It's early Saturday - like 6AM (I don't like seeing 6AM, it's barbaric) and I switched from the Rerun Channel to the next english one -- there was a movie on. Apparently at some point someone decided it would be a really great idea to make a move from that old TV show, SWAT. I can't wait for the Starsky & Hutch TV show - oh wait, they did too, didn't they. Yeah, that was a blockbuster too. Okay, let's wait for Baretta only because I liked the parrot, sort of.
Anyway as I watched this movie I started paddling around the ol' ponder pond. SWAT teams, every county has them, right? So - is there some SWAT-cave where these guys sit around lifting weights, target shooting and dripping testosterone instead of sweat? In the movie they just keep going from major crisis to major crisis. I don't know where you live but in my county, I can't remember the last time anything remotely big enough happened to warrant the SWAT team. Oh wait, there was that one time but I digress.
OR, are they "regular" cops who, when the call goes out (because there's no SWAT light like Batman has) they run in from their regular beats and change ala Superman into the SWAT team?
Speaking of Batman, did they ever need him during the day? Cause if they did the bat light in the sky just wouldn't show up, would it. How would he know? I mean, if Arthur weren't around the mansion dusting and the batphone rang -- they didn't have answering machines back then so did they just keep calling while the city was being attacked? Hmmm, maybe they should have had a SWAT team...
If they do sit around the SWAT-cave, are they called in for not so major things so they don't gather cobwebs or do they loan them out to counties that can't afford their own SWAT teams.
We may never know.........
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Ponder Pond Again
Since we're on the third floor and since we can sit with the door wide open I stare at adjacent roofs.
They use corrugated metal roofing here. Sure, it might look a little cheesy (at least to me) but the more I ponder, the more sense it makes.
If an errant firework falls on the roof, it won't set it on fire -- just burn the feet of some bird unlucky enough to land on it.
You can change not only the color of your house but you can change the color of your roof to coordinate instead of having to coordinate the color of your house to the shingles.
You don't get wood rot which means there is little danger of falling through when you're putting up Christmas decorations.
Speaking of Christmas decorations, if you have a corrugated metal roof, it takes away the almost irrestible urge for people like me to crawl up on the roof with lights and a staple gun ala Christmas Vacation.
If a piece gets a rusty spot, just pull it up and slam in another one.
Yeah, corrugated roofing sounds pretty good, except....
When it rains for months on end I would imagine the almost never ending sound of rain pounding on the metal like some bizzare drum corp would proably send me right off the deep end.
They use corrugated metal roofing here. Sure, it might look a little cheesy (at least to me) but the more I ponder, the more sense it makes.
If an errant firework falls on the roof, it won't set it on fire -- just burn the feet of some bird unlucky enough to land on it.
You can change not only the color of your house but you can change the color of your roof to coordinate instead of having to coordinate the color of your house to the shingles.
You don't get wood rot which means there is little danger of falling through when you're putting up Christmas decorations.
Speaking of Christmas decorations, if you have a corrugated metal roof, it takes away the almost irrestible urge for people like me to crawl up on the roof with lights and a staple gun ala Christmas Vacation.
If a piece gets a rusty spot, just pull it up and slam in another one.
Yeah, corrugated roofing sounds pretty good, except....
When it rains for months on end I would imagine the almost never ending sound of rain pounding on the metal like some bizzare drum corp would proably send me right off the deep end.
Catch-22
Paddling around the Ponder Pond. Did you ever read the book or see the movie Catch -22? It randomly popped into my mind as I was staring at the clouds eating the mountaintops.
There was a part in the book/movie where one of the characters tells how he has succeeded in living forever. When asked to explain that little trick he said that he simply cultivates boredom. He does nothing for as long as possible, thus making time seem to stop and life seems endless.
Therefore, Doug and I are well on the way to living forever.
All we have to do is get through tonight, which, the way it's going, is going to last forever. There is nothing to do at this Apart/Hotel -- no nightclub, no bar, no nothing. The only things around are a few restaurants and one casino. It's going to be a long night because we're watching reruns on the english channel again and we've found that they run in a cycle each day --- which means that we potentially watch the same episode of any given show three times.
Can't wait for tomorrow morning.
There was a part in the book/movie where one of the characters tells how he has succeeded in living forever. When asked to explain that little trick he said that he simply cultivates boredom. He does nothing for as long as possible, thus making time seem to stop and life seems endless.
Therefore, Doug and I are well on the way to living forever.
All we have to do is get through tonight, which, the way it's going, is going to last forever. There is nothing to do at this Apart/Hotel -- no nightclub, no bar, no nothing. The only things around are a few restaurants and one casino. It's going to be a long night because we're watching reruns on the english channel again and we've found that they run in a cycle each day --- which means that we potentially watch the same episode of any given show three times.
Can't wait for tomorrow morning.
Friday afternoon
Well, we're done. Doug has 7 implants and 10 crowns. His mouth looks marvelous and he's very happy with the results. My implant has a long term temporary installed and the stitches have been removed - in a week or two my mouth will be totally healed.
Now all we want to do is go home. I think I'll go pack.
Now all we want to do is go home. I think I'll go pack.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Cafe Britt Tour
Our respective dental appointments weren't until this afternoon (yep, every single day we're in the dental office EVERY SINGLE DAY for hours on end) so we had some time to kill after the Denny's adventure.
Jacob, our driver, took us to Cafe Britt to tour the facility. I had images of trekking around acres and acres of coffee plants swatting at errant bugs and flapping like a maniac at bees. Boy O Boy was I wrong.
We went up the mountain roads (which have a shocking lack of guard rails), over rain swollen rivers and the landscape was that amazing shade of green that can only be achieved by the rainy season. We passed homes with coffee plants in their front yards and I visualized being able to pick and roast my own beans for the freshest coffee ever - oh, it would be Nirvana to be able to do that. I LOVE coffee --- I LOVE Britt coffee.
We pulled into the Britt plant, paid our fee and then wandered around the grounds until the tour started. Ornamental Gingers in Vibrant oranges, reds and yellow vied with orchids, birds of paradise, banana plants in bloom and a host of others -- a riot of primary colors and pale purples, pinks and yellows all set against so many different shades of green the artist in me just wanted to stay there forever.
