All things growing

I've heard from many people about their excitement for spring and the new flowers that are blooming, so I thought I'd share what's blooming here and hope to hear more from you about what's blooming where you live.  It seems so strange to me to hear people talking about spring; because we missed winter all together and I'm thinking: 'wait, how can it be spring already?'

There are a number of trees around here without any leaves, but they have these humungous blooms!  These trees w/ the orange blooms are known as Poró gigante.  There are hillsides filled with them; they remind me of the clusters of aspens in the mountains of Colorado!

This is an orchid blooming in our yard.

There are hibiscus everywhere, in many different colors!

This 'Communion' plant is blooming at our house and around town!

There's always some kind of interesting fruit that's in season as well.  Recently we tried this granadilla, it’s got a hard but thin husk that you peel, then suck out the gooey fruit w/ crunchy black seeds.  It grows on a vine right outside our door! 

 This is a 'tree tomato or Tomate Palo.  You bite off the bitter top and suck out the sweet fruit.

And of course, there's my favorite, the mango, which have been on sale recently for 3 lb/$1; you don’t have to twist my arm to get me to eat them!  Some people like eating them green with salt, but I think there's nothing better than a ‘just ripe’ mango!  

    Speaking of eating... I've been thinking about the Costa Rican custom of only using a spoon to eat with.  For some reason I'm having trouble switching over, especially when it comes to eating a salad.  So I frequently find myself mixing my salad in with my plate of rice and beans and vegetables, that way it all goes on the spoon easier.  Don't bother with putting a fork at the plate of a Tico though, they won't be using it!

In a previous blog, I wrote about the drink called “Aqua Dulce” that you make from molasses and water with a squeeze of lemon.  Well, our neighbors had an event this month that we attended, called a Trapichada, which is where they make the ‘tapa de caña’, the block of pure brown raw sugar, starting with cutting down the sugarcane.

This machine squeezes out the juice while the oxen turn it around and around.

Then they cook it in a huge cauldron over a fire and then pour it into molds when it's boiled down and just the right temperature.  We talked to the ‘trapidoro’, the guy who’s in charge of this whole process, and 88 yr. old Emilio has been doing this his whole life.  We were lucky to be gifted with a block of this candy into which they had added seeds and raisins!  This stuff is REALLY good, and now I know where I can stock up whenever our supply runs low!

Here’s what else is growing at our house.  Jewey, the Pug, had 4 pups 3 weeks ago, so we get the pleasure of watching them grow too! 

We named this one Francisco Jr.: note the resemblance!

(hint: blanco barbita)

Speaking of watching things grow:  last weekend we helped out the high school administration (principal, teachers, cooks; everybody was in on this act); in preparing food for their booth at the nearby pueblo’s coffee fair.  It’s a fundraiser they participate in every year and we were told they are going to buy a siren for security at the front gate, an electric gate (right now a very petite security guard has to haul a very large metal sliding gate open and closed every time someone wants to go in or out of the school.  They also hope to remodel the library.  
We got involved in every step of the process of making tamales and watched that pile of tamales grow over 2 days of preparation! I turned down an offer to help make Sopa de Mondongo (cow tripe)as well as tasting it.  Normally, I will try anything, but for some reason, intestines have always been difficult for me to stomach. 

 We helped out at the fair too, but got volunteered to wash and dry dishes!  I guess that was better than a peer PCV who had to walk in the parade w/ a huge Grandpa Smurf mask on!  We also enjoyed the beautiful traditional dances and costumes from all over Central and South America, which not only performed at the fair, but the day before in the gymnasio at the high school!

Francis and I have been carrying out our lesson plans and finally I can say I think I can get my point across in Spanish, by just winging it.  I do like to make sure I'm familiar with the vocabulary though, just in case there’s something new.  Definitely learning new vocab every day, and like Vilma says, it usually takes about 16 times to say something new for it to really stick.  I was part of a role play to demonstrate how to use the Negotiation Steps that we’re teaching to 6 different groups of 4^th and 5^th graders.  One of the steps is to generate ideas, or in this case, solutions to the problem; in Spanish this is referred to as “lluvia de ideas” (equivalent of brainstorm).  Another term I had to learn was how they say; “to flip a coin” (in the case of random decision making).  They say: “tirar una moneda en aire” (to throw the coin in the air) or “escudo o corona” (shield or crown; in the case of the Costa Rican coins). 

