was moving so fast it was making me feel sick to see the country side flying by. We got into Granada, and I felt really strongly about the mechanical problems of the bus. Although no sign at all no smell, nothing. As soon as we passed Grenada, I smelled a burning of oil or fluid,  then about 20 minutes later I heard it. I heard some sort of strange noise, he kept going passing cars, big trucks, buses and whatever cows were on the road. I noticed he was having trouble shifting gears, hmmm Transmission problems?? Then we crossed the boarder into Costa Rica. That was a mess, Getting into Costa Rica now is a task and half. Show you have cash money more than two hundred I was told, Show you have credit cards, show you have  valid passport, where are you going, search through your things, how long are you there?? Well I was smart when I went to customs I told them I was living here before, I had some business to do, and well they passed me right through with no issues, of course I speak Spanish and I smiled allot this helps! The bus sat for about half or more hour, when we loaded back up, I knew something was going to happen. He started it up and it went but it was struggling.

I don't think anyone else noticed everyone was eating laughing talking. I listened to the engine, We went about 10 miles and then we stopped to let people out, when we stopped the bus just croaked.  When he tried to go it wouldn't move, no one even noticed then I knew I told my friend lets get out things from above were going to transfer to another bus, he was shocked saying what are you talking about. I said get our things lets get prepared, about five or more minutes past, the driver got off the bus went to the back opened up the engine area, I saw him get tools, no one else was watching, I got our things and started to get out, then he came and told us I was the first one out the door. I went right across the street, bought a celuar chip and got my CR phone right then. I knew we were going to be stuck and so I figure make the best of the time. We ended up transferring to another bus making us about two hours late into San Jose.

I called my friend in Santa Anna, this is who we were going to stay with while trying to get to Manuel Antonio south, to find a place to live. He came but four hours later, sitting in the bus station till almost 11 at night, tired hungry and wanted to sleep. I ended up staying in Santa Anna for some three weeks, not able to find a place in Manuel Antonio, online or in the two trips I made to there to find a place. Finally five days ago I hooked up with a company called Costa Rican places here in Manuel Antonio, and this lady found me a small, clean affordable place. I have no furniture, hardly any food, didn't celebrate Christmas, but I am safe and sound and with shelter now.

A three day, trip From Roatan Island to Manuel Antonio Costa Rica was a great trip! inexpensive and interesting. Now I am here in Quepos, finding its changing daily developing, and becoming a very cute little town. The new bridges and road has obviously change the life of this dead little fishing village. Now its seemingly teaming with life and beginning to redevelope, I like that I am close to everything, walking distance, I do miss the nature and gardens, but in time I hope to have orchids and plants and make the place a little doll house.  I will be teaching Zumba here soon in the Teatro Copaza so stay tuned for more adventures.

THINKING ABOUT THE MODERN GYPSY WRITINGS

When I began this blog it was only about sharing with my friends and Family what life I had in Central America outside of USA. It has been years of living in Central America, with many adventures, travels, incidents accidents, miracles and disasters. I have experienced some things in life that even if you tried to describe it there is no way you can picture the cultural changes and life changes I have been through. Strangely enough My children don't really ask me about my life or my adventures or what I have experience so now instead of making my family aware and friends aware, its mostly about writing and sharing my thoughts on paper. OR should I say on computer?

  I do miss Costa Rica unfortunately the danger factor here caused me to come to Roatan, although Honduras according to the press, it is the most dangerous place to live. EVERY WHERE IN THE WORLD NOW HAS IT'S very dangerous and bad sides exposed to the press. But seldom are the good points put into blogs, Facebook groups or pages or on the net. With this in mind, lately I have been blogging about Zumba,  Fitness Program that Changed my life when I visited USA this last time. I knew about Zumba saw the videos, but to do it live with huge groups of people impressed me so much that I realized this was something that belonged in my life. THAT I WANTED TO BRING BACK TO ROATAN HONDURAS and hopefully effect others lives as well.

Its not a salvation by any means , I know there is much more serious causes out there and I read and am Aware but its something that I have passion for and It does effect lives.

 I can say that living here is an Adventure in itself, STILL with out a car, transportation is really a whole process here. When my car was stolen some four years ago and ran into a building by the thieves catching it on fire, I Never realized that I would be four years later on foot still. Although like Zumba it build strength when you have to walk every where, and gives you humbleness, BUT I STILL WISH someone once in a while would stop and pick me up!!! The simple life of walking on dirt streets, and seeing things as you walk has a changing effect on you. Recently when walking down the path to the main road I had a flash back of a day when I was living in Ibiza Spain shortly after the thief of my car, ( I went to Ibiza to see it and work and my gypsy adventure was out of frustration with robberies and crime so I gather up my airfare and just left sought work that is why I went ok) now back to the walk.. I was walking here in Roatan making my way to the main road to catch a taxi to go to my Morning class, when I flashed back to the one day I walked in the morning from My apartment in Jesus, to the other side of Ibiza this took hours, I was all dressed nice, took a cut across a field and saw interesting mud houses, like back in the old days turrets and strange storage tanks made of stone.

