The traveling duo arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica on Friday night. I know they’re too busy to update this blog, so this is just a quick update.

And for Rob and Val, who will join the CR Duo on June 2nd — we’ve found a funky place to stay for one night since we’re going to arrive at LIR around 7:00 pm and don’t relish driving to Samara that late…

It’s called El Punto Bed & Breakfast. In Liberia. My dear sister Phoebe Kate is a’feared of my being so far from my comfort zone. Well, when in Costa Rica, do as the ticos do… Rob and I can handle it. Ambien is our friend. It’s gonna’ be swell.

By the way, Oliver told me to be sure and take along my “ear mouses” in case I need them on the airplane. He said, “Ear mouses cover up your ears so you can’t hear loud noises.” Photo of ear mouses coming soon.

The time is near and we are all geared up for our adventure to Samara. Our friends down in San Jose have been making tamales and are planning a small fiesta for the few days we are in San Jose. 

Then we head down to Samara. Fortunatly the same friends will be driving with us to show us the way, as you may know roads are not that clearly marked. Stay tuned for the adventures of San Jose/Santa Ana and Samara. We will be posting on a daily basis once we get set up and moved in. Until then wish us luck and safe travels.

-jamie

The Governments of the United States of America and Costa Rica, the Central Bank of Costa Rica, Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy, concluded agreements reducing Costa Rica’s debt payments to the United States by $26 million over the next 16 years. In return, the Central Bank of Costa Rica committed to pay these funds to support grants to non-governmental organizations and other groups protecting and restoring the country’s tropical forest resources.

This debt for nature program was made possible through contributions of more than $12.6 million by the U.S. Government under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 and a combined donation of more than $2.5 million from Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy.

The funds will help conserve several important forest areas in Costa Rica, including the Osa Peninsula, home to the scarlet macaw and many other bird species, as well as to the squirrel monkey and jaguar. The La Amistad region contains the most extensive tract of untouched forest in the country and is the source of much of Costa Rica’s fresh water. The Maquenque Wildlife Refuge area is home to the great green macaw, while the Tortuguero region contains a rich variety of forest ecosystems. The area north of Rincon de la Vieja contains dry forest, cloud forest, and rain forest. Nicoya Peninsula’s dry forests and mangroves are important to the preservation of water resources in the region.

The Tropical Forest Conservation Act provides opportunities for eligible developing countries to reduce concessional debt owed the United States while generating funds to conserve their forests. The program with Costa Rica, the largest of the funds established to date, … following agreements with Belize, Botswana, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panama (2), Paraguay, Peru and the Philippines. These programs, together with one established with Bangladesh in 2000, will generate more than $163 million over 10-25 years to protect tropical forests.

2007/891

ValNotes:
Can’t help but link to the “news” page on the “official” Guancaste, Costa Rica website I found. Click here for the latest news. We check out the real news on TicoTimes website.
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Val and Rob Go to Costa Rica – The Musical. Coming soon to a theater near you.

Preparations have begun for our 3 month trip, tickets have been ordered, a house has been secured, and the car search is on. To all of our friends and family we will be departing Pittsburgh on May 9th enroute for San Jose Costa Rica. From there we will take what will hopefully only be a 5 hour drive to our new home in Samara. I (jamie) will be working for Exclusive Escapes a property management/ real estate company. I am super excited and it will be a great learning experience. Stay tuned for details of the trip and of the job, we might throw in a few photos up too. until then….

I do have to thank my mother in law Val for creating this for us. What an awesome job! you can check her stuff out at the dead mule. If you have never read it, it is worth agood look. as I said before we will keep everyone up to date….

We’ll be living in the Province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, this summer. Right now, though, there are other things on our minds — like finals at the University of Pittsburgh.

As the days progress, I’ll begin adding bits of travel information, querying Trip Advisor website(s), and learning more about Samara Beach. We’ve been to Costa Rica twice.

For now, this is just sort of a place-holder post to get started.