My first Christmas in Costa Rica is in the books. It was about 25°C and sunshine all afternoon. Turkey dinner and friendship with Heather and Henry was enjoyed by the pool. These two wonderful people have made my transition into life here almost seamless.
It’s not only my first Christmas in Costa Rica but yesterday also marked 10 months since my arrival in paradise. Do I have any regrets? The only one is that I didn’t do this five years ago. I prefer to see the glass as half full and look forward every day to what life brings.
I truly am blessed with having found the property that I did. It’s a beautiful one acre slice of nature in a small barrio. I can walk to a tiny grocery store or a restaurant when need be and yet, I have had over 80 different species of birds and numerous other wildlife in my yard since my arrival.
I have three wonderful dogs that come to visit me everyday and a rooster who has been a yard companion since he was a chick that I thought was a hen. I taught him how to crow and he comes to visit and crows for breakfast daily.
I love small trips and I still have every intention in the world of visiting all of the wildlife sanctuaries and parks within driving distance but, I could probably spend all of my days wandering in my yard.
My house has slowly become my home starting even before I moved in with Heather and Henry getting the interior painted for me prior to arrival. I have had two beautiful murals painted on my walls, purchased a lovely piece of artwork, had one of my own photographs turned into a canvas print, repainted the roof of my casa a lovely green, refinished a second hand couch and chairs, renewed the gazebo and have had closet doors and woodworking done by a master craftsman here in my neighborhood.
The gardens are an ongoing work in progress. I have brought three existing gardens back to life and added six new ones and countless individual plants to the property. I must thank a few of my local friends for their generous plant offerings and the extremely reasonable price of plants at the local viveros.
I have had 275 days of continuous online Spanish language lessons and find that I can generally make myself known with my limited skills. Hopefully, I will only improve.
Happiness doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of my feelings. I am truly blessed. Pura Vida!