CR is such a strange place. Every region is different and evokes a different feeling and experience.
When we first arrived home from our trip, we were so glad to be back. It was nice we said, But so nice to be home. A place to visit a few more times or to visit Dori and Dad if they really decide to live there. I wasn't quite sure why my immediate reaction to the country wan't the same as my parents. They loved it so much. I mean enough to move there.
I now realize it is because the "bug" hits you once you arrive back to the states. Now that time has passed. And only a little over a month mind you..we find ourselves craving the Pura Vida that Costa Rica has to offer. Still I would never live there personally, but I do hope to travel back many a times. Until then I tend to relive the adventure through my pictures and through this: our Costa
Woke up at 3:30 in the morning yesterday to catch our 6:50 flight to Houston. Carly was a bit nervous on the first flight, but soon got over her fear as excitement took hold. During our 1 hour lay over in Houston we grabbed some breakfast- fruit for me and some pretty good airport eggs and pancakes for Carly. Then onto the next plane that left at 9:25- and a quick 3 hours or so later we were in costa rica. Carly wad worried that our plane would have to fly through tropical storm don, which was brewing in the gulf, but we skirted around it- though we had a few bumps along the way. We arrived in San Jose airport, then waited in line at immigration, then had a scare at baggage claim when our bags failed to show up, and everyone else on our flight had already picked theirs up. Right before I was about to storm over to continental to give them an earful, our bags appeared through the curtain. I guess they just wanted to add some suspense to our trip. Once through customs, we found ourselves in the midst of dozen of taxi drivers bombarding us with questions and service. Carly says she now knows what it feels like to have paparrazi after you as soon as you leave a building.
Soon enough I was able to spot Allan and Dori who had been looking for us through a window. We missed them for all of the commotion. We followed them to their rental car. It was an appropriate beat up 4 wheeled drive jeep with a funky wet dog smell. We left the airport and headed to our first destination. But first we had to get through San Jose. Dori and Allan kept asking us not to judge costa rica by the looks of San Jose. It wasn't the most attractive city. The roads were interesting and the drivers were crazy. we needed to acclimate. although once we headed out of the city more, we reached the countryside where the green rolling mountainsides started appearing.
The place was down some backroads in the boonies, and hung from the side of a mountain with the most incredible view of the surrounding countryside. It was owned by a very nice couple who were retired expats from Texas, and we were greeted upon our arrival by their two Rottweilers, Lola and Maggie. They were giant, but sweet and goofy and never left our sides while we were there. The house was small, but cute. The first floor had a small kitchen, a king bed and a bathroom, and the loft had 2 twin beds. But we spent most ofnour time on the porch, or the costa rican "living room" gazing at the amazing view. Around the house was 15 acres of paths that wound through beautiful flowers, banana trees and other plants that I had never seen before. The owners imported and cultivated many different types of plants, and the result was better than any botanical garden I have ever been to. It was like being on Pandora.
After some coffee to rivive us a bit we decided to set off on a diving tour of the surrounding valley, known as Orosi, named after the village at the center. It was gorgeous, filled with rivers, mountains and coffee plantations. We stopped multiple times for photo ops, and drove the entire route, which makes a loop around the town, in about 2 hours.
We finished at about 5:30, which is when it starts to get dark, so we drove into Cartago to get some dinner. Dori took us to a place called Pharo's, which she had been to before, as they had good food and a waiter who could speak some English. Alan, dori and Carly ordered some giant margaritas (3 bucks!) and I had another cup of coffee to keep from passing out. The food was pretty decent, nacho appetizer for the table, Carly and I split fish served with the " special house sauce" and dori ordered a giant plate with fried plantains, grilled banana, ribs, chicken and beef. The funniest part of the night came when dori asked the waiter for salt and pepper and he enthusiastically returned smiling with salt and a bottle of tobasco.
After dinner we stopped at a local fruit stand, of which there are hundreds, to buy food for breakfast. We bought 2 mangos, a pineapple, nectarines, 8 eggs, milk, cream and tortillas for 13 dollars. It would have been 30 at heb.
Then we stopped by the local church to take pictures. The whole town it seemed was out, and there was a carnival atmosphere- vendors selling every kind of food, and a stage with live music. Then back to the house, as we all were whooped and ready to drop. Carly and I slept together on one of the twins, like we used to do when we first met, and I conked out immediately to the hum of an old timey oscillating fan and the cool breeze through the windows. No need for air conditioning.
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