No pictures today.

We didn't have a very long day today but unfortunately it was very foggy along the North Shore so we didn't see much. We checked into the Radisson and went to dinner at Grandma's Saloon. After dinner we split up and Karen and Donna went for a walk along the lake and Kaye and I went to the casino. Needless to say we did not earn our retirements. Thank heavens we both have a limit and know when to quit. We walked the 6 blocks back to the hotel.

Tomorrow it will be breakfast at the revolving restaurant on top of the hotel then off to Kaye's lake home via a shopping spree in Perham.

We made it to Canada.

Started the day with another great breakfast at the Grand and then checked out and made arrangements to have our luggage taken direct to the ferry. We had reservations for an hour and a half private carriage ride tour of the island with Caleb and his horses Nina and Chico. We went past beautiful homes and wonderful flower gardens and beautiful views. A lot of the island is national park and forest. Everything is kept up very well.

Caleb dropped us off at the ferry and I turned in our parking. At the end of our 16 minute trip the car was right there, as was all of our luggage. Off we went and did our border crossing at Sault St. Marie with no problems or hassles at either the U.S. Or Canadian points. We had contacted the hotel for tonight and they were concerned we wouldn't get in until about 10:00pm. Our drivers are a little heavy footed and we got in about 8:20pm. We had dinner, decided to go for 2 rooms instead of one and are now settled in for the night. We have under 300 miles tomorrow so we will have time to make more stops on our way to Duluth. 

Leaving the island for St. Ignace

The Mackinac Island way for a biker to get up the hill

It has been a lovely day on Mackinac Island. We started with breakfast. As you can see we are all on diets and barely ordered anything. They couldn't find any more room on the table.

It was all great. Then we went our separate ways. I went walking and checked out the area including the labyrinth and the greenhouse area. The flowers around the resort are just beautiful.

Isn't this neat!

Across the lawns.

I love all the big dahlias.

I also found a great ice cream shop and had ice cream for lunch. As I was sitting outside the shop I saw this biker hitching a ride with a carriage up the hill.

We had another wonderful dinner. Tomorrow we will be back to jeans for our trip over the lake to Rossport, Ontario.

Mackinac island.

We had a great breakfast and did some shopping in Sturgeon Bay. Traveling was slower today as part of the way was only two lane. Beautiful scenery and we went along the water a lot of the way. We arrived in St. Ignace about 15 minutes before the 6:30 ferry. Timing was perfect. It is a 16 minute ferry ride to the island. It is $23.00 round trip per person from either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City. The car is in a secured parking lot and that was $30.00 for two days. When we arrived on Mackinac Island, we took a horse drawn carriage that holds 12 to the hotel. That is $5.00. Our rooms are lovely and each have two queen beds. We are next door to each other with a connecting door. We were able to get a really good deal through one of Kaye's associates.

Dinner tonight was wonderful and there are lots of restaurant options besides the Main Dining Room which is enormous. You do have to dress for dinner so everyone looked really nice.

The hotel from the ferry.

Our room.

Dinner setting.

More tomorrow as we spend the day wandering the island.

I know you have been waiting for a report

I got to Heather's with no problem and spent two days shopping for new, smaller clothes so I had things to wear that fit. On the 25th I did the 8 hour drive to Kaye's and today was the first day of our road trip. Donna drove all the way and I was in the passenger seat navigating with Kaye and Karen in the back seat. The car is extremely comfortable and we had very few problems. One was in the Green Bay Area where it went from exit 170 to 173 because of construction. We needed exit 171. We ended up going up to 173 and coming back and 171 was available from that direction. Donna did a great job of getting us in early with no speeding tickets.

We are staying in a lovely two bedroom condo at a resort right on the water in Sturgeon Bay. We had reservations in Fish Creek for a Fish Boil at 7:00pm. We took a meandering road through beautiful scenery and homes. What an interesting experience the Fish Boil is. The food was wonderful and included fish, potato, onion, coleslaw, bread, beverage and cherry pie. The towns of Egg Harbor and Fish Creek were really interesting and we plan on going back tomorrow morning. Lots of galleries and neat little shops.

