Summer's Over!

August 28, 2011

Two weeks in the apartment.  The air-mattress thing got REALLY old, really fast.  Not that we’re sissies or anything, but, because four of the five of the mattresses  could not hold air for more than about an hour after the second night.  We love the look of our almond-wood floors, but not the feel.  Even so, the kids did not want to go back to a hotel, so they toughed it out a night or two more until the rental stuff got here (I say “they” because I chivalrously went on a business trip to Nicaragua, where, ahem, the bed was quite comfy).  Now we all have our own beds, we have a kitchen table, and a couch and love seat for the family room (in addition to two folding tables and several folding chairs on loan to us by our bishop).  We’re still camping, but, one step closer to normalcy.

Like that dapper school uniform, Dalt.

Dayna has been back in the U.S. for the past week getting our home packed up in Jacksonville.  Keat flew out to help her, and now our belongings are on a container, scheduled to be in our new home by  . . . . Halloween?  Still too far away to real excited yet.  Dayna loved the week with Keaton, and getting to see family and friends as well.

It feels too soon for the kids to be going back to school.  But they did.  With no small dose of apprehension.  The whole “new kid on the block” thing exacerbated by the language and culture, and being the children of a mere mortal business manager, vs. one of the off-spring of Costa Rica’s rich and famous who make up a big chunk of the student body.

Volcanoes in Nicaragua.

Apprehensions were unnecessary, as it turns out.  They all have fit right in, and are already getting invites to parties, play-dates, etc.  Biggest crisis was Braden getting flustered the other day at lunch.  When he finally opened up about the root cause of the fuss, turns out that he couldn’t decide whether he should eat lunch with his fourth grade friends (he is in fourth grade), or his fifth grade friends (peer pressure stinks, no?).  He Solomonically opted to do recess with the first crowd, and lunch with the latter.

A kinder, gentler, more capitalist Daniel Ortega running for re-election

I enjoyed my trip to Nicaragua.  Not what I expected.  Very calm, orderly, pretty.  Said to be the safest country in Central America.  Daniel Ortega (remember the Sandinistas??) is in power, again, and soon to be up for re-election.  Polls show him in a decided lead.  This time ‘round, he’s a capitalist.  Guess since the revolution he has invested in several businesses (including much of the local media), and now has a healthy respect for making money.

The shuttle back from Managua.

Just gonna throw it out there—with all of the joggers and bikers on the roads everyday, I (Glenn) have found myself pondering another “Tri” for next year.  There is one that looks like a hoot a few hours from here on the ocean (“in” the ocean for the swim portion of the race).  March 17 if anyone wants to sign up with me.  Just throwin’ it out there . . . .      http://rev3tri.com/costa-rica/costa-rica-sign-up/registration/

We get Dayna back in about 61/2 hours, and can hardly wait. 

Let us hear from you.  Remember, you can reach us via a local call to our J’ville number:  217-245-9597.

Pura Vida!

The Karlinseys

CAMPING

August 14, 2011

It finally happened.  After nearly twenty-three years of marriage, four kids, and eighteen domiciles that we have called “home” it’s never been a problem.  But on the nineteenth, there was a clear competition over the bedrooms.  Will protect the guilty and not mention names, but the irony is that the room that was the coveted, and the one that was scorned, were in opposite esteem just five weeks ago.  Oh well.  Truth be known, it is the difference between a Bentley and a Benz (size, views, quality, each has walk-in closet, each has great views)—a point which has been emphasized, but only partially accepted so far.

Entry to the Apartment--which will be through the elevator door at the end of the hall

Yesterday we “moved in” to our apartment after six weeks of hotel living.  We have all new appliances that we bought last week, so we can cook, clean dishes, wash clothes, all from the comfort of our own home.  What we don’t have, however, is anything to sit on.  Literally.  The floor is our throne.  Last night we slept on blow-up air mattresses; two queens and a double—which means that Dalton and Braden had to share.  Don’t yet know how that worked out for them, but if it was at all like Dayna’s and my experience, they gradually lost about half of their air overnight.

Did we mention we like the views?

