9/29/6

I got an email from Russ yesterday that said “Keep up the good work on the blog.” I think that’s his polite way of telling me that I haven’t posted for a while. I see now that it has been almost a month since my last post.

I have been very busy. I pulled almost all the weeds from the lot next door, but it hasn’t rained for almost a week now, and they are breaking off, instead of coming out at the roots. So, I took two days to sand and paint 4 doors that needed it.

My new lawn is doing well, except in front of the house where it is shaded by two large almond trees. These trees are Linda’s and Kattia’s favourites, and they do shade the patio well, so I think I will put stone in this area. The rainy season still hasn’t materialized, and I am watering the lawn every day again, although it looks like rain this afternoon.

Raz is all better. I am very pleased with the vet, Dr. Rudin, in Puntarenas. He has correctly diagnosed all my dog’s problems, and provided excellent treatment. Raz wandered off to el Huevo four times in a week, so, I had to make a run for him so I could chain him outside. The main road is just too busy for any animal to be safe. At least I know he is feeling better.

Linda and I have been communicating via a popular internet messenger service. We started typing to each other, and real time communication was much better than email. Now, we have headsets, and we can actually talk to each other for the same price as a local call. The internet has facilitated my move here, and now is definitely making me more comfortable being able to talk to some of my friends, whether with messenger, or email. Add to that some very cheap long distance plans, and I feel closer to my friends and family than I did when I lived in Vancouver in the seventies.

We had some excitement at a bar near here last weekend. Legally speaking this is all hearsay. My friend, Jose, was there, and I have talked to others about it. This seems like such a peaceful community, in spite of all the warnings I have had about being careful. Well, it seems a fellow who had caused some problems the previous week, returned to the bar with some friends. The owner served his friends, but would only serve the problem patron a soft drink. The patron smashed his glass on the bar, and left. Problem is, the owner snapped. He went out the back door with a pistol, and shot the guy beside the road in front of the bar. The bullet went in one side of his face, and out the other. Jose guided traffic around him until the ambulance got there. The police arrested the owner, but he was back running the bar on Sunday. I don’t know how he got out so fast. Seems the owner is very sorry, and the whole incident was out of character for him. I don’t think I will go to that bar anymore.

I have met another Canadian who is living at the end of the road. He is Polish by birth, and has lived in Poland, Germany, Canada, the U.S., and two other parts of Costa Rica. He thinks this area of Costa Rica is the best place to live. He is very careful, but pointed out that other countries also have problems with theft and assault. His advice is to be aware, but not paranoid. Enjoy life here, but keep your eyes open. I agree.