JOHNNY'S JOURNEYS: COSTA RICA 1999

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JOHNNY'S JOURNEYS: COSTA RICA 1999



July 29, 1999 (Thursday)

One of our dental assistants, Sandy Smith, gave each of us a small wooden cross necklace to wear

for the trip. We shall give them to the Ticos (Costa Rican people) later. We said our good-byes to family

members as we left the LaQuinta Inn in Metarie, LA. We are soon at the New Orleans airport and will

be on our way to Central America.

Our first stop was in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Some passengers left... others got on. Then we had

a relatively short flight to San Salvador, El Salvador. The lovely airport in the capital city was new. One

hour later we were finally heading to San Jose. We all breezed through Customs and all our luggage,

equipment and supplies arrived. It took less than 40 minutes to load the bus. Standing by two members

from my home church in Montgomery, Alabama I pointed to my watch: 9:10. That is the street address

for Perry Hill U.M.C. Our destination is the nearby city of Alejuela, where we will stay the night at the

Centro Metodista Center. Of course, I left my carry-on bag on the bus. I just hope it will be on there

tomorrow. After a short meeting, we look forward to visiting the bunk-beds.



July 30, 1999 (Friday)

I woke up 4 or 5 times. Oh, the excitement of being back in Costa Rica! Breakfast is served at 7:30.

We enjoy watermelon, papaya, pineapple, pancakes, bacon and fruit juice. There are 53 in our group.

This is the largest dental team Gerald Freeman has ever led. There are 6 dentists, 4 dental hygienists

and a lot of helpers.

Our bus left Alejuela around 9 a.m. And I was relieved to find my carry-on. Heading east for 16

miles, we had a nice visit in the city of Cartago. It is the 3^rd largest city in the country and served as the

capital of Costa Rica for 250 years. Our Lady of the Angels Basilica is a stunningly beautiful Catholic

Church. Originally built in 1639, it was partially destroyed by an earthquake. The current building

dates back to 1939. There are thousands of “pilgrims” in Cartago this week, as the country prepares for

the August 2^nd feast day of the Virgin of the Angels. There is an “ancient” cobblestone road that looks

better than some roads we've seen. There was time for a trip to the Santiago Apostol Parish Ruins. This

is the unfinished building ruins which were badly damaged by an earthquake in 1910. It was never

completed and is now a tranquil site for lovely gardens.

I bought some pastries for a snack; including a 5-pack of doughnuts with pink icing. Well, they sorta

crunched like cookies... but still good. We then had a little of a perilous ride through winding mountain

roads. There was a small land-slide that slowed us down. We saw coffee plantations, banana plants,

huge aloe vera plants, and living fences. Barbed wire was strung to different sizes and types of trees,

plants, bushes and shrubbery.

Turrialba! Home sweet home! This town of 35,000 is up in the mountains. Our group checks into

the Hotel Wagelia. Bob Simpson will be my roommate. At lunch, I bought a casad. It consisted of rice,

fish, black beans, fried egg, tortilla, salad and yellow plantain for 1735 colonies ($6.20)

Quite full from lunch, I went back to the room and slept for an hour. Then all our crew went to the

work site to set up for Saturday. After a little while, a high school band started practicing. There must

have been 30 drums and a dozen cymbals. We enjoyed watching them march down the street. Then it

was a 4 block walk back to the hotel. The Wagelia has shiny tile floors and a lovely courtyard.

At 7:11 I went to check the supper menu. After my large lunch, I thought I would go sort of light

tonight. So, a group of us went to Pop's and I had a 3-scoop neapolitan banana-split. And I'm in bed

by 10 p.m.



July 31, 1999 (Saturday)

Up at 6:30. It was so pleasant to have my shaving kit with me today. Breakfast was served at 7:15.

There was the traditional black beans and rice, corn tortillas, papaya, fried egg, pineapple and a thick

(unknown) fruit juice.

8:00 and all of us were at the work site, eager to serve our new Costa Rican friends. It seemed like

half of our patients today were 11 year old girls. The dental patients ranged in age from 6-65. I will be

Dr. Charles Smith's dental assistant this week. I was also his asst. two years ago in Playa Coco. We

complete a few dozen extractions and bunches of fillings. I even got to operate the blue laser gun.

