Archive for the ‘Shopping’ Category
Another adventure in Costa Rica
Posted on: February 4, 2013
- In: Atenas | Costa Rica | Living in Costa Rica | misc. stuff | Retirement | Shopping | Travel | Uncategorized
- Leave a Comment
Last Thursday, Shirley, Clara and I went on an adventure. We headed to Multi-Plaza because “Mama needed a new pair of shoes”.
Was beginning to think I was going to be out of luck, when we happened upon a “sport’s type” store. Wandered in and voila, found almost exactly what I had in mind!!! And they had them in my size…..had found some at the Clark’s store, but honestly, I do not pay $135 for shoes, EVER!
Now that I’ve worn them for a few days, they are so comfortable. Found them in a store in Atenas, however, the soles are thinner….I guess as one ages, one needs more support in the foot department – along with other body parts – more support, I mean! Obviously, I should have taken a pic of them before my “big toe” stained them.
I’m happy, my feet are happy! Pura Vida!
- In: Atenas | Christmas | Costa Rica | Holidays | Living in Costa Rica | misc. stuff | party time | Retirement | Shopping | Uncategorized
- 1 Comment
We stopped at Coope and they saw a “stuffed” Santa so I snapped a picture of them!
Mark made a quick trip to the old country a week ago on Saturday and returned on Wednesday. Daughter’s father-in-law was in the hospital; I had the Costa Rican crud and there was no way I could fly with a stuffed up head and chest – (in fact, I’m still coughing!) Happy to report he’s doing well!!!
Mark returned on Weds. around noonish; we were at Dumas’ school graduation at 3 p.m.; I had a dermatology appt. at 4:45 p.m. and then we were at Maricela’s for chichirrones to celebrate the graduation! Yep, one friggin’ busy day!
Then on Thursday, was our second annual 12 Days Before Christmas Party. Lesson learned, make more Sangria, lots more Sangria! LOL Lots of good snacks but as with any party, it’s the friends that make it.
Spanish class on Friday morning….can you say, Spanish wasn’t really on my mind. Georgia wasn’t either! LOL
Sunday, Lee and I ventured to Cemaco – all I’m looking for is a pastry blender; I’ve seen one down here but I can’t remember where! Nothing irritates me more than to need something and not be able to find it! Sheesh!!! And I’m still looking….
Today Maricela came to clean and it had already been set up that Dylana and Nazareth and I would go Christmas shopping in town. Because the girls are girls (LOL) and we’ve raised 2 girls, it’s evident that they know exactly what they want; so off we went in search of a Christmas gift for them.
I have NEVER EVER shopped with such patient girls in my life! Nazareth thought she wanted a toy – we went to three or four stores and she looked and looked; Dylana knew she wanted shoes; all of a sudden Nazareth decide she wanted shoes too. Of course, she wanted heels (she’s 7, and there’s no way I was going to buy her heels because I know she’d break a leg, ankle, etc.) She picked out some cute flats; Dylana picked out a pair of tennis shoes….and the whole time I’m reminding them – they cannot tell their mother! LOL They even picked out a pair for Maricela!
Heading back to the car I asked them if they wanted to buy their mother a gift; their eyes got real big and then grinned and nodded yes! They were so excited!!!
We went to Antanos for lunch; such well behaved girls!!!
All the way home they kept saying how they had to come to my house to wrap their mother’s gift!
It’s funny because I think they visit our house daily to see if there are more gifts under the tree!
Pura Vida for now…..it’s such a fun time of the year with kids!!!
- In: misc. stuff | Shopping | Tips | Travel | Uncategorized
- Leave a Comment
Thursday morning, yes, Thanksgiving morning, we received an email from our credit card fraud department!
Yep, someone tried to use our credit card to go to Berlin…..
And we now know of another person that the same thing has happened to….same issuer of the card: American Airlines credit card…..
I do think this happened when I traveled to the states….ho hum…..
Big, big sigh – yep, we’re very thankful for the Fraud Department! Of course, it makes you leery of using it – and of course that card is no longer able to be used…..
So readers be aware! Sort of scary knowing someone out there attempted to use our card!
Pura Vida!
- In: Alajuela | Atenas | Costa Rica | Health stuff | Living in Costa Rica | misc. stuff | Retirement | Shopping
- Leave a Comment
Today was the big day for Velma to return to the dentist at Denta Vac in Escazu. We left around 9:30 ish a.m. and stopped at the Feria in town.
Ran into lots of people I knew….that is always fun!!! I think it was a contest between Velma and Joanne on who could buy the most! We came away from there with lots of veggies and fruits.
Then off to Escazu. Stopped at a great Mexican restaurant for lunch – and I promise, the next time I write about this Mexican restaurant, I WILL REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT! It’s near the Santa Ana/Belen exit off Ruta 27. As always, the food was excellent.
