it was a GOOD DAY

aaaaaAAAAAAAAHhhhhhaaa (angels singing).

t'other day I threw out the stubborn "forging ahead" thoughts I had about trying to make a N. American model of Community Gardening work here. I had been hearing over and over again from locals, from ex-pats (mostly N. Americans), from local gardeners, from ex-pat gardeners, that the ideas I'd been throwing out there won't work. I think generally I'm upbeat and positive thinking, but this was getting me down. Instead, I tried open-minded thinking, allowing information to come at me, still trying to keep to the basic idea of gardening to better the lives of locals. My good husband said "take the rest of your time there as a holiday, Hon". Aw.

This morning, the babes got themselves up and made their way to their first surfing lesson (!!!) I'm so proud of them for taking the initiative. They've worked out some financial deal between them that I am not privy to. Uncle went with them to take pictures and hang on the beach. More on this later.

I sat at Robins a bit, chatting with regulars, feeling quite at home. Sheri pulled up on her bike to make her greens delivery to Robin. We spoke of Harmony Hotel's worm farm and sustainability tour. She's up for that, there's need for a good soil building system. I felt like I'd done some good, just talking with her.

I found myself slightly relieved to do something by myself, for myself. It's Saturday morning, so it's a no brainer for me, I stumped my way up (literally up) the road 10 minutes to the organic market. There, I found Paloma, and her puppets. She's from Argentina and is a wonderful jewelry and puppet maker. She and I talked last week about the possibility of my putting her stuff on my web site, but I had to tell her that it would be difficult to ship and still have her make a decent wage. She's keeping my information and will contact me. I hope in her travels she comes to Canada and stays with me. Wonderful girl.

With some cool puppets in tow, I made my way down the line to the Thai lady's reclaimed vintage Thai material bags. I love that I can buy from the artist and so in a fit of "pura vida" I bought one.

Right next to her, I found Dona Anna (said "Donya Anna" and is a form of respect, like Don for a man). This is the same Anna that was my first garden visit, taken there by Javier. Dona Anna's Californian helper, Anna (sorry, that's why I added the Dona) was able to express to me that she and a few others are trying to inspire more volunteer help for Dona Anna, as she's by herself. I stood there, frozen. This, I can help with!

The conversation was being pulled in several directions, so I'm still trying to piece it together. Choosing a bag, buying some nyampis (like potatoes) and getting a cooking lesson from Dona Anna, and speaking with the Thai lady, name of Wantana, and with Anna and helping the bunch get organized to close down (here, the market ends at about 11, too hot to sit after that) made for a busy 10 minutes. Before I knew it I was whisked away, carrying Wantana's eggs and her stool. Down the road to her house, Wantana hitched a ride for us with a couple who'd been at the market. We met with Dona Anna and Anna there and had a quick visit before they had to leave.


Afterward, Wantana and I looked around her property, at her rental properties, her Ayurvedic gardens and a lovely view from the third story and talked about why each of us is here. I had a hard time explaining my end of things, because of my decision to be more open about the needs here. I heard more about how the original idea won't work. I think I was finally able to express that whatever works will be the direction I go and was met with much complimenting; "good karma" was said a few times.


The ideas started flowing. Turns out, Wantana's land in upper Nosara is adjacent to Sheri's garden. There, she's trying to grow more medicinal herbs and dreams of a healing space for people to come...perhaps we could do something there? A few more ideas were tossed around. I took my leave, but not before being invited to bring some Thai noodles for some home made Pad Thai tomorrow with my family. I left there feeling elated, knowing that being open has brought me to some sort of beginning.

The directions Wantana gave me to get back to my place were to skirt the Refugio (natural preserve) between our places, and cut thru the Harmony Hotel. In passing thru, I found a book store (whoo ee! art supplies and everything!). Just as I was leaving the gate, I hear "MARGOT! MARGOT!!! MARGOT!!!!" being yelled from the little store I'd visited earlier in the week (bought that dress- funds to Escualita and Santa Marta school). The girls I'd spoken to earlier in the week, and their mother, were all calling me back in. They'd promised to ask their husband/father, Gunther, the photographer at Escualita if I could have a couple pictures. They also told him about what I was here for. Turns out Gunther and Ganca (said like the Jamaican "Ganja", yet she's Turkish) have a 46 acre parcel, close to Ostional, that they would like to develop naturally, into a sustainable community.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could I come and advise?



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

in exchange for the Esualita pictures (I said this part was unnecessary, I am here to share my knowledge). Ganca expressed their desire to give back, to keep things natural, possibly a community garden, and not to develop it in a touristy way.

!!!!!!!

A good day indeed.