And, it still doesn't do much good, at times.
Whenever folks check out, we always ask if they have everything out of the tree house (nothing left in the safe, nothing left plugged in, etc.).
Of course, the answer is always yes. And yet. . .
**We have an amazing array of chargers for different phones, etc., here that people have left behind;
**Also, a decent collection of shoes, shirts, socks (no drawers, thankfully). For those, we keep them for two weeks, contact the people, and if they don't want them, we give them away;
**Passports. You would think that this is the most important thing for most travelers, though we still get them left behind fairly regularly. Most of the time it is with folks that are driving to the other side of the country (4 to 6 hours) and we don't realize it until they are long gone. Some folks are just frantic, others are more relaxed about the passports.
One family from Switzerland just took it as it came, and didn't drive back. One of the drivers that we work with a lot, who lives by the San Jose Airport, dropped them off at their hotel the night before they flew out.
The mail service isn't the most reliable down here (certainly not for passports) and while there is UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc., the only real offices are at the airports. The others are just contractors, and very hard to track down.
When folks do ask to have things sent back to them, we accommodate them, and just ask for postage money to be reimbursed. At this point, we are batting about 2-for-20, or something abysmal like that, with folks that actually do send us money after they get their items.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Sloth sighting. . .
And this was very easy to find, despite it being dark. We were sitting at the dinner table, getting close to finishing up, when a branch snapped off from the almond tree, right in front of the house.
We went outside, and it was a decent-sized limb, but nothing too big. Then we looked closer and saw a two-toed sloth, looking back up the tree, wondering how it got on the ground so quickly.
Fortunately, it wasn't injured and we put it back up in the tree. It climbed up, and then latched onto the phone cable, and went paw over paw all the way up the driveway, until it finally found a branch it could latch onto, and it melted back into the jungle.
We went outside, and it was a decent-sized limb, but nothing too big. Then we looked closer and saw a two-toed sloth, looking back up the tree, wondering how it got on the ground so quickly.
Fortunately, it wasn't injured and we put it back up in the tree. It climbed up, and then latched onto the phone cable, and went paw over paw all the way up the driveway, until it finally found a branch it could latch onto, and it melted back into the jungle.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Feliz cumpleanos!
To Patricia Maxine Eidson!
The best ma around hits another milestone today (good luck in getting us to cough up the number).
For the two other regular readers of this blog, you can post birthday wishes (and number guesses) here.
The best ma around hits another milestone today (good luck in getting us to cough up the number).
For the two other regular readers of this blog, you can post birthday wishes (and number guesses) here.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Goodness gracious. . .
People will take the darndest things from a hotel. Towels, soap, etc., that is the norm.
However, we have had folks take the batteries out of the smoke detectors (what does anyone use a 9-volt battery for anyway, these days?); photos from the walls and even flashlights.
The other day, though, was a first.
A nice, elderly couple, checked out of one of the tree houses and turned in their keys and the gate opener. Several hours later, another couple checked in, and we gave them their keys and gate opener (which is a Genie garage opener, just like back in the States). About 30 minutes later, they came back and said the gate opener wasn't working.
Not a problem, the batteries (tiny, cylindrical things) can go bad and we always keep extras around.
This time, though, when we cracked open the device, the battery had been taken out.
We're not experts, though we suspect that the batteries in the gate openers are larger than what goes in hearing-aids, though who knows? At least the couple can now hear one another (it was a bit dicey at times when they were talking to us, each other and other guests).
However, we have had folks take the batteries out of the smoke detectors (what does anyone use a 9-volt battery for anyway, these days?); photos from the walls and even flashlights.
The other day, though, was a first.
A nice, elderly couple, checked out of one of the tree houses and turned in their keys and the gate opener. Several hours later, another couple checked in, and we gave them their keys and gate opener (which is a Genie garage opener, just like back in the States). About 30 minutes later, they came back and said the gate opener wasn't working.