As comfortable as that wasn’t, the inconvenience of no furniture in the house was eclipsed by the awe of waking up to the sunrise over the Central Valley as it is called here in San Jose.  Personally, I love it.  We have wonderful views in any room with windows.  From the front of the house, it is mountains, valley, our suburb of Escazu, and the city of San Jose.  From the back windows of the house, it is Costa Rican countryside—literally.  There is a lot on a hill behind us where a few minutes ago I watched the chickens roaming the field looking for breakfast.

Sunrise this morning from our Master Bedroom

On Wednesday or Thursday, we will be getting a bit of rental furniture, thank you Cargill, until ours arrives.  (Since Dayna has not yet packed it out, getting our own in house could still be a couple of months away).  Gotta love camping!

View from our breakfast area--back of the house

Tomorrow, Monday, is Mother’s Day here in Costa Rica.  To their credit, it is a national holiday—i.e., the kind where people don’t go to work.  There will likely still be some stores open, and we will likely go look for area rugs.

Last Friday the kids had new student orientation, and school starts this Tuesday (the 16^th).  We have sensed a little nervousness, but nothing too onerous.  They will be in uniforms, and all three campuses (high school—Dalton; middle school—Brynne; and elementary school—Braden) are all within a stone’s throw of each other.  With the high mix of nationalities in the school, we expect a United Nations experience for them.  We are also assuming, from admissions testing and standards that have already taken place, that Country Day may require more study at home that our kids have been accustomed to.

To their credit, all three of the kids have “exceeded expectations” (can I use performance review lexicon?) this summer.  Rarely a complaint has passed their lips about the move.  They have dived in heads first with Spanish, and with Church, and even tennis.  We fully expect they will take on their new school with the same approach, and do just fine.

I will be going to Nicaragua on Wednesday and Thursday.  This will be a first for me.  I have been told multiple times that Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America.  I am looking forward to the visit.

For the record, we now have Vonage set up as well.  So if you want to call us, just use our Jacksonville number (217-245-9597), it has followed us here.

We hope all is well for you, and hope to hear from you soon.

Pura Vida!

The Karlinseys

July 31, 2011

View of the Orosi Valley, as seen from our breakfast table

Outside of the Orosi Valley

This week we finally got a car.  Yippee!  Our Pilot finally arrived, six weeks after we ordered it.  We have had one before, but this one is better.  They've made some improvements since '02 when we bought our last one.  We were supposed to have a second car as well--but, after the saleswoman promised we could have it last Tuesday, and we transferred the money to the dealership, she told us that we couldn't have the car until August 18.  To ease our pain, she offered an Accord to use until then, at no cost.  On Friday when we got the Pilot, we also picked up the Accord, and we came to understand why it was no charge.  "Goldie" is an '02 model herself, with 190,000 km on her.  No need to document all the dings and damage, would take too much paper, and the Costa Ricans are eco-conscious if they are anything.  Dayna was already in a state of self-consciousness over a haircut that she got on Thursday, and loathes (the stylist took "a little shorter" to an extreme), and now the car to go with the cut.  She may not go out in the daylight.

Braden and Bynne in front of our chapel this morning

Pigs at the organic farm

Speaking of short haircuts, Glenn got one too.  His short cut started with a short stylist.  She seemed to be somewhere between 4' 8" and 4' 10".  Not a good sign from the start when he had to make unnatural contortions so that she could get at his head from different angles.  But he knew he was in trouble when she went into a deathgrip biting of her lower lip (constant), and then started breathing really heavily.  Tried to talk to her and get her to loosen up a bit (self-interest), but to no avail.  The good news:  he won't need another haircut until Thanksgiving.

Monday was a holiday here, and we decided we really needed to get out of our little apartment (the hotel one), and away for the morning.  We scoured the internet, and headed for Orosi Valley--approximately an hour a way.  The criteria we wanted was a good, typical breakfast, with a view.  We weren't disappointed on either account.  And, the restaurant/hotel had an "organic farm" to boot.  Had fun talking with the gardner, and looking at the livestock.  The kids also found a playground, and things literally "took off" after they got Glenn to pump the handle that made the swing go-round.  (We have tried to put in a video clip, but not sure it is working).  After breakfast we headed down the valley, into the town, and then countryside.  Beautiful scenery, farms (coffee, mainly), and tranquility.  Saw a lot of bikers, and put this on our list of places to go back to with bikes.