I hate to call this a tour because it just sounds so darn dry. This was performance art. The guides played roles and passed us back and forth all the while actually educating us on coffee plants, growing conditions, soil requirements, bean processing from beginning to end - everything from the individuals who pick each bean by hand to the end product -- bagged beans being shipped.
They took us into an auditorium where we had a "coffee cupping" demonstration (Doug and I were up there participating - I'm an idiot and that's about all I'm going to say about it. Doug, however, was brilliant). When the cupping session was over we were presented with coffee bean picker hats, who knew, official hats for picking coffee beans.
We learned that Britt does not have huge plantations they buy the coffee beans from hundreds and hundreds of small, individual growers. These growers were given land and coffee plants by the government (for free) to encourage the coffee business, grow individual business and aid the populace in supporting itself. This occurred in the 1800's -- very forward thinking. The coffee industry is not a monopoly and this encourages a strong middle class.
I was floored and duly impressed.
We learned that coffee beans must be picked individually because the beans don't ripen at the same time -- they actually go back to the same plants many times over the three month harvest period. Coffee beans must be processed the same day they are picked or the "sweet water" in the bean will ferment and if that happens, the coffee will taste like vinegar.
The Cafe Britt people are pure genius -- they made the presentations and tour so amusing you wanted to pay attention -- thus, you learned and retained knowledge whether you realized it or not. Stuff like how to plant baby coffee plants (it would make terrible coffee in Florida) and how it takes three years for a coffee plant to produce beans but each plant can produce for 40 years - I love fun facts!
We have been buying Cafe Britt via the Internet for about three years now and after this presentation and learning how every single step is hand done, the care they take and the fact that literally hundreds and hundreds of families earn their livings from the coffee, I will continue to buy this coffee.
I know, I know, I sound like some cheesy commercial but the coffee ROCKS and it's good to know that it isn't going to the pockets of some big business concern.
Ohhhhh, they had Cocoa plants -- I want one or ten in my yard -- I can make own chocolate. I'm going to try and find some cocoa plants when we get back.
Here are a few photos:
This is where the bags of coffee are boxed, there is one woman who does this.
One of three guides, she was a hoot and a half, I can't pronounce her name so I'm not even going to try and spell it.
The coffee bean roaster - oh, if you love coffee this is heaven. The smell of freshly roasted coffee beans wafts around and draws you to the building like hummingbirds to flowers.
Look! Look! an entire hopper of coffee beans - freshly roasted and in the cooling chamber. I could have just jumped in and happily rolled around like a puppy in tall grass.
This is the hopper where the coffee cools -- look how BIG.
Jacob, our driver, took us to Cafe Britt to tour the facility. I had images of trekking around acres and acres of coffee plants swatting at errant bugs and flapping like a maniac at bees. Boy O Boy was I wrong.
We went up the mountain roads (which have a shocking lack of guard rails), over rain swollen rivers and the landscape was that amazing shade of green that can only be achieved by the rainy season. We passed homes with coffee plants in their front yards and I visualized being able to pick and roast my own beans for the freshest coffee ever - oh, it would be Nirvana to be able to do that. I LOVE coffee --- I LOVE Britt coffee.
We pulled into the Britt plant, paid our fee and then wandered around the grounds until the tour started. Ornamental Gingers in Vibrant oranges, reds and yellow vied with orchids, birds of paradise, banana plants in bloom and a host of others -- a riot of primary colors and pale purples, pinks and yellows all set against so many different shades of green the artist in me just wanted to stay there forever.
I hate to call this a tour because it just sounds so darn dry. This was performance art. The guides played roles and passed us back and forth all the while actually educating us on coffee plants, growing conditions, soil requirements, bean processing from beginning to end - everything from the individuals who pick each bean by hand to the end product -- bagged beans being shipped.
They took us into an auditorium where we had a "coffee cupping" demonstration (Doug and I were up there participating - I'm an idiot and that's about all I'm going to say about it. Doug, however, was brilliant). When the cupping session was over we were presented with coffee bean picker hats, who knew, official hats for picking coffee beans.
We learned that Britt does not have huge plantations they buy the coffee beans from hundreds and hundreds of small, individual growers. These growers were given land and coffee plants by the government (for free) to encourage the coffee business, grow individual business and aid the populace in supporting itself. This occurred in the 1800's -- very forward thinking. The coffee industry is not a monopoly and this encourages a strong middle class.
I was floored and duly impressed.
We learned that coffee beans must be picked individually because the beans don't ripen at the same time -- they actually go back to the same plants many times over the three month harvest period. Coffee beans must be processed the same day they are picked or the "sweet water" in the bean will ferment and if that happens, the coffee will taste like vinegar.
The Cafe Britt people are pure genius -- they made the presentations and tour so amusing you wanted to pay attention -- thus, you learned and retained knowledge whether you realized it or not. Stuff like how to plant baby coffee plants (it would make terrible coffee in Florida) and how it takes three years for a coffee plant to produce beans but each plant can produce for 40 years - I love fun facts!
We have been buying Cafe Britt via the Internet for about three years now and after this presentation and learning how every single step is hand done, the care they take and the fact that literally hundreds and hundreds of families earn their livings from the coffee, I will continue to buy this coffee.
I know, I know, I sound like some cheesy commercial but the coffee ROCKS and it's good to know that it isn't going to the pockets of some big business concern.
Ohhhhh, they had Cocoa plants -- I want one or ten in my yard -- I can make own chocolate. I'm going to try and find some cocoa plants when we get back.
Here are a few photos:
This is where the bags of coffee are boxed, there is one woman who does this.
One of three guides, she was a hoot and a half, I can't pronounce her name so I'm not even going to try and spell it.
The coffee bean roaster - oh, if you love coffee this is heaven. The smell of freshly roasted coffee beans wafts around and draws you to the building like hummingbirds to flowers.
Look! Look! an entire hopper of coffee beans - freshly roasted and in the cooling chamber. I could have just jumped in and happily rolled around like a puppy in tall grass.
