December tales

December has been a really busy month so far and we still have Christmas and the New Year to go.

After the Papagayo winds finished, John and Josue were able to fix the roof tiles that had leaked during the rainy season and get the yard tidied up from all the leaves, branches, etc. We had a small tremor one night and that "shook loose" a huge spider (see picture). Apparently earthquake tremors bring out spiders - who knew??

Josue and John took the boys on a fantastic hike through the mango orchard and up to the top of a huge hill where they took some great view shots.

I was fortunate enough to meet an artist, from the U.S., who is in Samara for a year's sabbatical, whom I hired to paint a jungle mural on the cone of our rancho. It turned out just fantastic and we even had him add our cat, Shadow, to the mix.

Meanwhile, John hired two welders to complete the railings and so other than electric, we are finished that project. This was very timely as we were preparing for our annual Christmas party and we certainly needed a railing before inviting a horde of people.

Austin helped me with our usual round of baking as we make at least 10 different cookies, squares and tarts for the festive season.

Our friends, Fred and Mary kicked off the Christmas season with a wonderful party on the 13th which saw us staying out until midnight. We could hardly believe it ourselves! We hosted a huge Christmas party with our next door neighours on December 20th with over 50 guests in attendance. When you're all ex-pats it just seems natural for all of us to get together, hence the large numbers for a party. Everyone brings something special so we had a wonderful assortment of dishes and desserts.

Meanwhile, school has been hectic, plus the shopping and we've acquired a dog. First the dog story and then a shopping tale.

A beautiful tiger stripped dog (part pointer) showed up one day and just stayed. We weren't sure what to do with him but he is really well trained and has such a gentle disposition. He must have been someone's dog but he didn't leave so we bought some dog food and a dish and he seems very happy to be here. Even I like the dog and that's saying quite a bit for those who know me. We've named him Buddy but I think he's been called Tigre (tiger in Spanish) as he seems to perk up when we call that name. Anyway, he only barks when vehicles go by or people on foot so he's a terrific watch dog and everyone in the neighbourhood thinks he's top notch. Anyway, I wonder if he "just shows up" then perhaps one day "he'll just disappear" but of course we hope not as we want to keep him. He seems well cared for and doesn't have ticks and fleas, etc. John has talked to the vet about him so he'll be looked at to prevent future troubles as a tropical climate can be hard on dogs. We think he's our Christmas present.

Now the shopping adventure. We were in the very newest store in Nicoya, shopping for a turkey (always a challenge here in the tropics) and the store clerk who was helping me gave a startled cry and I jerked back my shopping cart only to find that I had run over a snake! Now that move didn't make it very happy. I've gotten a lot better about not fearing "things" and so I only gave a small shriek while calling Andrew and John. Andrew came over and because he's always fully clothed in jeans and socks and runners he started playing with the snake and it was all twined around his foot. Meanwhile all the ticos were gathering in the store looking at the snake but making no moves to remove it from the store. It was only a small "garter" type snake but in the end, John had to grab it behind the head and take it out of the store. The security guards with all their uniforms and guns were no help at all. Anyway, I'll never say I've seen it all as we never know what we're going to run in to; literally apparently!

We're off to Nicoya again because we've been invited to a tica wedding on the 27th and I must find a wedding gift. I think this is quite an honor and I'll post some pictures and write about a Costa Rican wedding in my next post. The fellow who was lead construction foreman of our rancho project and his wife have just had a baby so we need a baby gift and our weekly worker has invited us to their place next Sunday.

John and I are hosting Christmas dinner for 14; neighbours and friends who all help out with the dinner so that's the next big event on the calendar and I'm glad to report that we did get a turkey despite the snake incident!

Our next exciting news is that John's sister Debbie and husband Randy are coming for a visit on the 10th of January and I'm hopeful that my sister, Polly, can get a flight for January as well.

So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from the Gallant's.

