Thursday, July 30, 2009
Pictures on the Salt Flats.
Our good friend Tom Clark took Heather and I out to the salt flats, near Wendover, NV on Tuesday afternoon for a photo shoot. I just wanted to share a few of them with you:
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Changing Directions
If you look at the date of the previous blog entry, you'll know that its been a while since our latest update. The reason for this is because we've had to change directions in our life, and its been difficult dealing with the reality of that.
The three months we spent in Costa Rica were probably the most difficult times we've spent together and by the end of it, we discovered that we needed to put our tropical life on hold and go back to Utah.
There are many complicated reasons for our decision, which was not an easy one to make. Most of our reasons, we would rather not publish online. All that is necessary to say right now, is that there was a lot that we didn't anticipate and things just didn't work out for us.
The good news is that we're back in a familiar place where we can communicate easily and we're close to friends and family. Now we need to figure out what we're going to do with ourselves and think about jobs and school. Our loft is rented out until April of next year, so we're in a new little place by Memory Grove. We're close to downtown SLC and lots of hiking trails. Shardul is happy in his new home. We have some ideas on what we want to do in the future and we'll post updates on our latest musings and adventures. As of right now, there is still furniture and belongings to move around and a bit of reverse culture shock to wring out of our systems. After our place is put together, we'll post pictures. Check back soon!
The three months we spent in Costa Rica were probably the most difficult times we've spent together and by the end of it, we discovered that we needed to put our tropical life on hold and go back to Utah.
There are many complicated reasons for our decision, which was not an easy one to make. Most of our reasons, we would rather not publish online. All that is necessary to say right now, is that there was a lot that we didn't anticipate and things just didn't work out for us.
The good news is that we're back in a familiar place where we can communicate easily and we're close to friends and family. Now we need to figure out what we're going to do with ourselves and think about jobs and school. Our loft is rented out until April of next year, so we're in a new little place by Memory Grove. We're close to downtown SLC and lots of hiking trails. Shardul is happy in his new home. We have some ideas on what we want to do in the future and we'll post updates on our latest musings and adventures. As of right now, there is still furniture and belongings to move around and a bit of reverse culture shock to wring out of our systems. After our place is put together, we'll post pictures. Check back soon!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Costa Rica Journal - Thursday, 5-28-09
At around 7:00 am, we dropped off our friends at the bus station in Guatuso. It was sad parting, but I think they were ready to continue their journey North. Heather was meeting her sister in Guatemala in the next few days and I know she was very excited about that.
The house seemed rather quiet and empty with them gone, so we decided to go for a walk. After a turn down the road, we came to the river. There wasn't much of a swimming hold there, but we got in anyway and refreshed ourselves in the cool water for a little while.
On our way back home, we ran into a farm worker who was very happy to show us all the animals on the land that he worked. After our little tour, we went back home and got ready for our dance class next door.
Today we started to introduce ourselves as Anna and Jose. We think this will help people remember us and they will be able to pronounce us much easier. Ann is my middle name so it fits. We introduced ourselves to Eduardo's mother this way as we stopped in at the market, and we also told people at the dance class to call us this.
The house seemed rather quiet and empty with them gone, so we decided to go for a walk. After a turn down the road, we came to the river. There wasn't much of a swimming hold there, but we got in anyway and refreshed ourselves in the cool water for a little while.
On our way back home, we ran into a farm worker who was very happy to show us all the animals on the land that he worked. After our little tour, we went back home and got ready for our dance class next door.
Today we started to introduce ourselves as Anna and Jose. We think this will help people remember us and they will be able to pronounce us much easier. Ann is my middle name so it fits. We introduced ourselves to Eduardo's mother this way as we stopped in at the market, and we also told people at the dance class to call us this.
Costa Rica Journal - Wednesday, 5-27-09
Nothing much happened today. We all stayed in as Kevin and Heather would be leaving the next day. After breakfast, we played a little music and planned out bus routes. Later in the afternoon, Fred came by with another bikeforums member who was on vacation with his girlfriend. We all ended up going to Alfonso's for dinner.