Lunch was served from 12:30 – 1:30. And we finished working at 5:20. We were all walking back to

the hotel by 5:30. We accomplished quite a bit of good work today. I tried to call “home” but could not

get an outside line.

After a hot shower, 30 of our group went to Lena's Restaurant. Some of last years group wanted to

go back for the rotisserie chicken. I ordered half a chicken (pollo) and french fried potatoes. It seemed

like everyone was ordering a coca-cola or diet-coke in 16 oz. bottles. So, to be different, I ordered a

GRANDE coke. I was surprised to receive a LARGE chocolate milk. . Well,

something was lost in translation. Delicious for $6.40.

Back at the hotel, we had a devotional at 8 p.m. There were some soul-stirring songs. Since I had

gone to Pop's last night, I led a group back there tonight. There were 26 of us! I had a large blackberry

yogo-shake for 70 cents. Returning to the room, I caught up on my diary and was in bed at 10:15.



August 1, 1999 (Sunday)

I called home about 7:00 this morning. I sang “You are my sunshine” to Bethany. The family is safe

and sound... and I soon join the others for breakfast. It's now time to walk the 4 blocks to our work-site.

I arrive with several others and start preparing to see lots of teeth today. Dr. Charles and I worked

pretty much without a break from 8:00 – 12:30. And what a selection of good stuff they had prepared

for lunch today! There were peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, tuna-fish sandwiches, tomatoes, cheese,

spam, vienna sausages, guacamole dip, chips, pretzels, peanuts, watermelon, papaya, cookies, iced tea

and fruit punch. We are well fed!!

We did not see quite as many people today, but the extractions were bloodier. The dentist and I lost

two assistants, who couldn't stand so much blood. We got back about 4:45 and I took pictures of the

lovely hotel courtyard. We are going to the Methodist Church tonight at 7:00 for an evening worship

service.

We all rode in a bus, for the church was on the edge of town. We first got a tour of the church

parsonage, which was completed just last year. Four of the church children greeted us with a hug. The

service was bi-lingual and lasted about two hours. It was very nice, with lots of singing. We got fairly

emotional a few times. The Ticos were so grateful for the many trips Gerald Freeman had led in the

past few years. This was the second dental team trip. At the end of the service tonight, we each got up

and went around to find a local person to present our wooden cross to. I chose a 19 year old woman

who we treated on the first morning. Where's the bus? We walked about one mile back to our hotel.

About 10 p.m., I joined John and Becky, Pam and Marge for a trip to the LaGarza Restaurant. I had

a chicken casada and two frothy limonade-waters for $5.30. As we returned through the Central Park, I

was fascinated by an army of leaf-cutter ants. In bed at 11:15.



August 2, 1999 (Monday)

This is my 27^th birthday as a born-again Christian. For breakfast this morning we have plenty of

pancakes and fruit. This turned out to be a typical workday with my favorite dentist, Charles Smith. We

worked on patients from 8:00 until 12:30.

The afternoon shift was from 1:45 – 4:45. To conserve power, we turned out the lights on the stage

and worked by sun-light, a little rain-light and a small flash-light. We served many people in the city

today.

The bus left at 7:00 tonight and we ride up to a mountain restaurant. There is a fabulous view from

the Turrialtico Hotel and Restaurant. As we looked down at the lights of the city below, there was such

a warm and golden glow. Beautiful... a sight I'll never forget. For supper, I had a thick fresh-water fish

fillet, red beans and rice, fried plantain, steamed veggies and a glass of ginger-ale for $8.95. Wow!

On the return trip to our hotel, Wendy made an announcement about the white-water "rofting" trip. We

really enjoy listening to her strong English accent. The all day rafting trip would be $45. I voiced some

concern about taking my good camera. Shawnea graciously furnished me with a disposable, waterproof

camera. Very nice of her. Lights out in the room at 10:15.



August 3, 1999 (Tuesday)

I'm up at 5:40 and very excited about the day. Breakfast at 6:30 was corn tortillas and a thick omelet

plus fruit and juice. The bus pulled away from the hotel at 7:11. Are you ready for an adventure?

We shall be riding on some winding mountainous roads for awhile. Just outside the city, we pass by

C.A.T.I.E. It is the Center for Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education. It's an

environmental center for thousands of plants in Latin America and the Caribbean.

