Life in Costa Rica: Volunteer hat model position available

I am not sure if I have mentioned how the Chicas Buenas group has grown. In Orosi we have Ligia and Jeannette and Zoila. They all work together at the Senior Center. In Cervantes there is Rosita and Jazmin. They have both gone to the hospital in Cartago with me. Jazmin’s brother died of cancer and it was difficult for her to visit the chemo room. I think also Rosita’s son. There is so so much cancer here.

In Paraiso there are Laura and Johanna, mother and daughter. Johanna was in the other craft group I joined in Paraiso but they no longer meet. Laura’s friend, Patricia, and another friend whose name I keep forgetting. Marta, who lives across the street from Laura and Johanna and now Ileana too. She was in the other group also and arranged my 70th birthday party. Also Adriana who crochets very fast and does beautiful work. It wasn’t that long ago we were only 3.

We agreed to meet yesterday because the ladies had hats for me. In Orosi we meet most weeks but that is not the case in Paraiso. We meet when they have hats for me or they need yarn. Both were true this time and Ligia was there to give a lesson on making the squares for the blanket we are working on. It turned out there were going to be 10 of us.

Directions in Costa Rica can be a little strange. The message said we would meet in Marta’s house in front of Laura’s house. Laura has a lovely house but none of the rooms are especially large for a big group. I didn’t look forward to wandering around looking for the house with a big heavy suitcase, a carry on and a bag of succulents. At least I did have Ligia with me.

Because of everything I was bringing I knew I would need to do taxi. We made arrangements with Luis to pick me up at 1:15 then go to Orosi to pick up Zoila (she ended up cancelling) and Ligia and go to Paraiso. He arrived right on time, got me all loaded and explained his mother had just died. She had been very ill. He was taking me to Orosi to switch to another taxi for the rest of the trip. I did and we got Ligia and unloaded in front of Laura’s house. Ligia looked around and figured out which house and it was across the street. The gate was unlocked and up a flight of concrete steps - long flight. Before you enter the house there is a large area/room with a very large table and chairs. It was perfect. There were 10 of us and there could have been 20.

Ligia asked what order we planned to do things and I said first the hats and then the project. We began with a prayer and then each lady brought out their hats and I tried each one on and they took pictures of everyone. All 45. Ileana brought a baby hat so we had 46 altogether. These ladies are amazing with their hard work and dedication. Now I am definitely not photogenic, thus the request for a new model.

Next was the project. We had sample squares we had done. Well, I did one and Ligia did 5. We also had the patterns with colored pictures. I had 6 skeins of yarn, each a different color, for anyone who wanted to try making them. 3 ladies did - Rosita, Laura and Patricia. Ligia spent a lot of time explaining the pattern. Because the patterns are in English they have to go by the pictures and sample.

We had coffee which included 4 breads or cake. I did chocolate chip muffins and then we did the succulent exchange. We had each brought some and did a lottery type drawing. I got a cute little one and Ligia got mine.

The taxi driver returned about 4:45 and home we came. All in all a wonderful day. A possible new contact. Ileana put me in touch with the founder of a group in San Jose, Tejedoras, who do hats and also octopus for premies and other items they donate. It might give us connections for hospitals for
our hats. I have told her I would be interested in attending one of their meetings. At this point I have
a full suitcase of hats and the ladies are all working on kids and baby hats.

What else? I have been working on my family gathering on the Oregon Coast in September. Looks like we are around 30 for at least part of the 4 days. Coffee and jelly and cookies from here. From there I go to Wisconsin and then on to Minnesota for a couple days. I have Roz’s dresser scarf to deliver and show her the blanket squares we have done.

My gardens look great. José and Oscar were here Wednesday to clean them up and do some trimming. Maybe I should try practicing with a machete.