While sitting in my comfy recliner – yes – we broke down and got a couple of comfortable chairs finally- trying to decide what to write on this New Year’s Day, I felt something on my upper arm. I turned to look and saw a BIG scorpion crawling off of my shoulder and onto my arm. It calmly moved from my arm to the top of the chair and I hopped up and ran like crazy to get away. 
I have never seen a scorpion and it was terrifying!! I know that they can’t kill you and that the pain is bad but not intolerable, but seeing one up close and personal is scary! Tom was still in bed and I didn’t want to wake him so I ran to get a broom to try to sweep it out of the room. However, when I got back it had hidden somewhere so I have no clue where it is. Needless to say I am NOT sitting in my comfy chair until it is found and gone. (The picture above is not the one in my house since I was not able to get my camera in time, but is one exactly like it…..) I will try to concentrate on things like this beautiful butterfly that decided to hang out on our window screen instead. 
The scorpion was kind of the topper to a couple of weeks of excitement here in Puerto Viejo. The weekend before last was the celebration of the Second Annual Chocolate Festival. 
The town was swarming with people – I think it is safe to say that it was a success. 
There was an amazing array of chocolate things – beer, tea, and facial masks as well as the normal yummy eating kind. We did not go to the opening night gathering but definitely will next year – from all reports it was a blast!
The town has really exploded with people coming for vacation. Ticos from San Jose have begun to discover Puerto Viejo and so are coming to enjoy the sun and the time on the beach when they are on holiday. We have always had lots of vacationers from other countries but this holiday season there are definitely many more. It is very difficult to drive through town and would be nervous about bicycling as well – too many people and not enough road 
I am glad for the business owners – it has been a bit of a dry spell the last few months. 
The seas are rough but that hasn’t stopped either the pelicans or the people from enjoying themselves.
On Christmas Even we went to The Point for a little while to listen to and sing carols. 
It was fun to see everybody and hang out for a bit. Christmas day we went to a potluck at our friends’ botanical garden again. This was the fourth year we attended the pot luck and it was once again a fun time. Such a variety of people show up and we always meet someone new and catch up with old friends as well. 
We stayed in last night but got to hear the fireworks at midnight from around the town. It was deafening for about half an hour. Fireworks are illegal here but clearly the law is not enforced as there are fireworks going off for weeks before Christmas. They should end after today.
Tonight we are going to our neighbor’s who arrived from Portland for their three month stint again. They spend three months here and three months in Portland and we are always sorry to see them leave and delighted to have them back. It takes about two weeks to catch up on all the news
So now I am just sitting and reflecting on the last couple of years and looking forward to the new one. It really is hard for me to believe that this is the fourth New Year’s Day we have celebrated here. Truly this is home ……….
Costa Rica Dog Lover 