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Pura Vida

Trip: 101 days...

There are [69] stories from my trip: 101 days...


Photos: Butterfly Garden

COSTA RICA | Thursday, 2 Dec 2010 | Photo Gallery

No explanation needed - it was cool!
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When I’m Gone

COSTA RICA | Thursday, 2 Dec 2010 | Views [458]

Though I have not been as diligent as promised with keeping a blog, especially while at Villas, this was a great experience. As I near the end of my trip and prepare for my return to the states, I want to say thanks for reading along, following ... Read more >


Photos: Transported

COSTA RICA | Wednesday, 1 Dec 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Transported

COSTA RICA | Wednesday, 1 Dec 2010 | Views [459]

You know that weird feeling you get when you’re in a movie theater, like the outside world doesn’t exist beyond the screen in front of you? When the movie is over you walk back into the mall and need a minute to realize when and ... Read more >


Photos: Las Juntas

COSTA RICA | Monday, 29 Nov 2010 | Photo Gallery


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The Mind

USA | Monday, 29 Nov 2010 | Views [339]

The mind is an incredible thing! Yesterday I talked about how amazing it was to find places I had been and knowing my way around. Today was no different, and reflecting on the power of the mind left me absolutely dumbfounded. In 2002 I was here ... Read more >


Full Circle

COSTA RICA | Sunday, 28 Nov 2010 | Views [462]

One of the main justifications for this trip and its timing was that I may never have the chance to do something like this again (though meeting tons of travelers along the way – I’m not sure I believe that anymore). Either way, I feel that ... Read more >


Photos: Montezuma

COSTA RICA | Saturday, 27 Nov 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Thanks

COSTA RICA | Thursday, 25 Nov 2010 | Views [405]

I knew when I planned this trip that being away from family and tradition on Thanksgiving would not be easy. Like Halloween, it’s one of my favorites, but for all different reasons. A chill in the air, a chance of snow, everyone helping in ... Read more >


Imitation

COSTA RICA | Wednesday, 24 Nov 2010 | Views [360]

At 6 am I awoke in Montezuma and stepped out onto the second floor deck of Hotel Lucy. What I saw gave me such pause that I literally had to sit down. The sun had just risen over the Pacific Ocean, was shining brightly through sparse clouds ... Read more >


Photos: Villas Mastatal 2

COSTA RICA | Monday, 22 Nov 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Photos: Villas Mastatal

COSTA RICA | Monday, 22 Nov 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Villas Farewell

COSTA RICA | Sunday, 21 Nov 2010 | Views [403]

This quiet little town tucked away in the hills of Mastatal has limited communication and technology. What it lacks in technology is makes up for in something we often strive for – quality. Here in Mastatal there exists a life that is so perfectly ... Read more >


Tormenta

COSTA RICA | Friday, 5 Nov 2010 | Views [491]

Today is the fifth day in November, and already there has been more rain recorded for the month than in the last 20 years! Every day since my arrival in Mastatal has been rain – for four straight days! And we’re not just talking ... Read more >


Paradise

COSTA RICA | Wednesday, 3 Nov 2010 | Views [382]

Paradise is no longer elusive – I found it! When planning began back in the states, I imagined this trip to have only one phase. But as we know things rarely go according to plan. The first phase of my trip was that of acclimation: getting around ... Read more >


Travel Day. Crap.

COSTA RICA | Tuesday, 2 Nov 2010 | Views [758] | Comments [1]

I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Travel days during this journey rarely are, and often test not only my soul, but also the will and desire to remain in Costa Rica. Today was no exception. At 11:30 am, after waiting all morning ... Read more >


Photos: Manuel Antonio

COSTA RICA | Monday, 1 Nov 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Season of Change

COSTA RICA | Sunday, 31 Oct 2010 | Views [389]

Halloween and the season of change make for my favorite time of year. A landscape full of oranges and reds, pumpkins for carving, apples for picking, cooler days and the smell of wood-burning stoves. And Halloween… whoa! I mean, scary ... Read more >


Weekly Planner

COSTA RICA | Friday, 29 Oct 2010 | Views [396]

Next time, if there is a next time, I’m traveling lighter. Even with the box of stuff I sent home I still have way too many things, and hardly use any of them. Anyway, during the grand event of packing this evening I stumbled upon my poor, neglected ... Read more >


Traveling Man

COSTA RICA | Thursday, 28 Oct 2010 | Views [408]

Hi-ya folks! No, I didn't forget about you over the last three weeks, and (thankfully) the snake meal was not the end of me. After a short trip to Quepos and Manuel Antonio with friends from Roberts Farm, I went to Villas Mastatal - the most perfect place ... Read more >


Photos: Snake, it's what's for dinner!