This is the hopper where the coffee cools -- look how BIG.
Thursday morning - Denny's
Sweet sanity returns.
When we got up Doug said that he had seen a Denny's during one of our drives. He wanted Denny's -- a bit of home and some 'real' eggs. We found Jacob, one of our drivers who knows where it is -- off we went.
Doug's eyes lit up as we turned into the Best Western lot and headed into the attached Denny's. Coffee, "make your own Grand Slam" and we settled in to wait for the food.
It amazes us that even though the name is the same and the photos on the menu are the same -- the food is so different. Cultural differences I suppose. It was good though and not having to mangle the language and guess at menu items was a lovely surprise. Prices are much higher -- the grand slam came in at around $11.00, but it was an indulgence that was needed and appreciated.
Eggs, bacon (you just don't see it around here), sausage, pancakes, english muffins and hash browns. Neverending coffee.
When we got up Doug said that he had seen a Denny's during one of our drives. He wanted Denny's -- a bit of home and some 'real' eggs. We found Jacob, one of our drivers who knows where it is -- off we went.
Doug's eyes lit up as we turned into the Best Western lot and headed into the attached Denny's. Coffee, "make your own Grand Slam" and we settled in to wait for the food.
It amazes us that even though the name is the same and the photos on the menu are the same -- the food is so different. Cultural differences I suppose. It was good though and not having to mangle the language and guess at menu items was a lovely surprise. Prices are much higher -- the grand slam came in at around $11.00, but it was an indulgence that was needed and appreciated.
Eggs, bacon (you just don't see it around here), sausage, pancakes, english muffins and hash browns. Neverending coffee.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
7:45
Doug is standing there staring at me. Not saying anything, just staring... oh wait, now he's outside listening to the incessant drumming coming from somewhere in the city. We have no idea what it is or why it is. It's getting annoying.
We're back on the re-run channel on tv.
Oh, the laundry is done. Will post photos of our exciting foray into the Lavandia.
"relaxing" is over rated. I suck at it.
We're back on the re-run channel on tv.
Oh, the laundry is done. Will post photos of our exciting foray into the Lavandia.
"relaxing" is over rated. I suck at it.
Caged Tiger
I hate white walls and white floors and white hallways and white stairways --- I am so sick of all this white I could just scream. Oh, sure, at first it's all oooh, aaah, isn't this pretty and clean -- then it becomes personal torture. I need color and texture.
Yeah, here's my whiny baby evening. I'm bored out of my skull. I'm so bored my stomach is in knots and I just want to run screaming down the street. I don't want sit quietly and read -- I've been sitting quietly for days now. I don't want to sit quietly and watch tv.
Poor Doug -- stuck with a caged tiger. Wish him well because I am going stark staring mad.
I want to go home. I want to see my dog. I want my friends. I want to go to work.
Work -- my job -- I love it and I realize that it's the perfect job -- something new every day -- tons of personalities, myriads of problems and issues -- people to talk to and talk with. I'm part park manager, phone guy, internet guy, rental agent, bookkeeper, counselor, shoulder to cry on, problem solver, trash pickerupper, parking lot cleaner, window cleaner, toilet scrubber, floor washer, copier repair guy. It's always something new. I can't wait to get back to the lunacy -- it keeps me sane.
Okay, enough bitching. Thanks for listening.
Yeah, here's my whiny baby evening. I'm bored out of my skull. I'm so bored my stomach is in knots and I just want to run screaming down the street. I don't want sit quietly and read -- I've been sitting quietly for days now. I don't want to sit quietly and watch tv.
Poor Doug -- stuck with a caged tiger. Wish him well because I am going stark staring mad.
I want to go home. I want to see my dog. I want my friends. I want to go to work.
Work -- my job -- I love it and I realize that it's the perfect job -- something new every day -- tons of personalities, myriads of problems and issues -- people to talk to and talk with. I'm part park manager, phone guy, internet guy, rental agent, bookkeeper, counselor, shoulder to cry on, problem solver, trash pickerupper, parking lot cleaner, window cleaner, toilet scrubber, floor washer, copier repair guy. It's always something new. I can't wait to get back to the lunacy -- it keeps me sane.
Okay, enough bitching. Thanks for listening.
Wednesday Night
Back from the dentist. Let me say this right off the bat -- dentists scare me half to death. After being in the chair for three days with this group I am totally comfortable. TOTALLY COMFORTABLE. This is big, no, this is huge. I am healing beautifully and there is no pain at all. Today they replaced metal fillings - no pain, no discomfort and no swollen, numb face for hours on end. WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW.
When we got back we went to dinner at the Chinese restaurant up the street -- it too is one of the best restaurants in the city. The place was beautiful - white and red linens, beautiful red chair covers and, as usual, spotless. The food was amazing and portions massive.
Wantan soup w/ chicken instead of pork filling (the other option was shrimp) was not the small soup cup we're used to stateside - this bowl was huge. The stock was chicken based with ginger, scallions, cabbage and just a touch of cilantro. The wontons were full of chicken. It was delicious.
Doug ordered Chicken Fried rice and had to bring some home -- which never happens. I had their version of Mongolian Beef. The beef was tender and wok fried in Panko. The sauce was a bit different than I'm used to but still wonderful. Chinese food in a Central American country -- gotta love it.
When we got back we went to dinner at the Chinese restaurant up the street -- it too is one of the best restaurants in the city. The place was beautiful - white and red linens, beautiful red chair covers and, as usual, spotless. The food was amazing and portions massive.
Wantan soup w/ chicken instead of pork filling (the other option was shrimp) was not the small soup cup we're used to stateside - this bowl was huge. The stock was chicken based with ginger, scallions, cabbage and just a touch of cilantro. The wontons were full of chicken. It was delicious.
Doug ordered Chicken Fried rice and had to bring some home -- which never happens. I had their version of Mongolian Beef. The beef was tender and wok fried in Panko. The sauce was a bit different than I'm used to but still wonderful. Chinese food in a Central American country -- gotta love it.
Dogs and boredom
Another thought just hit me....