Tomorrow, after our sightseeing morning, we head for St. Ignace and leaving the car and taking the ferry to Mackinac Island where we will stay for two nights at the Grand Hotel. Breakfast and dinner are included and we plan to also have afternoon tea.

The view of the lake from Kaye's lake home.

It was a little cool when I tried out the hammock.

The fish boil so the fish oil will run over. Potatoes cook for 30minutes, onions for 20 minutes, fish for 10 minutes. Then they pour fuel on the fire to make it boil over.

We all really enjoyed it. 

Tia is going to miss me

I just gave Gerardo the dream catchers and took my bag of potatoes, carrots, garlic and lettuce to Ana. I was invited for lunch and met Ana's son, a very nice young man 23 years old. He is the baby. He is a mechanic and was on his way to a job interview. He lives in Orosi but works in San Jose. He works for Volvo now but is interviewing with Nissan. Lunch was Gallo Pinto, carne with potatoes and carrots, squash and little bananas that are cooked while still green. It was very good. I came back to my house for Mounds Balls and told them about my no more chocolate for a month line from the Super Mercado. I will package a few for Jose and give them the rest. Gerardo had one, went and did something and came back and got another one since he won't have any for a month. 

I also made arrangements that someone will clean my floors and the cobwebs just before I come back so I won't come back to bugs and the planters that don't get watered by the rain will get watered. 

I am pretty much packed and the house is sprayed and everything I could put in the refrigerator is in there. I just have to leave a set of keys and change clothes and check my list. Jose will be here about 5:00pm. I will miss my little house and everything about Orosi and the people I have met here. As Tia and Ana just told me, a month will go fast and I will be back in Costa Rica. 

At the same time, I am excited about the next. Month and all the people I will see and the adventures I will have. Just don't get me started with stories. When I had been here a month it took me 3 1/2 hours to tell all about it! Now it has been 3 months so it will take all day!

I can leave feeling no guilt

I just finished the dream catcher for Gerardo's father. This one has feathers from his bird on it. I am happy to have it done. I will give it to them tomorrow morning.

I just switched the top green feather to white. I think it looks better.

We have a new business in Orosi

I packed up my Mounds Balls and headed for the Super Mercado. They got a big kick out of my sentence voy a los Estados Unidos mañana. No chocolate por un mes. It isn't quite right but close enough they knew what I was saying. One of the guys in the meat area was so cute. He pretended he was crying and asked if he could have dos. I made it through the whole store, giving goodies to everyone and took my cart back. I headed for the appliance store and the hardware store but it was between noon and one pm and they were both closed. As I was walking back I noticed a new business open in a building that had been empty since I got here. Yup, just what I need. Another ice cream place. It is called Monster Shake and well, I just had to try it out. I got a small sundae in the cutest waffle cone bowls with a scoop of vanilla and a scoop of strawberry, nuts, grapes, apple 

 chunks and strawberry sauce. He didn't know what to do with me because I didn't want chocolate. I also got cafe latte. Both were great. I gave him some Mounds Balls and we were both happy.

Tia came over last night and sat down to chat. It is the first time she has come alone. I had my pizza from Emelio and I offered her some and she was really excited. She had gotten her hair cut and looked really good. She talked and talked and I think maybe she was explaining about going to San Jose today because there isn't anyone around.

This morning I got up early and made a Frittata to use up all the food I had on hand since I leave tomorrow. I used 12 huevos, leche, queso, sour cream, jamon, pollo, green beans, onion, chilies, salsa and seasoning. I figured I would take it over to Tia's for 9:00am coffee. There are always several people so it would get eaten. Today is the one day no one is here. So now I have a pan full of Frittata. I had a little before my massage and it is very good. I have it in the refrigerator so I have to figure out what to do with it. You can put pretty much anything in it. You cook whatever you are going to put in then pour the egg mixture over it and bake it at 450 for about a half hour. With the milk and sour cream it turns out more like a custard. 

