We had spent a lot of time on the WeLoveCostaRica website over the past few years, and that’s where we read about “First Friday” in Samara.

First Friday a monthly event in which people in the Samara area gather at one of the local restaurants for fun and frolic. What better opportunity to meet new people and experience a new place. So Samara went on our calendar for the first weekend in March before we ever left the States (Florida).

We had made reservations at a Bed and Breakfast called La Mansion. We were greeted there by our delightful hostess, Marlene McCauley, a fine-sounding Irish name for a lovely Irish lady. And she is one of those encounters that make the journey memorable. An artist and a writer, she has published three books.

While she spends most of her time in Samara, running the B&B, her husband of 56 years Allen is a practicing attorney in Arizona. She likes to brags that in all those years, he has never missed sending or giving her a card on Valentine’s Day.

Stories of her life and family kept us entertained and amazed every day… like when she was a girl and was in a circus, riding an elephant; or when she was a young woman and went to New York to become an actress and met her husband to be, and when her family had an audience with Pope John Paul and she kissed the Pope’s cheek (she had a picture).

And her family is a story in itself… they are a family of 6 siblings, her grandchildren, all of whom play classical violin and dance the Irish step at the same time. The troupe is called Celtic Spring, and they have performed all over the world, including on America’s got talent where they were in the top 5. Mom and Dad, also accomplished musicians, accompany them. What a history and what an experience for explorers like us!

In addition to enjoying the delicious breakfast prepared by Marlene and Belky, her charming Tica assistant, we enjoyed meeting some of her friends who dropped by daily. One of these was Murry Taylor, a fascinating man who has led an amazing life as a smoke-jumper. His book Jumping Fire tells of his experiences as a smoke-jumper in California, Alaska, and Canada since 1965.

So you can imagine the tales with which he regaled us every morning when he came by for breakfast. He has another published book, The Rhythm of Leaves, this one fiction, and is working on a third.

Well, I kind of got off the subject of First Friday, but let me tell you, it was a lot of fun. Beginning about 3PM people started gathering at Gusto on the Beach, this month’s restaurant – on the beach as the name implies. We sought out our contact person, Bill Knight, aka costaricabill in the WeLoveCostaRica.com Discussion Forum, who was kind enough to introduce us around and show us to the bar.

It was a wonderful afternoon with probably 50 or more people in attendance. It was, indeed, worth the effort.

The rest of our time in Samara was spent exploring the area and doing our “due diligence” as to how Samara might fit into our future plans. We began every day with a dip in the ocean and Pilates on the beach, the lunch at an organic café.

We enjoyed our time in Samara, but another First Friday might be all that lies ahead there. It’s just too hot! And our journey will continue…

Written by VIP Member Anne Harper who is a retired English teacher, having taught high school English for 33 years. Anne was not a well-travelled person, or at least until Jim Kavney came into her life. After they both lost their spouses 8 years ago, they met and began a relationship which has enabled her to meet and fall in love with the people and the country of Costa Rica, which was already in Jim’s heart. Their stays have extended from weeks to months, and this year, for the second time, they will be spending 4 months in Atenas.

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Anne and Jim love the Central Valley with its small towns and local personality. With Atenas as their headquarters, they are visiting and exploring many of Costa Rica’s wonderful and exciting places. Jim and Anne divide their time between their homes in Florida and Costa Rica. Anne confesses that her horizons have been broadened and her awareness of the world heightened by her visits to this amazing country – the land, the native people and the cross-section of ex-pats from all over the world. She never knows what language will be spoken at the table next to them when they go out to eat. When Anne says: “It isn’t the destination; it’s the journey,” she is referring to her continuing journey during which she sees amazing places and meets amazing people….and her world continues to expand

The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) ranks Atenas as one of “The Best Places to Retire Abroad.” For more information about homes and land for sale in the area please contact our Recommended Realtors in Atenas Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras using the simple form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.