Under The Volcano Blues: Thursday, January 18th!

Only the madman is absolutely sure. -Robert Anton Wilson, novelist (18 Jan 1932-2007)

Up at around 6:30 am but didn't really start moving until 7:00 am. After both of us had showered and were about to head out for breakfast, poor Lady Dar had a very painful twinge in her lower back so she had to move very slowly and carefully. Unfortunately, it had stopped raining so there was a possibility that we could have ventured further afield on our last full day here in Fortuna. However, a stroll to the bank for more local currency and then in and out of a some of the many souvenir shops which abound. After an hour or so, Lady Dar had had enough as her back wasn't any better so she left me to wander on my own and made her way back to the hotel.

I quite enjoyed surveying a host more shops finding one or two small things that caught my eye. Overall, however, have not seen anything that really appeals to either of us, so much so that one simply has to have it or regret ever after. Still, I have a better idea of what to look out for should we come across anything, towards the end of our holiday. Don't really want to be lugging extra packages around unless they are quite small/portable, at least at this stage of the trip. Hope to buy a giant stuffed sloth before we leave country!

Once back at the hotel I took a stroll through the garden behind the hotel, the one I had seen some of the first night we were here. Absolutely lovely stream, or rivulet, perhaps, flowing at the bottom of the garden and with all the rain, the sound of the rushing water is like the sound of the surf when one is near the ocean, quite soothing and most pleasant, I must say. No frogs to be had but a number of gorgeous flowers and even a small machete, left there, I presume by the groundskeeper. Filched it as we need a knife to cut up the local cheese and sausage we bought, for hors d'oeuvres, and want Lady Dar to trim my toenails, as well! 

Then I went to Reception to see if Isaac had brought in Kill the Father! He did and after I collected it I went across the street to Hotel Fortuna to exchange One From The Other for John Sandford's Dark of the Moon, introducing "Virgil Flowers — tall, lean, late thirties, three times divorced, hair way too long for a cop's — had kicked around a while before joining the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. First it was the army and the military police, then the police in St. Paul, and finally Lucas Davenport, (of the Prey Novels), has brought him into the BCA, promising him, 'We'll only give you the hard stuff.'" Lady Dar had finished her book, waving goodbye to Bernie, sailing to Argentina, so she needed another to read when not glued to the Kobo app on her iPad, Dear Reader! Everyone is happy and will be happier still once I serve the latest 2016 Carmen Sauvignon Blanc, 13.5%!


Patrick sends pictures on flickr so can I delete the emails he sends and go on there and find the pictures? Do you just look up by the person's name to find the pictures they have stored? Is this an app I need to down load? Pam Hi Spumoni and Chloë! If you click on the hyper-link in the album I attach, that will take you to Flickr. Then you can look at the album in question or else navigate through other albums if you wish. Should you want to download any of the pictures you need to sign up with Flickr. It's free. I haven't created that many albums since being here as simply haen't had the time, hence I usually include a number of snaps with messages I send. Hope this helps. Must away as Lady Dar wants to head out for breakfast. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Gord! Trust you are well. Thanks for your good wishes and snapolas. Must apologize for taking almost three weeks to reply to your missive! Thanks for the update on your fascinating career trajectory. Must have been all those cranky handballers that now makes life with Grizzlies and Gobis relatively easy! Sorry to hear about your mom. My mom died just a few weeks before her 99th and although she was in unbelievable health, for her age, she really didn't know me or family and friends for last few years. Still, as far as we could tell she was comfortable and always pleasant, unlike so many of the other "abandoned" people in the facility. We were fortunate, inasmuch as we lived but half a block from the care facility, so we could easily visit everyday. Until it became too difficult to move her, she would, initially, walk to our place, then in a wheelchair, for meals and bridge games. 

Corinne's father died this past May, just a few days after his 93rd and lived a full, amazingly productive life, almost to his end. Her mom still lives in Falcon, [Corinne's brother lives immediately next door so that makes things very manageable.], and we hope she will visit us this March as direct flights from Winnipeg to Kelowna are the best for her situation. Anyway, we both know what you are dealing with. Not an easy situation, especially when you live where you do, relative to seeing your mom.

We have been in Fortuna since this past Monday and it started to rain next day. Today, Thursday, January 18th, is the first day we've seen the sun although the top of the volcano is still shrouded in cloud. Tomorrow we head to Monteverde, "a town in mountainous northwestern Costa Rica. It’s renowned for its biodiverse forests in the clouds. The famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve shelters countless wildlife species, including jaguars, ocelots and the colorfully plumed resplendent quetzal. The reserve’s marked trails cut through ferns and orchids, and way overhead, suspended bridges allow walks above the forest canopy."

At least that is what the brochures say! Lady Dar hates heights so I will probably be by myself on the numerous suspended bridges! Anyway, looking forward to exploring new terrain. Fondestos from Corinne who, like me, would be delighted if we can figure out a way to connect over the next little while. Your schedule sounds pretty busy, as for different reasons, is mine. I'm off to Europe on April 16th for three months, returning on July 10th. Will take part in two, two week guided bike trips, first in Moravia, second in Poland. When back in Penticton I am scheduled to have my right shoulder replaced, [That damn handball game again!], on July 26th so if you can visit after that you could help me open wine bottles while I convalesce! Until next our paths cross, Gord, all the best and travel/work safely, whether in Canada or Mongolia. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pic: One of the gorgeous butterflies at Natura Ecological Park, just outside Fortuna.

