Costa Rican Oil Palm Groves

Did you know that your dish washing soap (like PalmOlive) has palm oil in it?

And that the palm oil originally comes from trees like this?

They collect the “fruit” that grows in between the branches and then take them to be processed.

Doesn’t this “fruit” look strange?

The palm oil is transferred in large oil tanks, which someone from the US (like me) would assume is carrying gasoline, but more times than not it carrying palm oil!

Luis and Laura

Back in early December we were told that Laura would win the election. She was the right handed helper of the president at the time.

This is Luis, one of the guards of our community (and our favorite). He doesn’t speak any English and knows we understand very little Spanish, but he’s super patient with us and loves to converse with us. He was pro Laura and got us green Laura wristbands when he got his.

Showing off the Laura wristband.

Luis got excited about the photos and posed with Jim and Sam the cat (one of the two community cats). Poor Sam the cat often gets her food snagged by Lita.

Side note on Luis: He stopped burglars from robbing our community, by hearing/seeing them (all dressed in black) scaling the walls on the west side of the community and shooting two shots into the ground to scare them off. Way to go Luis! No such problems since! (Knock on wood.)

Laura won and most people we talk to are happy. I was surprised though that leading up to the election many of these signs were splattered with paintball paint. Did you know that not only are all the alcohol selling establishments closed on election day, but the cops plaster the windows of such shops with black garbage bags? Dumb use of money if you ask me, but I guess they really don’t want you to drink before you vote because you know, your vote may be swayed. Another interesting thing about election day here in Costa Rica is that people volunteer their cars to their preferred party and people drive all around the country, taking people to vote.

No Thongs in the Grocery Store

School’s BACK for the Summer

So I’m not sure why they call it Summer now, maybe because it’s hot. Costa Rica really just has wet and dry seasons. December and January was summer break for kids in school. The beaches were packed more than usual and children were everywhere!

Kids are back in school now and the beaches have fewer people. Strangely though this is the time when the trees bloom yellow, orange, poppy, and pink flowers. I find it strange because it’s so dry these days. So different than from October. On the walk down our dirt road to the beach these lovely flowers fall to the ground.

Who’s That Sleepy Puppy?

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