From there we went to Denta Vac. Velma was early for her appointment and Joanne and I left to find the fabric shop so I could hopefully find more of the fabric I bought to have some chair covers made. Yes, I could probably do it, but for $8.00 a chair, I cannot go thru the aggravation of putting in a zipper, etc. Now to find the fabric I originally purchased but didn’t quite have enough of….will have to get with Isabel to meet with the lady again. LOL (My translator)
Decided to hit a Pequeno Mundo to find a new laundry basket since mine cracked….have to quit leaving it in the sun! First Pequeno Mundo didn’t have it; went to another one and they didn’t have it! All I want is a friggin’ plastic laundry basket! Will hit the stores in town tomorrow and see what I can find.
Denta Vac called as Joanne and I were checking out and Velma was done!!! Alas, another appointment next week! She’s grinding her teeth at night and will have to wear a mouth guard to protect her new “front teeth”.
After that we headed to Multi-Plaza; Velma was desperately looking for a new bracelet. Found the perfect bracelet and then there was a ring that sort of matched it, that said, “please buy me and take me home!” So she did.
Went to Cemaco looking for a laundry basket – none there either….so we got some ice cream. Ice cream cures all, right!
On the way home it began to rain….by the time we got to Atenas, it was really coming down. The streets were flooded in low areas. Around Cruz Roja, the CAJA Clinic and in front of Kay’s….it was virtually a river in the street.
Places on each side of the road we live on were full of rushing water.
Made it home safely….a full day, tired but it was fun!
Oh, I forgot…..on the way into town, there was a tire lying along the edge of the road….I want to “collect” some old tires, paint them and use them as planters.
As Mark was unloading the car with our many purchases today, he got to the bottom of the pile and found the tire! The look on his face was priceless!!! For awhile I let him think I bought it…but finally gave in and said it was a “find” along the road!
Very productive day…well, it was a financially productive day for Velma in the “Spending Department”.
Pura Vida…..love having my friends visit!!!
- In: Atenas | Living in Costa Rica | misc. stuff | Retirement | Shopping | Tips | Travel | Uncategorized
- 3 Comments
Isabelle decided to take a trip and asked Shirley and I to tag along….
Today’s adventure took us to Sarchi, to the Else Kientzler Jardin Botanico. WOW! WOW!
You get to wander through these gorgeous gardens at your own pace. There are places to sit if you need to rest, a picnic area, waterfalls, rivers, man-made “water” paths…..it was so pretty!
There was an orchid section, a cactus section (it still blows my mind that cactus grow here because of the rain), a Hibiscus section, an area of Heliconias, Bromeliads…you name it, they had it!
Was a super day to do this because it wasn’t unbearably hot.
A few pictures I took today…..
This is a maize (I guess Spanish is interfering with my English!) maze made out of hibiscus; was really pretty.
An area of any color of impatiens you can imagine….picture does NOT do it justice.
A pretty butterfly….
Forgot the camera so these are pics from the iphone. Also saw one of the most gorgeous neon blue butterflies, but I can’t remember the name of it! LOL
Had lunch at a Soda in Sarchi across from the park….Rincon Sarchiceno….very good, and unbelievably cheap!
Stopped at a place in Grecia that had some Mexican pottery; gorgeous pots, but the car was full of plants!
It was a great day – another place found to take visitors.
Pura Vida….
Three weddings in 6 weeks have put me in “shopping mode”. One wedding has already happened in the old country; gift bought and will be presented when I’m there in October; second wedding is right here in Atenas – which has prompted this blog. The third wedding I’ll be attending in October in the old country.
In the old country many stores offer free gift wrap and you walk out of the store with a gorgeous looking package.
Since I needed to be at CIMA on Thursday, and it’s really close to Multi-Plaza, I knew that would be where I would shop. I had been advised the intended couple had registered at Cemaco (a fav store of mine!) and at Aliss (another fav store of mine).
Was able to convey I needed a gift registry by showing the wedding invite. Keep in mind the gift registry is in Spanish, I had been forewarned so I wasn’t too shocked!
The clerk waiting on me knew very little English and I know just a little of Spanish. I would point out something on the list and we would go to part of the store of that particular item; I can’t just settle for the first thing I’m shown and picked out various other things so see what they had registered for….and, we zigged and zagged all over the store! She didn’t know where some of the items were either and had to go to a computer to see where the items were shelved.
Made a decision….and as the clerk is taking me to the check-out, she asks me if I want it wrapped with tissue paper; so since I had to give up all my stash of wrapping paper when we made the journey here, I said “sure”. Well, the tissue paper is actually newsprint; here are 2 pictures of the gift!
These were just wrapped in newsprint, then a wrapping paper over it….no box! I chuckled to myself as I walked out of the store.
