A Photolicious Update

Hello Everybody,

So we have some very exciting news...TY GOT A JOB!!!! WOOT WOOT! So we guess this means that we are just further settling in to life over here in Puerto Viejo.

Since we last wrote, we had mainly just been following our usual routine, with Ju waking up early to get to work, and Ty running errands and trying to find a job.  Ju found out, unfortunately, that her boss for the restaurant she is supposed to be working at, will not be returning until mid-November or December! So that was disappointing.  There really hasn't been much to do at the hotel, so she's been doing pretty odd and ridiculous jobs, like waxing window panes, and cleaning mold off pool chairs (while being bitten by ants and mosquitos).  At least it's not poop though, right?  The nice thing about her job is that she has met quite a few locals and even attended the birthday party of the daughter of a woman who periodically works at the hotel.  Costa Rican's sure do know how to throw a birthday party.

So anyway, while Ju was cleaning away, Ty decided to write a letter and mini resume to send out to different hotels and restaurants around Puerto Viejo.  He sent it out, and within 6 or so hours, he got not 1, but 2 responses!  So Ty starts training today at a fancy Japanese restaurant here.

Ju, a little sweaty after work, with money from her first payday!  We are looking forward to taking a picture of Ty with his first wad o' cash

We have also begun to make some real improvements to our house! There is still a fair amount that we want to do, but we are very happy with the beginnings.  The Jamaican couple that we live with has been just absolutely wonderful.  In the beginning of the week, Ty decided to ask where he would be able to pick up some wood to make us a table to eat at (we'd been eating on the floor or on an extra twin bed we had in the front of our house) and a bookshelf so we would have more room to put our stuff away and take it out of our suitcases.  However, our wonderful Jamaican landlords turned the twin bed into a dresser, had an extra table that they painted for us, and made us stools so we would have something to sit on at our table!  The best part is that they built the stools so that Ju's stool is a little taller, allowing us to be the same height when we sit at the table.  It is pretty awesome :)  We still want to add some things to our house but things are pretty expensive here in Costa Rica because taxes are so high.  Just to give you an idea of how high taxes are, Ju's boss was explaining that there is a 100% tax on cars!  Also, phones that would cost $20 in the US cost about $50-$100 over here.  Fortunately, Puerto Viejo is only about an hour from the Panamanian border, and right across the border is this giant walmart-type place with super cheap, Panamanian prices.  We are thinking about heading over there next time Ju has a day off.

Here's a tour of our house:

Our porch

This is our house from the front door.  Where Ty's camera bag is hanging is where you find....

The "entrance" room, if you will.  There is the bed that has been converted into an extra dresser, but we still need to buy hangers.  

The second turn off is into the bedroom, where you can see our very necessary mosquito net hanging above our bed.  It is a surprisingly complicated process to make the net work effectively.

A shelf in our bedroom, by the foot of the bed.

Our kitchen at the end of the hallway.  Ju is doing the dishes, and to her left is the little propane stove we cook on.

Our bathroom is connected to the kitchen, separated by a curtain.  Our toilet and sink is behind the shower, but it is a pretty big bathroom.

Each on our respective stools :) 

And we are starting to figure out how to cook some local dishes:

Our take on arroz con pollo... we are actually starting to get the hang of it.  And Ju is obsessed with the glass bottle system here.  If you buy a soda in a glass bottle, and return the glass bottle next time you buy a soda, there is a reduced price.  Much better for the environment, and at least Ju enjoys how it makes the world seem a little smaller.

Pretty legit and delicious patacones.  Patacones are fried, smashed plantains that Ju learned how to make at work.

We are still loving Puerto Viejo and are looking forward to having visitors to show around.  We are also getting to know some of the locals and expats around town, so it has been really nice to be able to say hello to a couple people and have a few spots to hang out in.  Here are a couple more photos of where we live, hopefully encourage some visitors...

Check the clear water and jungle right up to the beach

Ahhhh....

Sorry this blog was full of pictures but we hope you enjoy them!  We miss you guys a lot!  We feel so blessed to be able to be here in such a beautiful place, and to have such wonderful friends and family, both here and in the United States.  We hope you have a fun and safe halloween and are looking forward to seeing the pictures of Facebook!