A lot of people say that when they come back, they want to come back as a pampered dog. I used to think that might be nice to. Until just now.
Seriously, just what the heck do dogs do all day long? sit, lay, scratch, nap, lick, nibble, lay, sit, scratch, bark at nothing, lick, nap. What do they think about all day long, hmmm,my pack mates are gone again and I'm alone here. hey, what's that noise? oh, just my stomach........ if i bark, will anyone come.... barkbarkbarkbark.............. nope, now my throat is sore.......... where's the water, crap it's old...........let's go to that porcelin well....... ah, that's better..............toys......throw the ball......wait, i have no thumbs............ crap,now what.........my tail.......am i still limber enough to catch it.......... ow, hit my head on the coffee table and I'm dizzy, but i caught it........... ewww, what's that smell? Oh wait, it's me............ the neighbors cat is at the window, boy, if i had thumbs i'd teach that thing a lesson or two.......... nap, let's just take a nap........on the bed.........on HER pillow............then i'll jump off and they'll never know.......
-- kind of like these medical trips.... a whole lot of nothing to do.
No wonder they chase their tails.....
I do not want to be a dog when I come back.
A lot of people say that when they come back, they want to come back as a pampered dog. I used to think that might be nice to. Until just now.
Seriously, just what the heck do dogs do all day long? sit, lay, scratch, nap, lick, nibble, lay, sit, scratch, bark at nothing, lick, nap. What do they think about all day long, hmmm,my pack mates are gone again and I'm alone here. hey, what's that noise? oh, just my stomach........ if i bark, will anyone come.... barkbarkbarkbark.............. nope, now my throat is sore.......... where's the water, crap it's old...........let's go to that porcelin well....... ah, that's better..............toys......throw the ball......wait, i have no thumbs............ crap,now what.........my tail.......am i still limber enough to catch it.......... ow, hit my head on the coffee table and I'm dizzy, but i caught it........... ewww, what's that smell? Oh wait, it's me............ the neighbors cat is at the window, boy, if i had thumbs i'd teach that thing a lesson or two.......... nap, let's just take a nap........on the bed.........on HER pillow............then i'll jump off and they'll never know.......
-- kind of like these medical trips.... a whole lot of nothing to do.
No wonder they chase their tails.....
I do not want to be a dog when I come back.
Doug just read my latest entry
Wednesday morning
It's Wednesday morning and boredom is setting in. boredboredboredbored. There are I think, 3 english channels and while it's nice to see some old episodes of Friends, The New Adventures of Old Christine and The Bing Bang Theory it does get tiresome when that's pretty much all you can watch.......d a y and n i g h t.
I've taken to watching Spanish infomercials and am insanely pleased when I can pick out a word I understand. Boredom does strange things to you.
We're in the central valley, surrounded by 6 or 8 volcanos -- I don't remember and there isn't anyone around I can ask --- well, I can ask until I'm blue in the face but the simple fact of the matter is they won't understand. Anyway, with nothing better to do, I watch the clouds as they settle in and creep down the mountainsides -- it's like watching an avalance in slow motion (or grass growing or paint drying - take your pick). I imagine that the clouds are just munching on those mountain tops, devouring trees and rocks leaving nothing -- then I ponder -- is this how the Grand Canyon came to be. I'm finding that my mind is a strange and frightening place left to its own devices. I know most of you won't find that surprising but it's starting to creep me out.
Yep, when I'm bored I tend to paddle around the old ponder pond -- that idiotic place in your head where the most inane, insipid and moronic things rattle around. Those stupid thoughts that normally you toss into the subconcious come crawling back from that abyss and say hello once again. Things like who taught bees to dance...
Why don't clouds just get too heavy and come crashing to the ground like rocks....
Who was the first person to eat a lobster and just how hungry did that sucker have to be.... yeah, I'm bored...... and we have three more hours to kill until we go back to the dentist.. the simple fact that I'm looking forward to THAT particular experience clearly shows the disentigration of my mental status......
I've taken to watching Spanish infomercials and am insanely pleased when I can pick out a word I understand. Boredom does strange things to you.
We're in the central valley, surrounded by 6 or 8 volcanos -- I don't remember and there isn't anyone around I can ask --- well, I can ask until I'm blue in the face but the simple fact of the matter is they won't understand. Anyway, with nothing better to do, I watch the clouds as they settle in and creep down the mountainsides -- it's like watching an avalance in slow motion (or grass growing or paint drying - take your pick). I imagine that the clouds are just munching on those mountain tops, devouring trees and rocks leaving nothing -- then I ponder -- is this how the Grand Canyon came to be. I'm finding that my mind is a strange and frightening place left to its own devices. I know most of you won't find that surprising but it's starting to creep me out.
Yep, when I'm bored I tend to paddle around the old ponder pond -- that idiotic place in your head where the most inane, insipid and moronic things rattle around. Those stupid thoughts that normally you toss into the subconcious come crawling back from that abyss and say hello once again. Things like who taught bees to dance...
Why don't clouds just get too heavy and come crashing to the ground like rocks....
Who was the first person to eat a lobster and just how hungry did that sucker have to be.... yeah, I'm bored...... and we have three more hours to kill until we go back to the dentist.. the simple fact that I'm looking forward to THAT particular experience clearly shows the disentigration of my mental status......
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tuesday, 11/9/10
Doug is doing very well and his final, finished, zircon crowns will be ready by Friday.
I, however, am a different story. They did have to remove the tooth. I thought it would be small -- I mean, seriously, the tooth on top is the size of what -- a couple of kernels of corn? It's a back molar for pity's sake. The hole in my head feels like the Grand Canyon - what they had to do is something I'm just not going to share because I don't know if any of you are trying to eat right now and I'd hate to ruin your appetite.
Suffice it to say there are tons of stitches and two separate bone grafts.
When they were done and I got out of the chair, my body was so "shocky" I began shaking and couldn't stop -- God bless Doug -- he wrapped me in his jacket then wrapped me in his arms. We got back to the Christina and he gave me my meds, tucked me into bed with a movie (Despicible Me) and took care of me all night. I got up at 4AM and have been up since.
