Merry Christmas to all and the most brilliant New Year to come!

Feliz Navidad!

Christmas is just around the corner. WOW! We have officially been in Costa Rica for 9 months now, time does fly!

Our sleepy little town is starting to get busy. I have been warned that there will be absolutely no way to drive anywhere from the days before Christmas to after New Year's. Thank goodness we have shoes that are made for walking. I have heard many stories about how it is here during the Holidays, and now we get to experience it first hand. No worries, Pura Vida.

Costa Ricans get an extra pay check in December and the people from San Jose and Central Valley plan their Holiday trips and come to the beach towns. This should all be very interesting!

As far as our plans, well, we are in decompression mode. No Black Friday shopping, no running around buying unnecessary gifts to fill up the space under the Christmas Tree. I did find a small tree, it is about 1.5 feet tall, for $1.00. I brought it home, and the girls decorated it. Spectacular!  They spent about 2 hours or more making popcorn strings and homemade ornaments. So far, that has been the most heartfelt moment watching them create, and enjoying the moment.

We will be celebrating Christmas in July at the cabin in Minnesota. I am so looking forward to that. Making an incredible meal on the grill with all the fixings, family and friends showing up to take a swim, enjoy company, and just being together. So, it is a win win!

2014 was an incredible year for us. So many changes, so many things to let go of that did not serve us. It seemed everything was falling apart, but actually it was coming together. We learned about faith, trust, and true love. Once you take that first step into the unknown, your whole world changes. I am grateful for the lessons learned, the love and friendships that have shown themselves, the moments where there seemed to be absolutely no light or hope. Those are the moments you have to dig deep and know absolutely who you are and where you would like to go. No matter how tough a situation seems to be, there is always something right next to it, a solution, a thought, a kind word, answers.

I am so looking forward to 2015!!! A fresh new start in a country we have fallen in love with. I can say that with certainty from the discussions we have had as a family. Our main goal is to start working on our Cedula so we can obtain residency. Life becomes a bit more simple once the process starts. No more every 90 days you have to leave. It will be great to have the opportunity to chose when we would like to take a mini vacation.

So, saying all of this, we are ready and relaxed. Finally letting ourselves just BE.

Merry Christmas to each and everyone one of you! May all your hopes, dreams and wishes come true for you as 2014 comes to a close and a bright, wonderful new chapter begins in 2015! Expect MIRACLES!

I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!

Please click on the link above!

Pura Vida and so much love! Thanks for sharing our journey with us! We are truly in a state of gratitude!

Finally...our trip to Granada Nicaragua

Buenos Dias!

It has taken me awhile to get this all together for a little insight on our trip to Granada Nicaragua. It was an amazing time and an absolutely beautiful country with so much history. Our guide told us that the men are finally returning after the conflict (war) the country had. The Iran/Contra mess that happened....remember? Well, the country is working on coming back around and living in peace. A ways to go as of yet, but forward movement none the less.

Interesting traveling to another country. I remember in school how we were taught that Nicaragua was such a horrible place with not nice people. The things that we were taught! It was amazing to say the least to be in this environment, even just for 3 short days. The Nico's and Nica's are very proud of their country. The most common question that was asked, "how do you like my country?" Well, the answer is, we fell in love with it.

So far, the lesson we have learned is to be VERY non judgmental about ANYTHING! All the research we did for over a year on the internet to come to Central America.....I am finding out....a lot of crap out there! LOL! Some things are as they are, but most, not so much. And I do not mean that in a negative way! The learning curve has been steep, but worth every second of it, and I would not change it, I am sure my family would agree.

So here are some pictures of our trip to Granada Nicaragua. A special shout out to Avispa's Adventures. Thank you for making it such a memorable experience and guiding us along the way! Much love to you guys! I will also include the link if you are looking for an unforgettable tour anywhere in the region!

Avispa's Adventures

Crossing the border from Costa Rica to Nicaragua

A church in Granada

The Central Church in Granada. 

Another church

The BEST DAMN cup of coffee I ever had! 

Night life in Granada

Ok...the girls are done for the evening

Muy Bonita! 

A park in the center of Granada

Ran across this pic...we must have been goofing off!

The boat is ready for our tour of Lake Nicaragua

One of the many islands on the Lake

Monkey Island

Lake Nicaragua from the village of Rivas right across the border. Two volcanoes in the distance.

