first wave of company from Idaho, just gave them a farm tour, we had a nice visit, and I hooked them up with my contractor, so they can have help building their own house nearby.

and I feel REALLY good about helping to secure future employment for my contractor...

he's been with us for two years, and is practically part of our family by now...

he's been invaluable on everything from animal care in the tropics, to planting the garden, tending the orchards, and learning our way around a foreign country.

luckily, he lives only a block away, so we'll get to still see him, and his wife and 3 kids, but just not every day like before... I will miss having him around daily !!

second wave of guests was last night...

I spruced up the house, swept, mopped, and made everything lovely... was about to hop in the shower, and dress, when they arrived two hours early, LOL !!

luckily, everything was done, but ALAS, that's when I planned my NAP... so, I missed it.

dinner was wonderful, duck, roasted on a bed of tropical fruit, callalou (sorta like spinach), mashed potatoes, and sauteed carrots.

we had a GREAT time, and visited for almost 8 hours, before they returned to their cabin on the river, 20 minutes away...

they're from Florida, still working, and saving up to move here permanently.

the third wave of guests due tomorrow from Illinois, just a quickie tour, and snacks... no big meals or events planned... yippee !!

and the fourth wave will be early next week, another Floridian and her husband... she's kind of famous, having written a book about this area, and her time of living here for a decade, before returning to civilization...

I started corresponding with her online, and now that she's coming to visit, she squeezed us into her itinerary... it will be exciting to meet her and her family !!

the fifth wave will be more online friends, a couple who are planning to relocate here, and gathering ideas, researching and plotting their escape from the hustle and bustle, and their retirement into the jungle.

the reason I do this is threefold... first, contact with people from my former way of life is always interesting... there's things I miss, and things I don't...

I don't miss the "hurry-worry" and the noise and anxiety and freeways and bills, and waiting in lines, you know, that kind of stuff...

BUT... I *do* miss bookstores, and certain treats and sweets...

my guests often bring me treasures, like BOOKS, and CHOCOLATE, of the sort not obtainable here in this remote village by the Guatemala border.

also, many people helped US with invaluable tips and contacts, so, I'm "paying it forward" by helping others.

and, (last but not least) my husband is a wonderful cook, and he always works HARD to make fabulous meals for our guests... which naturally, I benefit from as well, lol !!



I enjoy hanging out and discussing all sorts of things, and while it's good online, it's even *better* in person !!

NaeNae: still praying for you and Olivia... love and hugs honey...