We had to go back today, they wanted to take an impression for a long-term temporary for me, there is just so much going on between the grafts and stitches we're going to try again tomorrow.
We had the afternoon to kill and since we've done La Paz and the butterfly farm and the coffee plantations and the volcanos we opted for the large mall in Escazu. This mall is three levels with everything from Tiffany and the big designers to dona dona (the little donut shop). The floors are mirror-like, the glass is spotless, the stores are fully stocked and fully staffed. There are some Ticos window shopping and the food court is busy but it has a surreal feel to it. There are very few shoppers or lookers -- the staff in the stores are obviously bored. Weird, weird, weird. We can only assume that the mall was built for expats and tourists and must be funded by the government because there is no way these stores are supporting themselves.
There WAS one store that I just had to go into -- Costa Rican woods and pottery, art glass and painted feathers -- candles and coffee and candy -- perfume and ceremonial masks. Ah, local arts, why would I buy a pair of stunning heels in Nine West if I can get them at the outlet mall in Florida, but local work -- yeah, that's what I crave. Christmas shopping and thank you gifts were purchased and I found a new fragrance that I adore -- wild green orchids -- oh, joy -- I smell yummy.
Oh, my face hurts -- it's swollen, I'm tired. When we were here in June and Doug went through ALL that work, I had sympathy and I did all I could for him. Having had this done -- not only do I have empathy but I'll tell you what -- if I had to have six more of these (heck, if I had two more of these) to do -- he would be pulling down the street by my heels as my nails made scars in the cement sidewalks.
Let me say this though -- these doctors are artists -- when the needles go in, you don't feel it, they talk to you the entire time -- they go at the procedures from (their words) "a slow, calm place". They monitor your blood pressure and oxygen levels. I know for a fact, even through my holy terrors, that I am in good, competent and caring hands.
This part of the blog isn't nearly as amusing as the first and I'm sorry for that. Boredom battles with the discomfort and I'm pretty sure that tomorrow we'll be crawling the walls and counting the floor tiles.
I, however, am a different story. They did have to remove the tooth. I thought it would be small -- I mean, seriously, the tooth on top is the size of what -- a couple of kernels of corn? It's a back molar for pity's sake. The hole in my head feels like the Grand Canyon - what they had to do is something I'm just not going to share because I don't know if any of you are trying to eat right now and I'd hate to ruin your appetite.
Suffice it to say there are tons of stitches and two separate bone grafts.
When they were done and I got out of the chair, my body was so "shocky" I began shaking and couldn't stop -- God bless Doug -- he wrapped me in his jacket then wrapped me in his arms. We got back to the Christina and he gave me my meds, tucked me into bed with a movie (Despicible Me) and took care of me all night. I got up at 4AM and have been up since.
We had to go back today, they wanted to take an impression for a long-term temporary for me, there is just so much going on between the grafts and stitches we're going to try again tomorrow.
We had the afternoon to kill and since we've done La Paz and the butterfly farm and the coffee plantations and the volcanos we opted for the large mall in Escazu. This mall is three levels with everything from Tiffany and the big designers to dona dona (the little donut shop). The floors are mirror-like, the glass is spotless, the stores are fully stocked and fully staffed. There are some Ticos window shopping and the food court is busy but it has a surreal feel to it. There are very few shoppers or lookers -- the staff in the stores are obviously bored. Weird, weird, weird. We can only assume that the mall was built for expats and tourists and must be funded by the government because there is no way these stores are supporting themselves.
There WAS one store that I just had to go into -- Costa Rican woods and pottery, art glass and painted feathers -- candles and coffee and candy -- perfume and ceremonial masks. Ah, local arts, why would I buy a pair of stunning heels in Nine West if I can get them at the outlet mall in Florida, but local work -- yeah, that's what I crave. Christmas shopping and thank you gifts were purchased and I found a new fragrance that I adore -- wild green orchids -- oh, joy -- I smell yummy.
Oh, my face hurts -- it's swollen, I'm tired. When we were here in June and Doug went through ALL that work, I had sympathy and I did all I could for him. Having had this done -- not only do I have empathy but I'll tell you what -- if I had to have six more of these (heck, if I had two more of these) to do -- he would be pulling down the street by my heels as my nails made scars in the cement sidewalks.
Let me say this though -- these doctors are artists -- when the needles go in, you don't feel it, they talk to you the entire time -- they go at the procedures from (their words) "a slow, calm place". They monitor your blood pressure and oxygen levels. I know for a fact, even through my holy terrors, that I am in good, competent and caring hands.
This part of the blog isn't nearly as amusing as the first and I'm sorry for that. Boredom battles with the discomfort and I'm pretty sure that tomorrow we'll be crawling the walls and counting the floor tiles.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Food - what else?
Do you ever watch Anthony Bourdain? He's one of those guys that travels all over the globe eating weird things with an entourage the size of Rhode Island. I feel kind of like him -- without the interpreters, cameramen, guides and various and sundry others paving the way for him.
We are just outside the Capital city in a non-touristy area -- which means that almost no one speaks English. One of the good things is you really brush up on your Charades skills. It also let's you see how tolerant the people around you really are. The Costa Rican people are - and I've said it a thousand times - some of the most patient and friendly people I've ever met. They're also great Charades players.
We went to Plaza Mayor after the dentist -- needed the Farmacia and hoped to find a sweatshirt PLUS there's a mercado in there as well. Got the prescriptions filled, no sweatshirt so we headed into the mercado - where Doug's nose guided him directly into the bakery (he's having doughnuts for breakfast tomorrow). While he was deciding on his sugar rush, I found a case full of flaky little empanadas -- with descriptions I could only guess at with my limited Spanish (queso=cheese, pollo=chicken, carne=meat). I picked up a few in different shapes and nibbled on two -- one turned out to be a chicken with cheese and the other was potato with some lovely reddish/pink sauce. I think the other is ham & cheese (jamon y queso) -- maybe I'll find out later in the week or maybe Doug will just nosh on it with his soon to be installed shiny new teeth.
