"BABY IT COLD OUTSIDE!"Well, happy holidays!!
I haven’t written in awhile so this blog is going to be all over the road. Jules had this awesome fake fur coat and I thought it would be a perfect christmas picture to show just how "cold" it is here is costa rica! :)
Okay, updates, there was a makanda’s employee xmas party that was held at the pool, lots of grilling, tons of local costa Rican food, and of course beer. The employees are wonderful people who seem to always smile.
The other night I walked around quepos doing some night shots of peoples xmas decorations and some different street shots, I realized that I need to get up the courage to do more shots of people even if I do look a little like a tourist doing it.
Lets see what else….not a whole lot, just finishing with the holiday cookie baking. It is getting a little hotter each say and a little dryer. The rain has definitely stopped, its a very unfortunate thing cause the rain cools things down here and keeps everything green.
Oooh on Friday I went snorkeling with a neighbors tour. It was sooo much fun, we saw dolphins and I saw a moray eel, a couple of BIG puffer fish, and lots of awesome stuff, got stung by a little jellyfish, but nothing serious, it just felt like a little bee sting and went away after a while. I haven’t been snorkeling for over 6 years now and I had forgotten what a wonderful surreal world the ocean is.
Other than than nothing really exciting happening on my end of things. I will try and not let my bolgs get far and few between!

The picture above is of the sunset in quepos after coming in from snorkeling. the picture below is a photo of guys working on the new marina that is going into quepos.

This photo is not of good quality, but it is how a typical costa rican home is decorated for Christmas. they have most of all their decorations on their front porches it includes a tree and usually a nativity set that they put the baby jesus in on christmas eve, its apparently a big deal.

This is the equivalent to a McDonalds in quepos. There were lots of people there cause just down the street there was the grade schools graduation ceremony. Right now it is summer here so school is out for a month or two.

This is one of the few ice cream shops in quepos. I missed the perfect shot of course cause the little kid was turned around with his hands on the freezer looking at the ice cream but I couldn't get my camera out of my bag fast enough. I think Im going to try and continue to photograph quepos at night, it has a lot of interesting little scenarios not to mention it looks cleaner than it is :)

This is leo, and his 20th run to the bathroom at the christmas party, everytime he got up everyone would shout and laugh.

This is tony, to the left, one of the chefs and to the right is David not sure what david's actual job is but he does teach little kids how to break dance after work. I want to go and photograph it when I get the chance.

me and donillo sticking out his toung (I might be spelling everyones name wrong, im horrible at that)

I cant remember the girl to the lefts name but Jr. is the victim of Lewis's bunny ears.

Too many people to name each one but its a lot of the kitchen staff

The christmas cake bought at the local bakery, Shaye I think you could make a killing down here!! ha ha ha

"Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

Yesterday after spending the morning at the beach Jules and I started baking Christmas cookies!!! One of my most favorite things to do and I didn't think I would be able to do it this year! We only got three types done and still have about four or five more types to go. Most of them will be for the guest of the hotel for Christmas and the holiday season, Jules is so creative and thoughtful, she knows how to make everyone feel at home. I'm going to get muy gordita (very fat) at the rate I'm going tasting a cookie here and there. I have been going salsa dancing the last few nights in a row so I feel that makes up for being a cookie monster.
Actually every Thursday night at the local casino/pool hall, there are free salsa lessons. It is taught by a local tico, who comes up to my nose, he is very good. the night starts off with no one willing to dance, of course he grabs me and my friend Kevin out on the dance floor to teach us a dance. We of course are the only ones out there for what seemed like an hour, but was probably 20 minutes, and everyone was just looking at us, talk about stage fright!! the instructor then of course then steps aside to have a cigarette, while we are dancing. eventually he started grabbing female tourists out on the floor to dance with him and that was the end of our lesson, but it was soo much fun. I don't think I have ever sweated tooo much in my life! I guess it comes hand in hand with how hot it is here right now.

Things have been really slow here work wise. There seem to be tourist around , but no one is spending money on extras like tours , hopefully things will look up a bit in the new year. although it isn't looking too hopeful at the moment, I guess that just means more time trying to learn how to surf and taking personal photos, can't complain at the moment. only time will tell what is to come. Tomorrow I get to help Joe and Jules decorate their home for Christmas, Im super excited!!! :) Mrs. Jules "Claus" getting ready for cookie baking

Ingredients and our lovely cookie list

This will be the closest that I come to snow this year.....the powder sugar on these butter pecan cookies.