COSTA RICA | Wednesday, 27 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery

For the second day in a row, Emily spotted a Fur-de-lance pit viper right off the front porch in a garden where she was working. The decision was made to kill the snake, with the plan to use as much of it as possible. We are drying the skin and head for ... Read more >
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Deep Thoughts (readers proceed with caution)

COSTA RICA | Tuesday, 26 Oct 2010 | Views [475]

The desired effect of working alone in the garden is to think. Not about day to day life with questions like what am I doing next? how can I do this more efficiently? where am I going this weekend? No - thinking in the garden is about digging ... Read more >


Trial by Fire

COSTA RICA | Monday, 25 Oct 2010 | Views [370] | Comments [1]

I really dislike itchy rashes. Poison ivy… vile stuff. I get it every year and there is just nothing pleasant about it. I end up scratching until my skin is raw and bleeding, then add some ethyl alcohol to dry it out and burn the stuff ... Read more >


Photos: Monkeys! (and more)

COSTA RICA | Saturday, 23 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Photos: And so goes another week...

COSTA RICA | Saturday, 23 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Photos: New Project

COSTA RICA | Friday, 22 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery

This week I worked on converting an old hay field into new planting beds. The field was first mowed by Robert, I raked, moved and raked again. In the spirit of using everything, the clippings were used for mulch to keep plants moist in the upcoming dry ... Read more >
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Fiesta

COSTA RICA | Thursday, 21 Oct 2010 | Views [368]

What a sight! The remaining eight WWOOFers and Lady (the small headed / large bodied dog) all piled into the Toyota today for a run into town. The mission was simple – buy some beverages for a small fiesta to help see friends off to their next ... Read more >


Photos: Friends at Robert's Farm

COSTA RICA | Monday, 18 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery

Good people and great friends here at Robert's Farm. I am sad to see people leave...
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Photos: Insects (and other creepy crawlies)!

COSTA RICA | Monday, 18 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery

I haven't posted invertebrate pictures in a while, but often marvel at their beauty here at Robert's Farm. Here's some I've been able to capture on camera!
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Nickname

COSTA RICA | Saturday, 16 Oct 2010 | Views [398]

Today we did some shopping at the farmer’s market, bought some goodies at Palí, and completed the Saturday morning ritual with a deliciously refreshing smoothie, juice or shake at Orgánica. During our visit the previous week I thought I recognized music ... Read more >


Serendipity

COSTA RICA | Friday, 15 Oct 2010 | Views [392]

Last Saturday night Emily and I took a stroll to Rancho el Higuer ó n for some cold beer and culture. Serendipitously, a man that asked to borrow a chair from our table just happens to be a professor in California, a native of Cuidad ... Read more >


Photos: Busy Day

COSTA RICA | Thursday, 14 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Photos: Una Aventura!

COSTA RICA | Thursday, 14 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Busy day

COSTA RICA | Thursday, 14 Oct 2010 | Views [388]

According to the biodynamic calendar, which considers not only sun and moon cycles for planting but also the other heavily bodies, today was a “fruit day”. Based on previous long-term studies, planting on a fruit day will enhance fruit production, ... Read more >


Una Aventura!

COSTA RICA | Thursday, 14 Oct 2010 | Views [543]

After much anticipation, we finally made it down the dangerous cliff! Seven prepared for the journey as Robert looped the hand-made rope ladder around the base of a large jocote tree at the edge of his property. Emily was the first ... Read more >


Photos: Universidad para la Paz

COSTA RICA | Tuesday, 12 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Universidad para la Paz

COSTA RICA | Tuesday, 12 Oct 2010 | Views [602]

Charlie has been in Costa Rica for close to 30 years, living in and around Mora and having a number of interesting jobs. For a time, he worked as a guide at the University for Peace. Owned and run by the United Nations, the University ... Read more >


Photos: Farm Grand Stand

COSTA RICA | Monday, 11 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery


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Farm Grand Stand

COSTA RICA | Monday, 11 Oct 2010 | Views [397]

As a career student that once upon a last year co-taught a college level course, I really appreciate novel techniques to communicate ideas. Let’s face it, the blah, blah, blah lecture approach often leads to bobbing head syndrome and ... Read more >


Photos: New Trades

COSTA RICA | Monday, 11 Oct 2010 | Photo Gallery


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