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Flat Tires, Handy Dandy Andy, and Farm to Table...

3/10/2016

40 Comments

 

The cost of living on a steep, rugged Costa Rican mountain, at an organic farm in the jungle of the Osa Peninsula: TWO TIRES. The experience itself: PRICELESS.

Heavy and loaded with all of our belongings, our 20-year old Toyota 4runner barely chugs along up the steep, gravel road, its bald tires spinning, slipping and second guessing themselves with every slow inch of progression.

“Umm…what happens if the car just stops driving?” I ask, as I squeeze my eyes shut, afraid to watch, silently asking for help from someone, anyone.

“You don’t want to know,” Andy replies, his voice cool and steady, as his foot stomps the gas to the floor, his fingers turning white as he grips the wheel.

Just as we think we’ve almost made it, another mountain climb looms above us. I feel light-headed and realize I’ve been holding my breath. I remind myself to breathe. We have seen some death-defying Costa Rican roads in our 8 months exploring this country, but this one takes the grand champion ribbon.

I continuously glance in the rearview mirror, trying to inspect our tires. We needed new tires before we attempted to take our car mountain climbing. Thirty tense minutes into our drive we finally arrive at the top of the mountain, stopping to take in the beautiful ocean view as the sun is setting. The treacherous climb is already worth it. In Costa Rica, as in life, the worst roads lead to the most beautiful places:
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We pull into Osa Mountain Village and the laid-back, positive energy instantly oozes into our car, flooding the tension, replacing it with peace. Exiting our car and leaving the recent stress in the past, we hear the distant whirl of a zipliner flying through the jungle, followed by a proud shriek of triumph. The rainforest around us is alive with the buzz of insects, the cries of howler monkeys and the calls of the macaws that inhabit the area. Our new home is a jungle paradise, surrounded by wildlife. Humans are the minority.

We unpack, settle in and begin to explore.

Our villa:
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Our jungle view:
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The pool gathering area, right behind our villa:
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Fruit Tree Hill, where we can pick fresh fruit anytime:
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Our fruit loot after our first hike up Fruit Tree Hill:
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The expansive, diverse, overflowing vegetable garden:
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Multiple majestic waterfalls are within hiking distance of the village:
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Everything about this place is special, but I appreciate most the bi-weekly veggie drops. We place our empty basket out on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, and the next morning our basket is overflowing with a variety of fresh, colorful vegetables, greens, herbs and eggs.
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My love for cooking has been dramatically reawakened in our short time here. Nothing is more inspiring than being handed an armload of delicious, bright vegetables and fruits, for FREE. My head spins with ideas, images of possible masterpieces dance across my kitchen. Cooking colorfully is a work of art and I am a non-starving artist.

Our new favorite meal is a freshly picked garden salad with homemade citrus dressing, using only organic ingredients grown here at Osa Mountain Village. Now that is ‘Farm to Table’:

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Life is all about peaks and valleys, ebb and flow, the good with the bad and the high with the low. After the natural, overwhelming high of exploring our new piece of paradise, we notice that we have a flat tire. Andy gets out our jack, which he finds has mismatched parts and pieces that don’t fit together, but somehow still manages to change the tire. Thank God for Handy Dandy Andy.

We head down the mountain the next morning, our spare tire no longer a spare, and I jinx us by commenting that on roads like these we shouldn’t ever be driving without a spare tire. And, BOOM! Our spare tire explodes. I guess I asked for that one...

Luckily for us our new friends and neighbors, Brent & Mary, came to our rescue and picked us up. Having your spare tire explode in Costa Rica is not good. But having it explode a mile from a Firestone that just happens to be having a sale on mountain tires, is definitely not bad.

It’s been incredible exploring the grounds and getting to know our friendly, new neighbors. Osa Mountain Village is remote and secluded, but the people who live here have made it into a little village community. Everyone is genuinely welcoming and inviting.

Right away we are invited to potlucks, bird watching afternoons, numerous outings and sports games. For once it’s easy to remember what day of the week it is. Friday night is movie night, when everyone gathers to enjoy a movie on the big screen, while the community feline, Nacho Cat (he’s not mine either), lap-hops in search of the friendliest hands. Saturday morning is the farmer’s market and then the community softball game. Sunday is beach volleyball day. Sunday & Wednesday evenings are the nights we set out our compost to be picked up, as well as our veggie baskets to be filled. This makes Monday and Thursday mornings more exciting than Christmas morning, as we wake up to find out what the garden fairy has left for us.

Within a few days of arriving we are already discussing staying here for April as well. This is the perfect place for us to get even closer to nature, explore secret waterfalls, eat fresh and healthy food, save money on eating out, and to truly experience the real Costa Rica, for a fraction of the price we’ve been paying each month.

I can’t help but wonder…is this too good to be true?

...but then I remember the road.


40 Comments
Aunt Mary
3/10/2016 01:25:58 pm

Oooooh boy! We just had such a trip in our ATV. I too asked Bo what happens if the engine just quits. So glad you made it safely. It sounds like heaven. Enjoy!

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Kari
7/15/2016 05:20:16 pm

Thanks!!

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Aunt Linda
3/10/2016 03:29:09 pm

How lucky to have Handy Dandy Andy. We continue to be amazed by your adventures in Costa Rica. What a beautiful place.

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Kari
7/15/2016 05:20:45 pm

He sure comes in handy, and yes CR is spectacular!