What a delightful time you seem to be having despite the rain. You should have gone where Carol is as they have had nothing but beautiful weather according to her Facebook posts. Sorry to hear about Corinnes back I hope that a combination of fine wine and expert massage will.set her right. I'm typing this on my phone as I sit at the hairdresser waiting for the color to suffiçiantly sink into my graying locks so I won't elaborate as I am typing his on my teeny tiny cell phone screen but wishing you continued adventure in the jungle and look.forward to hearing about the cloud forest what an amazing g experience. Lots love colleen Hi Greying Marilyn! Lady Dar thanks you for your sympathy! Fondestos from Lady Dar and Cheers, Patrizzio!
   
Love your pictures Patrizio! So sorry to hear Corrine is in such pain. What a pain! I’m surprised the wine wasn’t a welcomed analgesic. Take care and don’t get thrown out of the trees by a gust of wind. All the best. Luigi Hi Luigi! Glad you enjoyed the snapolas. Lady Dar thanks you for your sympathy! Wine seemed to work! Cheers, Patrizzio!

 Hike This Thursday January 4 .... the first of the New Year! Hello Fartograms, Our fearless leader Jim is still out, so here it is, sorry this is late. Several of us OF's are planning a snowshoe from the Snow Flake parking
lot tomorrow and I invite you to join us! Not sure what we will do, but
likely a track to the beautiful Rock Garden! We will meet at 9:00AM at the Home Hardware car pool parking lot. The Summerlanders will meet at 8:40AM at the IGA parking lot and then carpool to HH in Penticton. Hope to see you there! Aart the snowman SORRY!! Hike This Thursday January 18 .... the third of the New Year! Apologize for the mistake, ... gettin' ol' ain't for sissies ...Aart the snowman Buenas tardes Amigos! Trust everyone is well and playing inordinate amounts of bridge and reading like fury! Fondestos from Lady Dar, napping. Guess all of the Sauvignon Blanc will be for me! Cheers, Patrizzio! Buenas tardes Amigos! Trust everyone is well. How is your knee, David, The Grumpy Winemaker? Cheers, to Patrizzia, Donna Florida and The Two Davids, Patrizzio!

Buenas tardes Familia y Amigos! Trust everyone is well. Fondestos from Nana/Lady Dar, napping with pillow between her legs to provide some relief for her back. Love and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio! Pics: Lady Dar is the new Fire Chief of Fortuna! She complained so much about rain that the Town Council offered her the position if she would quite whining! Most we've seen of Volcán Arenal for days! Anyone need a bottle opener? For Katie! Dinner tonight? Gorgeous blossoms/flowers in garden above stream; machete! Type of cactus I've not seen before. 

Hi Famiglia! Just back from a wonderful meal at La Forchetta Ristorante, just a block or so from our hotel, next door to Snappers. We were very, very impressed with the food, both its presentation as well as the incredible taste. Lady Dar had a lemon chicken dish while I decided upon a thinly sliced tenderloin, both served with fresh vegetables, garnished with pomegranate seeds and basil. Our lovely, friendly waiter, studying to be an ESl teacher, did not know about pomegranates so was delighted to hear what we knew about this tasty fruit. I enjoyed a couple of bottles of local beer, Bavaria, which I liked even better than Imperial, another local product: "Imperial is a Costa Rican brand of beer, manufactured by the Florida Ice & Farm Company. Imperial, a lager, was first produced by the Ortega brewery in 1924 and is the most popular beer in Costa Rica."

After the delicious meal we toddled back to our hotel and I exchanged email addresses with Isaac. He has a close friend, somewhere in Canada, and I invited him to visit. Back to our room to do a bit of packing so that we don't have too, too much to do before we are collected at 8:30 am tomorrow morning. Fondestos from Nana/Lady Dar to one and all. Love and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio!

Pics: Isaac and Forchetta!

Hi! Patrizzio ............... Thanks for your greetings from rainy Costa Rica. I can relate to all the places that you mentioned below. I have been to Costa Rica 3x's & have visited all these areas. So sorry to hear about all the flooding. On our recent Panama Canal cruise in Nov., our ship did dock in Limon as one of our ports of call. The tuna steak at Snappers looked yummy & a red eye leaf frog landed on Paul's shoulder one evening when we were out for a walk. We loved the wildlife in Costa Rica from the Spider & Howler Monkeys to sloths, snakes to beautiful & colourful toucans & birds.

Today was a warm & sunny day 6C & snow is almost all melted away. Tell Corinne that we miss her at our weekly Mah Jong. On Monday, Elvia, Liz, Nancy & Colleen leave for Vietnam & Cambodia for 3 wks. I'm busy planning Paul's upcoming 75th birthday party & celebration in mid Feb. We are also hosting a Superbowl Party in 2 weeks on Feb. 4th. Happy, Safe & Fun Travels in Costa Rica. Mary Lee :-) Hi Maj Jong Mary! Glad to hear that the snow is melting! Lady misses Maj Jong and everyone who plays, as well. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Matt, I want to let you know that Dad died yesterday afternoon. [Tuesday, January 16th, 2018] The nurse called me Sunday night to say he'd shown a marked decline. I left Monday morning and arrived 15 minutes after he had passed. Robin was with him, and said he went peacefully in sleep. He was 92.  I know how much he appreciated your friendship over the years. Please spread the word to anyone who might want to know. Thanks, Heidi (Neufeld) Raine