Payback Time

From way back in March there was revenge last night.

Costa Rica slowed the USA's march toward the 2014 World Cup with a 3-1 win Friday, while Mexico were on even shakier ground after a 2-1 loss to Honduras. Costa Rica moved to the top of the six-nation final qualifying group in North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) with the victory in San José that ended the USA's 12-match winning streak.

 I thought playing the first game was wrong and a mistake but we all know about home field advantage. At the time I was giving my Tico friends a ration about how altitude was going to affect them along with the cold throwing in a line about it will probably dump as well.

And it did all that.

The Way It Is This Morning In The Cornfield

It's been a long time. A no bullshit thank you to those of you who contacted me for the lack of posting.

I was sick and still slightly am since I returned from Costa Rica on 3/28. Only a few remnants left with that but it was for a long time. In many ways it's like spending three months in another country didn't happen.

I don't have a whole lot to say and actually have been chastised for taking realistic positions. I guess the train of optimism that so many are on needs to be boarded or something like that. Apology's for saying bama was going to throw mine/yours/everybody's Social Security and other things onto the rails for so long a time. Ya like if I would have had your optimism that it wasn't going to happen that would have made a difference. Plus I cuss to goddamn much. You guys get off the train!

I've learned a lot in recent months and some things already known and predicted were reinforced. Like how important it is for me to live where it's warmer for one.

I like the simplicity of life I had in CR. My experience was probably different than most. It's not paradise by any means. It about life and how you interact with it given what you have and what you think is important to you. I just happen to think that simple is better in many cases.  I think it's fair to say some expats there face alcohol and drug issues. And just for your information the pot wasn't worth a shit and was expensive. Coke $10 a gram and pretty good I'm told.

Continue to take the position this country is incapable of moving forward in a positive way. We can't have an intelligent conversation on most anything. Optimism will not change innocents being killed in our name other places and until we understand innocents killed by us are just as important to "them" as ours are to us the human race can not move forward in a positive way.

Some conflict has returned but I am very optimistic of the future and look forward to what I think and hope will be an interesting adventure into what's left of life without conflict.

Got a kick out of meeting so many interesting people. Knew that would be the case. It's fun damn it. The food I swear was noticeably better. It was all literally bursting with flavor. That was something I wanted to learn. Our food sources have been bastardized slowly for so long that it's something other now. I am not wrong on this go see for yourself. It's almost worth going back again just for the food I shit you not!

A place where I walked was a favorite soaring spot for buzzards from all over because there were a lot of them. I found watching them to be very peaceful.

Stuff like that.

 

Pope Frankie And The Dilemma Of Just What Is He

So many want to claim this guy as one of theirs b b b but he was born in Italy. b b b b but he grew up in Argentina and speaks Spanish and loves poor folks more than anyone else. Questions questions ya see -

 Does a Latino have to have indigenous blood?" asked the LA Weekly newspaper of Los Angeles beneath the headline, "Is The New Pope Latino?"

I was getting a cold drink in a smoothy shop here in Atenas and when the fellow behind the counter could not understand my poor Spanish he came back with just as good of English as mine. Have had several interesting conversations with him. He is Tican and has lived in the States.

Making this real short this young man faced some difficulties in the United States - well because he's kinda brown and speaks Spanish ya see. When the bigots found out he was from Costa Rica they lightened up on him a bit (just a bit) because he wasn't one of those damn Mexicans ya see.

Put Poop Frankie in the right clothes and place him in Anywhere USA and real quick he'll be one of those illegal fucking Mexicans who are taking everything from us.

How about human being first and foremost and will that word be heard from the new guy? If he does that would be "ser hermano". Those damn Spanish speakers I tell you. Imagine the outrage if those in robes and beanies had picked a Mexican. The horror!!

The fact that "Steve" got treated poorly at times in my country and I get treated so well in his borders on the disgusting. 

They WERE Robbed

Even the President got involved.

“Que horror!! Están degradando el deporte!!” (“What horror!! They’re degrading the sport!!”) Costa Rica’s president, Laura Chinchilla, Tweeted an hour into the match as 45 members of the grounds crew, dressed in full winter gear, battled to keep lines clean by clearing mounds of snow that piled up. 

They played last Friday in Denver and at the market I was giving a couple Tican friends a rough time about what the conditions were going to be like. I didn't really know and could care less about it but you know the pot has to be stirred now and then.

Saying first the altitude was bad enough but it was going to snowing a lot during the game plus the temps were going to be below freezing with the wind blowing hard. It turned out it was just like that and maybe worse.

It needs to be said that these people when their country is spoken of have a strong sense of pride something completely different than in the States.

As The Locals Say At Times

"Se monto enn la carretta" that started here in Atenas many years ago and is still used. I saw this just the other day.


Oxen are used to pull ox carts and they still do. For a long time many plied the roads hauling mostly coffee and and other goods. I've only seen one ox cart. Two with this one at a small park.


Atenas is know for it's ox carts and this is the only real cart I've seen and it's on the road to town.


