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 |   Enga mellom fjella: where from across the meadow, poems sing from mountains and molehills. |
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Enga mellom Fjella  Sentinel Marked as if you own me I bow before the Bitterroots and just like you my rocky soil, my withered grass lays prey to the empty sky. © Kåre Enga 2007 "Sentinel"   Reader's Choice of Poems: "Sentinel" "Glice" "Tales told over scones and hot tea" "At three" "Plain cover jacket" Reader's Choice of blog entries from my old blog "L'aura del Campo" :"Death of Jeannie New Moon" "Doing and don'ting. A scene in 2nd person." "When is it proper to tell someone you love them?" "Holy day. Autumn in November. A mole." "James Doohan, Scotty. Ombra mai fu. Eutin Guitar Orchestra" FACES     PLACES            Kåre  Enga~ until everything was rainbow, rainbow, rainbow! And I let the fish go. ~ Elizabeth Bishop The Fish |
| meeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeee eeeeeeeeeeee: 27.julio.2015, San Vito to Buenos Aires: Slept well. Took early bus to Sabalito and returned Marlena's key to the butcher shop where she'll pick it up in a couple days when she goes to town. (This cost me about $1.25) Ate at Soda La Favorita (took Jeffrey's advice). Nice gallo pinto. Called and met Roni. We went to the pastry shop and we talked quite a bit. She loves living in Costa Rica and keeps busy by teaching English and Birding.  I, on the other hand, haven't made peace with this country. Took 13:30 bus to Buenos Aires. Takes over an hour. I think I got some good pictures as day was fairly clear. Plus, I was better prepared for some of the sights, like the bridge. Cabinas Mary? Not exactly in the center! A policeman gave me directions and when I got close a local woman took me up a short-cut. About 900 meters... 8.000 for a room with a fan, cold water. Not great. However, the owners were wonderful to talk to! And the guy across the street allowed me to connect ot his internet. When Ticos are nice they are very very nice. Rural area with nothing. Nice and quiet. 28.julio.2015, Buenos Aires to Pérez Zeledón: Ack... Ticos drive me nuts! Didn't sleep well and then I stayed in town anticipating a friend's arrival. He didn't come and didn't call. So I left later than I wanted to. Luckily I called the hostel I usually stay in. No bed. What to do?  I decided to stay in Pérez and go to San José tomorrow after I check internet and find some alternatives. So... got a room in the same hotel in front of the same noisy park. So far... not as bad, but still bad. Motorcycles and car alarms (set off by motorcycles?)  Television is on but I muted it. Trying to listen to music on my computer. Debussy can't compete. Miserable. Last four nights were much more peaceful. Advantage of staying here is that it's a known pain-in-the-ass... Ate at Soda El Molino again: pan de yuca (shredded yuca and cheese... sweet), canelon (pasta filled with meat served on tortillas), biscoho (cheese and corn 'pancake'). Didn't feel well afterwards... probably due to a long tiring day. At least I got a few hours to walk around Buenos Aires this morning. Walking helps to understand a place. This small town sprawls in a mostly flat valley. 29.julio.2015, Pérez to San José: I ate my morning pinto. I bought my bus ticket for 9:30. I left on the bus... boring... But along the way there were pilgrims walking. It's a long cold walk uphill. Pérez is less than 1.000 m.n.s.m. The road reaches an elevation of over 3.000 m. Some fog but it was clear enough to get some pictures of people, paisaje, blooming moss. I spoke with a young Tico, Jonathan, who travels and wants to visit Norway some day. I gave him my contact info... In San José I linked up with Brian. We went to one place but there wasn't any room. So, I went to another that costs $17. Last time it was $15. Prices inflate here in C.R. At least it includes breakfast. Shared a room with two Germans, one from Dortmundt. Brian and I went to the Jade Museum. He had never been. And we ate dim sum later. Later, a quiet night of talking with the prostitutes in the park. (No, I didn't contract for their services!) Meeting all types of people really helps me understand humanity. 30.julio.2015, San José: At this moment I don't even remember... other than stressing over mathmatics and meeting women from Limón. 