Author Archives: Bigguy

April 5, 2013

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April 1, 2013

They burn the sugar cane fields after the harvest to replace the carbon in the soil. This is a tradition that has been going on for thousands of years. Lately the fires have been very large…it has been very dry … Continue reading

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March 28, 20113

We spend most of our time outdoors both day and night. These are some shots I took as the sun went down while sitting on balcony.

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March 24 -31 Semana Santa – Holy Week

This is Holy Week in Costa Rica. The Schools are closed and most of the government workers are off. It is common to go to the beach for the last big holiday at the end of summer. It’s sort of … Continue reading

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March 24 – Tree Pods

About a month ago our tree was in full blossom but now it has grown what looks like a bean pod which opens up to seeds that fly in the wind like milkweed. After this the leaves should come out … Continue reading

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March 8-10 2013 – No GMOs Seed Festival

Costa Rica is voting county by county to allow transgenic products to be grown here or to go GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) FREE. One of our friends is setting up seed banks throughout Latin America and together we put on … Continue reading

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Feb. 28, 2013 – Waterfalls

These two waterfalls are among the best in Costa Rica – approximately 60 m high and they are both easily accessible in the middle of the jungle yet only 40 minutes from Atenas.

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Feb. 27, 2013 – Puntarenas

Puntarenas (Sandy Point) is one of the main fishing ports in this part of the country. It is only about a 30 minute ride so we drove down to give John a look and for us to check out a … Continue reading

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Feb. 26, 2013 – Atenas

When we returned from our mini trip to the south, the tree beside our house was in full bloom. This is the dry season – we haven’t had rain in months but that’s when many of the trees and bushes … Continue reading

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Feb 22-25, 2013 – Dominical/Uvita Trip

John Zadro joined us for a few days in Atenas and also planned to see his friends near Dominical. We wanted to see their property and the land in that part of the country so we went along. We had … Continue reading

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Feb 23 2013 – Black Cat Bone Band

During our visit with John’s friends, Dennis and Enza, Johnny sat in on one of Dennis’s gigs at the Roadhouse near Uvita. Dennis (from Guelph) has been playing blues most of his life and Johnny can jump in and play … Continue reading

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Feb 18 2013 – Sabana Larga Rodeo

When the rodeo comes to town there are thrills and spills and some very close calls.

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Feb. 18, 2013 – GMO Protest

Costa Rica has deferred the decision on whether to allow transgenic seeds/plants to the local level. Each County is voting to reject or accept transgenic agriculture. A group of concerned citizens and friends lead by the local cooperative grocery store … Continue reading

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February 14, 2013

After they harvest the sugar cane, they set the remainder of the field on fire. It is a centuries old tradition that replenishes the carbon in the soil. We have been seeing the fires almost every night…this is the fire … Continue reading

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February 4 – 9 2013, Granada, Nicaragau

When you enter CR, you have a tourist visa which lasts for 90 days. To stay longer you are required to leave the country and then re-enter. We call this the “hula” since it is a dance we all do … Continue reading

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February 4 – 9 2013, Granada, Nicaragau – Part 2

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January 29-30 2013, Cartago and The Orisi Valley

We had never been up in the high country of Cartago (south west of san Jose) nor to the Orosi Valley which had a good rep as being a beautiful place. Both places were amazing…

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January 27, 2013 – Art In The Park

We had this idea that there should be more art and music in Costa Rica and that a day of music and art in Atenas would be a good start. We thought we might do it but then we heard … Continue reading

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Entrepreneur Camp – #2

Here are the rest of the pictures from the last half of the Camp….It was very rewarding. We had 11 students who came to almost every session – there were a total of 9 sessions (2.5-3 hours each). We made … Continue reading

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La Paz Peace Lodge Resort – Jan 13, 2013

We took a tour with Ron and Francine Johnson to La Paz to see the animals they have rescued. It is a huge exhibit where they have native Costa Rican and Central America animals, birds and butterflies. They also have … Continue reading

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Janurary 13, 2013 – Entrepreneur Camp

We have been presenting an Entrepreneur Camp (Campamento Empresario in Spanish) for the youth of Atenas. I have been teaching the sessions and we have had a guest entrepreneur almost every day and they have been great. Through a friend … Continue reading

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January 6, 2013

I’ve been kinda slow getting these posts up because of doing the Entrepreneur’s Camp starting January 8-26. We were invited to our friend’s church because they were having something like our Thanksgiving where the people all brought fruit and chickens … Continue reading

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December 29, 2012 – full moon

A few pictures from the most recent full moon. BTW Psychology Today (for what that is worth) sited research that was done at the University of Saskachewan that showed no increase in emergency room admissions and a whole range of … Continue reading

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December 23, 2012

I received some nice cards sent to me for my Birthday…one hilarious one from Melissa with 3 Chihuahuas singing Felice Cumpleanos. This one is funny too……

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December 22, 2012

The “Festival of Lights” is the annual Christmas Parade with marching bands and floats.