Barrio Los Angeles where I stay is actually the old road into Atenas. It dead ends about a half mile away where it begins a rather steep descent to a river. Moon shining was going on in days gone past and I understand recently somebody was making some. A friend and I made it down on what is left of the road. We took machete's and if it had not been for a fire I doubt we would have been able to discern where the road was. It was on this not too long of a hike saw a sloth which was nice.


There were as many as 400 carts a day using this road. So there was some drinking going on and when some guys got too drunk to walk along side their team of oxen to direct them they got on top of the ox cart.

In present day when the local's see an inebriated person they say that phrase "se monto enn la carretta" which translates to "looks like that person is on top of the ox cart".

I think that's is soooo funny. You can go here and see some real ox carts just the way they used to be back in those days.

Remember how the pictures get larger when you click on them??

This Close To A Real President Today

The President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla came to the new school just up the road from where I stay. She walked up from the street where she then cut the ribbon that I got a piece of by the way and went inside for the rest of the dedication festivities.

I could go all over the place with this but will keep it brief. This was nice to be a part of. I wasn't going inside but this certain man kinda brought me with him. Glad I went. There's a video and soon other pictures at the other place.

This has a lot to say about other countries in the sense of how close I was allowed to get this woman. This is in no way a "Banana Republic" like in the old days. There is so much going on and I have seen very little of CR.

Could have easily stepped up next to her and asked for her sign my piece of the ribbon or gotten a picture but there were others who wanted her attention as it's not often the president of your country comes to your school.

The bottom picture she looked up and gave me a smile.

May she always remain safe. Just to be clear she was walked up to the school with security on either side front and back. When she got up to the school where all the kids and adults were these men made themselves pretty scarce. There are security guys in three of the four pictures.

Quick Update

I am glad I came back to this country. I like it here in Atenas. You would too probably. I do look at the internets although said I would not. It's warm and people are friendly helpful and smile very easily. I am completely safe and walk most places. Am not at 100% but get along fine and tell someone whenever I go out.

This is a couple video's from this morning in the town square in front of the church. Not that much happens except life. I like the fact the priest greets everyone.

Later, OF



 

When The Cover Is Closed

Meaning after this is posted will board an airplane for a return to Costa Rica. To a different place and hopefully for a bit longer.

I am going to step way back from blogging here at OTC. Will be back anytime from now. Gonna see how it feels stepping away for awhile. Been at it even before Dubya stole the election. I'm sick of it. Not of blogging but the nonsense.

I don't even want to see headers of any articles for a while and that means not reading the great places I link to. I encourage those who come by to check out the link list on the right. We are not wrong.

Going to try and take decent pictures about what might be interesting in daily life and just put the crazy shit away for a bit.

Right now I plan on hanging out at the Picture Place. Again Stretch will be on guard while I'm gone. There are no colors to be found these days here but that's about to change. When the sun comes up in the morning the greens in CR will be very intense. Tomorrow morning I'll be seeing that green.

Thanks for coming by!!
Later OF

On With The Program

The program of life I guess. Thought I had a clue but not so sure now. The right decision was made to return but feel a tug to return to Costa Rica. Maybe but doubt it.

Many would have had a bevy of doctors and many tests done. Need to go with what I brought and say that I believe in chiropractics as again it has helped me and will and can afford a few treatments. For a year and then some was holding a strong hand but not so much now.

Seeing some things lately that need to be talked about a bit just because. Maybe that will help out too. Basically I'm pretty good but not quite right. Maybe never was and just didn't know it.

Later.

This Morning

In a few minutes I leave for the airport to return to the states. It is because of a unexpected medical situation that arose.

I am and will be fine but when something like this occurs the ultra conservative side of me comes out very quickly and choose to return to where my comfort zone is.

Hardly a regret but disappointed sure. I accomplished the major goals I had - one of them for years. It's just that it wasn't for very long.

This trip I knew was going to assist in determining what direction the next years were going to take for me and that has been determined as well. That was very important in itself.

So it's a good day and I'm looking forward to returning home to pound on Stretch after consulting and treatment from a life long friend who is one of the best chiropractors in Colorado.

May this find you all well.

OF

I Did Arrive

I did arrive like planned and just want to say to those who stop by that there are a couple posts with pictures over at the picture place.

There was a change from where I was supposed to stay but it's just fine. The downside is it's too far to walk to town. Just being here negates much of that.

Like I read - it's just beautiful. People are friendly and helpful. I have learned much in the three days I've been here.

A picture from when I first arrived. This is in San Isidro Perez Zeledon.

 Where we eat.

 Later OF.

Outta Here

This time it's like really "Outta Here". Fact of the matter is since I returned from West Africa a long long time ago I have been a lot of places but not really that far and never left the States except to cross over into Mexico for a bit now and then back when it was much safer.

Later this morning will get on a big bird something not done in quite awhile as well and end up in Costa Rica this evening long about 7:30.

Not much else to say except I will be a good boy when I have to remove my footwear. I expect to be making some posts - how many or often not sure about.

I have voted of course and will be paying close attention to the results of the election.

So I'm outta here for now but will be bok. Best to everyone who comes by. Comments not necessary.

TB