Shopping for cars in Costa Rica
Posted on: August 3, 2012
Today was day 2 in looking for a different car. Drove a Nissan Pathfinder which would be just fine, however, the airbag light, door light, etc. kept coming on and flashing; probably a sensor problem.
Then headed to another dealer to see an Exterra….which after we had been there the first time today, had been taken to a mechanic for a “tune-up” – for one thing when we looked at it, the battery was missing. So when we back to drive it it was gone; Russ and Shirley were with us and they were going to stay in Grecia and do some shopping so the plan was they were going to stop by there after 2 p.m., we had been assured it would be back by then! This is Costa Rica and it wasn’t. But both places were willing to take the Montero in on trade, which is a plus because we wouldn’t have to bother trying to sell it.
Tomorrow morning we have Spanish class – Sofi needs to be dropped off for a day of beauty after Spanish class and we may head back there to try and drive it.
I always used to think buying a different car was fun and exciting! In Costa Rica it’s extremely stressful and a royal pain in the patootie! It’s a crap shoot on what you get; the condition of it, etc.
When you open the hood of the car, everything and I mean everything appears to be brand new! They scrub and shine up everything; old cars look really good – key word is look.
Anyone reading my blog that is thinking about moving to CR, move your car! Or buy one in the US and bring it on down here. At least you’ll know what’s been replaced with new or used parts….
Came home after a great lunch….and no I can’t remember the name of the place but I know how to get there – that’s the most important part, right? We will be back there to eat!
Dogs were quite glad we had returned…..
Sat on the rancho and studied Spanish……another mind-boggling, stressful time.
Then we decided to walk down the hill and see if Maricela and the girls were around; as we approached the gate to the entrance of the development, I could hear lots of commotion in the trees across the road. At least 5 white faced monkeys were frolicking in the trees and munching on the mangoes. They would take a couple bites and then drop it – wasteful little critters they are! Saw some that were for sure adults and at least 2 smaller ones….they sure kept an eye on us. I had Sofi in my arms. I think they thought she was one of them!
Another full day tomorrow…..
Pura Vida -
Yesterday was the 60+ ladies adventure. This month we traveled to Fabrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro in Sarchi – for most of you, this mean the Oxcart Factory.
Their machinery is operated by a water wheel and some of the machinery is dated to the early 1920′s. Yep, it’s the old fashioned way of creating their works of art – it’s amazing to see!
There is a wonderful gift shop – a very extensive gift shop from woodworks to clothing to leather handmade sandals, etc.
Behind the souvenir shop, they have many easels set up to give painting classes. You paint a small wagon wheel….it’s fun but it does bring back memories of the 80′s when I attempted to take tole painting and just couldn’t quite get the hang of it! Painting or art is in the eye of the beholder, right?
After the class, we took a trek to downtown Sarchi and ate in a wonderful little restaurant; I’m sure the owner was thrilled when all 10 of us were served and on our way!
From there we walked across the street to the park to view the world’s largest oxcart!
World’s Largest Oxcart, Sarchi
We all wondered how many oxen it took to move this from the factory to the park! It’s HUGE! And so vividly painted. A must for everyone to see. (It’s on our tour when friends come to visit.)
After oohing and aahing, we headed back to the cars and then headed to another factory, the mattress factory. Frances and I have been here many times – when the owner/manager of the factory (a female, I might add) comes over to hug you, you know your welcome! LOL Anyway, Bruce had a bedspread made and it was ready to be picked up. Besides mattresses there, of all densities and sizes, they make sheets (fitted and flat), curtains/draperies to match the bedspreads. It’s fun to walk back into the factory part and see the machines in motion. What I wouldn’t give to have a cutting table just 1/4 of the size they use! LOL
From there we were headed to the Feria in Grecia; it’s a lot bigger than the one in Atenas! I love getting fresh brussel sprouts from there! One vendor has any kind of lettuce you can imagine.
After wandering the Feria, we climbed into the cars and headed for home. Everyone was thrilled with the exciting day we had.
We left Atenas at 9 a.m. sharp and we’re back by 4:30 p.m. A full day for 60+ ladies! LOL
Wonder where our August adventure will take us?
Pura Vida!
Attended a 4th of July party today even tho’ it’s the 8th of July – Costa Rica
Posted on: July 8, 2012
- In: Alajuela | Atenas | Costa Rica | Food | Living in Costa Rica | misc. stuff | party time | Retirement | Shopping | Things that make me giggle
- Leave a Comment
Joni got in touch with us on Saturday and wondered if we wanted to go to the 4th of July Party being held in Grecia, well, actually it was held in San Francisco de San Ysidro de Grecia, Alajuela, Costa Rica! Yep, that’s where it was….
We drove to their place in Ms. Smartie because Old Bessie is still in the shop; meaning, Mike had to drive. Left around 11 a.m. Grecia is about 15 minutes from where they live.
