A Day in the Life: From Sunrise Over the Central Valley to Sunset Cocktails by the Pool

When we’re working with clients, our day begins at nine and wraps up around one. Lunch follows at two — a family meal always centered around fresh, homegrown ingredients. Crisp greens from the garden, tomatoes still warm from the sun, grilled meats, tropical fruits, and local cheese — a true farm-to-table feast.

On quieter days, you’ll find me in the garden from morning until lunch, happily pruning, planting, or harvesting. When errands call, I plan them carefully — leaving at 9:30 and returning by two, perfectly timed to avoid traffic and keep my peace of mind intact.

And when the routine feels too predictable, we escape to the coast — just a 45- to 60-minute drive from Atenas — for a long lunch by the sea. There’s nothing quite like fresh-caught fish, the sound of the surf, and sunlight dancing across the water. On the way home, we often stop by a local fisherman’s home to pick up seafood for the week ahead.

After lunch, our siesta ritual begins. Around three, I meditate briefly, then nap for about an hour — especially blissful during the rainy season, when cool air drifts through open windows and the rhythmic patter of rain on the roof creates the perfect lullaby.

By late afternoon, it’s time for coffee or tea. Around 4:30 or 5:00, we brew a fresh cup and enjoy a light snack — often a tortilla de queso palmada with natilla, a hand-pressed cheese tortilla with a touch of sour cream. As I begin preparing dinner, I’ll chat with my mother, catch up with Gerardo, or unwind with a podcast.

Once a week, my mother and I indulge in one of our favorite rituals — an in-home massage. For nearly twenty years, it’s been our shared tradition. The gentle music, the scent of essential oils, the open air drifting through the house — it’s the purest form of pura vida self-care, and one of life’s simplest, most restorative pleasures.