There is so much lush, green scenery as we continue riding. There are banana plants, fir trees, pine

trees, bamboo, coconut palms, ferns, living fences, coffee plants and bushes on hillsides (usually with a

shade tree overhead).

About an hour later, we stopped and waited for 3 vans to take us down to the river. I pet a horse at a

nearby stable. I hope I get a chance to ride one in Costa Rica one day. On one van, 18 guys and girls

were riding on the roof. In my van, I rode with Emily, George A., Pam, Pate and a few of the guides. It

took about 20 minutes down a steep, winding dirt road to arrive at the Pacuare River. There were about

30 folks from our dental team that will participate today. I chatted with 4 Belgians who are also on this

Loco's Tropical Tour. The guides gave thorough instructions and then we're fitted with life-vests and

helmets.

Sharon from Colorado is our raft guide. She had a few years experience back home on the Arkansas

River. Joseph and I were up front, while Pam and Erin paddled from the middle. Eighteen miles!! I will

repeat. EIGHTEEN MILES!!! There were four Class-IV rapids on this route. The categories are I= easy

up to VI= you don't survive...

Twice on this raft ride, we passed underneath a metal cable, where the indigenous people would sit

in a metal chair and pull themselves across the river. Also, we crossed under a metal foot-bridge. I even

saw a railroad trestle above as a small 3-car work-train passed overhead as we rafted underneath it.

I see green, lush green, thick and abundantly green, overwhelmingly green green.. Get the picture?

This is awesome! Our guide told us which class # the upcoming rapids would be; either II, III or IV.

She would give us the Spanish and English name. Cool. After just ten minutes, we were all completely

soaked. Not even one square inch of dryness for my glasses. What a beautiful and glorious trip. We

passed by 15-20 waterfalls. Four were quite impressive. And we had the COLD and wet thrill to paddle

through two of them! Refreshing!

Going through our second Class-IV rapids, Teddy and Dr. Charles were thrown out of their raft. The

6'5” state trooper, Teddy, was trapped underwater by the weight of Dr. Charles. He could not breathe

for a short period of time. Teddy looked scared to death when I lugged him into our raft. Then, I pulled

Dr. Charles Smith into the raft. Wow, my adrenaline kicked in to help both of them up. They were both

exhausted. In five minutes, we went ashore for lunch.

The guides flipped over one of the rafts and placed a tablecloth on it. Now, it was a buffet table. Lunch

was chicken sandwiches on whole wheat rolls with lettuce, tomatoes and white cheese; chips with bean

dip and also salsa dip; small squares of broccoli and rice casserole; watermelon, pineapple and bananas.

For dessert we had little brown squares of coconut flakes, syrup and a third unknown ingredient. I used

a mossy rock for my table. We also had coke and fruit juice. For a nice touch, each food container had a

flower placed atop it.

Now we have nine more miles of cold, wet FUN. It even rained on us for half an hour. Experienced,

we navigated the rest of the rapids pretty well. After passing through a nice stretch of white-water, we

would give the rafter's salute. All oars “smack” in the middle of the raft, like we are giving a toast.

Toward the end of this four hour trip, we reached a smooth stretch where most all of us jumped into

the river and swam half of a mile. We went swimming through a pretty canyon. So exhilarating..

this was a trip of a lifetime! I thought I needed a souvenir tee-shirt. It reads: I Survived the Class-IV Rapids

of the Pacuare River.

There is another pretty mountainous ride as we return to Turrialba. I change my clothes and go to

work at the clinic from 4:45-5:45. I held a flash-light for Joetta, the hygienist. Then it was back to the

Wagelia Hotel for supper. I had another chicken and rice dish.

The devotional was held from 8:00 – 9:00. Then it was time for another trip to Pop's for ice cream. I

walked with Wendy, Joseph, Erin, Dr. Bob and two of the teenage guys. Twenty folks from our mission

team were already standing in a long line. Tonight, I ate coconut ice cream in a sugar cone. In bed at

10:20. There was so much to be thankful for.



August 4, 1999 (Wednesday)

Up at 3 a.m., looking for the Tums. Too much good food, I suppose. Up for good at 6:30. I decided

to skip the big breakfast this morning. So I just drank a large glass of juice. I was able to take a few

pictures of the downtown area as I walked to the clinic. I'm thankful for a clear sunshiny morning. 21

miles in the distance is Turrialba Volcano!

