2016 01 26 Day 4, La Fortuna

This morning Beth drove us to the Cartago train station where we got a free (geezer) ride to San José. The ride was crowded and bumpy I stood by the door, bracing myself with two hands and used my knees to steady the luggage. At the San Jose' station we asked a taxi to take us to the Terminal Norte Atlantico. However, he took us to Terminal 7-10 instead. 

As a result, we had a two hour wait for the bus to La Fortuna. The terminal however was very modern. It has three floors that look more like a shopping mall than a bus station.

The bus had moderately comfortable seats, but the ride was 4 hours long. We watched the scenery change as we crossed mountain ranges and valley floors.

Finally, as we approached LaFortuna, I spotted the hotel from the window, pulled the cord to signal a stop and we were done traveling for the day.


After we got our cabin, we relaxed for a short while before going out to dinner. We had refrescos (papaya and guayabana con leche). Then ordered a salad, pasta al pesto, and fish with mushroom sauce. It was well prepared and the service was relaxed and attentive.

The remainder of the evening was spent sitting on the cabin porch, trying to cool off. The temperature eventually left the eighties and probably got to the low seventies.

2016 01 25 Day 3, Cartago

We walked from Beth and Mathew's all around Cartago. The day started off cool, misty and windy. Before noon, we had to take off our jackets and sweaters, but we wore light rain coats from time to time. Although it drizzled some, by late afternoon it became partly sunny.

We ate lunch next to Las Ruinas, the site of an old church, destroyed by an earthquake in 1910.

Then we walked on the promenade that follows rehabilitated train tracks.

I tried to purchase an Eng/Span dictionary (electronic or standard) but could not find one. We did buy a couple of yogurts at an upscale "Fresh Market" and a bouquet for our hosts.

When we returned there was a lasagna waiting to be baked. Ann and I played our recorders until Joslyn came home. We made a cole slaw and ate when Matt arrived. Beth had to work late and had dinner at 8PM. Matt had to go to bed shortly after Beth came home because he has to go to work super early. The rest of us spent the remainder of the evening talking in the kitchen. Joslyn lent us a phone and dictionary for the next two weeks

 

2016 01 24 Day 2, Cartago

Joslyn and her boyfriend Randall gave us a lesson in dancing the bolero.

We went to a Tico restaurant called Mi Tierra. I had a Casado Vegetriano which included thick little tortillas, rice, beans, avocado, elote (corn), and I had some of Ann's pescado frito and papas. I drank a refresco de cas and Ann had a Rebalado (barley, cinnamon, nutmeg).

The weather was cool, 66F and misty. We spent the afternoon and evening chatting around the kitchen table and checking maps and bus schedules on the computer in the living room.

Jan 23, 2016   Costa Rica

Our first few days are spent with cousins Beth and Mathew and their daughter, Joslyn in Cartago.

 

Above: COSTA RICA 2016
Below: MEXICO 2015