COSTA RICA

Sorry I am skipping a few days. Got busy. Thank you to all who are responding to me by email.  It is fun to hear from you.  :-)

Right now I am staying in the Barcelo San Jose Palacio Hotel and Casino just outside of the capital city of San Jose across the freeway from the brand new Soccer Stadium which seats 5,000 that will open in March, but only has parking for 500.  A bit of a controversy in town. The computer time here costs $10/hour!!!  I have had it free up until here.

This morning I awoke before 5 in order to catch the 6AM Caravan bus shuttle to the airport - a short 20-30 min. ride.  Last night our closing dinner with local dancing was held overlooking the locks.  They are all lit up as ships travel 24/7 except during last week's flooding. That was either the 1st or 2nd time the ships have been stopped in its history.  At the airport I was very tempted to buy Stohli's vodka at the duty free shop.  The huge bottle was only $18.  But alas, I have no room and that's after Sharie took my 2# bottle of rum with her as she flies back to SLO.

I was excited about my seat on the small plane being 1A. I have never sat there.  There was a single row on one side and double row on the other side.  As soon as I sat down I was given a drink and asked about my food order. Now, this was very strange as it was only a 60 minute flight. Apparently, I was one of 5 first class seats.  What fun! Plenty of leg room.  I could get used to this.  We were delayed leaving and on landing, but I didn't care!  I ordered the quiche as I couldn't understand what the other choices were.  Fig cheesecake for dessert! 

Had to give up my apples from See Canyon when entering SC.   While filling out the form I realized I didn't have the list of CR hotels with me nor the email from Caravan saying I could stay an extra day.  They offered the hotel, meals, taxi ride and cost to change departure air if I could move my tour to start Monday. NO PROBLEMO!  Problem now as I didn't have any idea where I was going to in San Jose. So I stopped at an info Desk after I got my big checked bag (weighing in at exactly 50# this morn....).  She knew one place but when she called I was only registered there for the 21st.  In Panama you start and end at the same hotel.  Somehow she found out the other hotel. We called there but they only had me staying Monday and Tuesday nights and could not add me in the Caravan group without an email from Caravan.  Caravan has no registered phone number in CR that the hotel would giveout. She could not call the states. She even called her tour leader huband - dif company - to see if he knew anyone.  My cell phone was not catching a satellite so I couldn't call.

So, I just took a taxi to the Monday night hotel - this fancy one and tried to check in.  They were going to give me a discounted rate until I could square up with Caravan Tours (CT). Well, they found me for tonight but with a dif spelling of my last name, so I am a happy camper.  Great room with a view of the stadium.  I immediately made a pot of coffee in the room. Better than Panamanian coffee!

After unpacking I decided to take a taxi into the city to see the Mucio de Artes Comtemporario.  The taxi driver - the safe one - didn't know where it was but followed directions from the dispatcher. I only had 45 min. to get there before closing at 4.  The city was very and messy as they had celebrated the Fiesta de Luz until midnight last night with parades and dancing in the streets. Unfortunately once he got there, he dropped me on the other side of the block from the entrance. When I got to the right mucio huffing and puffing they were closed.  But, contrary to the tour book and concierge the guards told me they are open manana. 

Fortunately, I had asked the driver to come back after 4.  So I waited by the parkchatting and despere\ately trying to understand the policeman on duty there.  There was a dance show going on in one of the buildings. Several policia cars came by. I asked why, he said because there was an activity going on.  I felt safe, even if I couldn't understand half of what he said.

When Eduardo, the taxi driver and now my friend, arrived he took me on a tour of the city as we tried to find places I could walk to manana.  There is a coffee house I want to try under an old hotel. He was very clear about the areas I should not walk in.  And pointed them out to me.  Nice. guy. 

I still don't have any colones to spend, but will try to get them in change.  I asked the ATM for 200,00 and it said no. So, I will have to figure that out manana.  Got US dollars at the airport Citbank ATM.

Gotta go my time is almost up.  I am having fun!

Hugs, Claudia