Daily Happenings

Jan 25 – I am so pleased with the visitors to my hummingbird feeder! The local “colibris” feed daily as do the ants and bees. I never tire of watching the birds, the waves, the abundance of life here. Just walking down to the beach from our house, I pass by turkeys, roosters, chickens, ducks, horses, donkeys, dogs, goats,, and cats… you just never know if your neighbor is raising roosters for the cock fights or chickens to sell you eggs. Ah… but the flowers, my goodness. Picture the most brilliant magentas, purples and reds cascading over high walls. The other day, upon reaching the beach, I saw 4 dolphins dive through the crest of a wave. Then, they swam about 50 meters perpendicular to shore as I ran on the beach. It was the best escort I’ve ever had. The whales are showing up more often now too. I am constantly on watch for both dolphins and whales and will never tire of seeing them.

The wildlife in our casita is of another nature. We like having the gecko around to slurp up un-welcomed mosquitoes, but the cockroaches in the bathroom are speedy little devils I have yet to catch. I wonder how fast they can run. Roger’s first guess is 100 mph.


I find it so interesting to be immersed in what many would consider rural, developing world conditions, mixed with affluence and amenities beyond the common US household. For instance, here are pictures of two houses in our neighborhood across the street from one another. One is a 2nd home for a nice couple from the states, has a pool, maid service, wi fi, excellent views of the ocean, and additional vacation rental units.

Across the street is the nice home of a local, who on Christams eve, butchered a cow on the sidewalk, let the blood RUN DOWN THE STREET, and hung the prized pieces of flesh on the clothesline to dry. Two very different displays of “wealth”. Then across the street from these homes is a tiny tin hovel, occupied by a family with at least 7 kids, multitudes of dogs, chickens and turkeys, all living in a shack with a dirt floor and no plumbing. I think it is too rude to take a picture, but I greet them every time I walk by. The children are all smiles.

My own version of wealth lately has been the unity and hope felt by everyone here celebrating the inauguration of our new president and his administration. We watched the events from Washington DC live on CNN at the hotel next door with Canadians, Mexicans, and US citizens from sea to shining sea. We stood, sang, cheered, and wept as a wave of relief, peace, and common spirit to pursue goodness for the whole planet washed over us. I’m glad I was here to share the event.

Today marks our 4th week in Puerto. There are some routines developing as we slip into life in the tropics. Exercise early in the morning before the heat, eat a hearty breakfast, lay low in the afternoons, then emerge for some early evening activity surrounding the sunset. Sandwiched in this daily schedule have been some killer cribbage games, eating incredible meals, doing some work and correspondence, reading books, field trips around the coast, and managing a pretty heavy social calendar. We’ve met some really fun friends here, and several just happen to be from Bend.