I have a new friend and I solved the problem.

Everything has been going along well except for one thing. I have no idea where or when the garbage needs to be put out. I asked Ana but didn't understand anything except lunes which is Monday. No, I haven't been piling up garbage since I got here, but I do have a few bags. Small bags. So anyway, my new friend explained you but the garbage on top of any car in the front area - because of the dogs and garbage pick up is Monday and Thursday morning. Gerardo puts it outside the gate at 6:00am those days so I would need to have it on top of a car Sunday and Wednesday evenings because although I am usually awake, and maybe out of bed by 6:00am, I am definitely not out and about. 

Now about my new friend, who really likes my chocolate. I thought it was Gerardo's friend and her mother who were staying upstairs. It is just the mother. She is a kick. She came visiting this morning because she wanted to see how my cottage looked. We talked about my back and she said she goes to the hot pools for her arthritis. She has a remedy for my back problem and the next nice day she says she will take me with her to the pools. Today is too cold and it has been sprinkling. I asked her how long she stays and she said sometimes all day. She brings along fruit for when she gets hungry. This should be an interesting adventure.

In case you are wondering when I am going back to Cartago, it won't be this week. This is the big pilgrimage weekend when people walk from all over Costa Rica to the Basilica. They are expecting two million people in Cartago. I will not be one of them. I may make it to Paraiso.

I don't think I told you about my visitors last night. They started out on the glider and then came to say hello. We chatted a little and I asked if they like chocolate. Duh! I stopped them at two each. They were very nice and lots of fun. Their mother was visiting the lady upstairs. When I went over to give their mother one, they were telling her they only had one each. They got caught since I could understand and popped up with dos. You know, I really am having so much fun.