This morning we are going to market in Puerto Viejo, with our list of "must haves" from Ana, and who to get them from-we will need to find Eva, "a girl from Spain" who has beautiful organic quesa-cheeses- and a guy from France who has little cakes that are "super good". Also a guy, Paul, who has pollo-chicken-and coffee and yogurt, also 'super good". The market opens at 6 am and closes at noon or when the veendors run out of product. It is 6:30 now-I've been awakened earlier when our resident "rooster"calls his alarm. We're not sure what kind of bird he is, only that he is loud! Michael and the kids are able to sleep in a bit, but I wake up often before it's even light. Of course, we are often fast asleep by 9 pm...
Last night we went for a meal at a lovely restaurant, Pura Gula. It was formerly a french place. We like it even better now! Reasonable prices and amazing food! They seem to dust everything in finely ground oregano. Yummy! The proprietors are great too- a fellow from Spain, who lives a caribe (he explains that people move residences a lot). A woman from Italy-Francesca (said with a flourish...), abundant, sweet spirit!
While there we met a couple from Ottawa who are here for a few weeks. They are exploring a retirement and move to Costa Rica. Chatted for awhile. Nice people! Hope we get a chance to visit before they leave the area.
pm...
The market didn't disappoint! Beautiful fresh produce! Amazing goat and cow milk cheeses! Incredible sausages! Saw Ana and Chloe there. People greet you with a kiss here! It's very wonderful-warm, open, welcoming and genuine!
We wandered around looking for the computer guy, Mario, that Bruce Walker had sent us to for an internet stick and cell phone chip so we can call people here. We checked at the Pharmacia first-we were told you could get chips there. They had none that would fit my Blackberry so directed us to Mario as well. Everyone we stopped gave us different directions!
A little frustrated with this search (although we did get reaquainted with the town), we decided to get our staples at the Mega Super, we like it best-clean, well organized and stocked. Michael stayed outside with Gabriel our full shopping bags from the market while Allie and I went in. It's experiencing the little pleasures that this is all about...how exciting to go to the meat counter and ask for quantities and selection-fumbling in Spanish but having success! Wow! Allie was so impressed! I was mostly faking the confidence she saw!! LOL!
Meanwhile, Michael waiting outside, decided to make one last attempt at locating the techy guy...He asked the guy on the corner who has a fast food chicken counter if he knew anything about it. A vehicle pulled up in front of them. The chicken guy said "here's the computer genius right now". Michael greeted him as I and Allie came out of the store. I guess I was assuming, but for the life of me don't know why, and I walked right up and asked "are you Mario?" Sure enough! Little miracles....
Mario had some business to attend to so gave us directions to his place and said he'd meet us in half an hour. Just enough time to stop for a coca-cola-Gabriel's favourite.
The bad news is...the ee pad does not have a port for a wifi stick-no wifi at home. The good news is there is wifi down the road. The bad news...my service provider has blocked any other access by chip so we will have to buy a phone for here. The good news...Mario can sell us a cheap phone-we just have to wait a few days till it is ordered in. We've learned a lot here...check about phone service availability before you leave, bring your laptop and make sure it can accept a stick.
Mario commented on how it was funny that I just walked up and said "are you Mario?" It was a very curious moment...As we were talking with Mario, a woman came in and was waiting at the counter. I recognized her as a cab driver whom Louis had called for us last year. It just so happened...we needed a cab...hmmm. Her name is Marjorie, she had a van, and we had many grocery bags. Perfect!
Last night we went for a meal at a lovely restaurant, Pura Gula. It was formerly a french place. We like it even better now! Reasonable prices and amazing food! They seem to dust everything in finely ground oregano. Yummy! The proprietors are great too- a fellow from Spain, who lives a caribe (he explains that people move residences a lot). A woman from Italy-Francesca (said with a flourish...), abundant, sweet spirit!
While there we met a couple from Ottawa who are here for a few weeks. They are exploring a retirement and move to Costa Rica. Chatted for awhile. Nice people! Hope we get a chance to visit before they leave the area.
pm...
The market didn't disappoint! Beautiful fresh produce! Amazing goat and cow milk cheeses! Incredible sausages! Saw Ana and Chloe there. People greet you with a kiss here! It's very wonderful-warm, open, welcoming and genuine!
We wandered around looking for the computer guy, Mario, that Bruce Walker had sent us to for an internet stick and cell phone chip so we can call people here. We checked at the Pharmacia first-we were told you could get chips there. They had none that would fit my Blackberry so directed us to Mario as well. Everyone we stopped gave us different directions!
A little frustrated with this search (although we did get reaquainted with the town), we decided to get our staples at the Mega Super, we like it best-clean, well organized and stocked. Michael stayed outside with Gabriel our full shopping bags from the market while Allie and I went in. It's experiencing the little pleasures that this is all about...how exciting to go to the meat counter and ask for quantities and selection-fumbling in Spanish but having success! Wow! Allie was so impressed! I was mostly faking the confidence she saw!! LOL!
Meanwhile, Michael waiting outside, decided to make one last attempt at locating the techy guy...He asked the guy on the corner who has a fast food chicken counter if he knew anything about it. A vehicle pulled up in front of them. The chicken guy said "here's the computer genius right now". Michael greeted him as I and Allie came out of the store. I guess I was assuming, but for the life of me don't know why, and I walked right up and asked "are you Mario?" Sure enough! Little miracles....
Mario had some business to attend to so gave us directions to his place and said he'd meet us in half an hour. Just enough time to stop for a coca-cola-Gabriel's favourite.
The bad news is...the ee pad does not have a port for a wifi stick-no wifi at home. The good news is there is wifi down the road. The bad news...my service provider has blocked any other access by chip so we will have to buy a phone for here. The good news...Mario can sell us a cheap phone-we just have to wait a few days till it is ordered in. We've learned a lot here...check about phone service availability before you leave, bring your laptop and make sure it can accept a stick.
Mario commented on how it was funny that I just walked up and said "are you Mario?" It was a very curious moment...As we were talking with Mario, a woman came in and was waiting at the counter. I recognized her as a cab driver whom Louis had called for us last year. It just so happened...we needed a cab...hmmm. Her name is Marjorie, she had a van, and we had many grocery bags. Perfect!
Where's Daddys sleeve's? I don't think I have ever seen him wear a sleevless shirt. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Pretty braclets, (just noticed that pic after I posted my first comment)I love how they are all hand made. That was one of my favorite parts of Bolivia, there hand made markets, so cool and artsy. Could have shopped around all day, just so I could look at everything real good.
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