31.julio.2015, San José y Jardines Lankester: Met Jonas, an American-German who will be on a project in Matapalo. Very nice chat. Went with Brian to Jardines Botánicos Lankaster. He wanted a carnivorous plant... Instead we saw cactus, waterlilies, orchids and the Japanese Gardens. Took a few photos. On the way back saw hundreds of pilgrims walking to Cartago. 1.agosto.2015, San José: Met an interesting Norwegian-Tico. Mostly did nothing else. There were thousands of pilgrims walking through the city. 2.agosto.2015, San José: Still waiting for a life. Met more folks going to Matapalo. I tried to show one young Englishman around San José but I wasn't too successful. But then... I was invited to sit and have coffee with a couple Mexicans... and that truly helped. 3.agosto.2015, San José to Turrialba. Since Brian wasn't feeling well and wasn't up for visiting, I decided to go to Turrialba. Glad I did. Lisette was home at Casa de Lis as were the two cats, Pepper and Toby. Some of the staff was the same as well. Scored a lower bunk and shared room with a couple couples, one from Belgium. I didn't do much. Just walked around the park and took pictures... and chatted with guests.. as always. Washout some clothes. This has been an issue on and off. 4.agosto.2015, Turrialba. Very rainy day. Walked to CATIE and back. Took photos of flowers and trees. Wrote. Got a tad wet. Ate a rice-and-beans with fish and gravy at Betty's. Very nice. Watched a show on grooming dogs. I rarely watch television. Met Jason from Grenoble, France. 5.agosto. Turrialba to San José. Brian called early so I tried to get back to SJ by noon. 10 am bus was direct and no traffic problems. Took 1:40. Chatted with professor of music. Saw Brian. He shaved his head. Quite happy to receive the small gifts I brought for him. We ate, went shopping, but didn't do much. Late evening in the park was fascinating. Talked to Nica from Managua. Park had areas cordoned off... who knows for what reason... Ate some left over spaghetti with tomato-mushroom sauce. Sharing same room with the Danes... as before. 6.agosto. San Rafael de Heredia... Brian called me in the morning asking me to visit him in San Rafael. So I did. Wasted time by going to the train station first (last train is 8 am) but I finally got there. Quite a walk to his friends house. Brian cooked lunch. Very nice but I forgot to take a picture. Typical lunch of beans, rice, pasta, maduros... with a soup made by Randall. We chatted while Brian cleaned. Walked around Heredia when I left. Ate a copo (shave ice) con dos leches and zarza (root beer). Took some pictures but not too many. Took wrong bus to San José but I got back without any further problems. Evening in the park... met Gregory who cuts hair and hopes to open his own salon. Quiet peaceful evening. 7.agosto. San José: Met Brian after class. We went out to lunch. Bought gifts for my friends. 4 puzzle boxes. Decent price (thanks to Brian) and he helped choose which ones. I get indecisive. Packed. Decided to stay at H. Van Gogh rather than change hotels. This meant being totally ready before setting the alarms and trying to sleep. 8.agosto. Off: Up at 4:25. Showered. Out at 4:46. Walked through deserted areas; angled towards Avenida Segunda (taxis, buses, people); at Tuasa bus around 5:05. Slow bus but no traffic. At SJO airport about 5:30. No line for exit stamp. No line for Delta boarding pass. No line to speak of going through security. Way to gates re-arranged. Gate 5 was very close. Sat as I was early. Then Brian called.  So I was off. 4 weeks were enough. A bit frustrating at times. But not as miserable as last year. Kept my expectations low and traveled very little. Came in a bit over budget. No disasters. Met up with many of my friends... one of my goals. PS: Ran out entries so I had to delete one that was no longer important. 1,450 entries is the max here at WDC. This one was started in 2007. May have to go back again to old blog as it has more room for entries. |