It was a nice few hours, then it was time for them to return to their hotel. Fred came back over to our house and spent another few hours talking to Kevin and Heather about their plans to build a sustainable community. Joe drove him home after the darkness began to creep in.
It was a nice few hours, then it was time for them to return to their hotel. Fred came back over to our house and spent another few hours talking to Kevin and Heather about their plans to build a sustainable community. Joe drove him home after the darkness began to creep in.
Costa Rica Journal - Tuesday, 5-26-09
The tow main goals of today were purchasing ingredients for tonight's dinner and finding a place to go swimming. We decided to head for Lake Arenal and we found a nice swimming spot near the bridge where we spent some time there getting wet, laying out in the sun, and playing music. The setting was a small beach that had quite a lot of litter on it. We cleaned it up as best as we could, all of the garbage was washed up from the lake, so its only a matter of time before its dirty again.
After swimming, we went to La Fortuna and bought some dinner ingredients and then made our way back to Guatuso. While we were driving, a police man pulled us over because Kevin and Heather were in the back of the truck. He let us go and told us to be careful.
Soon we were back home again and we began to prepare our dinner. Kevin worked on the fish and veggies for the tacos, Heather made a huge bowl of guacamole and I made some fresh limeade. Everything was ready by the time the Morgans came over. It was delicious and we talked for a few hours after we ate. Before they left, Amy helped us clean up. They seemed happy and content.
After swimming, we went to La Fortuna and bought some dinner ingredients and then made our way back to Guatuso. While we were driving, a police man pulled us over because Kevin and Heather were in the back of the truck. He let us go and told us to be careful.
Soon we were back home again and we began to prepare our dinner. Kevin worked on the fish and veggies for the tacos, Heather made a huge bowl of guacamole and I made some fresh limeade. Everything was ready by the time the Morgans came over. It was delicious and we talked for a few hours after we ate. Before they left, Amy helped us clean up. They seemed happy and content.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Costa Rica Journal - Monday, 5-25-09
Our morning was spent in the usual way; Kevin made breakfast we shared 2 small pots of coffee between the 4 of us. He would usually wake up before any of us and go off on his own searching for breakfast ingredients. Sometimes he would return with fresh coconuts, and other time he would come back with oatmeal and eggs from the market. No matter what he would make, he would always take pride and pleasure in creating food for us all.
There is something deeply endearing about the way we would all eat together. Often times, Kevin would put his own blessing into the food before we ate as well all joined hands. It wasn't religious in any way, it was more of putting thought and intent into the meal. I found this ritual to be enjoyable and even comfortable. The blessing of food is something that both Joe and I grew up with and our families still practice religiously. Taking out the religious aspect made it feel more organic to me as the ritual was embedded deeply with the love that Kevin and Heather would share with us so openly. When they stayed with us, it felt like family.
Upon returning, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the other couple had bought us a sugar free ice cream treat, and they were also talking to a very nice woman with an electric bicycle. She mentioned that another woman she lived with was willing to help us learn Spanish in exchange for our help with English. We accepted and then it was time to move on.
After a short drive, we arrived at the beautiful, turquoise river of Rio Celeste. It was tricky finding a good spot for swimming and lunch, but soon enough we found a spot that happened to be right at a place that was obviously meant for tourists. Luckily for us, there was nobody around and we were able to swim in the river naked. It turned out to be a very nice location and we spent a few nice, relaxing hours there swimming and eating our tasty lunch of tomato, avocado and cheese sandwiches.
On our way back home, we stopped at the Morgans and introduced Kevin and Heather to Amy. We also invited them over to our house for dinner the following night and they said they'd be there. We then spent some time catching up on our emails and Kevin made some calls after we downloaded Skype. Fred sent us home with lots of limes and passion fruit. For dinner, Heather cooked a delicious sweet potato lentil soup. The rest of the evening was spent singing and playing music.