Another custom that I really enjoy seeing in the schools, is the kids’ and teachers’ habit of brushing their teeth after lunch.  I don’t know how that tradition got started, but it’s very common for people to be standing around the outdoor ‘pilas’ brushing their teeth after lunch!  I think it might be worthwhile to investigate the origin of that good habit, in order to try and replicate it for instilling other good habits! 

In 2 days, Francis and I will have our first visitors from the US.  Tom and Sheri are coming to visit us and we'll vacation together before they go off and work on building a house in the southern part of Costa Rica with Habitat for Humanity.  We surely look forward to spending time together as we explore the northeastern shores of CR,(Tortuguero Parque Nacional) where none of us have ventured before.  We'll see what's growing in that part of the country, besides turtles and we'll be thinking of all of you and will miss seeing you at our traditional Easter Brunch.

So enjoy the spring and all things that grow.  I look forward to hearing from you very soon! Love to you all!!

And the story continues....

I thought the Coffee Story was over in January with the Coffee Fair and all, but I recently learned that what we've been experiencing since we've been in Tarrazu, has only been the end of the story.  So now I'm going to tell what I think is the last, but really the beginning of the coffee story.  And that is....that the coffee bean starts with the flower--of course!  And those flowers are starting to bloom now!  So, we had to hurry with Vilma this past weekend, and pick the rest of her coffee beans, being careful not to knock off the flowers which have already bloomed--in order to protect next year's crop!  Now I know what the white color is from, that is beginning to turn our green hills to white!

Little white flowers are the new coffee beans.

We spent another morning picking the last of Vilma's coffee.

Below is a picture of the women from Panama.  The Panamanians who came to 'recoger' cafe, are starting to leave, as they finish their jobs around the coffee growing regions of CR.  I will miss their colorful dress and beautiful children!

   
Things were kind of slow around here during Jan-Feb. as far as PC activity, but we managed to find ways to use our time effectively, regardless.  After all, we are Norte Americanos, and that's one of the things that makes us different from Latin Americans.  We tend to have that drive to be very productive and get things done.  I always prided myself on how many things I could do at the same time. The more I had to do, the more efficient I was.  We continue to find ways to keep ourselves busy(thanks to the many Peace Corps paperwork 'reglas', but it also includes finding new adventures in parts of Costa Rica.
   During the last week of January, Francis and I helped other PCVs with their Jumpstart Camp in Tarcoles, on the Pacific Coast, where we spent a few days back in July.  Jumpstart is a month-long, English camp for 6th graders, which we wanted to be a part of in order to learn the process and determine if we want to have our own camp next January.
 
So we enjoyed more walks on the beach and more ocean sunsets and this cute but deceivingly grande set of oxen that hang out at their beachside home, when they weren't busy carting things around town.

 Francis, participated in a "Restaurant" activity at the Jumpstart Camp.

 We helped some other PCVs one day with their mural project on the wall of the Learning Center in El Empalme, in Los Santos, where they teach English.

 We enjoyed watching some of the 300 horses parade down main street in Santa Maria.  They were part of the "Tope", a beautiful display of the region's proud cowboys, prancing their well-trained horses through town.  Again, this fair reminded me a lot of our Ft. Collins festivals, although this time, it did include the beerfest, which the fairs in San Marcos didn't!

 School finally started the 2nd week of February.  The kids got to enjoy some of the school's talent, by listening to some profes sing: "Knock knock knockin' on heaven's doors" by Bob Dylan, in English, no less!

 They also watched 2 highschoolers performing some really cool feats hanging from fabric, known as "acróbatas del aire", which many of you are aware of and/or have participated in (Allison Faris and Sara Hayden, to name the 2 that I know)!  I wouldn't say they are 'high tech' here in Costa Rica, by any means (the highschool is just now installing an internet cable); but this Air Acrobats act truly impressed me in terms of the advances in the performing arts, esp. in the highschool!

 We actually got some classroom time with the kids recently, introducing ourselves again and talking to the 10th graders about one of our projects that we'll start the 1st week of March.  We are going to train 2 classes of 10th graders to be Mentor Guias (guides) for 7th graders (that's their first year of highschool; there are no Jr. Highs or Middle Schools in CR).  They will spend 1 hr/wk. w/ 2-3, 7th graders  throughout the year(those who have been identified as benefitting from the extra attention and/or help w/ studies).  After a lot of research and preparation for this program, we are anxious to get started.