Preparation for the Winds of Change

In Costa Rica, we experience the Papagayo winds each November which mark the change from the wet season to the dry season. It is a unique experience for prairie folk such as ourselves as suddenly the gale force winds begin and last anywhere from 3 to 10 days. Unfortunately for us we got the 10 day version this year beginning the night of November 17 and ending on the 27th. I would argue that we still had moderate winds today and we don't know how tonight will go but I can say with assurance that we've had enough already!

The picture of Josue trimming back our palm tree is in preparation for those winds. By making the tree much narrower it survives the onslaught much better. You can see the boys carrying up the fronds to the street level for burning. They're great helpers but they sure weren't keen on all the leaf clean up after the winds. These winds dry the leaves right off many of the trees so they can enter their dormant state; some of which will flower later in the dry season.

There's a picture of Andrew holding one of the flower pods that come off the palm tree that has dried and he has burned our names into using a magnifying glass and the rays of the sun. Ingenious, isn't he?? He made a "ship" for us and each of our neighbours. He's holding the S.S. Gallant and the S.S. Orofino. Austin is peaking out from behind.

My bougainvilleas are starting to bloom again and some other periennial type plants have died off as the season changes. We no longer have to run our dehumidifiers and there are considerably less "biting" bugs although other types seem to take their place but are mostly annoying not itchy!

We still have very cloudy weather but no more rain and we're hoping that the sun will join us full time soon. To all our American friends - Happy Thanksgiving and we'll be thinking of you as we join our American friends for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow evening.

Halloween 2008

Well you can't have Halloween without at least a couple of decorations and a cake and some cookies to mark the celebration. Technically Costa Rica does not celebrate Halloween but rather All Saints Day on November 1st. The Spanish name for Halloween is "la vispera de todos los santos " which literally translates to the day before all saints day.

Austin had seen a picture of a giant pumpkin shaped cake in a magazine and we attempted to make it. Well, it didn't quite turn out the same but not a bad effect for a first try. We got the color pretty good though. The top layer was orange chocolate swirl and the bottom cake was rum pound cake. We didn't hear any complaints at the cookie/cake party we hosted Halloween afternoon so it was a success in the end.

Along with my three garden decorations you can't leave out our Halloween cat, Shadow, so her picture graces our site as well in honor of her holiday. She seems rather unaffected by it all...

Summer/Fall in Canada 2008

Summer in Canada was action packed with the roving Gallant's traversing the province north and south. John and I attended Big Valley Jamboree and from there we stopped in Sylvan Lake to visit the Jackson's. The pictures of us around a campfire are from our visit to Sylvan Lake. The boys along with their son, Joel, went to the waterslides one day as we were having a heat wave!

From there we went onto Drumheller to visit the Holmen's and then onto Pincher Creek where the boys went to summer camp. We saw Deb and Randy (John's sister and husband) and some of their family and even took Grandma Gallant down for a visit to view their spectacular new home. On one of our many trips to Pincher Creek we stopped in Airdrie to visit my second cousin Anne Marie Wood who is 91 and charming as ever.

While the boys were at camp, John and I zipped to Kelowna to visit Brian and Sharon and my friend Deanna. The wineries were terrific as usual and our stay was great fun and wonderful weather.

When in Camrose we stayed with Grandma G. and when in St. Albert we stay with our friend's the Henderson's. See Andrew playing Rockband with their son Glen and a picture of Polly and I. The boys enjoyed Rockband so much we bought them one for Christmas and it made it home safe and sound!

In late August, I spent a week with my sister Polly which allowed me time to have coffee with my previous boss, lunch with the ladies I used to work with and dinner with some HIM colleagues plus some shopping of course. At the end of this week, Polly and I joined my long time friends and colleagues for a summer BBQ at my friend Chris Houston's house.