When we came out we hailed a cab -- which can cause difficulty because Costa Rica is a nation of streets without names. Yes, you read it right - the highways are numbered and some of the bigger roads have names - but mainly they run on landmarks ala "yes, you take this road for about 8 kilometers, then make a right when you see the Pizza Hut, follow that road until you see the large cork tree and make a left then go on until you see the Chinese Soda on the right - bear left at that fork and the hotel is across from the power company." Yuppers, this is not someplace you want to drive around on your own. We did finally make it back to the hotel and here I am - writing to you all, waiting until I have to go back to the dentist...
We are just outside the Capital city in a non-touristy area -- which means that almost no one speaks English. One of the good things is you really brush up on your Charades skills. It also let's you see how tolerant the people around you really are. The Costa Rican people are - and I've said it a thousand times - some of the most patient and friendly people I've ever met. They're also great Charades players.
We went to Plaza Mayor after the dentist -- needed the Farmacia and hoped to find a sweatshirt PLUS there's a mercado in there as well. Got the prescriptions filled, no sweatshirt so we headed into the mercado - where Doug's nose guided him directly into the bakery (he's having doughnuts for breakfast tomorrow). While he was deciding on his sugar rush, I found a case full of flaky little empanadas -- with descriptions I could only guess at with my limited Spanish (queso=cheese, pollo=chicken, carne=meat). I picked up a few in different shapes and nibbled on two -- one turned out to be a chicken with cheese and the other was potato with some lovely reddish/pink sauce. I think the other is ham & cheese (jamon y queso) -- maybe I'll find out later in the week or maybe Doug will just nosh on it with his soon to be installed shiny new teeth.
When we came out we hailed a cab -- which can cause difficulty because Costa Rica is a nation of streets without names. Yes, you read it right - the highways are numbered and some of the bigger roads have names - but mainly they run on landmarks ala "yes, you take this road for about 8 kilometers, then make a right when you see the Pizza Hut, follow that road until you see the large cork tree and make a left then go on until you see the Chinese Soda on the right - bear left at that fork and the hotel is across from the power company." Yuppers, this is not someplace you want to drive around on your own. We did finally make it back to the hotel and here I am - writing to you all, waiting until I have to go back to the dentist...
Monday and some bad news - for me
First - Doug is doing great - they removed all the temps. from his implants and his stuff is coming along fine and dandy --- yay!
Which, under the circumstances, is turning out to be a really good thing -- because my abcess issues are just glaringly ugly.
This stupid thing has morphed into something between the Blob and the Gulf Oil Spill. It's spread from that one spot above tooth #3 and created a river between my jawbone and sinus cavity -- with an exit fistula. I'm NOT going to explain exactly what this means because it falls clearly in the category of super gross.
The xray is kind of scary.
Soooooooooooo, this afternoon/evening they're going to go in, oh so carefully cut the tooth into pieces and get it out, then clean all the gunk out, then put in a bone graft, then we're either going to do a two stage or one stage (hope and pray for the one stage for me people) implant. Then he stitches it all up nice and neat.
Poor Doug -- he's going to be stuck with a sniveling idiot for the next few days. They've given me some super strong antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Oh Joy, Oh Bliss -- let's just break into a song, shall we.
This was NOT what I was thinking was going to happen in my "Scarlett O'Hara" mind --- you know -- "Oh, I can't think about this today, why, I'll just think it tomorrow, yes, that's what I'll do - I'll go back to Tara and think about it tomorrow. Tomorrow IS another day."
Yeah, we NEVER did see little ol' Ms. Scarlett wake up the next day and get whapped right in the face with a dose of reality - did we. Naw, we didn't and now I know why. Reality Bites.
Ah well, enough carping for now - it isn't going to do any good -- jimminy crickets -- the "G" key on my keyboard is sticky -- so if you see a g missing, it just means I wasn't paying attention and didn't hit the key hard enough.
Hmmm, nothing interesting today - we finally have some sun but it's still very cool -- I should have brought along a sweatshirt or something.
Met a very nice woman from Canada who has been here for about a month getting her entire mouth done -- apparently Canadian dentistry is just as expensive as dentistry in the U.S. She treated herself to an eye lift and didn't tell her husband about it. I think she feels a bit "naughty" but is very happy with all the changes she's making.
Have yet to see our bat-moth friend but perhaps this part of the hotel is out of his territory.
I guess this will be a good thing -- it'll be nice to be out of pain.
Will post again soon, hopefully something happier next time -- or at least mildly amusing.
TTFN
Which, under the circumstances, is turning out to be a really good thing -- because my abcess issues are just glaringly ugly.
This stupid thing has morphed into something between the Blob and the Gulf Oil Spill. It's spread from that one spot above tooth #3 and created a river between my jawbone and sinus cavity -- with an exit fistula. I'm NOT going to explain exactly what this means because it falls clearly in the category of super gross.
The xray is kind of scary.
Soooooooooooo, this afternoon/evening they're going to go in, oh so carefully cut the tooth into pieces and get it out, then clean all the gunk out, then put in a bone graft, then we're either going to do a two stage or one stage (hope and pray for the one stage for me people) implant. Then he stitches it all up nice and neat.
Poor Doug -- he's going to be stuck with a sniveling idiot for the next few days. They've given me some super strong antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Oh Joy, Oh Bliss -- let's just break into a song, shall we.
This was NOT what I was thinking was going to happen in my "Scarlett O'Hara" mind --- you know -- "Oh, I can't think about this today, why, I'll just think it tomorrow, yes, that's what I'll do - I'll go back to Tara and think about it tomorrow. Tomorrow IS another day."
Yeah, we NEVER did see little ol' Ms. Scarlett wake up the next day and get whapped right in the face with a dose of reality - did we. Naw, we didn't and now I know why. Reality Bites.
Ah well, enough carping for now - it isn't going to do any good -- jimminy crickets -- the "G" key on my keyboard is sticky -- so if you see a g missing, it just means I wasn't paying attention and didn't hit the key hard enough.
Hmmm, nothing interesting today - we finally have some sun but it's still very cool -- I should have brought along a sweatshirt or something.