I arrived at the work-site at 7:50. This is our last day. There were dozens of folks waiting to see us.

The morning just flew by. Lunch was served from 12:30 – 1:30. D.T. Asked me to say the blessing.

There were several extractions we performed this afternoon. By 3:45, I had my picture taken with Dr.

Charles and our last patient. We treated 500 patients this week! It does not seem like we were in

Kenner, LA 7 nights ago. It took about an hour to pack and clean up. I left at 4:45 for a nice hot shower.

The bus took all of us back to the work-site for our 6 p.m. dinner. The Costa Rican Methodists had

prepared supper for us. There was rice and meat, chips, fruit, cookies and juice. Then at 7:00, local

church folks came in for our farewell service. 5 teenage boys and 5 teenage girls dressed in their native

costumes and danced for us. They also put on a little skit. Chris and Shari sang.

Each one of us was presented a hand-made cloth plaque with our name on it. We took turns, one by

one, going onto the stage, to receive it. They applauded each one of us, for all our help this past week.

This was so nice. There was a small devotion and a little more dancing. John and Becky B. and Pam

made their presentation: a bicycle for the pastor. Their Mobile church, South Brookley, had bought the

bike for the pastor's 25 mile trip to a satellite church, once a month. Then I went up on stage and was

given the microphone. David H. translated as I presented a Spanish version of the JESUS video to the

pastor, Eli. I had tried for a month to order the tapes... and they arrived just two days before I left. (The

other four videos were given to our missionary leader, Gerald Freeman to give to pastors around the

country). I wonder how many lives will be touched by these videos??

D.T. Holden gave the benediction, but nobody wanted to leave. I went back up onto the stage (where

four dental chairs had been for the last week) and had a few pictures taken with the dancers. What a

wonderful night, full of warm, fuzzy feelings. Like being on the mountaintop, you just did not want this

feeling to end.

It was a joyous sight to see the little children, scampering around, eager for an autograph. I even

signed 3 autographs myself. That was a first. What an appreciative, loving people we have served here

in Turrialba. We have built a “bridge” and will remember them in our prayers. It was hard to say our

good-byes. As I was leaving, a woman and her husband, with their three children, gave me a hug. We

then headed out into a gentle rain.

We loaded onto the bus for a short ride back to our hotel. Shawnea encouraged the driver to drive by

Pop's first. And most everyone got off the bus there. I bought a more' yogo-shake (blackberry yogurt

shake) for $1.90. I then had my photo taken with David Majors and Joetta Davis (the Perry Hill crew).

A short walk of four blocks and we're back at Hotel Wagelia. I get caught up on my travel diary. Bob

and I turn out the lights at 11 p.m. And the rain begins to fall again.



August 5, 1999 (Thursday)

I woke up in time to hear the bells of the Catholic Church chime three times. Then I'm up at 5:45.

Our bus needs to be completely packed so we can depart at 8:00. I tried to call home; until I heard the

last call for our bus ride.

We had a lovely ride in the mountains, looking out at the rich green valleys below. For 20 minutes,

we were delayed by a minor landslide. We then stopped for a short snack break in Cartago.

Next for us was a one hour ride to the IRAZU Volcano National Park. It is the highest active

volcano in Costa Rica. And on a clear day (but not this day) one can see the Pacific Ocean and the

Caribbean Sea. It has two cones or craters. The deeper one has an unusually colored green lake. It was

magnificent to view! I heard a comment about some ones warm shoes. I placed my hand on the ground

and indeed it was quite warm. This was rather unusual since the air temperature was 52 degrees. Steam

was rising from some of the open vents. The last major eruption was between 1963-1965. This place is

surrounded by plants with huge leaves. Locals call them a “poor man's umbrella”. This was the second

volcano I've visited. I saw Arenal Volcano on a trip two years ago. There was an opportunity to drive up

to the Guayabo National Monument, but the steep road was just too muddy.

A little while later, the bus stopped in Cartago for lunch. We went to a Spanish mission which was

built around 1575. It was destroyed in 1841. After being rebuilt, it was destroyed by another major

earthquake in 1910. There was so much damage that Santiago Apostol Parish Ruins were never rebuilt.

In front of this church/mission is a cobblestone road. I then joined most of our crew for a few

cheeseburgers at a Burger King.