I also did laundry so it will be dry enough to put away tomorrow before I leave. I think Jose is coming about 5:00pm. We will stop and have something to eat and I still should have several hours at the airport. I won't have any checked luggage but I will have to pay my departure tax at the airport and fill out the form. I am hoping the shops are still open as a friend asked me to get a white Pura Vida bumper sticker and I didn't find any in Cartago on Tuesday.

Nice, cute, very clean place. 

I wanted to show you my sunburn is much better and I have a little hair.

My date

We got our wires crossed a bit so at 1:00 I went over to the pizza shop and Emilio was there waiting for me - with a pizza. We left it there and headed to the Swiss Shop and each had a Chai tea. I bought some little bottles of jam and salsa to take back with me as gifts. Catherine and her kids came along and we chatted with her for a bit. They have painted the front of the hotel and have done some remodeling. They are opening a souvenir shop and expect the new restaurant to open any day.

Emelio said his mother invited me to a ladies craft group where each lady works on her own craft and they come together and talk. I won't be able to do much talking but I am looking forward to being included. He and I are going to get together to cook and I am bringing him measuring spoons and measuring cups and brown sugar to compare with what is available here.

I was a millionaire for a few minutes today. I paid my rent for the rest of the year and it is just over a million colones. I have never held a million anything before.

Off I go to take my shopping cart back and tell the guys in the meat market that I am going away and no chocolate for a month.

He wanted to show off the merchandise behind him. 

I also finished Donn's dream catcher. I know Donn would be happy with just black, or black and white but I started thinking about Judi and I just had to add some color.

One more done.

Gerardo's sister said red so here is the one I just finished.

I want to finish the one for my friend Donn so I can take it with me and mail it from Heather's. Then I will make Grandpa's. It may not be until I get back.

I did a trip to Cartago today and got my flowers planted. They are getting a good rain now. I also stopped at the pizza shop and worked out details with Emelio for tomorrow. He will be done about 12:15pm and will come knock on the door in the wall. I will let him in and show him around and then we will go to lunch. He loves practicing English and told me tonight he wants to take another language, maybe French. He has talked about studying to be a lab technician. I will take pictures tomorrow.

Another one arrived

I was wondering what I was going to do since my planters are full and low and behold Ana delivered another one this morning so I will have something to fill when I get back - or a surprise. Gerardo got busy and I don't want to leave everything until the last minute so I filled the planter myself. I put the white lantana in one of the other planters and all the rest in the newest one. I will plant them when I get back from Cartago this afternoon.

I also told Gerardo I wanted some of the flowers at his sister's house and I think he explained that you just plant the stuff around the flowers and he will get some. I could be making that up though. Wait till he sees the tree I want!

I am going to take my cart back before I leave.

These are what I want.

I now qualify as a master stapler

I have talked about the wall of windows in my kitchen with no glass and if you turn the lights on after dark, all the bugs come in. Well now they will have a harder time. I bought fabric on my first stop at the fabric store and it is finally up. It is sheer so the light and air should still get through but hopefully not all the bugs. I will see how it works and what adjustments I have to make.

I think Gerardo thinks I am a failure as a planter

This morning when I talked to him about my trip to the airport on Friday - turns out Jose does that so we will leave about 5:00pm and have time to stop along the way for a snack and something to drink. He will also come and get me when I come back in Sept. That will save me staying overnight.  Anyway, back to Gerardo. I asked about the airport and paying my rent for the next few months before I go and also donde esta the dirt. Ana was handy so she told him what I was looking for. There is a pile of stuff that is mostly little rock and that goes in first. Then dirt. I also asked for a pala - shovel. 

Found out where everything is and Ana started shoveling the rocks into the pail and I said no, no I will do it. Gerardo came out and said no, no he will do it this afternoon. I think he is just afraid I will do it wrong and kill all the flowers I want to plant before I leave. I have had a couple casualties. One of the Johnny Jump Up plants died and something is eating at one of my basil plants. Also some of the sticks I stuck in the dirt just kept getting deader and deader looking, with no roots developing so I just threw them away. I put the lavender in place of the Johnny Jump Up. I will move the hanging plants to the tree so that most of the things will be watered by the rain. Only a few things will need to be watered while I am gone.