In the flash, I began to realize that we as people are only as strong as we want to be, How hard this was for me someone who had three vehicles at one point in my life to now on my feet day after day.. STILL AM, I am not complaining by any means but the point here is With walking, my exercising on top of the struggling to live, I have seen and experience something that most people who get in the car and wizz past don't see or realize. The disasters, the drama, the terrible things I have experienced has made me become wiser for whom I am  not sure yet. But those disasters has created a strong individual, that still to this day want's to be young and be the Modern Gypsy.  I am not the Gypsy like you would automatically think of living in a little cart being pulled down the road by horses, but a Gypsy in respect that they love life no matter what, they find ways to make things work and they go on adventures and find place to live.

Something about not owning much is freeing, I use to have everything. Homes, cars, beautiful gardens, a business that was at one point thriving, BUT WITH ALL that came a pile of stress and bills! now I own nothing and I have very little stress and well no bills.  


I am hoping that with this New Career Zumba Fitness I can help others and it carries me to some very interesting places in the world! I want to see more ( and not just by walking)

Musica! ZUMBA, TROPICAL HEAT

STARTED THE ZUMBA IN ROATAN classes this week, it seems to be going well, people are talking and actually showing up!! I love to dance if you are a previous reader of my blog you will know this about me from years back, this is nothing new for me. Something about the tropical heat and the Music that makes me move like a crazy woman.

 So funny I went to Cool Beans a darling coffee shop in West Bay last night it was like a Q.A meeting that someone has created lots of people where there, when I arrived there were a couple of people were saying there is the zumba lady. One lady came to me and said I don't think you have bones in your body cause I can not believe how you move! that was funny I laughed.. heck yeah I have bones and right now there hurting! but hey I keep moving and I know that through this lives are going to be changed!

 Mine is~~~~~~~ I am so grateful so dragging my sad depressed body and mind to Zumba when I did! I THANK BETO! GINA! TANYA! ABRAHAM... so being so talented and shaking the world.  FOR JAHNEA AND ANDREW JENNIFER! and KIM WITHERSPOON! wow all you guys are amazing dancers! thank you

I miss the salsa dancing I wish there was a club here on the island where I could do that too! But who knows I may be going to Costa Rica in a two months to do the LOS SUENOS Again, and If I do YOU BETTER BELIEVE I AM GOING SALSA DANCING! Right now I am listening to Salsa trying to get motivated for my ten AM Class, I hope people show up???

The tropics produce some of the best music ever, not to mention the best coffee in the world comes from Central America!  (got that going too) Well just an update and I want to say hi to all my blogger fans!
Come see me in Roatan dance with me and enjoy the heat!

READING BACK A FEW MONTHS AGO

Just a few months ago I wrote on my blog about how I was wanting to go back and how I missed Central America, Talking about this ZUMBA craz and how I was listening and dancing to this music for real months and years back and now it has become my daily work out. Just 7 months ago I was wishing and now I am back.

This reminds me of something, It is this, when you want something bad enough you can manifest it, and by that I mean. You actually bring it to life, this concept although can be dangerous as well, because instead of a positive thing you manifest you likewise can manifest the negative things you dwell on or fear. But some how I remained in positive frame and brought back to my life what I have learned to love.

This Latin American life is not for everyone, even so there are many different types of people now living in Latin America, it is a tough one. Resilient I think is a good word to describe it, patience is probably the biggest lesson gringos, Canadians and extranjeros have to learn. Why? because it just moves slow and the reaction time is completely different than those North American cultures or European, English Cultures.

THINGS TAKE TIME to get done, no one moves fast.

Saying that! I am now who would have known a ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR, EX INTERIOR< LANDSCAPE AND SPECIAL EVENT DESIGNER GONE ZUMBAADDICT. Never would have told you that a year ago. In relation to the Things go slow, I have two locations to being my Dancing classes, Exercise Fitness programs. One is a very beautiful location but is suited only for the people on that end of the island and for tourists.

The other is in an old rustic location and yes its rustic, but for some reason I like the space. The dance floor is huge the right type the way it sit facing the sea is really cool. BUTTTTT RIGHT NOW I HAVE NO SOUND SYSTEM. None, being a little bit put off, and discouraged this evening I realize how slow things are around here and no one moves to fix it. Now its up to me to find a way to put music in this beautiful RUSTIC LOCATION, just so I can live out my ZUMBA desires and my passion for dancing.

Problem is, things move slow, the open house is in a week, you can't just go and get a stereo or and IPOD system I don't honestly think there is a place here that sells them. AND if they did It would be so expensive its not possible. FRANKLY I don't even have the money to do any sort of sound I am just beginning, single alone No work, and just returned back. FRUSTRATION already set in. So tonight in talking to one of my zumba girls in USA she said ASK. SO right now I am asking. I need a miracle for this to happen. MOST IMPORTANTLY THIS TYPE OF FITNESS PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC, LATIN MUSIC ZUMBA MUSIC, has some American in there but not much. How can you shake your A$$$ with no SOUND.

Anyone that really knows me, KNOWS I LOVE TO DANCE.

MAKE IT MOVE MAKE IT HAPPEN lend it borrow it, rent it someone... CLIMBING MOUNTAINS means success?