I think Margarita's Guesthouse is the best-kept secret near the San Jose airport.  I only heard about it thanks to a chance encounter with Jimmy, a retired New York firefighter who sat down next to us on the flight down to San Jose. The lines on his face told the story of an interesting life. … Continue reading From Green to White via Margarita’s Guest House

The trees here in the cloud forest are amazing. Not just for their size but for the weight that they carry. I think they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. They are the home of many epiphytes, plants that live on their branches, but are not parasites, and do no harm. Many … Continue reading Living on the Edge of the Cloud Forest

Long ago, in my last life as a wife (It’s only been three years but it seems like a century ago since he died) the pink bag was for my dirty clothes. I made the bag myself out of sturdy pink cotton. Bob had a gray bag for his clothes. They were light and folded … Continue reading A Costa Rica Clothing Adventure

The town tourist map showed it was not far. My Lonely Planet Guide said it was not to be missed. So off we went on roads with bumps but no labels. We found a lovely bakery and had a snack. We'd made a wrong turn. I studied the map-I need to go the numbers that … Continue reading Reserva Santa Elena

    I left at home The memories so carefully stowed. Albums, children grown and flown   Husband who understood My every whim Loved me, bumps, scars and all   I look for family and friends To take me in their arms And love me as he did.   There are none to be found … Continue reading Grief Grows

"Cough, Cough, Cough."  My body still coughed through the night, It wasn't Costa Rica's fault.  My grandson gave this cough, but I'd fought it off until I got stressed out in San Jose.  Then my voice had gone hoarse, but I was sure I'd recovered quickly after all I hadn't been sick for 8 years. … Continue reading Coughing, Doctor, Heading to the Beach. Beautiful Costa Rica

Advertisements confused the eyes and the brain, where was the road to San Luis? We turned right onto a very steep little road, which was still paved.  We descended down and down the gasping for breath at every turn.  I didn't feel afraid, just shocked at the view that descended into rolling clouds coming off … Continue reading Arriving at Xenia’s Dairy Farm Airbub Costa Rica

Day three we woke up and called Wild Rider to check on our rental car which was to arrive at the hotel at 10:00. I hadn't gotten an email from them since they'd confirmed my reservation for a  small 2016 SUV in October.  My brother talked since my voice was still questionable from my cold. … Continue reading Driving to Monteverde

There was a slight turbulence as we descended down to land in San Jose.  The city lights outside our window wove down the hillsides like a river.  Customs was very simple, at 8:30 pm there weren't any lines except the wait for our luggage.  They checked our luggage by just throwing them on a belt … Continue reading First Day in Costa Rica- San Jose