Met a very nice woman from Canada who has been here for about a month getting her entire mouth done -- apparently Canadian dentistry is just as expensive as dentistry in the U.S. She treated herself to an eye lift and didn't tell her husband about it. I think she feels a bit "naughty" but is very happy with all the changes she's making.
Have yet to see our bat-moth friend but perhaps this part of the hotel is out of his territory.
I guess this will be a good thing -- it'll be nice to be out of pain.
Will post again soon, hopefully something happier next time -- or at least mildly amusing.
TTFN
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, November 7 - San Jose, here we come
Well, we didn't need that 7AM wake up call. You know how it is, you're in a strange bed that evokes the "Princess and the Pea" story line. We got up around 6:30, showered, repacked, went to breakfast and checked out. Off to the parking garage and on to the airport.
Orlando airport is HUGE but very well run and I have to say -- the TSA screeners are some of the nicest I've ever met -- not in that almost-creepy Disney-esqe way, but just nice in that "we don't need to scare the pants off you to do our jobs" kind of way. We didn't have much time between screening and boarding but I did manage to find some million-dollar AA batteries for the camera in the airport.
Jet Blue?? Love it - adore it. More leg room, the flight attendants were not only civil, but friendly and nice. They have little tiny screens in each seat back - we were watchin DirecTV until we hit Cuban airspace then there were some movie or music channels you could go to. Free snacks (cookies, chips, crackers) and soft drinks. They also offered box packages and cocktails.
Doug and I aren't the best fliers -- Doug's Xanax hadn't really had a chance to kick in prior to takeoff but he did really well. Me? Well, at some point in every flight over two hours long my subconscious decides there is no more air on the plane -- it's just gone - poof and I get a little panicky; that coupled with the fact that flying throws my balance off (inner ear damage from a car accident) makes me walk into walls until I can get to a PT.
I did take some shots from the plane --
The photo on the left are the mountains coming into the Central Valle and the photo on the right is either part of the Florida Keys or Cuba -- it's kind of hard to tell.
We landed at San Jose International and I have to say once again -- the Costa Rican people are some of the nicest people on the planet. Immigration was a dream, customs was a snap and the airport is spotless -- with tiles so shiny you could put your make up on in them.
Carlos, our driver, was waiting for us once again and he whisked us right to La Christina. It felt like a weird homecoming -- maybe because we were here just a few months ago. Hugs from Carlos, greetings from our friends at the Christina and a new room in a different wing (naturally, I have photos!)
The apartment features all that wonderful wood and white tile, a tidy little kitchen and nice size bedroom with two closets. This time we have a television in the bedroom and in the living room - which will make a big difference when one of us is down due to dental work and tucked into bed. The bathroom is nice and big and the windows are all open wide, letting in the cool mountain breezes.Before we left we had heard about the mudslides in the area. Carlos tells us that some 24 people lost their lives and you can see evidence of smaller slides in the hillsides and mountainsides. Rainy season ends here at the end of the month and hopefully there won't be any more slides or loss of life.
We nested in our room and off we went to the Mas y Menes -- local supermarket. Yet another adventure in shopping. Christmas hits the stores here early too! Wreaths and trees and seasonal treats greeted us along with Christmas carols all in English. I guess it's the same the world over, isn't it. We picked up supplies and back to the room.
We wanted to go to the on-site restaurant for dinner (you remember from earlier posts -- the place that uses veal in it's meat sauce, but not calfs, "teen-aged" cows). Drat, they're closed on Sunday -- which means I don't get a "last meal" before the dentist starts his work tomorrow morning.
Oh, our bird friend is still here -- Mohawk Sparrow -- hopefully this photo will show you what we're talking about, if not -- well, we stuck here for a whole week so maybe we can get a better shot or ten....
Can you see it? He has a mohawk!
Well, I'm going to post this and go check my email and office computer and home phone and facebook -- technology, still can't decide if I love it or hate it!
Then, I'm going to have a nice glass of wine - don't aks me what it is -- I can't read the label.
Here we go again!!! Saturday, Nov. 6th 2010
Okay, we're going back to Costa Rica -- hopefully it will be the last time for a while. Don't get me wrong -- if you haven't read this entire blog or spoken to us, you might think we don't like CR. The exact opposite it true -- we love CR, at least what we've been able to see between visits to the dentist.
Doug is having his permanent crowns put on this week and I have an abcessed tooth that needs to be taken care of (failed root canal)(oooowwww, my face hurts) and some old fillings replaced.
We're flying out of Orlando this time. JetBlue has direct service from ORL to SJO, which means no stop at the dreaded Miami International Airport. We leave Sunday morning at a civilized 10:25 AM (no 4AM wakeup call).
Phoebe the Bouv is going to shack up with her boyfriend for the week. Ah, Bouv love -- mention the name Lucky and Phoebe is galloping her old self down the street.
We took Phoebe for her morning stroll where she delighted in the first real cool snap we've had in Florida and she "read all the pee mail" and stopped for pets from the neighbors. We packed up her kibble and bowls, treats and snacks while she looked on with doggy trepidation -- then we said -- "wanna go see Lucky". I tell you, that great hairy beast is smitten - she began wagging and barking so off we went. Here is a picture of the "happy couple"...
Phoebe is the huge, rug looking beast in the background -- that adorable little fluffball in front is Lucky.
We went back to the house, turned everything off, set the alarm system, packed the car and then............... nothing, Doug turned the key and all we heard was that annoying clickety click sound that signals a dead battery. O Happy Day. Doug went into that man-cave of a shed and came out with the battery charger - 10 minutes later we're off to Batteries Plus and a new car battery.
The ride to Orlando was uneventful and we found our hotel (La Quinta - the older one) and decided to go to dinner. Have you ever been to one of those dinner show things? No, we hadn't either. We explored the options and chose the Pirate Dinner Theatre. They advertised three levels - the first being in the "common room" for cocktail hour, the second in the "Governor's Suite with a visit from the Royal Princess" and then you could upgrade your meal further. We shot for the whole-kit-n-kaboodle.
