Those readers who who followed my blog will be familiar with our rural property in the area around Volcan Turrialba in Cartago province in Costa Rica.
Some time ago, we decided to name our place Quinta Vista Verde. In Costa Rica, a “quinta” is a rural property that is at least 5,000 square meters in size and is in a rural setting. These properties are often used as weekend getaways or spaces where family members meet to spend time together and relax. Some quintas are cultivated with small crops, but many are just full of flowering plants, fruit trees, and other flora native to the area.
Our property is just over 5,000 square meters, so we were happy to hear that it qualified for the term “quinta.”
It is common for people to give a quinta a special name. This identifies it in the community, and it is often a tribute to some family members (“Quinta Carmen”) or special attributes of the property (“Quinta Vista Verde”). We chose the name Vista Verde because it describes well what you see in all directions: green and beautiful views. In Spanish, vista means view, and verde means green. It just seemed so appropriate for the property.
For some time, I’ve been thinking that it would be fun to have a sign indicating the name at the entrance of the property.
So, for Christmas last year, Brenda gave me the gift of a sign. I chose the local artist, Carolina, from Turrialba. She shared samples of her work, and did a sample drawing for me based on what I told her I wanted in the painting. She did a wonderful job, and I was very happy with the results. So, I commissioned her to do a painting for Quinta Vista Verde. You can see below how beautiful her rendition is.
Our friend, Bernal, who built our rancho (see the post “What’s a Rancho?”), agreed to build the framework for the painting, including a typical Costa Rican “techo” (roof) to help protect it.
The painting has been coated with a strong protective product to help it weather the rains and sun. Its location puts it inside the property gate, but also easily viewable from the road.
I am happy to share the results. I love it.
Welcome to Quinta Vista Verde.
By the way, I have a new book coming soon. Stay tuned for the announcement in an upcoming blog post. The title is When Faraway Is Home: A Family’s Overseas Adventures Living in Three Countries.
Until next time . . .
This is Paul, a Part-Time Expat turned Full-Time
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