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!

work

FIRST DAY OF WORK!!
So I worked one day for a waterfall repelling tour. the deal is that I photograph the people and then after the tour they can choose if they want to purchase a cd of images of themselves. then I give a percentage of the profits to the tour company. It is slow here right now so there are not too many tours but hopefully it will pick up in the next month. during high season.


This is my new office!! it takes about 45minutes to drive out there. I get a ride from the owner but when he drives it takes like an hour and 15 minutes cause he stops along the way in these tiny villages to talk to people!! the only downfall is that the mosquitoes here seem to love me. I came back with at least 15 bites itchy, itchy, itchy.
In order to get some good shots I have to be hooked up to a cable and stand on a little ledge. I wish I could get out a little further but it isn't an option. good thing Im not afraid of heights!!
They are expanding their tour to this waterfall which is much bigger!! and adding a canopy/zip lining tour to it also. Olman (the owner) says I have to practice my repelling so that I can shoot this waterfall.

Below are a few images that I shot of people repelling.

This is a tree iguana that I spotted before working. he blends in quite well.

So that is all I got for now.... Just have been doing pilates classes that are beating me up still... and tomorrow Im going to photograph some food shots for Joe and Jule's restaurant, that they will be using for the web. super excited to do that. tonight I might actually go out to a bar called bambu jam, where they play live salsa music. Adios

THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO ALL THE CHEEKY MONKEYS IN COSTA RICA!!

Okay so where did I last leave off……. Jaco was very interesting, it reminded me of California. It is suppose to be the best spot in costa rica it is defiantly a surfers town can’t walk down the block without seeing someone carrying a surfboard. It is also the land of high-rise condos. You don’t see many tall, tall, buildings here, but there is a ton of new construction there. We ate at the Marriott hotel which has a huge marina filled with boats. Condos there go for at least a million. crazy. On the drive back we pulled over cause there was an almond tree filled with macaws. It must be mating season cause they were in pairs and doing a dance type thing. It was really cool to watch them flying around and squawking.
The weekend wasn’t too eventful. Saturday took pictures of monkeys, they are really difficult to photograph. The little buggers manage to hid just out of sight or go in and out of shade to the sun so changing the exposure and focusing on them is a pain in the butt.

Above image is of a squirl monkey, its my favorite monkey and is about the size of two of your hands put together. they are endangered.
the monkeys came right up to the window and were pounding on it and licking it. It was hilarious!! I have a video of it but im not sure if my connection will let me upload it

Suday was a day spent at the beach. There were many tico (costa Rican) families playing soccer on the beach, and plenty of surfers/boogie boarders the waves were enormous. I met a wonderful family whose little girls are darling, lili is 4 and mia is 1. It is sad that lili’s english (her second language) is better than my Spanish, ha ha!! The day ended with a bbq at their home and a relaxing rainy night. I can’t believe that I have been here for a week. Time really is going by fast. Mia playing in the sand This is the beach that I walk in the morning although it continues behind
me and the rock is covering the rest of it.

The other night I met up with my friend that was doing a little photoshoot for his roommate’s clothing line for her boutique, it is very bohemian looking but cute cloths. Everyone there was a local and the models were beautiful! I was trying to figure what everyone was saying in Spanish but they talk sooooo fast that I could only catch less than half of it. Need to work on my Spanish that is for sure. I then went and had a imperial and piece of pizza with my friend at a local restaurant, where they serve the coldest beers in town. My pizza had ham and hamburger meat on it!! Coming from the city of pizza it was not what one would think pizza is! My friend and fellow photographer Kevin who was just published as one of costa ricas best photographers!! congrats Kevin

This morning I was awoken at around 3am by and earthquake!!! It was a 6.2, not too big but a enough to make the whole house was shake, I could even feel my innards shaking too, it was wild. My first earthquake experience, in Costa Rica. Im going to eat breakfast right now and then off to a waterfall repelling tour that Im going to shoot and if the guy likes it then I might get some more work from him. Exciting.
Im sorry that this blog has taken so long to post and the lack of quality of the images!! The internet here is driving my crazy and won’t let me upload images, then quits on me!!! So frustrating.

