Michael Copeland founded Rock Costa Rica after falling in love with the Lake Arenal area and moving there from Northern California’s Bay Area. He developed a deep affection and respect for the Tico people and for the Costa Rican philosophy of pura vida (“the pure life”) – a philosophy characterized by strong community spirit, perseverance, resilience in overcoming difficulties, enjoying life slowly and celebrating good fortune.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Costa Rica's Tomatoe War Tomorrow
Calling on all tomatoe lovers, the annual Tomatoe Fest "VI Feria Nacional del Tomate" in Trojas de Valverde Vega, Alajuela, kicked off on Friday.
The event includes the sale of typical Costa Rican foods and contests, all with a tomatoe theme.
On Sunday, at 3pm, the traditional "guerra de los tomates" (tomatoe war) is the focus of the event.
The fair is aking to Spain's La Tomatina (Valencian pronunciation: [la tomaˈtina]), a festival that is held in the Valencian town of Buñol, in which participants throw tomatoes at each other. It is held the last Wednesday in August, during the week of festivities of Buñol.
Trojas is near Sarchi, northwest of Grecia.
If you cannot find it on the map, just point your car in the direction of Sarchi and then follow the trail of people headed to fight the war with tomatoes. If that doesn't help, just ask "donde es el tometazo?"
The tomatoe, tomato, a fruit or vegetable?
For those of you who don't know what a tomatoe is, Wikipedia describes it as "a savory, typically red, edible fruit, as well as the plant (Solanum lycopersicum) which bears it".
Originating in South America, the tomato was spread around the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas, and its many varieties are now widely grown, often in greenhouses in cooler climates.
The tomato fruit is consumed in diverse ways, including raw, as an ingredient in many dishes and sauces, and in drinks. While it is botanically a fruit, it is considered a vegetable for culinary purposes (as well as by the United States Supreme Court, see Nix v. Hedden), which has caused some confusion. The fruit is rich in lycopene, which may have beneficial health effects.
The tomato belongs to the nightshade family. The plants typically grow to 1–3 metres (3–10 ft) in height and have a weak stem that often sprawls over the ground and vines over other plants. It is a perennial in its native habitat, although often grown outdoors in temperate climates as an annual.
The event includes the sale of typical Costa Rican foods and contests, all with a tomatoe theme.
On Sunday, at 3pm, the traditional "guerra de los tomates" (tomatoe war) is the focus of the event.
The fair is aking to Spain's La Tomatina (Valencian pronunciation: [la tomaˈtina]), a festival that is held in the Valencian town of Buñol, in which participants throw tomatoes at each other. It is held the last Wednesday in August, during the week of festivities of Buñol.
Trojas is near Sarchi, northwest of Grecia.
If you cannot find it on the map, just point your car in the direction of Sarchi and then follow the trail of people headed to fight the war with tomatoes. If that doesn't help, just ask "donde es el tometazo?"
The tomatoe, tomato, a fruit or vegetable?
For those of you who don't know what a tomatoe is, Wikipedia describes it as "a savory, typically red, edible fruit, as well as the plant (Solanum lycopersicum) which bears it".
Originating in South America, the tomato was spread around the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas, and its many varieties are now widely grown, often in greenhouses in cooler climates.
The tomato fruit is consumed in diverse ways, including raw, as an ingredient in many dishes and sauces, and in drinks. While it is botanically a fruit, it is considered a vegetable for culinary purposes (as well as by the United States Supreme Court, see Nix v. Hedden), which has caused some confusion. The fruit is rich in lycopene, which may have beneficial health effects.
The tomato belongs to the nightshade family. The plants typically grow to 1–3 metres (3–10 ft) in height and have a weak stem that often sprawls over the ground and vines over other plants. It is a perennial in its native habitat, although often grown outdoors in temperate climates as an annual.
New National Stadium - Costa Rica - Views
This link is to a great 360 view from the seats point of view.
http://isaacmartinez.com/stadium/octubre2010.html
http://isaacmartinez.com/stadium/octubre2010.html
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
One Easter season food can spice up scrambled eggs
One Easter season food can spice up scrambled eggs
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
If it's the Easter season, the time has come to cut some flor de itabo flowers for a slightly bitter addition to the daily diet.
In anticipation of the approaching rainy season, trees are abloom. The red llama de la selva and the pink blossoms of the roble de sabana tree can be seen all over the Central Valley. But it is the white flowers of the flor de Itabo (Yucca elephantipes) that country-born Costa Ricans seek.
The one problem is that the trees frequently are 30 feet high. Someone, probably not a chubby, has to reach the top and chop off the flower, perhaps with a handsaw. The trees are highly valued because they grow quickly and frequently are used as a perimeter fence. Those not comfortable scaling an ill-supported extension ladder can find the flowers at the various weekend ferias.
The petals are separated from the stems, washed and drained. There is a multitude of uses. Two men harvesting flowers in San Pedro Monday noted that the flowers make a good addition to scrambled eggs, despite a slight bitterness. But they also planned to use the petals with onions, peppers and other chopped vegetables in tortillas.
Eating flowers is not always a good idea. The blossoms of the reina de la noche can put someone to sleep forever. The flor de itabo is so unique and easily identified that there really is no danger. Columnist Jo Stuart reported that she tried the flower once but found it to be too bitter. Here is the editor's recipe for flor de itabo a la Johnny.
Ingredients:
One cluster of flor de itabo blossoms
half liter Johnny Walker red label
half liter of water
two medium glasses
Preparation:
Put the flor de itabo blossom in the glass with the water. Admire it. Pour the Johnny Walker into the other glass and drink it.
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
If it's the Easter season, the time has come to cut some flor de itabo flowers for a slightly bitter addition to the daily diet.
