Guest Visit La Terraza Guest House Archives - La Terraza Guest House

A Visit With My Canadian Friends/Family

Admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 19:32:18 +0000

Labor Day I traveled from San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) to the Toronto, Canada Airport (YYZ) . I traveled to spend the holiday with my Canadian friends Paul and Karen Bollenbach, in Kitchener, Ontario Canada. Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. Located approximately 100 km west of Toronto, Kitchener is the seat of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

I met Karen and Paul Bollenbach, Canadian citizens, 10 years ago while they were guests at La Terraza Guest House B&B. When we first greeted one another, I learned that their family was originally from Germany. Having lived previously in Germany for 12 years, I immediately established a friendship and bonded.

The Bollenbach’s have visited La Terraza Guest House many times. During these visits, our relationship quickly transitioned from strictly business to a family type of relationship. I unofficially adopted their children, Jennifer and Patrick as my grandchildren and am very proud to have the privilege. Jennifer is a sociology major studying the development, structure and function of human society. Soon she will be going to Rwanda. With her huge heart and beautiful eyes, she dedicated to healing the world. My grandson Patrick was not in Kitchener when I arrived. Patrick was visiting Dominical, Costa Rica working and surfing the waves each morning. He enjoys IT work and most of all loves to travel.

Kitchener Ontario is about the closest I can get to visiting Germany from Costa Rica. I went shopping and picked up some Braunschweiger liverwurst, Polish sausage, and German bread. It was a short stay but fantastic. I was invited to spend time with the Bollenbach’s extended family at Port Frank. The event, held in a waterfront cottage on Lake Huron. Two brother-n-laws celebrated their birthdays, together the family roasted a pig. The weather was more than beautiful, it was just perfect, almost as if God explicitly laid it out for me that weekend. I enjoyed myself tremendously. The entire family graciously received me as if I were born one of them. On Sunday I was blessed to meet additional members of Pauls family. I also got to see his Uncle Henry and his wife once again. They prepared Plum Kuchen, and Peach Kuchen wich was marvelous.

People always ask me, “Jeanetta why are you still working at 70 years old”? My answer is simple. La Terraza Guest House B&B has afforded me friends and relationships with people from diverse parts of the world. It is wonderful having a Canadian Granddaughter checking in on me from time to time. When you are a traveler like myself, It’s a blessing and necessity to create more family outside of my bloodline. When I read articles about older people being lonely, I think about how blessed I’ve become. Not only to have an excellent quality of guest but also the guest who have become real friends. In most cases as the Bollenbach’s have transitioned into an additional family. Why be lonely? Keep adding to your family as you age. “Pura Vida” Canadian Friends!

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Precious Gifts for Little Girls

Admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 10:38:57 +0000

Many of my remarkable guests are vacationers with big soft hearts. Linda and John Crane from South Carolina visited La Terraza Guest House for the first time in October 2015. John, a Disabled Army Vet, managed several USP Offices before retiring. His lovely wife Linda is also a retired postal worker. By coincidence, I discovered that one of Linda’s talents was creating gifts for little girls.

During the couples 2015 visit, I mentioned that Christmas gifts are given to underprivileged families in our community. Linda’s eyes lit up like two full moons. Immediately she expressed her desire to participate in my communities Christmas project. Linda advised that she had been making clothes for several years. She also mentioned that when she was a little girl one of her strongest hearts desires was to have beautiful dresses.

The Cranes visited La Terraza Guest House B&B visited us this year in May of 2016. Upon their return trip, they surprised us all with a gift of 42 specially made beautiful custom dresses to present to the underprivileged young girls in our local community.

Wow! Linda and John, your warm hearts and strong desire to give back, encourages me and so many others who believe in the goodness of charity. Thank you for sharing your journey with me. “Pura Vida”

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Single Female Travels Alone Safely in Costa Rica!!

Admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 01:08:02 +0000

A beautiful single lady, Gay Pulner from El Paso, Texas traveled alone to La Terraza Guest House three months ago. Before her arrival, we chatted on the telephone several times planning her adventure. Single, female, and traveling alone. It appeared to me that her primary goal was to jump in a rental car and drive all over Costa Rica alone. My spiritual person spoke to me and said: “this woman is unbelievable, she must be nuts!”.

