My almost wasted Friday!
I had two different prescriptions for these two free testings, but filed them away and forgot about them. Last week I went to the clinic in Alajuela and told them I was supposed to get an EKG. They can’t do it without a prescription from a CAJA doctor. Well, I’ll tell Doc on the 12th, figuring I didn’t have one.
This morning at 7 was my appointment at the clinic lab for my blood work. I’m there by 6:30 (walking) and wait an hour to get to front of line where they tell me they can’t do it without a prescription. I walk back home and dig through my CAJA folder and sure enough, there it is AND the prescription for the EKG! I’ve become a FORGETFUL OLD MAN! Tired and sweaty by now after the two mile round trip walk, I call a taxi and take both prescription (I’m going to Alajuela after the lab and finish this stuff today!)
I’m back at lab by 8 and with my blood given and out by 8:30. Walk to bus station and in Alajuela’s Clinica Marcea Rodriquez with my prescription for a EKG by 10:00. I’ve about got this testing licked I thought! I’m escorted to the cardiology waiting room of musical chairs where I’m only 3rd in line. Good prescription they tell me but you must have a cita, an appointment! So after several minutes on her computer she tells me my appointment is 26 December at 11! My helper who walked me over there said, “Oh! You’re lucky! It’s this year!” 🙂 Well, I have an earlier EKG from a private doctor, so I’m not worried and it is no skin off my new doc’s back! Go with the flow and learn the system!
Part of the Pura Vida spirit of Costa Rica is having a “What? Me worry?” attitude. All of this kind of stuff is seen by so many people here as God’s will and you just take it as it comes! But it would have helped a whole lot if I had remembered that I had prescriptions and where I put them!
I ate lunch at Taco Bell in Alajuela (we have no fast food in Atenas) and bus had me home by 1:00 – very tired!
Exotic Flowers Hiding in My Garden
In the back corner of my garden beyond the big Heliconias and behind these Red Gingers are some tall green, leafy plants, not flower-like. |
If you get close, you see they kind of look like tall, leafy stalks, similar to corn, but that is not a corn cob in the back! It is the flower! |
If I stand on the hill above my garden and look down 1 of 4 is peaking out. |
This is one full-grown Maraca or Shampoo Ginger Flower |
Another Maraca or Shampoo Ginger |
And a Baby Maraca or Shampoo Ginger |
In my pre-move travels all over Central America I saw these unique tropical flower and always thought they were the most unique. Thanks to my gardeners and especially Alfredo, I now have a plant that has grown well and spread in my garden. I can now walk out my back door and see them, well, with a little searching! 🙂 They are somewhat rare and not available in all the Veveros (plant nurseries), but my good gardener Alfredo found one in his uncle’s yard for me! Be nice to your gardener and he will be nice to you! 🙂
I’m just starting my garden photo gallery but it has quite a few photos already!
Old Man’s Joy: Having Gardeners!
They save my back and other potential aches and pains as well as time, and they do it fast and very well. I am fortunate! And they are my friends! This is Alfredo above. |
My back garden is still the centerpiece, but the whole yard is a garden! I love living here among the tropical plants with doors/windows always open! |
I’m just starting my garden photo gallery but it has quite a few photos already!
Grasshopper Dinner Plate?
This Grasshopper, like the Leaf-cutter Ants finds my garden to be a cafeteria or at least a dinner plate! |
See my “Other Insects” Photo Gallery
New Unknown Moth
Unknown Moth Inside My House, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Unknown Moth Inside My House, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Unknown Moth Inside My House, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
I am calling it a moth because the antennae have no little ball on the end like butterflies. The other characteristic is a “furry” body which is hard to tell in these photos but looks like it could be, especially in the top photo. Plus I cannot find it in my new most complete butterfly book for Central America and none of the brown butterflies or moths online match it, so I call it “unknown moth” for now.
More Beaches & Another Sunset
Playa Hermosa or “Beautiful Beach” The one in Guanacaste – there are 3 or 4 in Costa Rica with this name! I think it is prettier than the bigger one in Flamingo, just not as long. |
Another Flamingo Beach Sunset We went back to our favorite restaurant for dinner, Coco Loco & sunset! |
I am thankful that John invited me to go with him to the beaches and the jungle boat ride! I got to see a whole new part of Costa Rica this week and it is as cool as all the other parts I’ve seen. Plus seeing several condos and how people live there compared to Atenas was fun and educational. Of course my favorite part was the boat trip on Rio Tempisque in Palo Verde Park! My next trip is the end of September to Manzanilla on the southern Caribbean coast where I will stay in a luxury safari tent hotel on the beach adjacent to a wildlife reserve. Hoping for more new birds and experiences. I got two new birds photographed this trip! (Crested Caracara & Crane Hawk) Now here’s one last photo from this trip, shot through the glaring windshield on our way to Palo Verde:
A Tamandua Anteater ran across this road as did an Agouti, but sorry, no photos! 🙂 |
For more beaches and other scenery, see my VISTAS Photo Gallery.
Or go directly to my total Costa Rica Photo Gallery called Charlie Doggett’s COSTA RICA
Atenas
Link to a video about Atenas, where I live, by CATUCA, the “Chamber of Commerce” type organization here.
I’m having computer problems and can’t post my trip photos right now. It may be a long time before I get it fixed, so don’t know when! I’ve never been happy with the ASUS Computer that Best Buy in Mt. Juliet TN sold me and I may have to look for another one here in Costa Rica – grrrr!
Tempisque River Today
Little Blue Heron Tempisque River, The Palo Verde National Park, Costa Rica |
I’m having trouble with my computer shutting off every few minutes, so only one photo for now and more later from our boat trip on Rio Tempisque and a drive through Playa Hermosa and Playa Coco. I of course made lots of photos! 🙂 It was windy and thus not as many birds as we would normally have and I only got maybe one new or first time bird. But a good trip and I learned about some more Guanacaste beaches. Hope to get photos up soon!
Flamingo Beach, Sunset & Tamarindo Visit
We finally find the good beach in Flamingo Beach! It is public, 4 times this long, and with very few people! And no hotels along here! 🙂 |
The occasional person even has the choice of a tree for shade, but alas, most are sun worshipers! |
And tonight at the end of this same beach we watch the Sunset! While eating our best meal yet at Coco Loco Seafood Restaurant on the beach in Flamingo Beach. |
And our midday and early afternoon was spent exploring Tamarindo Beach and being taken around by a Realtor to see several possible rental condos for John to consider purchasing. We ended up not looking in Flamingo Beach this time because of the lesser demand and higher prices. He is waiting on some promised data before making a decision. But soon you may be able to rent a vacation condo within walking distance of the beach and lots of restaurants in Tamarindo.
Tomorrow we go to Palo Verde National Park looking for birds! My day! 🙂