| ME: Trying not to be bored by keeping busy and reminding myself that my body needs a break. So far, I'm doing okay with that. Saturday, July 18th: Rainy day in Pérez Zeledón. Rained in the morning and afternoon. This means it stayed cool. I didn't get wet so I'm all good with that. Went to the market twice to eat at my favorite place, Soda El Molino. Had my gallo pinto (rice and beans) early with coffee and later returned for un gallo de barbudos (green beans and egg on a tortilla) and more coffee. Saw Leo and Thony. Took pictures of the market and flowers in the park. In the park there were still droplets and wet surfaces glistening. Hope I got a couple good photos. Spent some time stirring up the discussions on facebook. I try to be intelligent and respectful. Hopefully I succeed. Photos of art today. Comments on my plethora of penises (phallic artifacts) I posted yesterday. Sunday, July 19th: Sundays are slow. I wanted to go to the beach. But a friend wanted to meet up with me. Didn't happen. Welcome to Costa Rica. Ate my daily rice and beans with two eggs and two coffees today because I was hungry and the market closes early. Watched 'Once Upon A Time' and am now watching fútbol Costa Rica vs México. Posted pictures and a rant on facebook. Bored. Friends want to see me Tuesday and maybe later this week. I won't hold my breath. Monday, July 20th: Decided to say 'f*** it' and went to beach. Dominical was at high tide = stony. Waves were quite high = it's July surf season. It was muggy = duh. So I did nothing. Walked along the river and beach and took photos. No shells. Didn't get wet. No cocazo either = no coconut fell on my head. Puzzled: why would someone be looking for a sushi restaurant in Costa Rica. These waters are tropical and I can't imagine what they'd use. Squid? Shrimp? Octopus? Sea urchin? Possibly... Slow ride getting there but bus back drove like it was on fire. Left quite late but cruised in almost on time. Cheese on pan de natilla (sour cream bread = it's soft) for supper. Tuesday, July 21st: Costa Ricans are definitely chaotic. It has annoyed me to no end. There is no great need to consider my friends feelings here as they definately don't consider mine. Tired of this neverending s***. So... met with one friend... finally. Now I'm waiting for another. Been waiting for hours. That's how it goes. A third has changed his plans which shouldn't affect me... but they do. I no longer know what to say... Have a good life? Ciao? Rained. Ate. Edited some picutres. Ate. Bought mouthwash. When what I eat matters more than the people I see there's a problem. Did have some great masamorra though. Wednesday, July 22nd: Further chat with Fabian. Nice talk with Brian... he's going through some changes. Alberth left for home? Johnny called but left park early. Saw Mary... it's evident that I struggle emotionally when I'm here. The culture and I clash big time. Time to move on? Requested shrimp with my rice and beans... and fried cheese. Cost more but I wanted a change. Cheese was a tad overdone. The gallo pinto was really good though. No other news. Rained a couple times. I got up late... a late coffee... staying up late... tired in the morning. Fútbol is big here, so everybody is watching the match between Panamá and México. Jamaica won 2-1 over the U.S. Thursday, July 23rd: Loud motorcycles till midnight... Up at 8. Went to farmers' market. Coffee and lasagna. Took photo of Fabian (later used Picasa to make it 'neon'.) Decided to spend one last night. Friday, July 24th: Drank a mosote for breakfast at the soda. Caught the 11-ish Tracopa bus. Ate ceviche for lunch. Arrived in San Vito 2:30-ish. Place I stayed in way-back-when is no longer. Struggle to find another place. Ended up at the Rino... disappointed. Went to Sabalito but Marlena didn't answer her phone. Chatted with Jeffrey and the crippled kitten instead. No internet. Roni didn't call. Saturday, July 25th; Can't find my library book. Check bus from yesterday... serendipidy... but no book. Check room and luggage.  Decide to stay in Las Mirlas. Same price but hoping I like it better... so far so good. Walked to Fincas Cántaros. Wrote this on facebook: "I went to Finca Cántaros today, Roni S Cher. Walked up the hill until a young man stopped to give me a ride. Lovely place. Flowers, trees, water... and mosquitos. I've been a few times. The first time I visited I remember meeting Gerald who was 14 or 15. He spoke fluent English and was very capable of running the office. I asked about him today. His family is no longer there but the young woman said that he was in San José and that his father worked at the Chinese restaurant (there is only one). When I walked back to town I looked for it. Asked a man at the corner where it was. He pointed across the street. I went in but had very little money on me so decided that it would be better to come back at another time. When I left I told the man that I had found the place but that the prices were a little high. Then I mentioned that he looked like someone I had met before. Was his name Mynor? I think he was quite surprised. He didn't remember me... but yes, he's Gerald's father. Gerald is now 19, studies political science at U Latina, spent a year in the U.S. at school. This put a smile on my face. Then I went to the grocery store bought some cheap bread, three slices of mortadela and milk. I just got done eating."Got response from Roni and Gerald too! Spoke to Marlena. Spoke to Brian N. |