I can't believe I have been here almost 3 months and head to Wisconsin just after midnight on Friday for a fun, busy 4 weeks. I will see lots of friends and family during that time and I promise not to text Heather from the next room. I do have a new telephone number that Heather set up for me - she is such a good girl. It is 608-213-3916. I will pick up the phone when I get to Heather's on the 22nd and leave it there when I leave on the 16th of September. I do have a phone and number here in Costa Rica but I never use it and usually don't have it anywhere near me. I put $3.00 worth of time on it and it is still there.

If anyone wants to get in touch with me, email works best, although I am getting better at leaving this wonderful iPad Heather and Kent gave me for Christmas alone for hours at a time so I can be part of life here. I will have it with me when I travel and leave my laptop here. 

It will be a busy week before I leave. Tomorrow to Cartago to hopefully get the feathers, Wednesday lunch with Emelio, Thursday massage with Otto and Friday to the airport. I love retirement! Pure Vida.

It's Mother's Day.

In Costa Rica, Mother's Day is celebrated on August 15th. It is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church. Gerardo just came and gave me a hug and a flower for Mother's Day. I gave him a plate of Cinnamon Roll Cake to take to Tia's. What a nice way to start a Saturday morning. I told Heather I get to celebrate both dates - here in August and in the US in May. She said no problem, I just bought you a gift. Every week she goes to the Pick and Save and looks for big suitcases for me to bring stuff here. They run about $2.00 and since there is very little storage in the houses here, I can use them or give them away. I think we are now up to 8 or so.

Feliz día de la Madre to all the mothers out there. 

How to get a perro to let go of your panties, Costa Rican style.

Yup, that is what I said! And I know you can't wait to hear the solution!

I decided to do a load of laundry, even though it is raining really hard. I put the laundry in the washer and looked over at Soggy dog. I had dropped a pair of panties and he was just picking them up. No one else was around to get him to give them to me and if I pulled he thought we were playing tug of war. I tried everything and no luck. He is one stubborn dog. Going inside for a cookie to exchange for the panties wasn't an option. Yes, I have perro cookies. They are the sugar cookies that didn't turn out. 

So, I did the only thing I could think of besides dragging him around behind me all day. I took him over by the washing machine, warned him several times, and turned the hose on him. Only took a second for him to let go. Panties are safely in the washer and Soggy dog is a little soggier.

I have made an early morning trip to the Super Mercado for huevos and pollo. I have the pollo, green beans and little papas in the crock pot. I really do like the way it turns out. I also have huevos now to bake a batch of cookies. I will also make the Mounds Balls. There is no question they are the favorite, even though they are more candy than cookie.

Sometimes I am dumb, even in Orosi

I have mentioned more than once that Gerardo has a hardware store besides the appliance store. I have even walked past it but it looks more like a lumber yard and kinda grungy so I haven't stopped. I have also checked in every store I have been in for nails. I did manage to buy a hammer and a package of big nails in the store in Cartago but I really wanted smaller nails. Today I was out wandering, delivering cookies. I stopped into the Appliance Store and decided since I was just around the corner I would check out the hardware store. I go in and realize they have all kinds of tools and stuff so I figure I will see about nails. Jose Juan was the person who helped me and thank heavens he understood my pantomime, and some English. I set everything down on the counter and started pretending I was hammering. He started walking away and I said no, I already have a hammer, but he was just moving us away from the register. I demonstrated I have long nails to hammer. Do they have any short nails. Remember at the other store it was the only package they had. He leads me out the door and along the building and there are boxes of all different sizes of nails. I found one I liked and asked how I buy them. He said kilos. Well, I know what a kilo of hamburger is and I knew I didn't want that much so we did a quarter kilo which is about a big handful. 

We went back inside and I saw an oval shaped planter that will work great for my little cactus. I have been looking all over for that too. I told him I live at Gerardo's Quinta and I gave them all cookies. Now I have another place to stop. I told them not to tell Gerardo I was buying nails. I could have saved myself lots of running around if I had checked close to home first.

Now I am all set to hang up my dream catchers so they aren't in the way. There are many wood walls, or I will start with places where there are already holes.