When Gay arrived at SJO airport, she called to inform me that she was making a 5-hour drive to Tamarindo, Costa Rica Immediately for one day. Her plan was to check in at La Terraza Guesthouse the next day. I thought, there is no way this woman is going to make it to Grecia! Well, shame on me. Gay went to Tamarindo and back without incident.

Spending time with me chatting for a few days, Gay shared her life story. I learned that she’s simply an amazing woman. After some terrible tragedies, she learned to bounce back with a new luster for life. Gay is a daring Assistant DA, deep sea diver, snorkeler, motorcycle riding peace of DYNOMITE! When Gay left Grecia, she drove alone to a jungle retreat in Jaco for two days of adventure alone. She then drove to beautiful Manuel Antonio Beach for a couple of days before heading back to SJO for her return trip to El Paso, Texas.

More and more women are forgoing group or family travel in favor of solo trips. According to the Travel Channel, 32 million American women traveled alone in 2007. Although solo travel among women is on the rise, this is not justification for failing to take safety measures. It is still important for women to take extra precautions when traveling alone to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. And many times that process of bouncing back we must learn to do alone.

This dynamic woman reminded me that life could present us with many seemingly impossible challenges. Gays lesson was that no matter how devastating your challenges may be, we all must bounce back stronger. And many times that process of bouncing back we must do alone. Dont be afraid to make a go of things alone as only good things await you.

“Pura Vida” Gay!! Thank you for shining your light on La Terraza Guest House.!

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California Visits Costa Rica

Admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 21:34:16 +0000

They were wonderful! They were quick and on their mark! They were unusually exciting! That’s what I witnessed when Jeremy and Jennifer visited La Terraza Guest House in Grecia, Costa Rica all the way from sunny San Diego, California. These two love birds took Costa Rica by storm, even though they had only four days of vacation. From the time they landed until the time they left they had a blast!

Before his arrival, Jeremy gave me a list of adventures he felt they might like to experience. I was just a little concerned about time because once they arrived, they were exhausted from the long flight and had to spend the first day/night relaxing in our compound surrounded by beautiful grounds. We arranged for love birds to stay in our brand new Honeymoon Suite close to the river. In my mind, I just knew that this couple would not be able to fulfill all of their travel desires in 4 day period.

Surprise!! Once Jeremy and Jennifer woke up, a custom breakfast was prepared by our cook Christina afterward they immediately hit the ground running! One of our Tour Guides Adrian transported them to Poas Volcano, La Paz Gardens and he also dropped them off for a two-day visit to Arenal, Costa Rica where they almost did everything there was to experience.

Making the arrangements, picking them up from the airport and enjoying watching this young couple just do it all was a great pleasure in its self. It always helps when I know I made someone’s trip a success. Jeremy and Jennifer, I had a good time getting to know you both. Thanks a lot for visiting La Terraza Guest House and sharing your adventures with everyone. I also want to give special thanks for breaking in our brand new Honey Moon Suite…LOL… “Pura Vida”

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Sunny! Not Just a Word, Its a Name

Admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 17:02:05 +0000

As a Guest House Owner, I never know if or when my guest will return. About ten years ago I met a guest named Roy B., who let me know that he is an American entrepreneur living in China for many years and runs a very successful company. Roy also let me know that he has a beautiful wife named Sunny, who is a Chinese national and also is his business partner. Upon his first visit, Roy did not bring his wife, but I knew he was deeply in love naturally by listening to him talk about her. Over the years, Roy and his wife Sunny have visited La Terraza Guest House here in Grecia, Costa Rica numerous times. We not only have become good friends, but they are now a part of my family. Roy’s wife Sunny’s life story motivates me so much that I want to share it with you.

Sunny’s story is so awesome I can only give you the brief version. Sunny was born in China into a very affluent family in which her father was a well known Doctor. During the 1960’s there were a lot of political upheaval and power struggles in China. Because of this Sunny’s father and his family were relocated by force. One day a truck arrived, and they were relocated to what was then a rural city named Dandong with only the clothes on their backs. Dandong is the largest Chinese border city facing North Korea across the Yalu River.

