While the Chief is away....

Our fearless leader, Maxwell, is off "surfing my brains out and taking pictures of native décor in Costa Rica" for the week and we wish him well. I, your fearless leader understudy will, therefore, take the reigns. There's lots to talk about so I hope you will stick around, read a post or two, write a comment or two and countdown the days until the marathon of host/guest/eat/travel with me! --Jill

Comments (19)

Costa Rica? Sounds like the place to be to get out of this coming week's dull weather. Sure wish he could have used me as an assistant :)
But don't worry Jill - you'll get many comments. Nothing can stop this group from putting in our 2 cents on just about every topic.

posted by anne on 2005-11-21 12:44:35

I can't seem to get into the latest thread (#82). When I click on it, I go to a blank page with the AT banner at the top but nothing else.......? What's up? I may suffer thread withdrawal.

posted by Libby on 2005-11-21 12:49:45

I was so nice to sneak into the office of the place where we're staying and see your note, Jill. Lead on!

I am currently two hours from Liberia, at the end of a potholed and muddy road, in a very nice, simple beachhouse looking out on the nicest waves and 80 degree water. The sun is a hot 85-90 and the local decor is unfortunately not that inspiring, but i have yet to look around.

What is interesting here is how much tile they use as well as how many houses have courtyards inside that creat a really peaceful center to the house. I will take pics and bring back any good ideas I can find.

posted by maxwell on 2005-11-21 12:52:04

mmmm, courtyards!
the most brilliant house design thing in latin america

walking around, it looks like cement walls (often washed in amazing colors, but still, a stoney front to the street, enforced by menacing iron work)
then if you're lucky enough to get behind the wall, you're in a garden. many houses are built around courtyards, with balconies and/or passageways looking in to the center. Inevitably, bouganvilla is spilling out somewhere, abundantly.

costa rica has alot of eco-lodges . . .

posted by guido on 2005-11-21 13:05:18

Courtyards -- I wonder if the courtyards in the old places in the French Quarter are from the period that Spain occupied Louisiana.

I'm so much not a beach guy, I'm glad there's you, Maxwell, to blaze that trail on my/our behalf.

posted by Curtis on 2005-11-21 13:31:32

Courtyards rock! I spent some time in Southern Spain, and my favorite thing was to walk around and peer into gates when I could and see the interesting patios and courtyards. I remember reading how the home is very private domain in Spain/latin Amer. while the British and American home is an extension of public life, including the yard and exterior of the home...don't know where that's from, but it is a very interesting concept.

posted by Christine on 2005-11-21 13:47:22

I'm having the same problem Libby.

Reef

posted by Reef on 2005-11-21 14:03:14

Well, now we know how to reach Max while he is on vacation. Post to his blog. He will be sure to notice. As for the Thread #82, I checked it and it seems to be working fine??? Do not give up, Reef and Libby!

posted by jill on 2005-11-21 14:23:53

I am also having the same problem with Thread #82. I was having a problem with it when it first appeared and I just checked and still the same - it opens to a blank.

Max, get off the internet--go outside! And someone take a picture of him on those waves!

posted by Pixie on 2005-11-21 15:09:09

Thread #82 works for me . . .
I use a Mac, Safari browser.

posted by guido on 2005-11-21 15:48:58

Arrrrgh! If I click on Thread #82 I get the blank page with the AT banner at the top. Then I refresh and for a nano-second I see a flash of posts but can't read any in time before it goes back to blank. This is such a horrid teaser! I feel entirely left out now and am crazy with wonder at these elusive posts that surely explain the meaning of life or something that I will now never know!

posted by Libby on 2005-11-21 17:12:14

They have those courtyards in southern France too, in the villages. I wonder if they have them in Italy?

posted by margaret on 2005-11-21 17:55:16

Libby, I get exactly the same thing.

posted by Pixie on 2005-11-21 18:12:31

I'm pathetic. The curiosity was killing me so I ended up scoping out the infamous Thread 82 (posts through the view source code option which is an absolute pain to try to read posts with!). Still, I don't fell all left out in the cold now. :^ )

posted by Libby on 2005-11-21 19:57:50

I can view Thread 82 at home now on my Mac. Weird. Libby, should I copy and send the whole thing to you?

posted by Pixie on 2005-11-21 20:39:41

I can't see the thread either. Wonder why?

posted by Fiona on 2005-11-22 09:41:59

Pixie - If it isn't too much trouble, would you copy and email me the Thread 82 posts? Thanks!

mail@libbyluhoo.com

posted by Libby on 2005-11-22 11:44:55

I'm at work now and I can't see Thread 82!
Libby, I can send it to you when I go home tonight. Unless someone else wants to do it during the day who can see the thread? Let me know if you do this.

posted by Pixie on 2005-11-22 11:48:27

I also can't see Thread 82 using Internet Explorer, but it's fine using FireFox.

posted by a on 2005-11-22 13:29:54