Nuestra Casa

We lucked out when we found a house to rent up the hill from Turrialba. Although a bit of a drive from town, it is a very nice place and when looking at alternatives (rentals don't come with a stove or fridge or any furniture typically), this place won, as it came furnished and is ensconced in trees and foliage, where bird watching is excellent, and we have but one neighbor visible to the side of us.There are several acres of land below us all down an incline but accessible via a windy trail and full of flowers, lemon trees, bamboo, and beautiful insects. The view is splendid with a panoramic vista of Turrialba, the mountains beyond, and our resident volcano "Turrialba" continually puffing up its white steam--a mere 28 kilometers away by road.



Sabbatical Central



Que vista!



An added bonus was the makeshift beehive one of the owner's workers put up for us. He found it in the dirt behind our house and rescued it from the ants, who were raiding it. The amazing thing is they are tiny little honey bees that don't sting, named "marisecas", and their honey is delicious. Thus, our own resident hive decorating our entryway!

Typically, since we've been here, the days start out sunny and warm and then anywhere between noon and five, a quilt of clouds will envelope us and a rain shower will ensue. The down side of our home is "el porton negro", a huge metal gate that separates us from the outside world, but we have since ventured out and made friends with several neighbors, and Asa and Eva have played with neighbor friends some.

We also have recently employed Rebeca as our housekeeper, daughter of the gardener, Alberto, who lives within 2 minutes walking. She is sweet and attentive with our kids, cooks a big lunch for us everyday, and cleans the house and does laundry. Thus, I am able to write this blog!