Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Costa Rica part 3





Writing this from our hotel room the night before our flight home. This week went really fast...

We had some quality viewing time of the nine or ten hummingbird species today. I love these little jeweled creatures. It's amazing to be able to stand just an arm's length from those buzzing wings. The mosquito bites were worth it. (Photo credits: The Husband.)

We went horseback riding yesterday for our first time ever. Wow! It was really cool...that is, after an hour or two had passed and I was no longer quite so terrified. The experience seemed to me like a cross between walking a dog and learning to drive a stick shift. I thought it was quite hilarious (and also terrifying) when, right off the bat, my horse "stalled" and wouldn't move. He (the horse) did this quite often for about the first half hour or so. Eventually we came to a sort of understanding. (This all amused our young guide greatly.) The horse's personality reminded me a bit of our old dog Jazz, who sometimes, during a leash walk, just suddenly plants himself solidly and refuses to move. What I didn't realize was that my whole body would seriously hurt today. Oh my god, where did all those (sore) muscles come from?!

Our last three nights were spent at the Ecolodge San Luis in Monteverde, a very interesting place to stay/project center which happens to be an extension station of the University of Georgia. Rustic but recommended.

We spent waaaay too many hours in the car this week. It takes such a long time to get from one place to another here, because the roads are narrow and few and sometimes in bad condition, and you tend to get stuck behind slow trucks constantly. Add to that the somewhat suicidal drivers, general lack of signage and streetlights, and fog and rain, and it can take hours to get from one city to another, even though they're quite close to one another as the crow (hummingbird) flies.

I'm not looking forward to the cold and snow back home in Colorado, but I am looking forward to having hair again (no, Sam, I will not post a photo of the Jewfro, nice try), and to seeing my fur babies.

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

enjoyed reading about your holiday and photographs Jala. safe journey home. r.

Anonymous said...

Your sketches are gorgeous Jala.
These posts brought me right back to my favorite trip to Costa Rica about 10 years ago.
Lush, abundant, wildlife everywhere and those Costa Rican horses- a little bit bigger than a big dog.
The zip lines and other non- land loving adventures that somehow seem legit there.

Looks like ( hair notwithstanding) it's been a wonderful week.

SamArtDog said...

Beautiful photos, old man. Btw, we have 4 hummer species here at home and they stay 5 months.
When you referred to "an hour or two" riding, my adductors ached for you. At least being a "green"horn must be pc these days.
Thanks for all the foreign posts! Call when you can.

Leslie Saeta said...

Your photos are beautiful Jala. I would love to use one from your previous post as an inspiration for a painting. Let me know if it is ok. Have a fun time!

Karen said...

What a cool trip you've been on! Very cool to see the photos you've posted...and of course your sketches.
My hair understands.

loriann signori said...

I always enjoy reading your writing! Thanks for sharing photos and tales from your trip. I am sure the fur babies missed you.

Jala Pfaff said...

Hi Sam - I stand corrected. I shall call you for dog-walking time.

Hi Bonnie - And other than the spiders.

Hi Rahina - Thank you. It will be strange to go back to work next week after so much time off and in a different place.

Hi Loriann - I think I missed them more than they missed me. Our housesitter loves them to death.

Hi Karen - Thanks. A hair sympathizer!

Hi Leslie - No problem, go right ahead.

L.Holm said...

Hi, Jala -
Sounds like you're having a blast. Hope your recouped from you ride by now.
Wanted to pop in and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
best to you and your hubby, Liz

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the travelogue, Jala. Sounds like you've had a wonderful time and will return just overflowing with inspiration! Tell your husband those hummingbird photos are deluxe!!

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Oh, the muscles you use to stay on the horse are the ones you never knew you had!
I can remember barely being able to breathe the day after a trail ride.

Those Hummer photos are sensational!