31/12/6

It’s amazing. I have been to more parties since the 14^th of December than I have been to in the last three years. There was a karaoke party at the local corner store to celebrate their expansion into a new store on the 14^th. The local pescaria, which buys and sells fish, had a karaoke party on the 16^th. We were invited by the owner’s uncle, but we found out later that a large minority of the fishermen thought it should only be for the fishermen. Half the people there weren’t fishermen. I had checked the invitation, but should have double-checked. We had a good time, and felt welcome. We didn’t know until the next day we weren’t welcomed by everyone. On the 21^st Eric had a party to welcome his friends from California, Richard and Janette. Mike had a pig roast on Christmas Day, Eric had a pig roast on the 26^th, and a chicken roast on the 27^th. On the 28^th, Richard treated at Bar Mario’s, and with the tourist crowd here, and about 13 of us in our party, the place really got hoppin’. On the 29^th, Jose Sirias came by and invited us to their party, which was a pleasant change, because there was no alcohol there.

Last night we rested. Tonight is New Year’s Eve at Jim’s, and tomorrow we might go to Coyolito for a party at Rafa’s sisters. This holiday season in Punta Morales has not been boring.

Happy New Year

26/12/6

The week before Christmas was very Christmasy. On the Tuesday we went to Miramar, El Roble, and Puntarenas. Some normal errands and a bit of Christmas shopping, we thought. Everything went normal until we got to Jamie’s. She was going to find out about a euthanasia drug for Raz, in case we needed to have something done over the holidays. A small party ensued, and we went on to Bill and Linda’s. We were supposed to return in an hour or so, to find out about the drug. A short visit with Linda, and we went into Puntarenas central to do some more shopping. It was very crowded, like any city the week before Christmas. I met a few people from Punta Morales, and while Linda was in a store, I met a buddy from Puntarenas who was shopping with his family. We gave them a ride home, and another small party erupted. Before it was over, Jamie had showed up, and two new ex-pats I hadn’t met. Jamie invited us back to her place, and since she was unable to obtain the euthanasia drug, we stopped into her vet’s office. She explained everything to him, and he assured me he was open every day except Christmas, and that he would bury Raz, not put him in the garbage. When we got to Jamie’s, we had a couple more, and about 6 other people showed up. One more party. We ate in the new restaurant on the way home, it’s not very good, and ended up at home about 8 p.m. This is just the sort of day I might have had in Bracebridge. I have gone out shopping for an hour or so, and, especially around Christmas, taken all day to do it.

Before Christmas, two neighbours had parties, another one had a pig roast yesterday, and another one is having a pig roast today. Jim came with us yesterday, and will come here for New Year’s dinner, if plans don’t change. Jim is also having a New Year’s Eve party. Linda has gone with Jim on the bus today, looking for Boxing Day sales in Puntarenas. All in all, it was a very good Christmas.

Perhaps, best of all, Raz is doing a lot better. He is eating more, and seems to be adjusting to the weakness in his hips. I don’t think he will last much longer, but it sure is nice to seem him happy for a while again.

16/12/6

Linda and I just got back from the second party of the week. It sure is nice to be included in the festivities as part of the community. The local store moved next door to a new building, and they had a karaoke party on Thursday night. The fish store had one tonight, I don’t know why, and they served cerviche and deep fried pork rinds with quarado. Both had beer, although we bought most of what we drank.

We also went to two American Thanksgiving dinners. One was in San Jose, with Russ and Kattia, and the other was in Puntarenas, with our friends Bill and Linda at Casa San Francisco.

We have pretty well finished landscaping this lot, and cut down the trees on the next lot. I burned the branches and leaves, and gave the wood to Joaquin, who makes charcoal out of it. I saw Joaquin today, and mentioned that I hadn’t paid the sawyer. He told me he paid him because he wanted the wood. What a nice surprise, but I offered to pay half, about $16 for 8 hrs work.

Raz is not doing well. He is gaining a bit of weight back, but his hind legs are weak, and he has trouble walking. He has never complained about pain, so it is hard to know if he has any. I think we will have to put him down next week. That’s a hard decision to make, but I don’t want him to suffer. He sure has enjoyed his year here, anyway. He likes being with me all the time, and never liked it when I had to go to work. We have been practically constant companions here, and he has been very happy.

Christmas is only a week away, but it sure doesn’t feel like it here. This is the first year we will spend it without any family with us, although our neighbour Jim is coming for dinner. I probably won’t post before, so Merry Christmas to everyone, and a Happy New Year.