Experiencing the simple life of an indigenous people is a true blessing and learning experience!
Live a simple life; you will own the most beautiful treasures of the world!
~Mehmet Murat ildan
¡Pura Vida!
Experiencing the simple life of an indigenous people is a true blessing and learning experience!
Live a simple life; you will own the most beautiful treasures of the world!
~Mehmet Murat ildan
¡Pura Vida!
Around noon every day you see some of the elementary school children eating their lunch with their mothers in the park across the street from the school. Some grade levels only go a half day, morning or afternoon, meaning they eat lunch before or after school. But all ages of children are very close to their mothers making lunch with Mom very natural. Almuerzo con la madre.
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On the back of the menu at Crema y Nata translated to English: Life is very short . . . start with dessert! |
And some morning when I walk by there I may just start the day with a cup of Te Chai!
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Christmas Morning Breakfast View |
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My tamales came from La Coope Supermercado, 2 to a package, 2 meals. |
Here’s a recipe for making Costa Rica Christmas Tamales. (Mine didn’t have as many vegetables.)
And to watch them being made, see this YouTube video of a family making them.
I’m sure the homemade ones are better than the ones I got at the Supermercado, but to be honest, I did not care for them. Mine had very few veggies and only a small piece of pork. The cornmeal and lard wrapping is what I don’t like.To much fat and cholesterol and not that tasty. I had to add sauce. These tamales are not part of my tradition unless I find better tasting ones! And maybe a healthier version?
And some more local Christmas decorations:
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Maybe typical of governments, but the city hall had one of the few secular Christmas decoration in town plus their decorated tree in the park. This is a very contemporary tree with reindeer of all things! The “Municipal Building” is opposite one corner of Central Park. |
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And the Catholic Church in center of town had this indoor nativity and an outdoor one with live people at certain times which I never caught. More homes have nativities. Jesus is more popular than Santa here! My nativity collection went fast at the silent auction earlier. |
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Christmas Dinner with neighbors at Hotel Colinas del Sol nearby. |
There is never an excuse for being lonely here! In fact, I sometimes have to work at finding my needed solitude! 🙂
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On Feria Day (Farmers’ Market Day) I process some of the fruit purchased . . . |
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. . . and then have a fruit plate for lunch! 🙂 |
I cut up half or more of the mango, pineapple and papaya into little squares and put in zip lock bags in the freezer to use in my fresh fruit frescos, refrescos de frutas, batidos, jugo de naturales or just smoothies for people from the states. And there are a lot of other names for drinks made from fresh fruit, plus a rice, cinnamon, and milk drink call horchata or an even better version with vanilla ice cream called leche muella. Fruit rules in Costa Rica!
Images, Descriptions & Uses of The Tropical Fruits of Costa Rica NEAT PAGE!
Probably at least one fruit here you have never heard of! And sorry, but I have not tried all of them yet! And this list is not all of the fruits found here.
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Spiny-tailed Iguana in Downtown Atenas |
I’ve seen one on the apartment grounds, a female with a nest we think, but very skittish and never close enough to photograph. Today I saw this Spiny-tailed Iguana on the back side of ICE, the electric and cell phone company, on the base of their tower. It’s a cell phone image. There are three kinds of iguanas in Costa Rica, Green, Spiny-tailed, and Helmeted. On earlier trips I always saw mostly the Green Iguana and maybe a few spiny-tailed, but never a helmeted yet.
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Typical Costa Rican Lunch Fried sea bass, onions, peppers, beans, rice, fried plantains, plantain fritters, and salad. |
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La Trocha del Boyero, Atenas, Costa Rica Covered Outdoor Patios are the most common style restaurant here. |
And for Supper . . .
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I got lots of fresh fruits and tomatoes today at the Farmers’ Market. They call it “Feria,” Spanish for “Fair” – the weekly Farmers’ Market. |
And what did I get? Papaya, Mangoes, Watermelon, Strawberries, Pineapple, Bananas, Tomatoes. I’m just not into cooking a lot of vegetables and things like potatoes or cassava. I eat those in restaurants!
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El Balcon del Cafe and Bakery |
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Looking out the Open Air Window of Don Tadeo’s at lunch Saturday, Central Park is always a hub of activity for locals |
I tried Don Tadeo’s Sports Bar and Grill for lunch yesterday and had a really good lunch of their day’s special, Lasagna and Salad, plus enjoyed watching these girls climb the tree and many other people socializing in Atenas Central Park, from teenagers stealing kisses to old men sitting and talking. It is what small town life in Costa Rica is.
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Clay-colored Thrush, formerly known as Clay-colored Robin |
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Rufous-naped Wren |
Went to church this morning and the novelty has worn off. I’ve got to improve my Spanish a whole lot quick to fully worship and learn from the sermon. But I will keep loving the people! Today was the day that early and late services were combined into one at 9:00 AM and always two hours long! Today I slipped out quickly at end of service and walked to Central Park again and today ate by myself at Antano Restaurant, some great rice with vegetables and shrimp.
Came home and drank a Guanabana for desert. I buy the Guanabana (soursop) pulp at grocery store and mix it one part with three parts water or sometimes with milk for a really rich smoothie! It is a big green, spiny fruit with white meat inside that is usually used in a blender for yummy drinks. It is also known as the “cancer killer” in some circles for natural remedies.