Business of the week!
Every week Osa App will feature a business of the week.
This week’s Business of the Week is Artesania Aventurero. The owner is Ciailo, the wood carver. His shop is 300 meters on the left-hand side of the road going out of town (Puerto Jimenez) toward Matapalo and Corcovado National Park. At first glance, it looks a bit like a cluster of wood stacks. .
Ciailo collects wood from all over the Osa Peninsula and has it stockpiled in front of his shop. On request, does special orders, and has been a wood carver for as long as I have been here, and longer.
As I walked through his store, he pointed out his different piles of work. When I told him I was eating next door, he gestured me over to a corner outside.
There I saw a 55-gallon drum with smoke coming out of the top. He lifted the banana leaves off the top to reveal some pork being grilled. He tore off a chunk and handed it to me. Ciailo, the woodworker, can also grill! The pork had a smoky flavor. Also, like a lot of meats here, this meat was salted first in a dry brine. ¡Fue muy rico!
So, if you would like an authentic piece of wooden art (and maybe a bite of barbecue?) from Costa Rica, be sure to drop by Ciailo’s shop.
Artes de Osa
Artes De Osa is owned by a wonderful man, Jose.
Jose’s shop sells art and souvenirs; the art is handmade by artisan artists all over the Osa Peninsula.
I met Jose over 14 yrs ago. At one time, he was selling his truck. I asked him how many papayas for his truck, and he said 1 million. 14 yrs later, I still bring him a papaya.
If you would like to pick up a piece of art or something, his shop is right before PM grocery’s across the street. When you ask him how much, when he tells the price, then ask him how many papayas for the piece.