charliedoggett.net
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| The official theme was “Navidad Azul” or “Blue Christmas.” Most groups didn’t follow the theme like this one. |
For more shots of the fantastic parade and the arts & crafts fair, see my photo gallery:
Christmas in Atenas 2017.
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| One of my photos of a Collared Aracari in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica — eating of course! 🙂 |
Or for a more traditional message and a different bird photo, see my Christmas card on Facebook.
It is Christmas Time here! The children and teens are out of school and out of uniforms as the seniors graduated yesterday and summer vacation has started. Happy sounds! Schools begin a new year in February.
The rains have stopped and the wind is blowing; dry season is here. Soon some businesses will close for two weeks or more and when I get to the beach 22 December it will be crowded with more Ticos than foreign tourists.
My gardener team said goodbye today, “Hasta proxima anos!” They will see me next year. Mid December until January is vacation time for many people and even more so a family time. The week between Christmas and New Years Atenas will look like a ghost town with little going on beyond the always open super mercados and farmacias. Peaceful too! I will be gone on my trip to Tambor Bay December 22-27 and reporting in daily right here on this blog! (If internet connection!)
And hoping you have the joy and tranquility of Costa Rica during your Christmas celebration!
Merry Christmas!
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| Alajuela City Christmas Tree in Juan Santamaria Park – BIG! And yes, overcast, windy, and cold for us in the 60’s! Alajuela, Costa Rica |
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| Alajuela, Costa Rica |
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| Variegated Squirrel, Central Park Alajuela, Costa Rica |
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| Cathedral of Alajuela with staff working on incomplete Christmas decorations The manger scene parts were outside and not assembled yet. Alajuela, Costa Rica |
The touristy look of my photos today is because I was showing Alajuela to a newcomer to Atenas and he learned how to ride the bus to Alajuela today and saw downtown for first time. And we had lunch at Jalapenos Central Restaurant where a British friend in Atenas walked in and joined us. Fun! My other reason for going was to return a Timex Watch to the Alajuela Walmart where they said they would send it to be repaired within 15 work days or by first of next year. If not repaired satisfactorily they will refund my money. Fair enough (cheap watch). With a cell phone I don’t have to have a watch, but got it for the quicker convenience of seeing the time. If not repaired, I will not replace it.
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| This is “My Zoo” or the closest one to Atenas, 16.1 km or 10 miles. |
Zooave is recognized for
it’s high quality of animal care.
Read this online article about the excellence award it and one other place in Costa Rica received. Not all places labeled “Animal Rescue” are high quality!
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| While waiting on a parade to start last year this Atenas father leads several waiting children in a game. As I did my daily walk through town today, not seeing a memorable photo op, I thought of this old one. It is so typical of the happiest people on earth right here in the center of Costa Rica! Glad I live here! Atenas, Costa Rica |
See also my photo gallery PEOPLE & FIESTAS.
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| Melodious Blackbird But the pink bump on the chin is not normal, so I have also posted on ornithological FB group asking about it. In my garden at breakfast this morning. Atenas, Costa Rica |
And my photo gallery of BIRDS
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| Banded Skipper Butterfly In my garden, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Photo Gallery of Butterflies & Moths
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| Selfie of Old Man on Daily Walk Atenas, Costa Rica Strangler Fig Tree in Background |
And a gallery of Other Photos of Me for those who say I only have bird photos
VISTAS, BEACHES, SUNRISES, SUNSETS
From my Roca Verde Terrace
From the Hill Above my House
From Hacienda La Jacaranda Apartments
Caribbean Beaches
Pacific Beaches
Miscellaneous Costa Rica Vistas
Neighboring Country: Nicaragua Vistas
Neighboring Country: Guatemala Vistas
Neighboring Country: Panama Vistas
Neighboring Country: Mexico Vistas
WATERFALLS
Campesinos Waterfall, Quepos
Cloudbridge Reserve Waterfalls (2)
Corcovado National Park (3)
Hanging Bridges Waterfall
La Paz Waterfalls (5)
Manantial de Agua Viva Waterfall, Carara
San Gerardo de Dota Waterfalls (2)
San Luis Waterfall, Monteverde
PLACES AND THINGS
Costa Rica Lodges & Hotels (33)
Nicaragua Lodges & Hotels (5)
Panama Lodges & Hotels (4)
My Rent House in Roca Verde
Hacienda La Jacaranda Apartments
Atenas General Shots
Atenas Public Art & Grafitti RAN OUT OF TIME LINKING TITLES!
Atenas Home Business Signs Sorry!
Churches Costa Rica
Churches Nicaragua
Alajuela, Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica
Small Towns Costa Rica
PEOPLE & FIESTAS
Tamale Making Class
Independence Day Parade 2017
Independence Day Parade 2016
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| New exercise equipment appropriate for children has been installed in park across from Elementary School. Health is emphasized much here. |