Not a problem, the batteries (tiny, cylindrical things) can go bad and we always keep extras around.
This time, though, when we cracked open the device, the battery had been taken out.
We're not experts, though we suspect that the batteries in the gate openers are larger than what goes in hearing-aids, though who knows? At least the couple can now hear one another (it was a bit dicey at times when they were talking to us, each other and other guests).
Friday, April 10, 2015
Renewing a driver's license. . .
Typically, a big-time headache with the DMV. Here, in Costa Rica, multiply that by a bit more.
When we got our initial driver's license, two years ago, we had to go down to San Jose, stand in line for a couple of hours, get a physical, stand in line again for another couple of hours, and then we grinned for the camera and got our license.
This time, for just a simple renewal, we were able to do it in Ciudad Quesada, about 40 minutes away. (If we had let the original license lapse, we would have had to take the written and driving exams--all in Spanish--so we made sure to get the licenses renewed in plenty of time).
This time, it was just a matter of finding a bank (waiting in line for about 45 minutes); finding a doctor (first one was too busy, so after 20 minutes we moved along) and getting a physical. It consisted of an eye test, standing on one foot and touching noses, then on both feet touching toes, then touching elbows to knees while standing, then doing something out of the Richard Simmons' Jazzercis (TM) video from the '80s. Then just a quick blood-pressure exam, hop onto the scales for weight and popping us in the knees to test our reflexes.
Afterward, it was off to the local DMV office, where there was a line of 10 folks. However, we had our paperwork already done, so we were able to hop the line and after that it was just 10 to 15 minutes waiting in the office, moving into another office where we had to show our residency cards, get finger printed and sign all kinds of waivers.
Finally, we were able to pose for our pictures. The Art Department was fairly grumpy by this time and the picture reflects that. The Editorial Department gave a nice, big smile and the lady behind the camera actually stood up and said "No, no!" as she didn't like the picture (and after conferring with the Art Department--to the objection of the Editorial Department--another picture was taken. Much less flattering).
When we got our initial driver's license, two years ago, we had to go down to San Jose, stand in line for a couple of hours, get a physical, stand in line again for another couple of hours, and then we grinned for the camera and got our license.
This time, for just a simple renewal, we were able to do it in Ciudad Quesada, about 40 minutes away. (If we had let the original license lapse, we would have had to take the written and driving exams--all in Spanish--so we made sure to get the licenses renewed in plenty of time).
This time, it was just a matter of finding a bank (waiting in line for about 45 minutes); finding a doctor (first one was too busy, so after 20 minutes we moved along) and getting a physical. It consisted of an eye test, standing on one foot and touching noses, then on both feet touching toes, then touching elbows to knees while standing, then doing something out of the Richard Simmons' Jazzercis (TM) video from the '80s. Then just a quick blood-pressure exam, hop onto the scales for weight and popping us in the knees to test our reflexes.
Afterward, it was off to the local DMV office, where there was a line of 10 folks. However, we had our paperwork already done, so we were able to hop the line and after that it was just 10 to 15 minutes waiting in the office, moving into another office where we had to show our residency cards, get finger printed and sign all kinds of waivers.
Finally, we were able to pose for our pictures. The Art Department was fairly grumpy by this time and the picture reflects that. The Editorial Department gave a nice, big smile and the lady behind the camera actually stood up and said "No, no!" as she didn't like the picture (and after conferring with the Art Department--to the objection of the Editorial Department--another picture was taken. Much less flattering).
Friday, April 3, 2015
A somewhat typical day. . .
Admittedly, we have gotten lazy, or complacent (sounds better) after six years here in the jungle.
However, there is always something going on and it always keeps us on our toes.
Take April 1, for example. Wish we could pass it of on April Fool's Day, but not to be.
Some background: On March 31, the local aqueduct sent out a notice that there would be no water in the town from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day for routine maintenance. Not a problem, everyone was given notice and we have water tanks that will sustain us for up to 36 hours.