We visited my Dad and Pat in Bawlf along with my niece Amanda and newphew Brian and his wife Amanda (see picture of Dad, niece Amanda and Brian's wife Amanda). See the picture of their little boys sitting outside at Dad's - very difficult for them to sit still but they tried. After all, they said they were shooting coyotes - lucky break for all of us that they were on the case! Pictured left to right is Marcus, Xander and Josh. Josh and Marcus are Brian and Amanda's two boys and Xander is niece Amanda's little boy.


September saw less traveling around the province but tons of activities. Early in September I got the bug to call my high school classmates and see if we could get together later that month. It all came together and 16 out of 30 met at the ageless Chateau Alice in Camrose for a fun night of tales, drinks and laughs. (Group photo shows the ageless class of '77)

Meanwhile they boys worked for a bit with their uncle Bill on the family farm and John helped with harvest. See the picture of nephew Curtis testing the grain for dryness and a picture of John, the boys, Curtis and sister Debbie out by the barn.

I attended my annual Nait class dinner at the Creperie in Edmonton and although we have tried various other restaurants over the years, we love the Creperie the best.

My sister, Polly, hosted a ladies lunch and graciously invited me as a guest which was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and just in time to be picked up for our evening's festivities at Darren and Shantel's house. Angela was there too which was wonderful as I worked in the past with both Shantel and Angela.


Mid September, John and I attended Rhonda's surprise birthday party on the train to Stettler which was something on my "do do" list. It was a murder mystery, dinner at the hall in Big Valley and train ride to Big Valley and back to Stettler. It was terrific and I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't done it before. We had the most spectacular day - 25 degrees C and such gorgeous fall colors. We couldn't have picked a better day.

One of the Sunday's we attended Body World's at the Science center in Edmonton which was absolutely fascinating but understandably not everyone's cup of tea. It was certainly a unique way to have an anatomy lesson though.

We had a wonderful dinner at my friend's Donna and Robert Sired's house along with their two daughters Jennifer and Taylor and surprise guest Wayne.

September also saw the start of school for the boys and we were pleased to learn that Robin Moffatt would be our liason teacher this year so smiles all around the Gallant household.

Before we knew it, it was time to pack those 8 suitcases all right on the 50 pound mark and head on out. The check in personnel were most impressed with my "dead on" suitcase weights. Me too!

We thank everyone who hosted us, fed us sumptuous dinners and general hospitality as we had a myriad of wonderful dinners and visits with friends and family throughout our 10 week stay.

Birthday Bash at Carillo Beach

On July 19, we celebrated Andrew and Austin's 15 and 13th birthdays respectively on Carillo beach. Austin shares his day with Captain Rob so there were dual parties making for a large party. The boys enjoyed their day; playing badminton, boce ball (see the boys with Larry G and George S) and visiting. Everybody brought something to eat and drink and of course we had cake; lots of cake! Captain Rob's cake was especially festive displaying his sport fishing occupation. John, Majic and Mark enjoy the festivities too.

Our friends, Majic, Anna and Daniella, from San Jose joined us for the weekend and gave the boys new shirts. The boys display their new shirts in one of the photos.

Canada Day at Carrillo Beach

Here we are with friends, both Canadian and American, celebrating Canada Day. It was a terrific afternoon with no rain until it got dark, which was perfect timing. Everyone brought a nibbly and drinks plus Larry G. brought his boce ball set and large Canadian flag.

John, dressed in Canadian red and white is with our American neighbour, George Stone and next to George is Bill, from Calgary. Joe, wearing the Canadian umbrella hat and his wife Betsy (Canadian kerchief around her neck) are standing with our latest Canadian additions to the community; Colin and Kathy from BC.

Austin is playing boce ball with the guys (Larry G, Shannon and James) on the beach and both boys are posing with Joe and Betsy and Carol (another Canadian).

Most of us Canadians are in the picture with the flag for a group shot.

Happy Canada Day to all!

Boys Go Deep Sea Fishing with Jack

When our friend Jack Lischka, from Alberta, visited us in June, the boys and John went fishing for a day. Here they are on the open seas in all their fishing splendor (and their catches too)!