Waiting in line – Esperando en la fila.

Through the front window of my Alajuela bus is the line of people getting on the San Jose bus.
Like I had earlier done for my Alajuela bus with all ages and all walks of life waiting patiently.
Waiting in line is a part of life in Costa Rica; buses, banks, post office, medical services, etc.
It builds patience and patience builds character. Pura Vida!   🙂
The bus broke down on the outskirts of Atenas today and in about 10 or 12 minutes another bus was there to collect us all and on to Alajuela. We arrived 15 minutes later than expected. Not bad! In more than 2.5 years this is only the second bus I’ve had to break down and both were replaced in minutes! Our buses are on time, efficient service, nice, large and modern equipment from different manufacturers. Some are labeled “Daewood” which I think is a South Korea company, but not sure. I think others are from Europe or other Latin American countries. Affordable and efficient transportation is necessary to get people to and from work, school, shopping, and in the case of one couple I met last Saturday on the bus, to go walk in the pilgrimage to the Cartago Church.
One of our Atenas buses leaving Alajuela.
Yeh, I just missed it! But there’s one every 30 minutes in afternoon.

On our Atenas Costa Rica Info Facebook Group the other day a retiree considering a move here asked the question, “Can you actually live as a retiree in Atenas without a car?” And of course a bunch of us responded that we are doing it! I’m pleased to be going on to nearly 3 years without owning a car! And the excellent bus systems in Costa Rica make it possible to visit anywhere in the country or to other countries by bus! Plus walking is good for me.

Other Photos (non-bird) from Tarcoles River

Scenic Tarcoles River
Tarcoles, Costa Rica
Scenic Tarcoles River near it’s Mouth into the Pacific Ocean
Tarcoles, Costa Rica

Jungle Crocodile Safari boat
Tarcoles, Costa Rica

American Crocodile
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Paper Wasp Nest
Tarcoles River Costa Rica

Hopefully you saw all the bird photos on the last two days’ posts! Also of interest may be:

Trip Photo Gallery: 2017-07-29- Tarcoles River

All of my photo galleries on Birds       or just Costa Rica Birds

And the boat tour company we used: Jungle Crocodile Safari

Pura Vida from Costa Rica!

~Charlie

More Birds from Tarcoles River Trip

Arranged in the order presented in the book The Birds of Costa Rica, A Field Guide by Garrigues & Dean which puts families and similar birds together.

Bare-throated Tiger Heron
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Great Blue Heron
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Great Blue Heron in an Interesting Posture
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Cattle Egret
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Snowy Egret
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Great Egret (left) and Whimbrel (right)
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Whimbrel
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Spotted Sandpiper
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Mangrove Swallow
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica
Groove-billed Ani
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Ringed Kingfisher
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Yellow Warbler, resident male with orange head
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica
And did you see the Birds in Flight posted yesterday? Including 3 more species not included here.
Plus note that we saw a lot more birds than what I included here, just my only decent photos! 
AND this was my first time to go to and from Tarcoles on public bus. Cheap & fun! Going down was a breeze, but we got wrong info on our return bus and ended up going through San Jose, but oh well, all part of the adventure!  🙂
Trip Photo Gallery: 2017-07-29- Tarcoles River

All of my photo galleries on Birds       or just Costa Rica Birds

And the boat tour company we used: Jungle Crocodile Safari

Pura Vida from Costa Rica!

~Charlie

Some Birds in Flight from Today at Tarcoles

Had a wild bus adventure to Tarcoles and back today with Ed Fair. More photos, stories tomorrow.

Roseate Spoonbill
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

l

Magnificent Frigate Bird female
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Ringed Kingfisher
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Great Egret
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Oops!   –   Snowy Egret
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Trip Photo Gallery: 2017-07-29- Tarcoles River


All of my photo galleries on Birds       or just Costa Rica Birds

And the boat tour company we used: Jungle Crocodile Safari

Pura Vida from Costa Rica!

~Charlie

Welder Working at Home

He is usually out here welding something from a gate to a truck part
and his little sign makes no sense in any language. Home business.
Atenas, Costa Rica

Funny thing is that he usually works out on the dirt foot path and into the street. The city is now building a sidewalk on his side of the street and he had to move some of his junk. But 10 to 1 he will set up his welding on the new sidewalk when finished and we will still have to walk in the street!  🙂

Costa Rica vs Panama for Retirement

I’m not a huge fan of “Happier Than a Billionaire” blog and books, but they can be fun reading since Nadine has a good sense of humor. Her latest post Costa Rica vs Panama really doesn’t give her reasons for Costa Rica because I don’t think they even tried Panama, like I did. But her post is still interesting, especially some of the reader comments! One way she and I differ is her goal is “happiness” and mine is more “meaning” or even “purpose” in life which is what I think gives real deep happiness.

Several of my early blog posts discussed my consideration of Panama based on two trips there which I agree is limited. Those posts:

26 June 2014 – Websites, Blogs, Books and Tours

28 June 2014 – Why I’m Considering a Move to Costa Rica  (Your reasons are first in choice)

29 June 2014 – Seeking God’s Leadership is First Priority  (Not where everyone is in life I know)

30 June 2014 – Why Doing This? And Why Not Panama?

23 May 2017 – Better Healthcare in Costa Rica

Now if I told you off the top of my head why I chose Costa Rica over Panama after nearly 3 years after making the decision, I think I would say:

 

  1. Nature is my first love and Costa Rica easily wins out as more natural overall.
  2. Culture of Costa Rica is just more to my liking in so many different ways from being happier, friendlier, less Americanized, pacifist with no army, and more tranquil where I visited.
  3. Cost of Living is actually higher here than in Panama just a little, but overall less than the states and easier to live here without a car than it would be in Panama.
  4. Super bus system makes it easy for me to live without a car.
  5. Healthier place by my study and better healthcare system.
  6. It feels right to me which has to do with many things like nature, previous trips here, my sense of God’s leadership, a comfortableness with it. I love it here and that is important! And I was beginning to hate the United States! (And Panama is too much like the states.)
One couple friends of mine tried Costa Rica here in Atenas and then went to try Panama. They decided to stay there and though they did not say this, their blog descriptions made it sound like they preferred it because it was more like America within a pure expat community where most of their friends are expats. And that is what some people need. I am wanting more relationships with those in a different culture and try not to hang out only with expats. That is a difference in people, purpose, or why you moved in the first place. No two expats are alike! And Costa Rica and Panama are not alike either. So if you are considering a move south, I suggest you make several lengthy trips and get the feel of places before making the big decision! And if and when made, I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine!
All of this is why the original name of this blog was “Costa Rica Decision Process” and why that is still in the address. And I hope it helps others make their decision.
¡Pura Vida!
 
Tortuguero Sunrise by Charlie
A Photo Gallery
 

New Sidewalk Is Exciting for a Walker!

Looking West Toward Town
Atenas, Costa Rica

Looking East Toward Colegio Gym
Atenas, Costa Rica

And Down Near the Corner
It will go around corner for another
full block, then right to Colegio Liceo
Atenas, Costa Rica

Like governments everywhere, they seem slow about getting things done and of course funds are not always there. But finally I do not have to walk in the street around “Dead Man’s Curve” or a blind curve between my house and downtown Atenas. And I imagine they hope the high school kids will use it. They now flood the streets around the school before and after school, slowing car traffic. 

My favorite place is whichever sidewalk is beneath my feet because I am just constantly fascinated by walking and looking and learning.
~Danny Meyer
And you will see much of my looking and learning from walking in my photo gallery called: 

¡Pura Vida!