Otto was here this morning and will be back next week before I fly to Wisconsin. I reassured him my back was just peeling sun burn and not leprosy or anything contagious. 

I am out of cookies so tomorrow I will have to bake. I also have a recipe for Cinnamon Roll Cake that sounds really good and I have been wanting to make.

Short hair cut even shorter

NI went to Cartago today, and I was successful and unsuccessful. I did find more places to purchase ribbons and other things for the dream catchers and all I had to do was continue around the block. As I checked out the 4th side, I realized the bank I have gone to before - but always from a different direction is right across the street. So far all the places I want to go are really close together.

On to the yarn shop for the plumas. Johana is there and is so apologetic, she forgot them at home. No problem, I will stop back next week. Her mother operates the beauty shop next door so we go over there to see when I can have something done with my hair. Sit right down she says, even though there are people all over. What color do you want as she shows me swatches. Do you want me to cut your hair also - even though there isn't much to cut. I say it would be wonderful if you could fix the problem areas. I picked a Platinum blonde as I just wanted to add a little color. Yes, I have that color. She mixes up a bowl of stuff that is white and goes on very cold. It's hard to add color and get it to take when your hair is only a half inch long and pretty much all white. It did better on top than where it is so short. She said next time we can pick a little darker color so it covers better. She trimmed up my hair, gelled and spiked it and away I went. After I gave her a bag of cookies. And one to Johana in the yarn shop. Now the fabric shop for the white plumas. Gave them their cookies and then discovered they hadn't come in. It is lucky I bought a couple packages in the new shop today. 

I'm hungry - it is 1:15pm and the papaya I had for breakfast is long gone. I see a really nice patio type place but when I ask, they don't have wifi. I continue up the street and yes, I have lunch at Burger King. I don't like the buns near as well as in the states but they have wifi so it was OK. Back to the patio place because next to it is an Italian gelato place. It was really, really good.

Back on the bus and back to Orosi. I got off at the square so I could stop at the pharmacy and then on to the Super Mercado. 3 people asked about cookies but I had to say mañana. 

I have been so lucky the last two days. It just starts raining as I get home. Now I have groceries to put away, dinner to make, and start working on Dorita's red dream catcher. I am also going to make Grandpa one with the bird feathers he gave me.

I forgot to say, everything at the beauty shop cost me 10,000 colones, or about $20.00.

I found the bridge and the river

I started out looking for the nursery. I think the sign probably says Keep Out, but on I went anyway. In the middle of the street was a truck with lovely fruits and vegetables and a young man willing to talk with me. He in Spanish of course and me in English. They gave me the Spanish names of everything and I ended up buying a papaya, onions, little papas, chilies and a couple limons. Trying to figure out what things were and whether you eat it raw or cook it was too much of a challenge. That will have to wait for Emelio. I asked about flowers and buying them. From what I understood, he was going to drive me to where there were lots of them but they were very pricey. Course I could be making that up. No nursery there so back on my walk, past Dorita's house and down the hill. I went that far last time, with all the plants growing in bags but I didn't go farther because of my leg. This time I took the road to the right and Voila, there is the bridge and I can hear the river. It is quite a bridge with metal mesh where you walk. It is a little far between the braces so it dips a bit as you walk. Not my favorite bridge, but compared to some I have seen, this one is very nice.

Heading back, up the hill, up another path and as I am coming along the side of the compound I hear my name being called and there are Gerardo and Ana. Ana leads me through the area and shows me this is another entrance into the compound or Tia's place. This really is quite an extensive place and I have a feeling I still haven't seen all of it. I have heard a lot of singing at times and I think there is some type of church across the street towards the back of the compound.

Looks like I returned just in time as we are having an early afternoon shower.

I should have taken pictures of the guys with the fruits and vegetables but I didn't think of it. I am not near as good as Adriana. She took pictures of everyone and everything.

Sorry, I doubled up on this one. When I look at them, they are very little and I can't tell that they are the same. And, I haven't figured out how to delete just one picture. Cara?

Next time I will continue on to the little town across the river. When I am not carrying a heavy bag of fruits and vegetables.

