charliedoggett.net
 |
| CERRAJERIA is Spanish for Locksmith and this one is the only one I could find in Atenas or the only place to have a key duplicate made. And I learned a new word! ¡Las palabras son muy importantes! |
 |
| My duplicate keys were made quickly and efficiently and they work! |
 |
| Blomfild’s Beauty or Smyrna bloomfildia |
I also had one of these in my house last year, but this may be a little better photo the designs, though last year I got part of the top of wings which is greatly different. The intricate details of the design in this butterfly is amazing to me. I went next door and invited Anthony (the artist) over to see it and he photographed it too as a design idea for some of his future artwork. This time it was on the window screen of my kitchen window.
The organization also went on to say that, “The most popular reasons for relocating to Costa Rica are for a better quality of life and a thirst for adventure.” “The country’s friendly people and great work-life balance are just some of the reasons why expats decide to move to this tropical paradise.”
My internet research also puts the Canary Islands up near the top of this list. Still a subjective opinion! 🙂 But I like being in the mix and most often at the top! 🙂
 |
| InterNations’ Best/Worst Weather Map |
Weather was not my only reason for choosing to retire in Costa Rica, but a major factor. I literally live outdoors all the time in an alfresco style house with doors and windows always open all day and only window screens separating me from outside at night. I have no need for air-conditioning or heat at any time of the year and rarely use my ceiling fans on some warm afternoons.
 |
| Black Witch Moth On the ceiling of my covered terrace in Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica. Wing span about 5 inches. |
This guy is pretty common and one of the 8,000+ moths in Costa Rica and appears in all parts of the country. He is one of the best travelers, appearing from Florida to Brazil.
 |
| Polydamas Swallowtail On my “Quince de Abril” Flower My garden, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
My Butterfly/Moth Photo Gallery with 50 species!
It is a “closed group” so you have to join to be able to see the posts. But it is great for a newcomer expat living in Atenas where all your questions are answered and even often asked by someone else. 🙂 Also great for someone about to move here or even thinking about it!
Questions/answers range from where you can buy something to where you can get something fixed. Plus how to accomplish needed tasks, etc.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/atenascostaricainfo/permalink/1028669077248845/
 |
| Lots of Lizards During the Rainy Season – though rain sparse this week. |
 |
| Star Fruit rotting along the sidewalk as I walk to town. This expensive fruit in the states is not popular here & often not harvested. But Mangoes have piled up and rotted even more, and they are loved here. |
 |
| Teatro Nacional Stage seen from Balcony They asked us to not take photos during the performance. Note the screen for subtitles. Opera was in Italian and subtitles in Spanish! (What did you expect in a Spanish-language country?) I understood maybe 30%. Thanks to Amazon Kindle I had read it in English before the performance AND watched it on YouTube with English Subtitles, so I was ready! 🙂 |
 |
| Our Atenas Group in the Balcony of Teatro Nacional |
 |
| Atenas Expat Retirees on Bus to San Jose |
 |
| Opera Program Book And oh yeah, it was a fabulous performance! Perfect in every way! The arts are very important here and done well in every medium. And I’m interested in something other than just birds! 🙂 |
 |
| Outside Teatro Nacional (Photo made earlier than today’s visit.) |
 |
| Inside Lobby of Teatro Nacional (Earlier shot. It was packed full tonight!) There is a great little restaurant off the lobby but packed tonight, so Anthony and I ate burgers at McDonald’s across the street. Shameful! |
We went to a 5:00 PM performance and our bus was back in Atenas by 8:30 PM. Nice!
 |
| Cow Eating Hibiscus Shrubs 1 of 3 cows in a neighbor’s yard from the cow pasture near me. They get out frequently! Someone comes and rounds them up. 🙂 |
Just another day in the neighborhood! And most of us are glad that this is the most exciting thing to happen in Roca Verde! Another neighborhood, possibly richer, does not have a community gate and guard like us. They have had a couple of break-ins recently. We have had none! I feel very safe.