SECOND BLOG

Images of a few of the cows at the park form the other days walk.

The last few days have been really hot but beautiful. on Thursday I was awaken my Joe at 5am to the moon setting in the bay. was really early but totally worth it. (Tom you will appreciate this photo!) I then went for the morning walk on the beach I have figured that it has to be around a 3mile walk It is interesting to see the different people walking on the beach. everyone is so friendly and says hi. afterwards I refueled with a homemade papaya, banana, oj smoothie. yum, yum. after breakfast I meet a little friend who fascinated me and I just had to take a photo of him/her
(My little friend, who was the size of a half dollar and was a beautiful orange color, this image doesn't do any justice.) after photographing my buddy I continued the day looking for apartments and found a few prospective places. actually both are owned by italians, kinda funny. Im still on the hunt though. Im trying to find a place between Quepos and Manuel Antonio where it is a bit more lush with wildlife and vegetation. I saw a family of howler monkeys. man they have a loud voice for their size. there were lots of babies, I think in total there had to be at least 25 monkeys.

On Friday I really beat myself up!! first a beach walk at 6:30am and then right after took a pilates class with jules it only cost $6 not a bad price for an hour class. then walked up and down a big, big hill. I am feeling every muscle in my body today. I then met up with a friend for lunch in town. and went to the supermarket and fruit market. afterwards I saw the illusive and endangered squirl monkey and a three toed sloth with its baby. oh course I didn't have my camera on me.....figures. That is about all to report for the time being. Today I will be traveling to jaco which is about an hour north along the cost, to run errands with the family friends and then maybe tonight go to the new disco at the beach.

FIRST BLOG

Hola! Welcome to my pura vida blog! Pura Vida is a saying here in costa rica that everyone uses, it means pure life, or the good life.

I will try and post a blog whenever I get a chance. However, the internet here is really slow so everything computer-wise takes FOREVER!!! You will all have to be patient with me.

Let get everything up to speed….. I left chi-town at 5:30am on Monday 11-10-08, the flight went smoothly and the sunrise leaving chi-town was beautiful. The clouds were a purple-grey. When I got into San Jose (costa rica’s capital) a family friend picked me up and we ran errands all day. I spent the night in San Jose and the next morning traveled to Quepos/Manuel Antonio.

2^nd Day

The drive was three hours, but absolutely stunning! We drove up and down mountains and along the pacific cost. There were coffee fields all over the place. I don’t want to say fields cause the coffee plant grows along the side of the mountain.

Right before entering Quepos there are tons of palm trees…rows and rows of them. It was a palm oil plantation. Once in Manuel Antonio, the rest of the day was spent getting settle into joe and jules home (family friends). I was greeted by a white faced monkey upon my arrival to their home. He was a bit shy and ran away before I could take a picture of him. I will be staying with joe and jules until I find an apartment.

It is still the rainy season here so the weather is a beautiful/hot 85 degrees and by three in the afternoon it starts to rain a little and continues on and off through the rest of the night. The air here is humid but is sooo clean and refreshing.

3rd Day

Well, this pretty much brings us up to date. Today I got up at 6:30am and started my day. Jules and I woke up to a cockroach in the sink!! Not sure how it got there, but it isn’t the nasty type we have at home, it reminded me of the cockroach from wall-e. I the went in town to Quepos for breakfast. My meal was delicious!! It consisted of pico de gayo (rice and beans) scrambled egg with a tortilla and tamorine juice to drink. It was a whapping $2, quite a steal compared to the expensive taxi ride into town (still working out how the public bus works). After breakfast I took a walk to where the best place to see sunsets in quepos is. It used to be a disco and is now being converted into a park. When I got there, there were painted cow sculptures, just like the ones we had in chi-town. After getting sunburnt on my back a little it was back to Manuel Antonio before it started to rain. And that brings you up to speed. Tomorrow Im going to look at some different apartments and cross my fingers that I find one and it is reasonably priced!