Some men on horses--just a few blocks from our hotel

We continue to be glad we brought the family down before school started.  Dayna and the kids continue to study Spanish everyday at Berlitz, and the kids have been fairly involved with the youth group at church, giving them a natural way to begin to adapt to the culture.  

We are very anxious to get into our new apartment--which was supposed to take place tomorrow.  However, the land-lady called the other day to say that there were problems from the previous renters that needed to be fixed (floors), and could we wait until the 12th.  Bummer.  Even so, we are going to the complex often to use the pool and the gym.

Brynne, Dalton, and Glenn went on a youth trip to the San Jose temple on Friday night.  It is much smaller than the temples in St. Louis and Nauvoo, but beautiful.  It shares a parking lot with a smallish chapel.

School starts in two weeks (just like back home).  The kids are getting tested for entrance on Tuesday.  They are excited (for school to begin, not for the testing).  

Please drop us a line when you get a chance.  We love hearing from you.

Pura Vida!

The Karlinseys

July 22, 2011

Kind of an almost normal week.  Kids went to the orthodontist--looks like Brynne will get braces soon, and Dalton still keeps his (will this ever end)?  Thank heavens for insurance.  It's a long weekend--tomorrow celebrates when Guanacaste, the big province on the coast (where much of the tourism is) was annexed from Nicaragua.  Guanacaste was where we had the Bunnell Family Reunion earlier this month, and where these first two video clips are from (first is Braden repelling in a gorge, the second is Brynne on a surfboard on the Pacific; Brynne made some of the 40+ crowd envious with her natural comfort on a surfboard--during our first lesson when we were trying to just stand up for more than a few seconds, she was bouncing up and finding time to adjust her swim suit for modesty without ever missing a beat on the wave).

Thought we would have the car by now, but, still going through the licensing process.  We have paid for the second one now as well, so have the hope that, after not having cars of our own now for nearly two months, we will again have two by the end of the week.

Dayna and the kids are at Berlitz every afternoon (M-F) and are all progressing.  Braden now answers the phone in Spanish.  We get as far as "Hola.  Como esta?"  Dalton keeps getting asked to give prayers in church, and has actually done very well at holding his own with his youth group.  Brynne, a little shy about speaking, is also getting a lot of vocab down.

Youth group ("Mutual") has also been a great inroad for the kids culturally.  We appreciate this, but, it is an adjustment in some ways for mom and dad too.  For example, we thought twice as we saw Brynne drive off in a little "micro bus" about the size of a volkswagen jetta on Wednesday night, with about eight people crammed in it, to drive off for a young women's activity.

Dayna's cell phone disappeared.  And then the hotel phone quit working.  Pain in the neck.  But someone told us today how to go by a SIM card for a few dollars--think we're going to invest in one or two, and slip them into our U.S. phones that are sitting unused in a drawer.

Introduction

When we first saw it, we assumed that the ubiquitous “Pura Vida” in Costa Rica must be the center of a national publicity campaign (kind of like the insidious “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”). We were wrong, as it turns out. “Pura Vida” (roughly meaning “life to its fullest”) is a long-standing part of the cultural mantra here, and frankly, does a pretty good job at giving a snap shot into the Costa Rican psyche. Besides ads for tourism, Pura Vida is an often heard response for “how’s it going”.

Tamarindo Beach at Sunset

Well, we like both the mantra, and the message. So as we launch our maiden voyage into the blogosphere, we have dubbed our blog “Pura Vida Karlinseys” and sincerely hope that our time in Costa Rica will be “Pura Vida.”

We admit, up front, that we are pathetic correspondents, which is ironic given our desire to stay in touch with friends and family. So, in an effort to touch base more regularly, and to document our adventure, we’re going to attempt a blog.

