Cottage Industry

I looked back at the last time I posted a picture of the cottage. Six weeks ago. That photo just showed the beginnings of a bare frame. I couldn't gauge at first whether that seemed like a long or short time given where the project is now (this photo is about a week or so old already), but I think we've made some great progress. I'll post more detailed photos when the windows are installed though we'll still be lacking doors, flooring, light fixtures, etc.Sadly, I have to let go the crew again due to the cash crunch and proceed again solo. These guys do such excellent work (though not without some oversight) and are fun to work with. 

This project was so much fun that I'm thinking of offering it as a package deal on a couple more lots we have if anyone wants to come down and live the good'n'cheap life in paradise.

Field Trip!

Sean had his first school field trip of the year, to the Museo Nacional and Teatro Nacional. Tamara went along and most kids had at least one parent with them. 

 I semi-regretted not having gone myself when I saw their pictures, but there's nothing stopping us from another trip. The theater presentation sounded like it was a little more avant-garde than most expected, but the museum was definitely a hit with everyone. 

On the return trip the parents discussed putting together a second field trip in about a month to Monteverde. It's going to be an overnighter and I'm definitely coming along for that one. There's apparently a train through the cloud forest, which I hadn't heard about before, and I love trains. That trip ought to be worth a post or two.

Sugar, Sugar  Our neighbor, Luis, took Tamara and me out to one of the local sugar cane factories, which are in high season right now. It's pretty common to see huge bales of cane on empty lots along the highway and on the highway strapped down to semi-trailers. From just about any high point around the valley you can spot the processing plants by the huge smoke plumes they produce. The plumes are from the burning of what's left of the cane after they have squeezed and squeezed again with huge presses the raw cane, which is then soaked in water and squeezed again. The heat is used to generate their own electricity for running the plant. To "prime" the factory, however, takes an hour or two of juice off the ICE grid, so there are some whopping big cables running to the inside.

 

Unfortunately, we didn't call ahead and it happened to be a day when the guides weren't there to give us a close-in tour. So, we were left with having to take pictures from the outside. Next time.

Yes, it was a slow day.  On the way home Luis needed to make a stop at the auction lot so I gave Tamara the 25 colone tour before we headed off again. 

One more stop at the Camara Cañeros to pick up some UV-resistant plastic to re-sheet the vivero down in the garden. We added another raised bed on the other side, looking forward to more variety in the fresh veggies!

Tal luego.