Later that night, some folks came down and said they had low pressure and couldn't understand how to get a hot shower. (As a side note, we explain to guests how to do the showers and there is an explanation in each information book in all of the tree houses). Nothing was working, it was 9 p.m. and Efren went up to check it out. Still no joy, just not much water (folks hogged from the tanks). We figured that as we are at the end of the line for the aqueduct, it just took longer for the water to get to us (which is the norm).
Guests placated (somewhat) and we said that we would get out and hit the hardware store as soon as it opened on April 1 to get a new shower head, and would be up there around 7:30 a.m.
APRIL 1
5:15 a.m.: Someone calls for a tree house for Holy Week. We're completely full until May, at this point.
6 a.m.: Go up to the tree house that has no hot-water shower, and they are still asleep.
6:45 a.m.: Go back up to the tree house, guests are wondering where we've been and said they had been waiting. Never mind that three of the four were still under blankets in the tree house when we went in.
7:10 a.m.: Water pressure has not returned. Miguel calls the aqueduct and find out that a pipe has burst, and no water until they can find the break and repair it.
7:20 a.m.: Tell the guests in the affected tree house (that one is up higher, so it takes longer for water to get up there) and they are wondering what took us so long.
7:25 a.m.: Other guests come down from the rancho after breakfast for directions to their zipline tour.
7:30 a.m.: Other guests come to the office to check out as they are leaving early.
7:35 a.m.: Miguel comes back from the hardware store with some screws for the shower nozzle that the aforementioned unhappy guests had broken off.
7:45 a.m.: Another set of guests come down and ask where they can buy sunscreen. We send them off to the supermarket/pharmacy just up the road.
8 a.m.: Full house of guests at the rancho.
8:15 a.m.: Find out for sure that no water until the early afternoon (at this point, we pass on telling the aforementioned guests as they should be coming to the rancho for breakfast soon).
8:30 a.m.: The farmer that delivers eggs is at the front gate for a delivery.
8:45 a.m.: The guests who bought the sunscreen bought the wrong type and need translation help to excange it for something else.
9 a.m.: Two more tree houses check out, give them directions.
9:15 a.m.: Another tree house comes down to the office for directions to their tour.
9:45 a.m.: Aforementioned guests finally check out. Demand a refund for no water, tell them that the whole town is out and we'll see what we can do.
10 a.m.: Go up and take out the sheets from the tree houses that have checked out and find that the aforementioned guests, in addition to breaking off the shower nozzle, left shells and food scattered throughout the tree house. Looked like they had rutted around in there for weeks.
11 a.m.: Last of the four tree houses check out. They somehow backed their car into a tree and we had to pull on the tree to get them free.
Noon: Enjoyed relative quiet, aside from about six to seven phone calls asking for availability for Holy Week.
12:15 p.m.: First of the four incoming tree houses check in; naturally, it is for the last tree house that had checked out at 11 a.m., so their tree house isn't ready.
From there, it slowed down a bit, save for 20-some e-mails and more phone calls. By 7:30 p.m., everyone had checked in and the last of the pizza orders had been placed.
So, we have a ton of excuses for being infrequent on the blog, but none of them really good. Actually, it does keep us on our toes and we still love what we do.
However, there is always something going on and it always keeps us on our toes.
Take April 1, for example. Wish we could pass it of on April Fool's Day, but not to be.
Some background: On March 31, the local aqueduct sent out a notice that there would be no water in the town from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day for routine maintenance. Not a problem, everyone was given notice and we have water tanks that will sustain us for up to 36 hours.
Later that night, some folks came down and said they had low pressure and couldn't understand how to get a hot shower. (As a side note, we explain to guests how to do the showers and there is an explanation in each information book in all of the tree houses). Nothing was working, it was 9 p.m. and Efren went up to check it out. Still no joy, just not much water (folks hogged from the tanks). We figured that as we are at the end of the line for the aqueduct, it just took longer for the water to get to us (which is the norm).