The girls sharing a soda

Yes...this is ONE order of food. YUM!!!

Kurt found his home......LOL!



Adios and so much love! More to come! 

Name change and a few other things! Formerly "Minnesota to Costa Rica"

Buenos Diaz!

I changed the title of our blog from Minnesota to Costa Rica to 10 Degrees North. A bit catchy, don't you think? Officially 6 months of living Pura Vida! A mile stone to say the least. The past is the past, and living in the NOW. Such a relief in so many ways.

Wonderful experience occurring every day. We are so blessed. The phrase, "If you do not like where you are, move, you are not a tree" comes to mind. The process of uprooting, letting go of everything that did not serve us, and settling in, what a ride it has been! There have been moments of rough spots, don't get me wrong, but living here gives you a moment to find a solution. And there is ALWAYS a solution.

Finding community, one thing that myself personally was searching for. Wonderful, beautiful people have shown up with open arms. Relationships are being built. Healthy, honest, heartfelt relationships. Everyone has their story, so interesting, for whatever reason they have shown up here. Blessings to each and everyone of them! I am looking forward to the future for all of us.

I guess it was my turn to go to the doctor. Ear infection in BOTH ears. It has lasted 3 weeks. The pain is gone now, and my ruptured ear drums are healing. They still have the feeling of being plugged a bit. I did grab ear plugs at the pharmacy so I can enjoy swimming. Missing that a lot!

Rainy Season is full on! It arrived a few months late, due to El Nino. When it rains, it is a downpour. There could be 6 to 12 inches on the ground in a matter of minutes and usually last about a half hour. It is so green an lush here now. Such a difference from when we arrived. And much cooler.

And the mold monster has appeared. Going to the store today to get charcoal to put in all the nooks and crannies. Windows are wide open, fans on full blast. We left the bitter cold and snow in Minnesota for a tropical climate. Changes need to be made, and procedures need to be adjusted. This too shall pass. A learning experience for sure!

The girls received their first report cards! I am so dang proud of them! Taking them from everything they knew and moving them to a foreign country, with a new language. They are resilient and flourishing. Both of them have straight A's and there teachers gave them very good comments.

Samantha is now officially certified for Open Water! Again, so proud of her! She is soon to be working on her Advance Diving, Rescue Diving Specialty, and then when she is 18 she can become a Master Diver.

Last weekend we went to Granada Nicaragua for 3 days with Avispas Adventures. Amazing time, for sure. Getting pics ready for that Blog. More to come!

Thanks for taking the time and sharing our adventure! Pura Vida and much love to all!

Sam's first Certified Open Water Dive with Rich Coast Diving

Hannah goofing off in the pool

Yes...another post...getting caught up!

Hello again!

I think a bit of depression sunk in for a few weeks after we returned from the States in July. It happens when you live in another country. What did we come here for? Who or what can we be in service to? Lots of questions, and a bit of time to figure it out.

The girls started school again at the end of July and have been going full blast ever since. Immersed in the language and the culture, they are learning something everyday. Some days are better than others, getting lost in the language, but moving forward none the less.

Sam went on her first field trip to the big City of San Jose with her 9th grade class. She was a bit nervous about it since it is over 4 hours away, and her Spanish is a bit broken yet. Her teacher called me and reassured us she would be just fine. They went to a huge Catholic Church, and also a Mosque. And of course the big mall in the city. Sam appeased herself with a strawberry shake from Carl Jr's. LOL!

Been getting out and about, and have met some more wonderful people. We are now working with Patas y Manos (paws and hands) a non profit organization that helps animals and humans. Yesterday, we had a bake sale, and it was very successful. Also, we are walking fostered dogs 3 times a week so far. They are so very grateful and loving.....excited when we show up, and even more excited when we take them to the beach! Some of the dogs have been abandoned, very common here, others have been abused. One of the older dogs we walk (LOVE HER SO MUCH!) had her hip broken by someone kicking her, and also took a machete to her head. She is partially blind, and a bit of a limp, her bark is fading, but her soul SHINES! What an amazing beast.......it is all about gaining trust, with animals and humans alike. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Actions speak much louder than words.

Hannah is totally in love with the animal rescue also. She takes time and speaks to everyone of the dogs, and they sit quietly until she is done with her conversation. I have not gotten close enough to her to hear what she is saying, but I have the feeling she is being a Mom, and giving them each a good talk! LOL! Her compassion is amazing.

