It has been a year!

I started writing this a couple weeks ago so I would have it ready to post today. It was a good thing as I have been quite busy since I came back.

March 17, 2015

This is the day I first arrived in Costa Rica. A year ago and what a year it has been. One that I will never forget, no matter how long I live or how long I am here. Who could have imagined my first year of retirement would be such an adventure. During my first month I met John and Debbie who became friends and who continue to be part of my life. On my first day back in Orosi in May I met Katherine and her kids. On my first full day in Orosi I met Jose and Gerardo and on my second full day I met Ana and Tia. They are all still very important people in my life and now, so many more. It took a little longer for me to meet Ziomara and Johana at the yarn shop in Cartago, Emilio and his mother and father at the pizza shop, all my cookie loving friends at the Super, Dora and Marta and Flors and Janet and Dona Alicia and Dona Rosa and Otto and the lady who runs Rabbits and Oscar.  

People who have been so kind to me and will be in my heart the rest of my life. As much as I like to travel and to begin new places, I could never have imagined the last year being possible. I just realized I now have people in three towns in Costa Rica greeting me with a kiss on the cheek and asking how I am. I love it especially since I still speak so little of the language here. Emilio said today “you speak with your food.” It does describe well what I do, how I live. I took treats to the guys in the back room of the Super today and one of the owners was there. He knows quite a bit of English and he said “you make the best food. God Bless You.” I really couldn’t ask for more.

The longer I am here the more I want to do to help in whatever way I can. I could not have chosen a happier, better place to live. Pura Vida and thanks to all the Ticos and Ticas who have made me feel so welcome.

I wonder what exciting things the year ahead will bring. I see Heather more often than I did when I lived in Minnesota and she lived in Wisconsin. She also has come to love Orosi and the people here. She will be back in April for her third visit. I do hope to visit more areas of Costa Rica during the coming year. I haven’t bought dishes yet because I am waiting for the right happy dishes. I need to look for them. Maybe Sarchi. 

There are people who don’t understand how I could turn my back on life in the United States. It isn’t that I have done that. It is just that I have moved forward to something that fits me better. I can’t say this will be the last place I live. I can say, for now, it is where I am the happiest.