Check us out, we're in a boat!

We slid into 2012 
in just the same way as we rang in 2011

Same fun gang

Same ski outfits (Santa, what happened?)

And the same wonderful husband to kiss at midnight

Only difference is the mountain…

And the fact I survived another ski-trip unscathed…despite my (now famous in these parts) "lose-edge-tumble-pummel skier-double axel hook-belly slide-dig in-500 meter-black diamond-maneuver" 

Conditions have not been stellar, but we do have a hot tub. 
And delicious meals nightly.  
And board games. 
And good wine.
And each other!!

Happy New Year from Steamboat Springs!

 

The best part of waking up.

seedlings

Its early again, & this seems to be a theme several days running. Except I am back home, no more lying in bed listening to the sounds of the rain forest, just those of the concrete jungle.

I am thinking about my vacation and actually one of my favorite parts – visiting a coffee plantation Don Juan.

Here, we learned what a labor of love it is to get the perfect beans from seed to cup – so that we wake up every morning with a hug in a mug at our Urban Disco.

Yahtzee was fast bean picker

separating skin from bean

part of drying process

all roasted and ready to ship

I have even MUCHOIER muchos grande appreciation for my morning Joe. AND I may just be encouraged enough to splurge on my ninth street espresso beans again, despite my little picketing efforts after the prices of beans rose 15%!

we met the man himself -
Don Juan is 76 amos with 9 bambinos (& just 1 seniorita!)

Until next time Costa Rica!

 

Shhh. Quiet. Listen.

its 6 am...and this is beginning to be a theme here in costa rica.
I have been laying in bed for past hour listening to the rain fall, the birds chirping, i swear i can even hear the clouds as they roll on by.  I've now pulled up a chair for a front row seat onto this action here in the rainforest so I can take it all in. Its simply lovely. It really allows me to get lost in my thoughts.

Our guide in the cloud forest yesterday, Charlie, would have us take a moment from time to time to "listen" to the sounds of the forest - for monkeys moving tree to tree, birds chirping - and to look around, "there are eyes everywhere" he would say.

Charlie, on life in the forest & elsewhere

I liked these moments and think it as also good advice for life in general, including the concrete jungle I call home.  Also good advice would have been not to wear a skirt into the rain forest, i have skeeter bites everywhere & including my face.

We saw a wonderful little waterfall in the jungle too, with every turn here along the continental divide is something beautiful and wondrous.


There is even beauty to behold in these little ladies…

Man Eater

though i have to admit, i did a little "andele arriba" action after seeing her!

 

On taking pavement for granted….

Its 6 am and I cannot sleep. Nothing to do with jet lag or time zones, uncomfortable hotels or too much noise. It has to do with an aching body. 


Oh,  from ziplining, or horseback riding, or hiking through the forest - you ask.


No, i respond.  From an 80 mile car ride, from La Fortuna to Monte Verde.


We did not quite comprehend why an 80 mile ride would take 4 hours. We were told it would, but we were not believers. I guess we never dreamed that unpaved roads, and really not just unpaved roads but specked with potholes and tight bridges and cutouts, could go on for miles.  Upon arrival we were met with a snicker from a local who asked, "how was your travels? how was the roads?"


I had to respond it was a test for the body AND the relationship. But we made it alive. In retrospect, it was probably not a good idea to travel in darkness where you can't go more than 15 mph and houses are scarce, with our Gringomobile (see below, we all have them). But we arrived alive and had a very nice meal, a great day around the observatory and a memory of a drive that we will hold forever.


And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, i would like to say I am thankful for pavement.

Anyhoo, here are pictures from our hike yesterday that made the "too late in the day" travels worthwhile.

hanging bridges

Chasing Waterfalls

Laguna Arenal - huge man made lake w Volcano backdrop

Baldi Spa - this was a real local experience

…& random sitings, like horses tied up outside general stores

Today we go to a coffee plantation! and to learn more about the rain forest.
Hasta luego...