During one of our monthly mini excursions (we get 3 days/month OOC, 'out of community'), we explored a new gem, not far from us.  It is the country's newest national park, though there isn't a single sign designating it as such, and we never actually knew when we were in the park or just walking on a public or private road. Parque Nacional de Los Quetzales is only 1 1/2 hrs. from us and easy to get to by bus.  The problem that we had is that there is no public transportation once you get off the bus at the hwy, down to the town at the bottom of the park where the lodging is.  We walked the 12 kms downhill, and found a beautiful waterfall at the end of the road, but Francis ended up w/ a sore and swollen knee from the impact.  The area is higher than San Marcos, so therefore, sits in the clouds and naturally what appears, are frequent and always beautiful rainbows (arco iris).
  
 Unfortunately, what we didn't see that weekend, was a Quetzal, but we did see some beautiful flame tanagers and acorn woodpeckers.  I don't know if these are common in other parts of N.America, but I was impressed with the beautiful colors!

This woodpecker reminds me of a Costa Rican teenager, because mohawks are all the rage!

I visited another nearby park this past week with a stateside visitor, Jen, from Asheville, who is bringing a group of 8th graders to San Marcos in May (whom Francis and I are arranging homestays and activities for).  Lucky for us, Jen brought along with her, some much craved for goodies from Hannah and Chad as well as some unexpected treats.  And, just in case you are wondering about our dearly missed children these days, Hannah and Chad are enjoying their new home in Asheville, while Emilee, just completed yet another cross-country trip back to Worcester, MA, where she will begin a 1 year law fellowship with the Legal Aid Society, partially sponsored by Americorps.  Noah is enjoying Chicago even more now that he's found Allie, and is looking for a new job where he can work with other engineers. 

 We enjoyed a nice hike in another moist, cloud forest viewing las cataratas or cascadas like this appropriately named: "La Corbata" (the tie).  

                                                                                                            

This is Jen, from Asheville's, French Broad River Academy,  and our 2 guides at Madre Selva. 

On another note, one of the things that I enjoy most about the language, which at times, I also dread, are the Costa Ricanismos  or' costarricenses dichos', which they are also known as; phrases that are known commonly by Ticos, and can't be translated literally. Since I'm a newcomer to the language, I wouldn't know a 'dicho' if I heard one, but once you learn them, you start to recognize how frequently they are used.  Here are some frequently used Tico dichos:  Instead of asking the store clerk to give you something, you ask them to 'gift' you the item....ie, "Regalame un taza de cafe, por favor".   "What's up?"="Que me cuenta?" (What can you tell me?).    

Always, when you ask someone 'how are you', you get the response, "Bien, por dicha"  (Good, 'thank goodness, or luckily').   

Costa Ricans love to refer to others as "Mi Amor", not only their children; but bus drivers refer to passengers as 'mi amor', store clerks refer to clients, etc.  

 Of course, there's the common "Si Dios quiere"= 'if God wants'.  It's a good reasoning/excuse to explain why something happens -or not.

  Raquel Chanto from the Tico Times, writes that she feels these phrases are more than idioms, but actually communicate a world view, or a country view in this case.  "Gracias a dios" is also commonly heard from someone answering the question "¿Como estas"?  She states that Costa Ricans, who are fairly entrenched in the Catholic tradition, are only reminding themselves that they have something to be thankful for.  We find this a lot when we talk to people about their work.  Costa Ricans tend to be very thankful that they have jobs, good health, children, a beautiful sunrise, sunset or food on the table.  It's a marvelous attitude to have, to be appreciative and not take things for granted, which I've read also adds years onto people's lives.  Maybe that's another reason why Costa Rica has some high density pockets of centenarians, people who live to be 100 yrs. or more.

And so, while the coffee story may be over for now, there will be other stories to tell as we get busy with our projects and flowers continue to bloom (si Dios quiere)!

Special Coffee Edition

     The coffee season blog wouldn't be complete until we got to taste the coffee, and so it was, last weekend was the big Feria de Cafe, concluding with the Feria de Bendición de la Tierra.  After a big truckload of dirt was blessed by the priests, and people collected bagsful of dirt to take home (along the lines of holy water), there was a little parade of trucks, each carrying a representation of their community's bounty, from Los Santos (lots of towns w/ saints' names were represented).

                                                            Camion de Santa Marta
This was a BIG fair, complete w/ rides for the kids (jugetes mecánico), food, artensans' crafts for sale, coffee tasting and clowns (all that was lacking was the Fat Tire)!

 The traditional oxen and cart, which carried the coffee beans in the 'old' days.

