Basket Weaving, the Neighbor Boy Likes Bananas

It didn't take long for me to get inspired to create a few baskets. Unfortunately, Costa Rica does not have curb side recycling. Since our arrival we managed to acquire quite a large amount of plastic grocery bags. I can't stand the thought of someone burning them or having them go to the landfill so I decided to make a basket. I have never made a plastic bag basket. I looked on the internet and found different techniques. I made this one by making "yarn" and braiding the sections together. Using "thread" made from the bags, I stitched the braids into a coil. As I was working with the bags I saw that most of them are supposedly biodegradable. So, who knows over time this one might disintegrate. For now it is holding together well in the bathroom containing various items.woven plastic bag basket
I went through a period in Seattle where I made a lot of pine needle baskets. On previous trips to Costa Rica I discovered that the type of pine tree for basking making grows here. I learned that no pine trees are native to this country, all have been imported and planted by man. On our first walk down the street, heading away from town I found the right type of tree. It had been recently pruned and many branches of needles were on the ground. I took all of them home. I made a small basket and gave it to our landlord's daughter for her birthday.

pine needle basket
Notable things that have happened recently: Within an hour of each other, two different types of ants decided to relocate their nests. They came up from a crack in the cement under the doors leading outside the house. Both thought inside the house would be a good place to store the eggs until they resettled. They were promptly swept outside.


Earlier this week, I was working at the computer doing my contract work for Cutter & Buck when a small Tico boy about 8 years old walked into the house, stood right next to me and touched the mouse and the computer screen. He had play dough in one hand and a plastic recorder in the other. I thought to myself, wow what is happening here! I gently push him away from the computer and ask him what his name is. He proceeds to sit on the bed next to my work area, takes off his shoes and begins babbling. He appeared very happy and carefree. I can tell he mentally "slow" and acts young for his age. He gets up, walks into the kitchen and sees bananas. He takes one, unpeels it and shoves it into his mouth. At this time John escorts a telephone repair man into the house. I figure this must be his child. The repair man wants to use the phone to call our landlord in order to determine which house he is supposed to work on today. He gets his info and leaves, but the kid is still here... I ask John to watch the boy and find out where his parents are. Meanwhile, the boy eats another banana, and grabs the remaining three. He thanks us over and over for the fruit. He goes outside and sits on the hammock while John calls the neighbor for help. Our neighbor contacts one of the boy's relatives to take him home. It was quite comical.

We saw a beautiful toucan this morning during our exercise excursion. I love seeing this bird! This time I got a good view of it in flight. We have also seen a few Squirrel Cuckoos and Montezuma's Oropendola. The Oropendola makes has a very interesting call. Here is a video I found on line where you can listen to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Koo3y0RrvGg&feature=related