Sam is working very hard on her diving. She has done 4 dives in open water and has gone down 60 feet! Holy Cow! I love when she comes home from dive class at Rich Coast Diving and tells me her stories of what she has seen and experienced. Next weekend will be her big written test....and then she will be certified for Open Water!!! So proud of her! We may need to give her one whole weekend of sleep and food....and nothing else. LOL! That will be her reward for all her hard work. Her dive specialty of choice will be Rescue Diving, and Shark Specialties.

Some very good people have shown up in our lives. Taking us to the best markets, and showing us around outside of our little town of Coco. It has been a great adventure, getting to know the local people, and how REAL commerce works. The exchange of energy and money have been amazing. It is affordable here, you just need to know where and when to go.

No pics this time around.....just a short chat and getting caught up. Labor Day.....maybe I will go fishing for a bit!

Pura Vida!

Happy Labor Day 2014!

Buenos Diaz!

Happy Labor Day Weekend to everyone in the States! I hope you are having fun in the sun, eating good food, and enjoying every moment with family and friends!

It has been a bit since I blogged last, settling in after our trip to the States in July, girls are back at school, and life continues. I wanted to share a very special trip we took at the beginning of August. It was amazing, heartbreaking, and a definite "please put on your bucket list" sort of trip.

The road leading to Ostinal Beach Costa Rica

We went to Ostinal Beach Costa Rica to see the Oliver Ridley Turtles come in to nest. This is what is called an arribadas. It lasts about 3 to 4 days as the turtles come on to the beach to lay their eggs. It took about 2.5 hours to get there from Coco Beach, south. 

The locals sorting turtle eggs

After they are sorted and counted, the eggs are taken to the ocean and washed. This stops the growing of the embryo.

The beach, it look a bit like a killing ground.

The turtles arriving at sunset.

Oliver Ridley Turtle laying eggs.

More girls coming onto the beach.

Looking for the perfect nesting spot.

Sam was none too happy about this situation.

Hannah, walking one of many tired turtles back to the sea.

We arrived before sunset and the turtles were already coming in. Not what I (we) expected. There were so many people on the beach counting turtle eggs, putting them in bags, and then washing them in the ocean. My first thought was to scream STOP!!! What is going on here?

Thank goodness for our guide. She is amazing and very knowledgeable. Amy (our guides name). Turtle eggs are a delicacy for Costa Ricans. They are allowed the first day of nesting to gather eggs and a limited amount. There are government officials everywhere watching and counting. We were told, the first laying of the eggs will not survive, since other turtles will come and dig a nest on top of another nest. And once those eggs touch, they will die. Ok, this is making a bit more sense???

ADIO is the organization that allows Costa Ricans to pick the first eggs that are laid. The money in turn is used to help the turtles. The survival rate of baby turtles has gone from 2% to 9% in the last 10 years. I will take that as an improvement!

There are guards that walk the beach at night, and during the hatching, local women come out and scare away the dogs, vultures, and I am sure humans so the babies can return to the sea.

Another huge adventure and lesson of the culture we have chosen to be in! This is one for sure to put on your bucket list...every range of emotion will be felt. And to see Mother Nature at her best!

Pura Vida!

 http://www.ticotimes.net/2014/08/23/costa-ricas-playa-ostional-a-community-that-lives-for-sea-turtles Please follow this link for the full article!

Another Day in Paradise

Another day in Paradise!

I was walking the girls back an forth today to Marine Biology and Dive Class. On one of our trips back home, I saw this beautiful Tico women, whom I have seen many times with her 3 wheeled bicycle, her bags, and her perfectly pressed frilly apron.  She never shows up with out her perfect apron.

She digs in the garbage cans and dumpsters for aluminum to trade in.

Going back a bit, I have seen her at least 2x's a week since we moved here. I did some research, and found out her story. She has a few children and used to drink heavily. That is not the case now.  She collects cans, ect to support her family now.  Everyday. That is not a lot of money.

I saw her again today on our little road on one of our trips back. I had ONE Colones (equal to $2.00) left after paying for class.  That is it.  I approached her and handed it to her.