| ME: just me. July 10: The hysteria of the day before. Packing went slow. Everything went s.l.o.w. To bed too late. July 11: A very long trip. All day. Jen picked me up at 4 in the morning and got me to the airport. Once in Costa Rica I couldn't do anything with my phone (too late). Took Tuasa bus into town. No single room at Gran Hotel Centroamericano so I went to Hostel Van Gogh. Fortunately they had a bed. July 12, San José: Managed to get new telephone number. Luís helped me with that. Met up with Brian and we ate at the same Chinese restaurant we ate at before. We both like dim sum. People in hostel from Cork and denmark. Andreas from Århus is amazing! July 13, San José: Evie and I visited the zoo. Took some of pictures. Wandered around Barrio Amón. Found out the Jade Museum was open... ...and Evie turned into a tour guide! she'd read up about it but had never been there. It's new and world class. Glad we went together. Even took photos of phallic objects... read penises. The collection has lots of jade but also stone and ceramic artifacts. The Spanish were mostly interested in gold so they ignored everything else. Brian decided to go with his mother to Limón. July 14, San José: Took the bus to the university in San Pedro and took photos of the awesome street art. Walked back. Exchanged some money with David. Got a 1914 5 centavo coin. And a Venezuelan note (a pink one). Fish al ajillo (garlic). Later yuquitos (fried yuca). Sat on the floor while talking to Evie. Had a difficult getting up. The pain... but no harm done. Teenagers from San Carlos played pool (but should've turned their other toys off). I picked on them. To their delight. July 15, San José to Pérez: Got up early and took my time packing and getting ready. Wandered to the bus station. Took photos in Plaza de la Cultura of shoe sculptures. 3 hours on the bus. The mountaintops were clear of clouds. Unfortunately I didn't have seat by window. Bought my usual rootbeer, bread and white cheese at rest stop. Arrived about 4. WAs able to get to market before closing, eat and see friends. Ran into people I knew within minutes. Small town... July 16, Pérez: Feria = farmer's market. Gave licorice to Sam and Marguerite. Hugged Ilena. Spoke with Franklin, José, Ronaldo, Maxine, Susana, others... Ate one of Sam's TexMex enchiladas. Very good. Had my pinto con natilla at Soda El Molina. Saw Johnny at bus stop. Met Aarón in park; he plays pool. Got call from Mary. Met Carter at Delicias; he writes essays. Very social day. Unfortunately felt weak, tired and depressed. July 17: Midnight of the 16th/17th. I need sleep. Awake at 7. Up at 9. Shouldn't have gone back to sleep. Wandered down to feria (farmers' market) and saw a couple friends. Not busy on a Friday. Bought avocados. Shopped with Sam after we ate gallo pinto at a new place. I had to eat something... Posted animal pictures. Edited photos of penises (phallic artifacts from Pre-Columbian times). Bought one liter of milk in a good plastic container I can re-use. Sent a postcard to my friend Gary. Cost 600 colones = that's over $1. Costs went up again. Went to writer's group. Met up with my friend Johnny in the park. Late evening? Roar of macho motorcyclists tearing up the town. Miserable until they left. |
| ME: Oh... just being me. Whether that's good... or bad... depends on p.o.v. July 3rd: Places are closing up early. This is to be expected... but not enjoyed by all (ME, for example). It's hot but breezy. My problem? My rooms don't catch the breeze. I don't have a/c. I don't have internet either. I'm cheap. And proud of it! But it does get dicey on hot days. Still working on strong verbs in Norwegian. Slight complication... sometimes there are two verbs spelled the same but delcined differently and with different meanings. Then there are the transitive verbs (which I think take regular declensions) versus intrasitive verbs that change in 'wonderful' ways. But I'm making progress!  In the food department of my life: sautéed turnips last night; today ate brats. If I could find an a/c unit that ran on gas... 53.277 views as of July 3rd. |
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