Dalton on the Canopy Zip Line

Today officially marks the end of our third week in Costa Rica. As big moves tend to be, it has been go-go-go-go-go for the past several weeks. As Dayna pointed out recently, most of the time, one makes major decisions at a measured pace, with information gathered over time. So it is not for the faint-at-heart to be simultaneously deciding on housing, schools, cars, doctors, language teachers, music teachers, coaches, major appliances, telephones, temporary furniture, opening banking accounts, obtaining residence visas, etc., all while trying to get the kids off to a good start in making friends, and laying the foundation for a positive experience. Oh, and Glenn has a job, too. One which he is loving, but, is extremely busy, and probably will be for a while.

But, no complaints. Really no attitude problems from anyone so far (we’ve had a few “deer-in-the-headlight” moments with Spanish, but other than that, we’re good).

Cousins

So, enough intro. Here’s what’s new:

Our place is top left of the right tower

Housing. After looking at probably 30 houses, and never finding one that had the size and amenities we need, we scrapped the house hunt, and decided on an apartment. We are going to be on the 10th floor of a tower fairly high up a hill on the south side of the central valley that is metropolitan San Jose. The altimeter on the rental car we have puts the place right at 1100 meters (3,500 feet?) elevation. Our new home is similar in size to our home in Jacksonville, but distributed differently, and one its best aspects is the two story windows in the living room that over-look the valley, and the fact that there are great views from every room.

View from our Living Room Window

It has an Olympic length pool, tennis court, weight room, gardens, etc.—which we have to share, of course—but, which someone else will take care of (woo-hoo!). We move in on August 01, and are in an “aparthotel” in the meantime. That means a we’re in a long-term hotel of sorts.

At the top of Poas Volcano

Cars. Not an easy thing getting cars here. Besides the fact that they are some 70% more expensive than home, they’re not just sitting on a lot to drive off in, either. We ordered a Honda Pilot about a month ago, and just got word that it is now at the port. We hope to have it by the end of the week. We are still trying to decide what we want for a second car, but hope to resolve that this week as well. In the meantime, the company has assigned a car and driver to Glenn; Dayna has gone beyond the driver, and is getting herself around town with a rental car, and a GPS. The latter is Heaven-sent, since the Costa Ricans don’t really use addresses the way most countries do (the addresses are “relative”—literally—for example, a store, instead of being #45 Main Street, will be “3 blocks south of the Marriott Hotel. So, one learns to program places found into the “favorites” section of the GPS.

Dayna in front of the "Friendship Bridge"
donated to Costa Rica by Taiwan.

Work. Great, and busy. The combination of a new business unit, greatly increased responsibilities, and the integration of an acquisition mean long hours and pretty intense focus. While they are all smaller, Glenn has responsibility for 15 plants instead of one, with three distinct product lines. His main focus for the next few months will be the operations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua; but, eventually he will also spend more time overseeing the operations in Honduras and Guatemala as well. He really likes the team he is with, and is really enjoying it.

Glenn rock climbing

Family Reunion. A long time ago, Dayna’s family started planning a 50th anniversary celebration for her parents. Much to our benefit, they made the venue the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. None of us expected that my official start date would be delayed as much as it was, so as it turned out, it was the same day as the family arrived in Costa Rica. Glenn ended up taking off a few days (flew back for meetings, and spent time most days on the computer), but was able to pull of time with the family in what was a great time. As it turns out, it was also great time for the Karlinseys to explore their new host country—surfing, zip lining, river rafting (tubing), horse-back riding. Pura Vida, man, Pura Vida.

Dalton enjoying the rapids

Keaton. Came down a day early, and drove with us from San Jose to meet the Bunnell clan on the coast (this particular spot was 4+ hours away). He then returned with us, and just headed back to BYU a few days ago. Was a lot of fun to have him with us, but we were not able to coax him to give up his job and his life in Provo to stay with us. C’est la vie.

Church. We are blessed to belong to a very friendly congregation that has reached out to us a lot. Admittedly, this has made the transition much easier. It is fun to have “local contact” for Dayna and the kids (Glenn gets a lot at work, but, they may not otherwise). There are also a number of expats in there as well who have been a great help in getting a “lay of the land” and getting settled.