REALLY RANDOM..........

Well no major updates really..... I have not had a chance to go look at scooters yet, things keep coming up and I haven't been able to. nothing else is really happening, lets see....this past weekend I went to the beach disco in manuel antonio by myself I ended up running into a couple of people that I know, it was fun. The last time I was at that disco, there were girls walking around in lingerie and thongs on top of tables. It was if it were a regular thing, a bit of a culture shock for me!! oh and there is a car that drives around with loudspeakers on the top of it making announcements about what is going on with the community. my friend, who is fluent in spanish, translated it for me....it said "the disco in quepos was having an anniversary celebration and there will be a fashion show, with dancing cucumbers" which basically means guys walking around in tight undies. I though that was hilarious!!! just a little more of a culture shock. No other funny or super exciting things at the moment but I will keep everyone posted. below are some photos that I came across that I forgot to post. This is miguel one of the guides I work with he lives in the little village of 72 people. he is being a little show off in the photo above. the photo below is him as well

Above is Eric he is a complete jokester. constantly making a joke

these are some of the local kids that like to play on the extremely HIGH bridge that is made of ladders screwed together. and below is brian, he spent the day hiding around different corners trying to scare me or just would give me a big smile, I shared my lunch with him, although in this photo he looks really lethargic.

OOOHHH this is the alergic reaction I have to the stupid mosquito bites, yes what looks like turkey legs are my actual legs. but It looks like giant mosquitoes from Jurassic park bit me!!

I made myself homemade banana pancakes, I had to take a photo. My dad would be proud that I waited for the pan to get to the perfect temp and they turned a awesome golden brown color. they were soooo yummy!

Last but not least, this is marley sleeping. Joe and Jules were out of town and I was dog/house sitting. I looked over and saw marley sleeping like this, and later he was sprawled out on his back with his front legs like a bunny, he must have been dreaming because his back legs were going crazy(as if he was running) and his nose was going crazy. I laughed so hard I started to cry, I wish I got a video of it!!

Family Blog

This Blog is dedicated to my family and all our cheesy photos

I have to begin by apologizing for not updating my blog in awhile. My family has been in town for the last week and a half. They have had my full attention and my blog has been neglected. Let see to update everyone with what’s happening in my life at the moment…….apartment situation will hopefully be solved this weekend, will post the photos when a decision is finally made. Oh most importantly I’m going to go looking at scooters and motorcycles this weekend to get an idea what is out there. I have had a few friends/acquaintances on the look out for anything that is used, still no word on that. If not successful it is back to the extremely s-l-o-w bus and expensive taxis (when its raining).

Speaking of weather, I hear that chi-town is expecting some bad weather, here it is really warm but has been raining A LOT. But I can’t complain because I love the rain here. It isn’t like at home….. it is warm and extremely clean. Today after going to the grocery store it was raining and it is so humid that there was a foggy haze. I walked through this amazing mist that seemed so surreal. I wasn’t sure if it was a dream or not, it was wonderful.

My folks just left yesterday, I hope that they had fun. It was really good to see and spend time with them. Below is the stereotypical cheesy family photos (dedicated to my family) I had a great time with them. Will make another blog this weekend! Adios mi amigos.

Sean at makanda's private beach it is a tiring hike but was fun to do it with my brother!!

My mother at the beach shopping, little does she know that the tico to the right is a male prostitute when he isn't selling things at the beach!!

Marlin's a pretty good resturant at the beach. my mom ordered fresh water shrimp and didn't realize that they come with the head and all, needless to say my dad ended up trading plates with her. it was funny to see her get a little grossed out.

The fam with Joe and Jules at the beach

Our beautiful turkey day flower arrangement that was sent by Alexander (an older British guy that always sas "My Word") he owns a flower farm, and has a mustache and carries a pipe with him everywhere!! I love it :)

Kevin teaching Sean how to surf. the surf was ridiculously big that day and the undertow was so strong! But sean and I got up.

Proof that my mom actually did go ziplining!! I couldn't believe that she actually did it and loved it.

my dad looking very pro!