Part 1, the end of Los Barriles

The last couple of weeks have been busy, hard to imagine when one is unemployed and seemingly nothing to do. But it is true.

It began with getting ready for a Roatry Christmas Party. No, I have not joined any sort of organization or made a move to Los Barriles (LB). But I was luckily invited to attend the annual Christmas party complete with pig roast and traditional affair.

The couple hosting the party, Betsy and her husband Greg, are ironically enough from Bainbridge Island. They sailed their large sailboat down with the thought of going down to South America, however when Betsy saw this house in LB she decided she needed to buy it and so they have stayed. I´ve heard rumors that the square footage is from 5000-6000 - you could fit 7 of my tiny houses in there! And, it has three kitchens. It really is a grand affair, from the dramatic staircase to the 1910 grand piano in one of the foyers. Eventually Betsy plans on renting it out so if any of you have lots of cash, and a need for a place with three kitchens, a pool, and more - give her a call.

So being the entertainer (Martha has competition) Betsy went to a lot of work preparing for the fiesta, from grand pointsettas lining the staircases to agave trees decorated as christmas trees to enough tables to sit 46 people and of course a hired piano player to entertain the guests...but more on him later.

I, along with 5 others spent the day helping Betsy in preparation, from making homemade eggnog, to setting all the services up (wines, coffes, desserts, app´s) for the girls to serve when the guests began arriving. It was great to be able to whip up a little eggnog in this grand ol place. The food was all being catered by a local chef, with a infamous pig roast and traditonal mexican affair. Thankfully we didn´t have to be cooking...how could I watch the entertainment afterall?

So, after arriving later in the evening dolled up (well as dolled up as me the wandering hippie traveller could get) I finally got to meet Nikolas, the piano player. Likened to the Liberachi of the past, he does have some dramatics to him. As I walked in the door, I heard some very loud pounding on the piano keys, all sounding well for whatever song he was playing, and when I rounded the corner, I saw him. Nikolas. Complete in his black platform shoes with three inch heels, black tuxedo pants and white ruffled shirt from 1976, I´m sure of it. And then I saw his face when he turned to the crowd, his neck was tilted like he had strained it or had had a stroke-possibly it was part of his show as I heard later he was all straigtened out when dancing. His face was painted deathly white, his lips red, eyebrows painted dark brown and fake eyelashes to make a complete picture. I was memorized. And, as all of you that know me well, my mouth was going the entire time. I questioned at one point how old people thought he was, Andy, leaned over to me and said, ¨about 325 years old¨. Where is the garlic necklace when you need it? Ayya-ya-ya.

But the party was entertaing and lots of great people were to be met, from the woman who brought her own bottle of vodka to the party (because wine made her pass out) ' Deborah is that you' - to the mayor of LB - to the woman who started planned parenthood - and most importantly the various Mexicans and Gringos that help make a difference in this community. And the food was yummy!

After such entertainment, I headed down for a bit of reprieve outside of San Jose. A friend of a friend lives down off the rural coastal road in a bit of an oasis. His home is run on water trucks, and solar panel, so conservation is very important. But it is a great home sitting high on 5 acres with sweeping views of the ocean. And even though not many neighbors are around, you meet everyone there is to meet.

And then back home, to start my farewells. We had a dinner out Saturday night, and then yes, it is true, a girlñs spa night on Sunday complete with pedicures and yummy food oh and margaritas of course.

It is sad to leave such a glorious small town. I became part of the community in a short time, knowing about half of the town. I could ride my bike down the street and hear hola being shouted out to me or various people waving as I went past. It helps when you have a dog I suppose, but also knowing Theresa opened my social circle to quite a few! I will miss Theresa and Helen (her mom) the most. They opened their homes and their hearts to me and I appreciate that in my first stop along this adventure. I will miss Helens´request for her vodka and tonic while sitting in the hot tub (hopefully I can be like her when I´m 80) and Theresa´s endless guidance on the language and all else.

And then the rest of the girls, along with the boys too. I meet such great people and for all of you, I will take a piece of you with me!

But now I´ve moved on...as must always happen...stay tuned for Part dos.