My first invitation, but not quite a party.

This morning Gerardo and two of his sisters came over and he used my translate program but nothing made much sense. I was being invited to the youngest sister's house for coffee at 3:00pm. The lady upstairs explained it was a going away coffee for her and I could go with her. Gerardo started drawing me a map on the porch floor but once we got past 2 blocks behind his store, the details kinda got lost so I was glad to have someone to go with because I had no idea where I was going. He is very talented but maps and directions don't rank high among those talents.

So, at 3:00pm here I sit, all dressed up, ready to go. It is quiet as can be, an indication everyone else was already gone so I figured I had been forgotten. About 3:10 Ana came thru the front gate to get me. It is lucky I didn't try and find it myself, I would still be wondering around. I did however, I think, find the entrance to the nursery I have been looking for so one day soon I will head back that way.

It turned out it was not a going away party for the lady upstairs but a prayer service.

Gerardo's mother died 10 months ago today. For the first year, on the anniversary of the death, each month they get together and say the rosary and other prayers. There was a large picture of her and Johana sat facing the picture and lead the prayers. Some of the people were in the house, some outside on the covered porch. On the one year anniversary it is all more elaborate and goes on for most of the day.

Coffee turned out to be plates of potato chips and chicken rice, rolls, a sweet bread and rice pudding for dessert. There were probably 25 - 30 people altogether and I asked how much rice it took to make the chicken rice for that many. Apparently Ana made it and I was told 3 pounds. Everything was really good and I was given a to go bag for the bread. Pretty soon everyone was given to go bags. 

Now the exciting news. New Years Eve is a big deal here. Tamales are made and fireworks, along with other festivities. I have been invited to spend it with them. 

I think this sister's name is Dorita - I will get them all memorized sooner or later. She was showing me around her property and explained she has chickens so I start asking about plumas and show her the dream catchers. Well, she hands me a beautiful feather. Turns out Grandpa - Gerardo's father - has a bird that he brings in. Big bird in a big cage and they will save feathers from the bird and the chickens.

It just keeps getting better and better.

I met one of Gerardo's ex wives and a daughter or two and more sisters and his father. A lovely family.

If it is decent tomorrow I will check out the pools here in town. I am not sure yet if they are inside or out so I may have to wear a tee shirt over my suit. The sunburn is getting better but now I have started peeling so I am real cute.

I don't know what this is but I want some.

This is the picture of Gerardo's mother.

I did ask Dorita - thru someone else of course - what color dream catcher she wants. Without a second hesitation she said red. When I go to Cartago on Wednesday I will pick up what I need. I do have red feathers.

Sunday

It was quite dark when I went into church this morning and it took me quite a while for my eyes to adjust. A woman came in and sat down in the pew in front of me and after a couple minutes moved to the next pew up. I thought it was a little strange but I thought maybe she didn't want to sit alone. When we stood up, and my eyes had adjusted I looked down and there was a big dog laying on the floor, taking up about half the pew. It never moved until the priest gave the blessing and said the Mass is ended. Then it got up and walked out. I guess it just needed a safe spot to rest. I did take pictures but they turned out too dark.

The music was lovely. For the first time it was a female guitar player and a female soloist. There weren't many people at church today.

On the way to church I came across tons of runners involved in a marathon - their shirts said so. They seemed to be from a lot of the surrounding areas - Paraiso and Cartago. It seemed to end in the middle of Orosi, by the square. They were all gone by the time Mass was over.

I got my hydrangea and Bougainville planted yesterday. It took me quite a while to dig the holes. Now I only have the last planter to do as soon as I find more dirt to put in it.

Since it has already been on Facebook, I will post on here the swimsuit picture for those who don't do Facebook.

Now my big news. I am so excited. Kaye and David and Geri Yaggie are coming to visit the end of December or early January, as soon as I find a good deal. They are staying about 10 days, all in this area. I will line up a car and driver for transfers and sightseeing - Jose does tours and speaks very good English. They want to do the bus to Cartago and visit the Basilica. As they are all involved in farming, I will see what I can do to arrange visits with local farmers. They have all agreed to talks or classes so I have to see what can be arranged. They all want massages and I am sure we will make more than one visit to the pools. John and Debbie should be here then too. We will have so much fun!