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December 20, 2012

Marg and I didn’t feel like working anymore on the upcoming Entrepreneur Camp so we decided to climb the nearby mountain. They had cut a road a few years ago through it, but then the rain came and washed half … Continue reading

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December 19, 2012

Today, our friend Mark Kulick (Brian’s Dad) passed on to a better place, and is now free of a body that was making life not much fun. A great guy – we will miss his humor and friendship! God Bless! … Continue reading

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December 13, 2012

Today, was busy with a trip to a friend’s (Eric and Natalie) organic farm and playing the Atenas Children’s Christmas Party. There was more than 300 kids who received presents while Marg and I played Christmas songs in the background … Continue reading

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December 8, 2012

Our friend doing what he does best – make music. This time with just the mouthpiece of the flute.

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December 2, 2012

We have been busy with our lives and it seems that taking pictures has been on the lowest priority although I have taken a few most of which have come from right near our casita. We also helped to celebrate … Continue reading

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November 20, 2012

We have been settling in and reconnecting with friends, looking at property and making plans for a 4 week series on giftedness and purpose with young adults from the area; as well as a planning our film festival for the … Continue reading

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November 13, 2012

Ok, as promised I made a point of taking some pictures which show the crazy beauty every where. The pictures of the flowers and foliage were taken right around the house…..the rest are some of the things we have been … Continue reading

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November 5, 2012

I went for a walk (without my camera) – what was I thinking!!! I did take a couple of shots with my phone though…..(sorry).

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Atenas Costa Rica – November 4, 2012

In all the planning to leave and other objectives we had for our time at home I had forgotten just how beautiful Costa Rica is. I woke up at 6 am with the sunrise and was greeted with stunning beauty … Continue reading

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Waterloo Region – Ready to Go

We are just days from leaving for Costa Rica and starting a new chapter in this adventure. We had a number of family and friend get-togethers which were great – they included a “Rib-Off” (Best Ribs Competition) with our friends … Continue reading

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Atenas, April 15, 2012

A few more shots to complete this trip….tomorrow we will spend traveling – not something I enjoy. But I hope to publish some pictures from South Western Ontario (Home) since after the last 5 months I hope to see it … Continue reading

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Atenas April 14, 2012

We are coming to the end of this trip and it has been a very good one. The weather here continues to live up to its reputation as being the best in the world. Almost everyday is an early summer … Continue reading

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Atenas, April 8, 2012 – Easter Sunday

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we have had some rain after almost 4 months and things are starting to turn green again. We went for a drive to look at properties and took a few pictures before going … Continue reading

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Atenas, April 7, 2012

This is Semana Santa (Holy Week) and many things (stores, restaurants) are shut down. It is nice to see the Costa Ricans “close” the country and take a break. Everybody heads for the beach since this is the last big … Continue reading

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Some of the picture we took while Dorine was with us and Matt visited from Esterillos Oeste.  

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Orotina, March 26, 2012

Took a drive down the old ox cart road to Orotina….beautiful drive. Had breakfast (Gallo Pinto and huevos – Rice and Beans and eggs in the traditional style).  Dorine took pictures and I took a few as well…..take a look!! … Continue reading

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Aternas, March 24, 2012

A Tope is a horse parade and the ATENAS Tope is among one of the biggest in Costa Rica with more than a 1000 horses and riders. People enjoy the evening with food, music, dancing, fireworks, and cerveza.  

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Atenas, Central Park – March 22, 2012

   

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Atenas, March 16, 2012

At this time of year, they’re harvesting sugar cane and then burning the fields. The carbon is a great fertilizer for growing the next season’s crop. At night, you can see the flames for miles!  

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Atenas, March 15, 2012

Just a few photos of Costa Rican life.

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Atenas, March 12, 2012

We went to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a beautiful park with great exhibits of animals, birds and other creatures that have been rescued. There are also has 3 amazing waterfalls……look at the pictures.

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Atenas, March 11, 2012

Since our guests Paul and Suzanne and Doug all love photography, we decided to go down to the center of town and spend a half an hour taking pictures…..here’s what I took.

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Esterillos Oeste, March 10, 2012

We spent a couple of days along the Pacific Coast hanging at the beach and with our friends from Esterillos Oeste.

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Atenas, March 8, 2012

Went for a walk to the coffee fields next door to our house.

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Sarchi, March 4, 2012

It was a beautiful day for a country drive so we decided to go to Sarchi, a small town north of here renowned for its ornately painted oxcarts. Oxcarts such as these were once used to haul coffee beans to … Continue reading

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