Guests placated (somewhat) and we said that we would get out and hit the hardware store as soon as it opened on April 1 to get a new shower head, and would be up there around 7:30 a.m.
APRIL 1
5:15 a.m.: Someone calls for a tree house for Holy Week. We're completely full until May, at this point.
6 a.m.: Go up to the tree house that has no hot-water shower, and they are still asleep.
6:45 a.m.: Go back up to the tree house, guests are wondering where we've been and said they had been waiting. Never mind that three of the four were still under blankets in the tree house when we went in.
7:10 a.m.: Water pressure has not returned. Miguel calls the aqueduct and find out that a pipe has burst, and no water until they can find the break and repair it.
7:20 a.m.: Tell the guests in the affected tree house (that one is up higher, so it takes longer for water to get up there) and they are wondering what took us so long.
7:25 a.m.: Other guests come down from the rancho after breakfast for directions to their zipline tour.
7:30 a.m.: Other guests come to the office to check out as they are leaving early.
7:35 a.m.: Miguel comes back from the hardware store with some screws for the shower nozzle that the aforementioned unhappy guests had broken off.
7:45 a.m.: Another set of guests come down and ask where they can buy sunscreen. We send them off to the supermarket/pharmacy just up the road.
8 a.m.: Full house of guests at the rancho.
8:15 a.m.: Find out for sure that no water until the early afternoon (at this point, we pass on telling the aforementioned guests as they should be coming to the rancho for breakfast soon).
8:30 a.m.: The farmer that delivers eggs is at the front gate for a delivery.
8:45 a.m.: The guests who bought the sunscreen bought the wrong type and need translation help to excange it for something else.
9 a.m.: Two more tree houses check out, give them directions.
9:15 a.m.: Another tree house comes down to the office for directions to their tour.
9:45 a.m.: Aforementioned guests finally check out. Demand a refund for no water, tell them that the whole town is out and we'll see what we can do.
10 a.m.: Go up and take out the sheets from the tree houses that have checked out and find that the aforementioned guests, in addition to breaking off the shower nozzle, left shells and food scattered throughout the tree house. Looked like they had rutted around in there for weeks.
11 a.m.: Last of the four tree houses check out. They somehow backed their car into a tree and we had to pull on the tree to get them free.
Noon: Enjoyed relative quiet, aside from about six to seven phone calls asking for availability for Holy Week.
12:15 p.m.: First of the four incoming tree houses check in; naturally, it is for the last tree house that had checked out at 11 a.m., so their tree house isn't ready.
From there, it slowed down a bit, save for 20-some e-mails and more phone calls. By 7:30 p.m., everyone had checked in and the last of the pizza orders had been placed.
So, we have a ton of excuses for being infrequent on the blog, but none of them really good. Actually, it does keep us on our toes and we still love what we do.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Happy Semana Santa!
Today is the official start of Semana Santa, or Holy Week, here. It is a big deal. Thursday and Friday before Easter are the only two days when public buses do not run in the country.
Also, anything that has nothing to do with tourism is shuttered until Monday. All banks, hardware stores, grocery stores, closed.
There are also very few big-rig trucks on the roads, as well, which is a bonus.
However, everyone that has the free time heads out of the interior of the country to the beaches, so traffic will be pretty hairy going to/from the coast for the rest of the week. There are folks that are lining up at 3 a.m. to catch ferries, already (first ferry is at 7 a.m.).
Also, anything that has nothing to do with tourism is shuttered until Monday. All banks, hardware stores, grocery stores, closed.
There are also very few big-rig trucks on the roads, as well, which is a bonus.
However, everyone that has the free time heads out of the interior of the country to the beaches, so traffic will be pretty hairy going to/from the coast for the rest of the week. There are folks that are lining up at 3 a.m. to catch ferries, already (first ferry is at 7 a.m.).
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