Living in the country made the family desperate, so they had no choice but to forage for their food. Eventually, Sunny’s father the Doctor took up farming, as he started over with absolutely nothing. Her father’s drive and initiative, picking up various trades including farming to provide for his family helped him hold onto not only his dream but his dreams for the children.

Imagine being uprooted from the comforts of your home only to be dropped off in a foreign land with merely the clothes on your back. Sunny’s story teaches me that citizens even now, where ever you live can quickly become dispossessed. Many of us can lose our jobs, homes and livelihood in a matter of weeks. In America, we still have the eminent domain which is the right of the government to dispossess citizens and can create mass evictions. Sunny’s story tells us that no matter what someone or agency takes from you, they cannot steal your dream. Regardless of the problems Sunny’s father and her family faced they held onto the hope that she would be an intelligent, educated child. You see, in China, you have to pay for your child’s education.

Sunny not only thrived but she went to school and excelled to the top of her classes; she later went to the top University in China. After she had completed, she began her career in technology. While working in a factory as an administrator, Sunny met her husband Roy serving as his interpreter. Sunny’s story tells us never to give up, and that nothing is impossible. I never know if a guest is coming back, but when they do we always become more than friends, we become family. Sunny and Roy I love you both so much!! Thank you for allowing me to share your story and Costa Rica adventures. Special thanks for being a part of my family. “Pura Vida.”

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Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

Admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:01:24 +0000

Last September 2015, Warren Green of Atlanta, GA blessed me with his presence here at La Terraza Guest House. I like to call him Mr. Morehouse because his demeanor and presence truly represents the college’s mission statement. Morehouse College is a private all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. The mission of Morehouse College is to develop all men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.
After a few phone calls, Warran came to visit me here in Gracia, Costa Rica. I must say it was a joy simply being his hostess. Mr. Morehouse was fantastic and a lot of fun, he talked a lot about Morehouse College and what their future outlook is for the 21st-century wich is all beautiful and exciting. Now take note that you don’t have to be black to go to Morehouse. Their first white valedictorian was Joshua Packwood in 2008 who stated he now knows what it feels like to be a minority.
Sharing ideas with Warren and sharing the college forecast brought a sense of togetherness instead of the recent US revelations of separation.
Warren was so impressed with Costa Rica that he is now contemplating this location as being possibly one of the places he would like to retire. Appearance wise he looks very young to me, but sometimes retirement has nothing to do with how old you are, it’s simply how long do you want to work? My many years of social interaction has made me very perceptive, and I have a feeling that Warren aka Mr. Morhouse has accomplished quite a bit at this point.
Warren has two children, one daughter, and one son. Both of his daughters have graduated from universities, and his son is a rising community beacon of light coming up in the rear directly behind his Father. After all of these accomplishments and raising his children to be successes, I sure hope he chooses Costa Rica to enjoy the Pura Vida lifestyle. It was my pleasure to have Mr. Warren Green here with us.
Warren, I’m enjoying the Morehouse collegiate sportswear and am proud to wear it. You are truly an inspiration. Thank you for visiting me and for giving me much needed insight on our Historical Black Colleges and their American dreams for future accomplishments. As the kids say, “You do the damn thing Mr. Morehouse”, “You’re the bomb, so drop it like it’s HOT on all the young leaders coming up after you. Including the many young leaders here in Costa Rica”….. Pura Vida!

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US Vietnam Vet and his Wife Travel Costa Rica

Admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:19:30 +0000

Recently a couple by the name of John and Linda Crane shared many adventures with me in Costa Rica. John is a Vietnam Vet as my husband Charles was. John, Linda and I traveled to Jaco Beach for a quick day trip. La Terraza Guest House is just an hour and a half from the beach. On the way we stopped and had a typical delicious Costa Rican lunch and saw several exotic birds, even crocodiles. My tour driver Adrian knows all the top spots to see and the surrounding areas. While visiting the beach, we found seven American passports lying in the sand. Remember when traveling take color photocopies of your passport and leave the original in your hotel safe. Adrian contacted the police, they came immediately retrieved the passports and told us they had be

en recently reported as stolen. Overall it was an excellent experience. Thank you so much, John and Linda, for sharing your vacation with me. I had a great time.

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