She threw up her arms, and in Spanish probably said praise the Lord, God is good!!! Working on that bit.  We looked at each other for a moment, and we grabbed each other and hugged, I mean REALLY hugged. She also gave me a kiss. I stood back with tears in my eyes.  No words, just love.

My plan is now to gather some of the coins we get in change, and when I see her, give them too her. Probably feels like winning the lottery. I just wish so I was in the position to do more. I am working on that.

Lots of words were exchanged in that moment, most of them not understood on the linear level, but the most important thing that was exchanged? Compassion and love for another human being.

There is a reason we show up for each other.

When you have had nothing, you know what it is like. To be able to give something out of what seems like nothing....that is a beautiful thing. Priceless.....

Pura Vida and much love......

Back in Costa Rica

Annexation Day Parade in Costa Rica

Colorful Dancers

Sophia and Sam

I think Hannah may be hot....

Catarata Llanos de Cortes 

Catarata Llanos de Cortes

Back in the land of Pura Vida! Woo Hoo!

Safely back in Playas Del Coco as of July 18th 2014. Our plane trip back. Good Lord! We had a family of 4 sitting right behind us from Dallas to Liberia Guanacaste. Kurt was extremely exhausted, and we were all tired. He tried to sleep, but not with a 10 year old right behind him kicking the seat non stop. And behind the girls and I, well, a 2 year old that did not know how to use his inside voice. He would SCREAM at the top of his lungs at any given time. Well, of course our patience was running very thin. I must have said something a bit too loud. The father said, "well, it is an airplane ride!" Ummmm.....so that is the standard for an airplane ride? Ok then! Grateful for my girls, let me tell you. We arrived at customs at the airport, and the 2 year old took off out of the gated line and started running around and yelling. The guards at the airport were none too happy. It is a different world down here, and minding your P's and Q's are very important. I wish them the best of luck on their vacation!

Then we had to get our baggage checked. Here we go! Of course we were pulled aside once again, they grabbed two of our suitcases and started rummaging through them. The customs agent was asking how much the clothes cost, ect. Kurt was trying to explain to him. I stepped forward and kindly told the gentleman, we have 17 other bags to search to go along with the 2 he had opened. He dropped his head, sighed, and took Kurt's passport and went into the back room. He returned and told us to go and get out of there. Back to my reason of traveling light from now on! LOL! Crisis adverted!

Now we are unpacked once again and digging our feet in. It did feel like coming home, and that is something I needed to know. More information, and all is well right now.

The girls were in the Annexation of Costa Rica Parade with their school! So proud of them for supporting their adopted country! It is sure a cultural learning experience for them, and I hope they carry it with them for the rest of their lives.

OH! One more thing, Kurt and I splurged on fishing poles! You do not need a fishing license to fish of the beach, so we are in! I got up at 4:00 am Saturday morning, made coffee, and got things together. Kurt and I were off to the beach! We fished for about 2.5 hours, Kurt caught 2 Puffer Fish (second most poisonous animal on the planet, the first is the Golden Frog), at least we were not skunked! LOL! This will take some time to learn the patterns, and feeding times of the fish. Such a challenge and we are both up for it!

Sam has started her Master Dive course. Book work first, then training starts this weekend coming up with equipment. I am so very excited for her! Might as well, come on, we are in Costa Rica, and she will be able to take this anywhere in the world she chooses to go. The girls are also going out with Rich Coast Diving and their Marine Biology Class snorkeling on Saturday. I may go with them. OOOO YA! Opportunities abound, and I am so very grateful for everything that shows up and the experience we are having.

We went to the most beautiful water fall yesterday. You see the pictures above? They do not do it justice! We hiked down a very steep and rocky foot path and ended up in a piece of paradise. It was not of this world! We swam across the swimming hole and went behind the waterfall. Kurt had his Go Pro, and a young man asked him if he would record the proposal to his girlfriend! Aww...how sweet! And he did. I sat behind the waterfall for about 1/2 hour, just taking the peace and the energy in. Letting all my worries wash away with the water. Perfect.

Today it rained in Coco. Finally, 2 months into rainy season and we can count on one hand how many times it has rained. It was truly a blessing. Guanacaste is in very deep drought right now because of El Nino. Any excess rain could be sent our way. Much appreciated!

Back to our life in a little town in Costa Rica. One thing I have learned, small town is small town anywhere in the world, if you know what I mean! LOL!

Pura Vida and much love!