Secret Garden Costa Rica

Fireflies

secretgardencostarica — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:50:31 +0000

Written by Rick In Florida

I saw something in Costa Rica that I have not seen in a very long time. Fireflies. I know; there are a hundred directions this dissertation could go …..such as pollution, poison, and environmental arguments out the ying yang …. but I don’t want to go there. Suffice it to say that just seeing these marvelous specks of light in the night brought back childhood memories of my brother and sisters chasing these luminous dots with abandonment on a warm summers eve after dinner. The fact that they thrive in Costa Rica speaks volumes. Where I saw them is another story since it was in the small Caribbean coast town of Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo has slammed it’s creaky weathered door shut on globalization so if you are unaware it may come as a cultural shock. The road to PV has been infamous for it’s potholes however this time the road was; to my surprise in reasonably good repair, till shortly before P.V. (In town it is another story.) One of the things that surprised me the most about the town was the number of spring break aged tourists there. Many of them were staying at some of the laid back “Hostels” in town where for a few “colones” you can get yourself a hammock and a place to wash up. The young people really amaze me for they seem so uninformed and uninvolved on the one hand and then so aware about other things on the other hand. They are definitely the meeeeee generation. Juxtaposed to the “informal” structure of civilization in P.V was the really great food and presentation of food available in the most ram-shackled buildings with hand painted signs declaring “restaurant”. Several come to mind …. the rice with coconut offered everywhere; was yummy as were all of the entrees be it fish, pork or fowl. (No one eats the beef meat in Costa Rica …. sorry but it really is way too lean, tough and strange tasting due to the free range, grass eating stock from which it comes.) Speaking of cattle here is the view in the morning from the balcony of a great little Hotel on the beach where in the morning the cows come home and in the evening the Fireflies twinkle in the trees.

Puerto Viejo

secretgardencostarica — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:10:53 +0000

If you desire a laid back; mind your own business, leave me alone, life’s a beach really neat place then from Puerto Viejo to the Panama border is for you. Local residents:

The view of the beach from the new Hotel Banana Azul :

I’m Here in Costa Rica ……Now What?

secretgardencostarica — Tue, 15 May 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The trauma of arriving in a foreign country and the crush of new intimidating stimulus can get the best of the best of us! So…..make sure you have made plans for your arrival day to just get acclamated. Having reservations in town the first night is a great way to do this and make sure to prepare some basic sentences in Spanish that you know you will need. (Directions to your B&B,hotel, how much, how long, where is _____ etc.)

There are many great B&B’s and hotels nearby the airport that you can rely on to help you make the start of your trip begin smoothly.

We all see the Jungle, beaches and pools of water flashing before our eyes as we exit the airport ……. the reality is a very busy congested city …. so be prepared.

Relax after arriving, organize, confirm your reservations, plan your trips, get out and meet some fellow travelers and conspire to have a great visit.

Decorative Wrought Iron

secretgardencostarica — Mon, 14 May 2007 21:58:34 +0000

The most common complaint that I hear about Costa Rica these days is with regards to the security situation. I can not tell you that security is not an issue but you are not in Kansas anymore when you are in Central America .

I think one of the main problems is perception …….. the prevalent design for city and small town homes in Central and South America includes electric gates, serpentine wire and wrought iron on the windows and doors. Savvy Real Estate hawkers would call this Decorative!

The decorative wrought iron has definitely given the viewer a feeling of perceived threat. So many Expats have started moving into gated communities.

Fact of the matter is if you leave anything unattended or “un-guarded” in Central America you are inviting it’s removal. Quite honestly; the influx of wealthy visitors and Expats with their collection of possessions have been an irresistible temptation for those impoverished in the cities and tourist areas. Best advice is to use common sense about what you wear, where you wear it and watch those things you don ‘t want to loose. Overall the Costa Ricans are wonderful family oriented people.