Enga mellom fjella

Once upon a time.

Me:

Another day of catching up.

Studied Norwegian, wrote in my journal, did a wash ... Finished watching a delightful show called "Once upon a time".

The big moment of the day? Soda El Molino and eating a gallo pinto (rice and beans). Felt so much better! Yesterday I was hungry all day. Fruit, coffee, etc. isn't enough and bread and milk will only make me fat again. When I eat a pinto I'm not as hungry. Also, they wanted me to try masamorra which is fermented corn that's cooked... or at least I think that's what they said. Anyways, it had a pleasant sour taste. I'd definitely eat it again. Very Costa Rican. Perhaps not as much as gallo pinto though. There is an expression: "Tico como un gallo pinto" which roughly translates as "as Costa Rican as rice and beans".

It poured while I was at the market. So I just sat and wrote. Took some pictures. Sipped my coffee. Afterwards went and sat in the park but it wanted to sprinkle some more. Went to Pali to buy coffee. Got milk and bread at La Norma. Said hello to the woman who always sits by the sidewalk. Spoke with a neighbor who invited me to coffee at 3 pm tomorrow to meet some folks from the Czech Republic.

Oddly, these small kindnesses and interactions mean a lot to me. If I stay here, feel at home here, it will be because the people here have accepted me on some level.

Once upon a time I had dreams that I tried to live out. But, like Marguerite (who I also spoke with today), I payed a price and lost everything. I must be careful to not get overwhelmed. Becoming part of this landscape also has a price. I'm still not certain I want to pay it.

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