 We got our hand at picking coffee last week.  Vilma's coffee plants are on the side of a rather steep hill, without much of a "calle" (street) for walking, which is what they call the narrow paths where they plant the coffee.  I take it the professional coffee pickers don't have so much trouble staying on the 'calle'.  Vilma has a very small section of land dedicated to coffee, so the 3 of us were finished in 4 hrs., and had collected about 2 laundry sized baskets full.  Vilma figures, we would have earned $2 total for our work that day.  It certainly makes you appreciate that cup of coffee all the more!  That brings our coffee education full circle, though I'm sure we'll continue to find new types of coffee to try. There are Coffee Fairs that continue in different towns around Costa Rica throughout the year, and we heard from one man who works for the Gov't of CR, marketing and certifying coffee, that the one of the biggest Coffee Fairs in the world is in Seattle in April.  There are people in San Jose and other parts of CR who drink Bush Light (Cafe Rey), but I've never seen it served anywhere in Los Santos.  San Marcos and the other pueblos in Los Santos  is much like the Ft. Collins of Costa Rica when it comes to coffee production and growing.  They take great pride in their coffees and boast that theirs is very unique and either grown or produced in a way that makes it stand out.  Their are many family run micro-breweries here, I mean coffee producers, and then there are the giants, the big Cooperativa de Tarrazú(New Belgium).  Most of the coffees from this region are IPA's, but I'm not a fan of the bitter, acidic coffee taste, so I was very happy at the Coffee Fair, to find some milder, but still very rich tasting coffees!  By the way, some of my favorites are Buen Dia (good blend, but mild, along the lines of Sunshine Wheat), La Cumbre and Cerro Alto, my new favorites, the 1554 of coffees; also true in the way that as one would  never be able to find these coffees in the states; one would never be able to find these beers in Costa Rica).  (I'm sure there are technical terms for all of this, but I haven't taken the 'coffee cupping' classes or read the book yet!  They all say that the best coffee is exported to US, Europe and Japan, so it's possible we haven't even tasted the best that Tarrazú has to offer.  Coffee picking will continue into March in this area and then the migrant workers will move on or return to their homelands.

The banana bunches(seen above) are from the trees that shade the coffee, so we get to enjoy both the products of her backyard produce, though she takes her coffee beans to a coop for production. Vilma also has limón trees, which are a cross between an orange and a lemon.  I learned of a great, new drink, which you can also easily try back in the states if you have molasses.  I didn't know that molasses came directly from sugar cane(duh).   Well, they cut the top off the sugar cane plant, which is called "tapa de caña", also called 'rana' (frog) de caña (no one seems to know how the name frog got in there) and looks like brown sugar; add a small chunk to water and 1/2 of a limón and you have a refreshing sweet drink called Aqua Dulce!  When I finish my bottle of 'miel de caña", I'm going to buy a piece of this 'tapa', add water to it in a container and I'll have my own, fresh, organic molasses, without preservatives!

                                                       "Tapa de Caña"

Francis and I spent 3 days on the Caribbean Coast over Christmas and hiked on a coastal trail in Cahuita Nat'l Park.  It was a beautiful day and luckily a guide on the trail pointed out a sleeping Eyelash Viper on a leaf overhanging the shore.

The little yellow snake on this leaf is the Eyelash Viper.

The guide didn't need to point out this Capuchin Monkey, because he came down to the shore where we were sitting, and having just pulled out a bag of fruit for a snack, the 'mono', swiped the whole bag and ran off!  The guide threw his water bottle at the monkey and recovered my fruit, but lost his water bottle!

 We walked back from visiting friends in a nearby pueblo this week and spotted this rainbow on our way, it dropped right into San Marcos de Tarrazú!
    We're headed to San Jose for 5 days of training, reporting on our project plans and various insundry other PC topics, so I'm sure there won't be much to write about following that week, but after that we're headed to Tarcoles again(Pacific coast), to help other PCVs with their English Camp, before school starts up again the 2nd wk. of February. Prior to school starting, we're going to hold our own version of an English Club, for those who have a foundation of English, but just need conversation to practice.  We were asked to hold the "club", at the local academia (it's a private school where they teach English, among other subjects), and we agreed as long as we can invite whomever we want and there's no charge.  However, if the library opens back up again since it's closure for the holidays, our first choice will be to hold the club there.
     Friends and family are keeping us posted on weather and beautiful snowshoeing and skiing (hut) trips in the mountains!  While I miss those awesome adventures in the snowy mountains of Colorado and N.Carolina, I'm going to enjoy our beautiful summer here in Costa Rica, while it lasts!  I do love seeing those photos and hearing those stories though, knowing that you all are also taking full advantage of the wonderful access to the 4 seasons and beautiful nature of the USA, so keep 'em coming!
Amor y abrazos!    Chris