I considered calling this article “Paradise Found“ with apologies to John Milton but the Pura Vida lifestyle here in Costa Rica lends itself much better to the title I have chosen.
I’ve been living my dream for just over seven months. I have been using the language learning program Duolingo for close to 200 days and, am able to carry on simple conversations in Spanish without resorting to Google Translate as often as I have been doing.
September 15th marked the 201st anniversary of Costa Rica Independence and it was celebrated in style.
My gardens are growing in size and number at my pace and, I am happy to accept this slower approach to life.
I ordered some wood products four or five months ago and they were installed recently. I am delighted. I also just received a tropical comforter I ordered from Amazon.
My friend Henry made time recently, to skim coat and seal the feature I have planned as a fish pond from day one. Now to find some goldfish.
I purchased a wooden couch and two chairs a few months ago. They now only need to have a clear coat applied and the newly reupholstered cushions attached.
I live in a country that has a six month rainy season or, as it is euphemistically called, the green season. From the first time I looked at the house I worried about water but I did not let that stop me from purchasing. Everything in much of Costa Rica is built on the side of a hill. My house and property are no exception. The house was surrounded by interlocking bricks but, it concerned me that while these would provide incredible water absorption, the potential for water to work its way under the house existed. To mitigate that worry, I have had the interlock removed and replaced with concrete for better drainage. While pouring the driveway portion, the rain was coming down at a rate of nearly six inches per hour.
I’m sure you’re all aware of the two beautiful murals I had painted on the walls of the kitchen and the spare bedroom. I absolutely love them.
Pura Vida, the journey continues…