Arrived in Grecia and realized we didn’t have, excuse me, Mike and Joni didn’t bring the paper that had the map on it to find where this place is. Tried using the GPS and that was just one wrong turn after another, with lots of laughter – some people wouldn’t think this was funny…..we did!
Finally, we were able to get a phone signal and attempted to call the number for directions once we found a spot with cell service. Living in Costa Rica is never dull! LOL
After numerous phone calls to the number that was on the website (from the Iphone), and the calls being dropped, etc., the man Joni and Mike were talking to wouldn’t answer the phone any more! However, we did finally realize there were little tiny roadside signs, covered up by red, white and blue balloons! Which caused a lot of laughter. We like Mike and Joni because they are just plain fun and LAUGH a lot!
We didn’t get there till 1:30 p.m. – and when we paid the entrance fee, Joni said “we left at 11 a.m. to get here.” The guy taking our money responded “I hope you are kidding!” Which of course, brought on another fit of laughter!
It was held at a very nice park- type setting with a pool, etc.
Ran into other people we knew from Atenas….sort of like old home week.
And there was shopping, not a lot, but a little. I did pick up a few things which I cannot mention because they are Christmas gifts….no Amy, not for you!
After getting our bellies full, we decided to head back home. That was uneventful!
We laughed a lot today; it was fun; and can’t wait for the next great adventure with Mike and Joni!!!
A 4th of July party on July 8th reminded me of the first year we lived in Bowling Green and the 4th of July fireworks were held on June 30th!
Pura Vida
Terri arrived early (at oh-dark 30 a.m.) Saturday morning. Have had a good time catching up!
She wanted a Tillie Toucan (toucan made out of a tire for plants) and we decided Monday would be a great day to venture in to Santa Ana and find the place where I purchased mine.
Turned at the wrong exit so we detoured into Pequeno Mundo (CR’s answer to Big Lots). Then off to find the “arty” area where I bought my Tillie.
Made the wrong turn and didn’t find it….however, I was not giving up! Frances and I found it one day because we missed the ramp to get on the toll road. So we headed back and took the earlier exit; and voila! We found it! Not only did they have toucans – but they had parrots and a quetzal. She settled on a toucan and they wrapped the beak for traveling. She’ll send me a picture of it after she gets home and gets it unwrapped. Sure hope we can stuff it in her suitcase!
Then we headed to a Mexican Restaurant that John and Pat introduced to Mark and I. After a good lunch, we both decided to head to the “bano” before departing for home….and it was a GOOD thing we did.
About half way home, I heard a funny noise that I wasn’t sure if it was coming from the car or the sound bouncing off the road barriers. I asked Terri if she heard it and she did too. So I changed lanes….the sound lessened; then I let up on the gas and the sound was gone. At that time I looked at the temp gauge and realized it was climbing upward.
We were coming upon the La Garita exit and I decided we had better get off in case we had major car problems. Coming down the exit ramp, I stepped on the brakes, and good ole Bessie died! Right there on the spot. I couldn’t get it started and didn’t want to grind it for fear I would do more damage.
There’s nothing like calling your husband to say, “I have car problems, what do you want me to do?” So after explaining to him what happened, he said “I’ll come to where you are”.
So Terri and I sat with the emergency flashers on and people pulling up behind us and honking; then we would wave the “not so intelligent” drivers around us. An ambulance went by and didn’t stop; the “help” van vehicle that runs up and down the toll road to help people drove by and didn’t stop. People would pull up beside us, roll their window down and we were hoping they would offer to help, but they kept on going. Finally a guy in a van pulled up and said “do you have car trouble? what are you going to do?” I explained that my husband was coming. So off he drove.
Then my phone rang and it was Mark. He had stopped at Freddie’s, our mechanic, (if you live in Costa Rica and have a car, you best have a mechanic!). Again he asked me what the car sounded like, etc. Explained that after we stopped “white steam” was coming out the hood so I thought the radiator had run out of water. (We’ve had major radiator problems previously.) He said he was bringing Freddie with him.
When they got there, Freddie didn’t think it was a “good” thing that had happened. He thinks we need a new engine – however, we’re waiting on a phone call to see what the price is to replace parts vs. the $2,000 engine – in an old car and there’s no guarantee how old that engine will be or how many miles are on it.
Weds. is the day a guy is supposed to call and buy Ms. Smartie. Nothing has happened to Ms. Smartie yet, but with our road in the condition it’s in, it’s just a matter of time before something happens to her.
Now we have to go through the decision process of whether to fix ole Bessie or try and sell it for parts and just get a different vehicle altogether!
Mark has headed into San Jose with Ms. Smartie to attend the US Embassy soiree he was invited to….and I was not!
Most days are good in Costa Rica, yesterday was good until Terri and I headed home! Morale of the story – don’t go home! LOL
Pura Vida……
Recent Comments