In anticipation of the approaching rainy season, trees are abloom. The red llama de la selva and the pink blossoms of the roble de sabana tree can be seen all over the Central Valley. But it is the white flowers of the flor de Itabo (Yucca elephantipes) that country-born Costa Ricans seek.
The one problem is that the trees frequently are 30 feet high. Someone, probably not a chubby, has to reach the top and chop off the flower, perhaps with a handsaw. The trees are highly valued because they grow quickly and frequently are used as a perimeter fence. Those not comfortable scaling an ill-supported extension ladder can find the flowers at the various weekend ferias.
The petals are separated from the stems, washed and drained. There is a multitude of uses. Two men harvesting flowers in San Pedro Monday noted that the flowers make a good addition to scrambled eggs, despite a slight bitterness. But they also planned to use the petals with onions, peppers and other chopped vegetables in tortillas.
Eating flowers is not always a good idea. The blossoms of the reina de la noche can put someone to sleep forever. The flor de itabo is so unique and easily identified that there really is no danger. Columnist Jo Stuart reported that she tried the flower once but found it to be too bitter. Here is the editor's recipe for flor de itabo a la Johnny.
Ingredients:
One cluster of flor de itabo blossoms
half liter Johnny Walker red label
half liter of water
two medium glasses
Preparation:
Put the flor de itabo blossom in the glass with the water. Admire it. Pour the Johnny Walker into the other glass and drink it.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Pavas where most of the criminal gangs are headquartered.
Criminals typically break into the home late at night or when the home may be open for guests. Usually they have checked out the area intently and may have local help. There has been a sharp increase in such crimes along the central Pacific coast and even in the Nicoya Peninsula. There have been murders. Still, places like Escazú, Santa Ana, Moravia, San Pedro and Curridabat are more frequent targets because of their proximity to Pavas where most of the criminal gangs are headquartered.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Visit Tomas at Finca Artisana in El Castillo, Costa Rica
AT Finca Artisana radishes grow to the size of softballs in this country — I can't believe it! The amazing radishes at Finca Artisana are just one of the vegetables grown in Tomas' Pre-Columbian garden. Finca Artisana is a must-see tour for tourists who want to get the true feeling of the connection between Mother Earth and Costa Rica. Every time I go to Rock Costa Rica in El Castillo, Alajuela, Costa Rica, I always leave my car behind and make time to take the tour, and visit Tomas at Finca Artisana El Castillo Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Costa Rica creates 2.47 million acre marine park
By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
Costa Rica on Thursday created a massive new marine protected area in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, which conservationists hope will offer endangered marine species such as hammerhead sharks and leatherback turtles a place of respite to recover from increasing pressures from humans.
The protected area, called "Seamounts Marine Management Area" or Area Marina de Manejo Montes Submarinos, extends close to 2.47 million acres around the Cocos Islands. This extends by five times the existing National Park, which is currently a fully protected non-fishing zone and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The new sea park is larger than Yellowstone National Park in the United States.
Cocos Island lies 342 miles off the coast of Costa Rica in the Pacific Ocean. Just 12 miles around, it's sometimes called "Shark Island" because of the white tipped reef sharks, whale sharks, and scalloped hammerhead sharks that live near there.
The decree creating the marine reserve was signed by Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla Miranda on Thursday March 3.
Costa Rica decreed a "day of national pride" for the announcement. "Creating a protected seamount area sets an important precedent. Sea mounts host endemic species, and the deep water that upwells along their sides brings nutrients that support rich feeding grounds for sealife on the surface. Seamounts serve as stepping stones for long-distance, migratory species, including sharks, turtles, whales and tuna. So we applaud the vision of the Costa Rican President, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, as well as the Minister and Vice Minister of Environment in making this historic move," Costa Rican Marine Program Coordinator for Conservation International, Marco Quesada said in a release.
The area is home to leatherback turtles, listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Costa Rican population has declined 90% in the past 20 years, due in part to the loss of eggs to illegal harvest in nesting sites. Scalloped hammerhead sharks, also on the globally endangered species list, also live in the waters. They are targeted by fishermen for their fins.
Costa Rica on Thursday created a massive new marine protected area in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, which conservationists hope will offer endangered marine species such as hammerhead sharks and leatherback turtles a place of respite to recover from increasing pressures from humans.
The protected area, called "Seamounts Marine Management Area" or Area Marina de Manejo Montes Submarinos, extends close to 2.47 million acres around the Cocos Islands. This extends by five times the existing National Park, which is currently a fully protected non-fishing zone and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The new sea park is larger than Yellowstone National Park in the United States.
Cocos Island lies 342 miles off the coast of Costa Rica in the Pacific Ocean. Just 12 miles around, it's sometimes called "Shark Island" because of the white tipped reef sharks, whale sharks, and scalloped hammerhead sharks that live near there.
The decree creating the marine reserve was signed by Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla Miranda on Thursday March 3.
Costa Rica decreed a "day of national pride" for the announcement. "Creating a protected seamount area sets an important precedent. Sea mounts host endemic species, and the deep water that upwells along their sides brings nutrients that support rich feeding grounds for sealife on the surface. Seamounts serve as stepping stones for long-distance, migratory species, including sharks, turtles, whales and tuna. So we applaud the vision of the Costa Rican President, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, as well as the Minister and Vice Minister of Environment in making this historic move," Costa Rican Marine Program Coordinator for Conservation International, Marco Quesada said in a release.
The area is home to leatherback turtles, listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Costa Rican population has declined 90% in the past 20 years, due in part to the loss of eggs to illegal harvest in nesting sites. Scalloped hammerhead sharks, also on the globally endangered species list, also live in the waters. They are targeted by fishermen for their fins.
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