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Mom
3/10/2016 05:30:48 pm

I am beginning to think that you may not want to come home! Sounds like paradise, and I am so glad you have Handy Dandy Andy to get you through the rough spots. Will miss him this spring as I dig out my garden! Love you guys!

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Kari
7/15/2016 05:21:11 pm

Love you too!!

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Aunt Nanny
3/10/2016 07:48:47 pm

I'm thinking Firestone probably always has mountain tires on sale! Tee hee!

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Kari
7/15/2016 05:21:38 pm

That is probably true!

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Wendy
3/12/2016 08:31:28 am

Literally, A Taste of Heaven! Looks and sounds wonderful...not sure I would be able to visit you that "high"! I think an extra month (or two) sounds in order! How is Sophie? Looks like she might have some "friend's" close by!

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Kari
7/15/2016 05:22:17 pm

Sophie loves it, brings out her inner puppy!

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Betty link
7/22/2016 09:17:45 am

The produce looks so fresh! Almost makes you think it's all good, even though your 4Runner is out of commission. Your post makes me want to visit Costa Rica. It's so beautiful.

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Kari
7/22/2016 06:59:36 pm

Thanks!

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Christine K link
7/22/2016 11:26:35 am

Oh my, what a glorious adventure. Everything looks divine. Love the photo essay and your narrative.

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Kari
7/22/2016 07:00:04 pm

Thank you :)

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Eulanda link
7/22/2016 11:56:10 am

Sounds like an incredible experience, and the food sounds so good! I spent 9 days in Costa Rica a few years ago, and it was truly pura vida!

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Kari
7/22/2016 07:00:31 pm

Pura Vida!

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Stephen 'Beaver' Harris link
7/22/2016 12:22:46 pm

Your photos are really beautiful. And I like that you write more as a narrative. It is a nice treat to find that!

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Kari
7/22/2016 07:00:55 pm

Thank you!!

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Eva Casey link
7/23/2016 08:26:17 am

You have such an entertaining writing style! You certainly do get into a lot of precarious situations, though! hahaha..the roads in Costa Rica are awful!! But the place you're staying sounds so amazing..I would love to live that close to nature someday.

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Kari
7/23/2016 08:37:43 am

Thanks so much! It is amazing living here on the edge :)

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Laura @ Grassroots Nomad link
7/23/2016 08:40:59 am

WOW this sounds incredible. What an amazing community to be a part of - i love all the pot lucks and activities that there are for everyone to get involved in. Plus, a community cat is always a plus!!

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Kari
7/23/2016 08:48:50 am

It truly is incredible, we feel lucky to be a part of such a special place :)

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Lia @ Practical Wanderlust link
7/23/2016 09:13:14 am

This sounds amazing (well except for the tires!) I have really been missing cooking while travelling abroad. Something like that would be just heavenly.

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Kari
7/23/2016 12:14:48 pm

It is nice having incentive to cook, I usually love to enjoy the local cuisine when traveling but that can get expensive. Luckily Costa Rica has many fresh ingredients to choose from!

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Amanda Williams link
7/23/2016 12:15:12 pm

This sounds like quite an adventure. I would love to go to Costa Rica and the organic farm sounds right up my street!

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Kari
7/23/2016 12:24:08 pm

If you ever make it to Costa Rica I recommend Osa Mountain Village as an ideal and affordable place to stay :)

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The Mindful Mermaid link
7/23/2016 02:11:55 pm

I love your descriptive writing, and it's so true that the worst roads lead to the best places! The place looks gorgeous and I am looking forward to reading more!

The Mindful Mermaid

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Kari
7/23/2016 02:17:49 pm

Thanks so much!!

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Nancy link
7/23/2016 04:25:53 pm

It sounds like an amazing experience! I would love to visit Osa Mountain Village - Fruit Tree Hill sounds like paradise :)

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Kari
7/23/2016 07:05:32 pm

It is paradise!

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Nicki link
7/24/2016 04:36:24 am

This place looks awesome! I had a similar driving experience going to Hana in Maui. It was very intense but I survived!

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Kari
7/24/2016 06:46:43 am

Glad to hear it! :)

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Crazy Travelista link
7/30/2016 12:13:17 pm

I could definitely get used to the fresh fruits and veggies! Such a cool experience. I really need to make it to Costa Rica! It's on my list!

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Kari
8/2/2016 07:51:37 am

Costa Rica is the best!

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Flat Tire Repair link
8/2/2016 05:24:26 am

Have you checked your tires lately? If not, maybe it's time to take a look and see what condition your car tires are in. If they are starting to look worn then it's time to take them to your local Firestone tire dealer for a new set of tires.

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Kari
8/2/2016 07:52:52 am

Thanks, good advice! We've lived on this terrible road for 4 months now and have had to purchase 4 new tires! Thankgod for Firestone!

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Taylor link
8/26/2016 08:43:01 am

The green plant life is so amazing!! I love foliage!

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Kari (Happy Coconuts Travel Blog)
10/3/2017 09:58:35 am

Gracias!!

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Kavita Favelle | Kavey Eats link
10/3/2017 08:55:54 am

Looks like you really found a magical place! How long did you stay in the end?

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Kari (Happy Coconuts Travel Blog)
10/3/2017 09:58:22 am

We sure did! We were only supposed to stay 1 month at OMV but ended up staying just over a year. OMV has a way of doing that to people:)

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    Kari Pinkerton Silcox

    It would be a tragedy to die, having never really lived. Which is why my husband Andy and I quit our jobs, sold our house and decided to chase our dreams. We moved to Costa Rica without a plan, and this is the story of our adventure.
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