 

Hola

hasta luego Tamarindo - we loved the beautiful beach and the Costa Rican Ice Teas (wink wink)

Today we are exploring Volcan Arenal, whose last big explosion was May 2010 but still active!  Also hanging bridges, waterfalls and Lake Arenal (we rode around this last night on way here, roads were actually worse than Jersey!)

 

I am thankful

its thanksgiving, and i am spending it with my husband who I am most thankful for - and with whom every day is an adventure.  And this year, instead of traveling home, we have travelled together to visit a corner of the world that is new to us - costa rica.  the people here are charming, climate sunny & warm and we are wonderfully relaxed and well rested and spending lots of time together away from the bustle of the city, which i must say has been exactly what we needed.

Happy thanksgiving,

 

Tagtraumen

Today was my first day back in the office and I found myself doing a little day dreaming of the time I spent in Europe. While my German could use a little auffrischen, I am finding that I am a bit bolder with my conversations so I can talk to my in-laws a little more. I think after all this time I am learning that I don't always have to say it perfect, they love me all the same.




And my love for Flammkuchen has not wavered, I still like going to Stoevchen just the same as when I lived there, especially to now meet this guy! I know whenever I return to Karlsruhe I still have a home.



And we went to a wonderful wedding of a good friend of ours. It was in Kiedrich at an old church called Michaelskapelle, and the reception was at Schloss Johannesburg in the most grand room. Both are in the Rheingau where Yahtzee grew up. We were reminded just how beautiful this region is with its rolling hills, vineyards, greenery everywhere… 


And this couple was absolutely gorgeous too and fit right in to the surroundings. Love was all around this day.




it was also fun to catch up with other friends, especially when you are finding Steelers fans in all pockets of the world!  


Oh and let's not forget the Octoberfest fun. It was the first time that me and Yahtzee went together.  We were very honored to meet Yahtzee's best friend there and the love of his life, who is a wahrer diamond. 


Singing, drinking, talking and carrying on for several hours felt wunderbar.

Auf Wiedersehen, Deutschland.
Muss ich denn, muss ich denn, zum staeeele hinaus.

Lazing and Crazing

What a treat it was to see the girls and spend time together in Den Haag. We lazed about the very awesome flat a bit - even picking up the guitar, watched some kite flying on the beach, sat outside by the fire for a hot cocoa, celebrated Denes' life through stories over a bottle of champagne and went out for a night on the town with music and dancing. 


Sans space brownies - but still got crazy.


We sure packed lots in a day and a half and I enjoyed every minute of the lazing and crazing - but mostly just enjoyed the friendship.


Much love!

Happy Independence Day

It was a beautiful night here in NYC, so we hopped on Stella for a ride to the West Side to watch the spectacular fireworks display.  These always amaze me, as do the conversations I sometimes overhear.  Tonight I overheard a family of three from Stamford, CT who first, they announced these were the most spectacular 4th of July fireworks in the WORLD, then commented on the new "technology" for the floating effects, and when the child lightly coughed, the mother told him to "do what you need to do sweetie, do what you need to do - cough it out" - whatever that was about.

Earlier this week we drove to Pittsburgh. We drove into the city for some Regatta action and after had drinks in Market Square with my brother and his girlfriend. Market Square was recently renovated and I am amazed at much space they managed to create there, even though with the upgrade came NYC drink prices.

Above all, we spent lots of time at the Compound and poolside with the family. My niece went underwater for the first time with the prodding of her mama.

Me and my sister shared ideas for project "neon sign" which will be unveiled pretty soon, along with gossip and a few vodka slushies.

We sat a lot on the porch - not just to BBQ and eat lots of good food but to share stories and chat and best of all, laugh.

This little guy was a hamming it up for us all the while. He even managed to call me Tante before the weekend was through.

Yahtzee shows off the iPad

We had such a lovely weekend. And mostly, we just feel very blessed to have so much love…