Thursday, December 4, 2008

Playa Buena Vista Photo Gallery #1

So folks this is where I live, love, breathe, eat and sometimes sleep when I've had too much to drink.

Gerardo the artist painting the Pirate is no longer with us. He died this past year in a fatal car accident. Take a moment to notice he was really alive in this photo and doing something he loved. And according to sources his one true love was surfing.

Pura Vida!

















Friday, November 28, 2008

Another Day in Paradise... or is it? LOL

Life here sometimes seems so relaxing and enjoyable. But we've all got to work. With out having something to do it is easy to come down here and burn yourself away in a pile of drunken nothingness. The important thing is to be around people you care about and who care about you. Next is FIND SOMETHING TO DO.

I had a delay on my pilots license. Luckily I rented the Wunderbar so Gesine had a source of income. It is our only source of income at the moment and I am thankful for that. We've done some painting ourselves, had some local Ticos build us 12 chairs, 6 tables and 6 stools. We bought all new glasses and stocked the bar. It hasn't all been easy.

When someone expects to be doing there own thing it can cause tension in a new relationship. Now all of a sudden there is an identity struggle. Me with no airtime, her now with a boss. Not exactly what either of us signed up for. But even with the bumps I still have to say I love it here and still love Gesine.

Hardly ever do I or my friends know what day it is. Everyday is Saturday for all I know. There are no more cars, no more traffic, no more grey skies, no more McDonald's, no more hot water, no more oven, no more microwave, no more TV, but somehow it is better than any place I've lived or traveled for what it is I was looking for.

It's being a part of a community of travelers and explores that have all decided this was home. The way I have. It's a simpler way of life. A life where Gyms really aren't necessary... don't worry exercise will come to you. Whether it be helping the fellow villagers move a fallen tree from a road, pushing a flooded car out of a river, or even swimming across a swiftly moving river infested with Crocodiles to buy your weed.

The nature here is enormous... everything from the Ocean to the sky down to birds and the bees seem to be more or bigger than I ever knew before. I saw a cockroach the size of a bar of hand soap. Wow! Are you kidding me! That's cool. Some days I lay in the hammock, smoke a joint and watch ants move these massive insects to God knows where. Every morning in our house the ants come in by the thousands cleaning up all the insects that died in the night. It usually takes about half an our and the ants are gone. To some of you this might seem terrifying but the ants done attack you they just go around or over your feet if need be. No problem. Pura Vida.

I have found my place for the moment and I am thankful "I took the Road less traveled"

It was nice to write again. Hope you enjoy.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

George at Conrad's Pizza Place, El Castilo.

How things just happen with creative people at the castle.

Don Klaus at the Wunderbar, El Castillo

Don Klaus at the Wunderbar enjoying a fine afternoon, El Castillo, Playa Buena Vista, Guanacaste Costa Rica.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Don Klaus (the Musician) from the El Castillo

Don Klaus graced us with a song one night at the Wunderbar. Here is the result.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Bike and Beaches... a day in Cost Rica, Guanacaste

A day in the life of Costa Rica living. Pura Vida. Gesine and I rode our bikes from one beach to the next. It was a wonderful day of exploring the beauty of Costa Rican beaches. Enjoy.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Chris and Gesine's new house (updated video)

My last video didn't fully upload. So here is a little preview of where we live. Come visit the land of Pura Vida.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Gesine and Chris's new house.

Comes with a view of the Ocean and total privacy. Enjoy. 500 dollars a month. Not bad.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Back in Costa Rica.

Ahh it is good to be home. Now if I can just find a place to live. I filmed some great video yesterday and hope to post it later. Hope all of you are well.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Welcome to New Orleans... pretty German girl.



So I brought Gesine to the French Quarter. We took a carriage ride, ate beignets, sampled Gumbo, Crawfish Etouffe, Red Beans and Rice, and Jambalaya. It was a beautiful day of many smiles and relaxation. At one point the waitress commented "Fresh love! It's so beautiful." Is it that obvious? It must be because we can't seem to stop smiling.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

I have woman! I am officially off the market!

Gesine has arrived. I am so happy. She ran into my arms when she saw me. Damn she smells good.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

AnnaMae makes me happy!

My friends Matt and Karin's daughter makes me feel so happy. I miss my friends.. but I also terribly miss being a part of their daughter's life. I am so happy for digital video. I give thanks that Matt and Karin document so much for us all to see. Any time I feel down I watch AnnMae discover the world with fresh eyes. Reminds me that the world isn't harsh... it's beautiful. Us adults screw it up. The joy of a human discovering how paper crumples is such a beautiful thing. I can live so far away and still watch her grow... damn that makes me happy to be on this planet today. So don't you think she is a doll. Just look at her smile... damn she is adorable. Nice pig tales too might I add! Although we might have to curb that shoe habit... like mother like daughter. OH WELL!

Cross Country flight from Alexandria, LA to New Orleans, LA



So yesterady I flew from my dad's house to my mother's house. Almost 200 miles. It was my most challenging flight to date. I left Alexandria at 7 am and flew for 4.9 hours with 4 stops at various airports.



I landed in New Orleans around 2pm. At one point I realized my fuel consumption was higher than expected so I put her down on a farm to refuel.



Around noon the air got hot. When the air gets hot thermals create quite a lot of turbulence. To add to my challenges I encounter quite a bit of prop wash while flying under Class B airspace in Baton Rouge. Class B airspce is reserved for Commercial aircraft. Nothing like getting whipped around from turbulence created by a commercial jet. It's kind of like flying a kite in a hurricane. Curious how comfortable I am becoming as a pilot. I never got scared... but hooted and hollered a lot like a Cowboy on a bucking bull. Lots of woohoos to say the least. My arms became increasingly tired fighting the controls to stay on track. Quite the work out. Like being in the Gym for several hours. Getting close to New Orleans I flew over the mighty Mississippi river.



As a kid I was alwasy scared of the river because if you fall in chances are you will meet your maker. So it was quite cool to be flying over it in a kite with a lawn mover motor. I buzzed huge tankers coasting down the river. I flew over giant bridges that seem mammoth from the ground.



Finally on arrival to my destination I was tired. The airport came into view. Crap! the runway looks similar to the tiny tree lined runway at the Flying Crocodile hotel. This was gonna be a challenging landing from rotors swirling off the trees and I was worn out. So I turned final.. I could see my mom at the end of the runway. Was she gonna see my drop this trike in a sloppy set down? Surprisingly my skills are getting quite good. I set her down gently despite rising and dropping in the wind. Ahhhh I made it. It was a good accomplishment for my ego. I think my smile says it all. That is not the peace sign I am flashing... it is "V" for VICTORY! And you can see I am quite tired.