It rained a little this morning but the sun is shining now. Another lovely day in paradise. 

 

What a day, what a day, what a day!

About 9:00am Gerardo came and asked me if I wanted to come over for coffee. I said thank you but I already had some. Well, when he mentioned tortillas, I couldn't say no. There were a few extra people and I remembered I had half an avocado in the refrigerator so I came home and mashed it and took it to Tia's. I think the lady upstairs is named Yolanda and she was talking about us going to the pools and bringing me a swimsuit. Gerardo cautioned her that I might get sick but she said she would take good care of me. I also took Ana her dream catcher which she really liked.

I had decided to make a crock pot meal before we left so I left Tia's before the others and went home to put it together. I didn't have ranch seasoning or a packet of chicken gravy but I improvised. Chicken in the center, potatoes on one side and fresh green beans on the other. I did add garlic and onions and used complete seasonings and chicken broth. Just didn't get thick. I could have added flour but I left it as it was.

While I was preparing this the swimsuit was delivered. It is multicolored with a blousy front so it worked just fine. The legs holes were much too big but nothing I couldn't make do with. Unlike the suit from China, there was more than enough room on top.

I packed up my red bag - thank heavens for my red bag - with a towel, extra set of clothes, water bottle, cookies, pineapple and Ana gave us two bananas and my iPad. Pictures were even taken before we left. We had our swimsuits on under our clothes. Gerardo drove us to the pools and Yolanda had paid for both of us the day before. She goes almost everyday for her arthritis. We located an empty table and put our bags on it. She knows all the people who work there so she has lots of people to talk to.

The first stop is the hot, hot pool. Like a big hot tub. Most people were speaking Spanish but Adolfo spoke very good English. He is a life coach and was very interesting. You are only supposed to stay in the hot water for 20 minutes but I have never seen so many interpretations of 20 minutes. About an hour later we moved to the medium warm pool. It is great big and meanders over a big area. It has varying depths. Very comfortable.  For the most effect you are supposed to go from the hot tub to the cold pool but we never made it to the cold one. Just back and forth between the hot and medium warm.

At one point there was a family with us in the hot tub. It was Grandma, who really didn't like the hot water, son in law, daughter and their teenage daughter. I was sitting next to the wife and then the husband. He seemed to speak a fair amount of English. At one point he had been rubbing his wife's foot - like a foot massage. He stopped but his hand was still by her feet so I slid my foot over and she grinned. It took him a couple seconds to realize it wasn't her foot. We all laughed. Their daughter started talking to me and pretty much spent the rest of the day near me. I gave her cookies and when we sat down to have something to eat, she brought over a plate for me of tomato and lettuce, hard boiled egg and a wonderful rice mixture of rice, vegetables and meat. She also brought one over for Yolanda. I took them the dish of pineapple. Her father told me he is with the police in Moravia, outside San Jose and they came for the day. Very nice family. We exchanged contacts. I learned the girl is only 14. And I learned today Gerardo is 62 and Yolanda is 80.

And, for my first time, I got sunburned. I did have sunscreen on but I am burned across my shoulders and my neck. I will be putting lots of aloe on tonight. I had a hat and sunglasses on so I think my face is fine. I did just notice my upper legs are pink. I was invited to go again tomorrow but I have to bake cookies and I don't think my skin could stand 2 days of sun in a row.

Here are some pictures.

Yolanda

Cold pool

Medium warm pool with the hot tub. Beyond that are the kids pools.

More of the medium warm pool.

One of the attendants - who really liked cookies!

We left here a little after 10:00am and got back at 4:00pm. I gave Yolanda a plateful from the crockpot and had one myself. It was really good and so nice not to have to worry about making dinner. I have a feeling I will sleep really great tonight, even though I did pretty much nothing today. I had a great time and very much enjoyed the day. Muchas gracias Yolanda. Besides everything else, she gave me the swimsuit so I would have something to wear when I go back!