Not going to win III

After the teens were shedding copious amounts of tears in the car, where they had retreated to, the one parent with some sense asked if we could walk them to their tree house (just to make sure it was safe).

Not a problem. We walked them up, they looked inside and confirmed that there were no televisions, jacuzzis or Club-Med amenities that they were looking for.

They opted to try their luck up the road in Fortuna, where there are 100-plus hotels, and to be quite honest, we weren't disappointed to see them go.

During the very brief time that they spent inside the tree houses (no more than 5 minutes) we discovered that they probably were not familiar with the concept of indoor plumbing, based on what they did in the bathroom of one of the tree houses.

Truly amazing what some folks are capable of. This is why the owners opted not to work with travel agents a while back, as you never know what kind of people will show up when they go through an agent.

You're not going to win II

The folks arrived just a bit after dark. We told them that we would go over the trails with them in the morning, as there aren't any lights on the trails.

The largest fellow with the copious amount of chest hair breaking out from his T-shirt between his gold chains, started screaming: "No lights on the trails? What the hell do you have here? We aren't going to be safe here!!"

After assurances that all is good, the same fellow began to bellow about WiFi (not available here yet) and what kind of channels the TVs had in the tree houses. That didn't help his blood pressure, at all.

Then the kids (that's a loose term, they were all at least 15) then started crying about having to stay in a place with no TV or WiFi. . . .

Sometimes, you're just going to never win. . .

No matter what you say or do.

A few nights after Christmas, two families of four showed up to check in. They arrived with energy and seemed to be ready to check in.

Not quite the case. They were from NYC and showed up with all of the bravado and chutzpah of the big city.

After about 5 minutes, they were reduced to crying, slobbering folks that were begging the one that made the reservation to take them away.

Fortunately, the person who made the reservation was somewhat in control and quieted the folks down.

It started from there. . .

Feliz Navidad

Merry Christmas to the three loyal readers. For those that we were able to visit this year, great to see you and we hope to see you in 2014 as well, whether it be down here or in some other locale.

The editorial department was on blog strike for a while as the art department had no presents under the tree for the editorial department. All is good now, though we may be on holiday break.

We're vegans!

Well, good for you. . .

We get a fair amount here at the hotel and they always seem very impressed with the fact that they are vegans.

Not a problem, as we can get powdered soy milk and give them granola and plenty of fruit at breakfast.

In Costa Rica, though, veganism is very much a foreign concept. We have a friend that is a vegan and speaks fluent Spanish, and she still finds some meat, cheese, eggs, etc., in her dishes as the Ticos take pity and figure she can't afford any animal protein.

The guests currently have been facing the same challenge, though they don't speak a lick of Spanish. Despite a quick tutorial on different foods and their Spanish names, they are still struggling a bit.

Sigh, we can't just make this up. . .

Part of the job at the hotel is to set up tours and activities for folks that come to Costa Rica. The owners have established relationships with the best companies in the area, and they let our guests pay a cash deposit when they check in, and then the balance the day of the outing (as opposed to paying for everything ahead of time and then possibly losing out on the moolah if they don''t show up).

Recently, we sent out an itinerary to a guest and got a most puzzling response back (the first of its kind in 5 years).

Tour cost per person: $200.00

Cash deposit when you check in: $50.00

Total due at tour location: $150.00

Then came baffling question from the guest:

"We thought the tour was $100.00 each, why does it say $150.00?!!?? PLEASE EXPLAIN!!" (caps are from the guests).

We have never taught elementary school math (or any classes at the elementary level) but we did our best, and it went something like a story problem: Train A leaves the station at 10:30 a.m. and heads north, while Train B leaves the station at 10:35 a.m. and goes south. . . "

You get the picture. . . Finally, after a couple of e-mails, the guest was able to grasp the concept as well.

Not to freak folks out. . .

Though it has been warming up here after "winter" in Costa Rica. This means more of the slithery critters are coming out at night to soak up the heat from the rocks and on the trails.

Unfortunately, some of the critters are of the venomous kind. Rolando has had his hands full on the night hikes of late, whacking four or so in the past two weeks. No one has been bitten or hurt or too terribly freaked out, as Rolando dispatches the buggers quickly and quietly.

Now, we have family coming down in March and if they read this, don't worry. The chances are very small and there is nothing to worry about at all!

Pretty cool

A Keel-Billed Toucan actually came down pretty low the other day at the rancho during breakfast. Kind of a rarity, as they typically stay higher up in the trees and don't come down close too often.

This one swooped in and grabbed onto the side of a small tree about 15 feet from the rancho and just hung out there for a few minutes.

It even dropped onto the ground and picked something up (still wouldn't make a move for the fruit that the other birds go for) and then flew away.

Ho, Ho, Ho

Been a while, apologies for the delay. . . Been busy with guests and getting the place decorated for Christmas, etc.

The rancho is all decked out with a tree and lights and even a straw sleigh with reindeer. Every year, folks fashion Christmas critters, Santas, sleighs, etc., out of a straw or paper-like weave. As long as you don't get them wet, they hold up pretty good.

You can see some of the little critters in front of the giant one, and they're sold all over the place; at road-side stands, by folks driving them around in trucks.