There is something deeply endearing about the way we would all eat together. Often times, Kevin would put his own blessing into the food before we ate as well all joined hands. It wasn't religious in any way, it was more of putting thought and intent into the meal. I found this ritual to be enjoyable and even comfortable. The blessing of food is something that both Joe and I grew up with and our families still practice religiously. Taking out the religious aspect made it feel more organic to me as the ritual was embedded deeply with the love that Kevin and Heather would share with us so openly. When they stayed with us, it felt like family.
Upon returning, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the other couple had bought us a sugar free ice cream treat, and they were also talking to a very nice woman with an electric bicycle. She mentioned that another woman she lived with was willing to help us learn Spanish in exchange for our help with English. We accepted and then it was time to move on.
After a short drive, we arrived at the beautiful, turquoise river of Rio Celeste. It was tricky finding a good spot for swimming and lunch, but soon enough we found a spot that happened to be right at a place that was obviously meant for tourists. Luckily for us, there was nobody around and we were able to swim in the river naked. It turned out to be a very nice location and we spent a few nice, relaxing hours there swimming and eating our tasty lunch of tomato, avocado and cheese sandwiches.
On our way back home, we stopped at the Morgans and introduced Kevin and Heather to Amy. We also invited them over to our house for dinner the following night and they said they'd be there. We then spent some time catching up on our emails and Kevin made some calls after we downloaded Skype. Fred sent us home with lots of limes and passion fruit. For dinner, Heather cooked a delicious sweet potato lentil soup. The rest of the evening was spent singing and playing music.
Costa Rica Journal - Sunday, 5-24-09
Olman came over around 10:00 am and we all piled up into his Land Rover to go see another property. This one was close, in upper Cabanga, just off the main road. The moment we set foot on the land, we all fell in love.
It was beautifully landscaped with banana and papaya trees. There was lots of ginger plants along the edge of the property and huge 1 acre garden area. A 3 bedroom house was already there on the property as well as a huge garage that doubled at a wood shop. Large piles of bamboo were stacked against the walls of the shop, waiting to be made into fences.
The property is about 14 acres with dense forest as well as river access. The road that we drove up on is public and it was a short distance to the main road that goes from Arenal to Guatozo. This property is probably about a mile away from the rental house we are staying in right now.
On our way back home, we stopped by Olman's house and he showed us his yard. We had a delicious snack of young coconut water and flesh, then his wife made us a nice oat milk drink. After sitting and talking for a while, we decided to go back up to the property to take the road down to the river for a swim.
Once you started downhill, the road turned into more of a hiking trail and within 5 minutes we were at the river. The temperature was nice and cool and the pools were deep enough to swim in. It was so quiet and peaceful to bathe there. Long after our time spent at the river, we daydreamed of calling this little slice of heaven our own.
It was beautifully landscaped with banana and papaya trees. There was lots of ginger plants along the edge of the property and huge 1 acre garden area. A 3 bedroom house was already there on the property as well as a huge garage that doubled at a wood shop. Large piles of bamboo were stacked against the walls of the shop, waiting to be made into fences.
The property is about 14 acres with dense forest as well as river access. The road that we drove up on is public and it was a short distance to the main road that goes from Arenal to Guatozo. This property is probably about a mile away from the rental house we are staying in right now.
On our way back home, we stopped by Olman's house and he showed us his yard. We had a delicious snack of young coconut water and flesh, then his wife made us a nice oat milk drink. After sitting and talking for a while, we decided to go back up to the property to take the road down to the river for a swim.
Once you started downhill, the road turned into more of a hiking trail and within 5 minutes we were at the river. The temperature was nice and cool and the pools were deep enough to swim in. It was so quiet and peaceful to bathe there. Long after our time spent at the river, we daydreamed of calling this little slice of heaven our own.
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