6:00 PM and we're escorted down the red carpet (seriously, they had one) into the Governor's Suite -- I pulled out my trusty camera to share photos with you and wham -- my blasted batteries are about dead. I went to the gift shop and the nice kid said he'd look for some when we were taken into the dinner theatre itself and he would bring them to me. Nice kid. The appetizers were little chicken cordon bleu's, mini quiche, shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers, crudite and ham slices. Nice fare -- for my foodie friends, let me just say that dinner theatre is more about the theatre and less about the dinner - so crank down your palette and just have fun. The princess came in and introduced herself, welcoming us to her father's palace (they really did a nice job -- crystal chandeliers, red and gold flocked wallpaper, huge chairs, etc.) She assured us that the "rumors of pirates in the area were overblown and all was well. As she turned to leave the little ones clamored around her and she was gracious enough to chat and pose with each and every little girl that clung to her skirts. I have to say, she was lovely too -- in that way only 20-somethings can be, just beautiful - she actually looks quite a bit like Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Out in the "common area" (set up as a waterfront) there was plenty of action between the guests and the actors then the commotion was set off -- Pirates invaded and we were all "captured" and brought into the Theatre proper. I wish I had batteries for the camera and I wish that the batteries that young man gave me weren't dead too, because the room was impressive -- a 300,000 gallon 'lagoon' with a pirate ship whose masts were 40' tall was the center -- sails and rigging, crows nest -- the whole thing just amazing. The room was sectioned into 6 separate "ships" for we prisoners, all color coded and managed by a pirate in corresponding colors.
They involved the patrons, they had singing and dancing, acrobats and gymnastics, cannon fire and pistols flaring, sword play and pirates swinging from the rigging all over the place. Nicely done, very nicely done. The food was less than stellar but I'll tell you what - we were determined to just have fun and we did. So what -- the food was just "eh", the focus was on the entertainment and staging and that was ALL wonderful. The children were excited and entranced, the people who were picked to help the pirates were all great sports (Doug was on stage! Stupid camera) and the players were great fun. 3 1/2 hours from start to finish. Would I do it again? Absolutely. It's goofy and can be a bit cheesy but fun. Do it once -- you KNOW you want to.
Back to the hotel and we're sacking out to get up at a civilized 7AM.
Doug is having his permanent crowns put on this week and I have an abcessed tooth that needs to be taken care of (failed root canal)(oooowwww, my face hurts) and some old fillings replaced.
We're flying out of Orlando this time. JetBlue has direct service from ORL to SJO, which means no stop at the dreaded Miami International Airport. We leave Sunday morning at a civilized 10:25 AM (no 4AM wakeup call).
Phoebe the Bouv is going to shack up with her boyfriend for the week. Ah, Bouv love -- mention the name Lucky and Phoebe is galloping her old self down the street.
We took Phoebe for her morning stroll where she delighted in the first real cool snap we've had in Florida and she "read all the pee mail" and stopped for pets from the neighbors. We packed up her kibble and bowls, treats and snacks while she looked on with doggy trepidation -- then we said -- "wanna go see Lucky". I tell you, that great hairy beast is smitten - she began wagging and barking so off we went. Here is a picture of the "happy couple"...
Phoebe is the huge, rug looking beast in the background -- that adorable little fluffball in front is Lucky.
We went back to the house, turned everything off, set the alarm system, packed the car and then............... nothing, Doug turned the key and all we heard was that annoying clickety click sound that signals a dead battery. O Happy Day. Doug went into that man-cave of a shed and came out with the battery charger - 10 minutes later we're off to Batteries Plus and a new car battery.
The ride to Orlando was uneventful and we found our hotel (La Quinta - the older one) and decided to go to dinner. Have you ever been to one of those dinner show things? No, we hadn't either. We explored the options and chose the Pirate Dinner Theatre. They advertised three levels - the first being in the "common room" for cocktail hour, the second in the "Governor's Suite with a visit from the Royal Princess" and then you could upgrade your meal further. We shot for the whole-kit-n-kaboodle.
6:00 PM and we're escorted down the red carpet (seriously, they had one) into the Governor's Suite -- I pulled out my trusty camera to share photos with you and wham -- my blasted batteries are about dead. I went to the gift shop and the nice kid said he'd look for some when we were taken into the dinner theatre itself and he would bring them to me. Nice kid. The appetizers were little chicken cordon bleu's, mini quiche, shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers, crudite and ham slices. Nice fare -- for my foodie friends, let me just say that dinner theatre is more about the theatre and less about the dinner - so crank down your palette and just have fun. The princess came in and introduced herself, welcoming us to her father's palace (they really did a nice job -- crystal chandeliers, red and gold flocked wallpaper, huge chairs, etc.) She assured us that the "rumors of pirates in the area were overblown and all was well. As she turned to leave the little ones clamored around her and she was gracious enough to chat and pose with each and every little girl that clung to her skirts. I have to say, she was lovely too -- in that way only 20-somethings can be, just beautiful - she actually looks quite a bit like Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Out in the "common area" (set up as a waterfront) there was plenty of action between the guests and the actors then the commotion was set off -- Pirates invaded and we were all "captured" and brought into the Theatre proper. I wish I had batteries for the camera and I wish that the batteries that young man gave me weren't dead too, because the room was impressive -- a 300,000 gallon 'lagoon' with a pirate ship whose masts were 40' tall was the center -- sails and rigging, crows nest -- the whole thing just amazing. The room was sectioned into 6 separate "ships" for we prisoners, all color coded and managed by a pirate in corresponding colors.
They involved the patrons, they had singing and dancing, acrobats and gymnastics, cannon fire and pistols flaring, sword play and pirates swinging from the rigging all over the place. Nicely done, very nicely done. The food was less than stellar but I'll tell you what - we were determined to just have fun and we did. So what -- the food was just "eh", the focus was on the entertainment and staging and that was ALL wonderful. The children were excited and entranced, the people who were picked to help the pirates were all great sports (Doug was on stage! Stupid camera) and the players were great fun. 3 1/2 hours from start to finish. Would I do it again? Absolutely. It's goofy and can be a bit cheesy but fun. Do it once -- you KNOW you want to.
Back to the hotel and we're sacking out to get up at a civilized 7AM.
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