We were then bused back to the outskirts of San Jose to the Moravia shopping district. Able to shop

from 3:00 – 5:30, as the time really flew by. There was a very pretty courtyard behind a few buildings.

And I bought several nice souvenirs.

Our home tonight will be the Alejuela Centro Metodista center. And it is very crowded. I shared a

room in the last cabin with a group from Oak Ridge, TN. There are four bunk-beds per room. There are

two rooms on the left for men and two rooms on the right for women. Same directions for bathrooms.

In a little while the bus took us to Pizza Hut for supper. This time I had the traditional spaghetti with

meat-sauce and a vanilla milkshake.

About 8:45 we started our communion service. Gerald Freeman and D.T. Holden spoke, as did about

half of our group. We sang 4 or 5 songs, then broke bread for communion. The theme tonight was

“teamwork and service”. It was a very moving and emotional time. We all had tears of joy tonight. This

special time ended about 10:15. I then went to get some medicine for Gerald. His 3 year old daughter,

Joy, was running around. I told her that I had a 4 year old little girl. And that she was this tall. Since

she is not here, can I give you a good-night hug? Joy jumped into my arms and gave me a big squeeze.

I miss Bethany!



August 6, 1999 (Friday)

I got up at 6:30 and we had our team photo taken at 7:00. This was followed by a delicious

breakfast of pancakes and fresh fruit. My roommate Bob gave the morning devotional. Then D.T. gave

us our itinerary. They would go to a leather factory in the morning for a couple of hours. Then there

would be shopping in San Jose in the afternoon. That just didn't appeal to me. Some folks just wanted

to take it easy, stay at the Methodist Center, go back to bed, play frisbee or go swimming. I asked some

people where they would go. Wendy and Tyler wanted to see the museums. Well, me too!!

I went back inside to apply sunscreen; then the three of us left at 8:30. We took a taxi from Alejuela

to downtown San Jose. It was a 25 minute ride. I was the brave one and rode in the front seat. The very

first thing I did was to strap on the seat belt. The taxi drivers ONLY stop at stop signs if there is traffic

crossing ahead. Whatever the speed limit is, they are NEVER more than two car lengths behind the

next vehicle. The constant honking of horns and the whipping in ahead of others... my goodness. About

the only rule of the road is that the biggest vehicle “wins”. It was fascinating to watch motor-scooters

squeeze in between two buses. I would not drive a car in Costa Rica for a year's salary!

It cost about $12 for the three of us for our taxi ride. We were dropped off in front of a 15-story

building. Tyler went to get some cash. The Jade Museo is on the 13^th floor. What a gorgeous view of the

capital city of San Jose; especially looking out toward the mountains.

This is the largest collection of jade in Central America. There are about 7000 pieces of jade housed

here. The time frame was from 500 BC to 800 AD. There were hundreds of pieces of pottery, tubes of

sculpted jade, necklaces, and even a tooth with a jade filling. There were several volcanic rock 3 legged

seats where the jade was “rolled”. There are intricate etchings of designs, usually symmetrical, on these

volcanic rock seats. A simple bow and string instrument was used to carve into a block of jade. After

polishing, the final product was “set” or preserved with beeswax. After 90 minutes we were looking for

another adventure. Was so glad I had a chance to see this.

Adjacent to the Jade Museum was an art exhibit from an Argentinian painter. I looked at all 25 of

these paintings. Most featured only two colors: blue and yellow. They were very striking.

Across the street was a public school designed by Pierre Eiffel (as in the Eiffel Tower in Paris). It

was built in 1910 and is located next to the Spanish Plaza. There is a lovely, shaded garden there. We

then walked to the nearby Youth, Sports and Culture Center. Part of this complex was built in the 1850s

and had been home of the national distillery of liquors. At that point, no other homemade liquor was

legal. Plus, it could now be taxed.

I strolled through a few streets and bought ice cream from a sidewalk vendor. Sat in the shade to

enjoy the ice cream and watch school children play soccer. Next was some window shopping before

going inside and bought a shiny stone bracelet for Janet.

We walked some more until it was time for lunch. Went into a small restaurant and decided to “go

native”. Had a chalupa with tamarind juice and yucca fruita. Today's chalupa was a tortilla with lots of

lettuce, cabbage strings, tomatoes and bean dip. About half-way through lunch, Bob Simpson joined us.

It started to rain as we left (surprise). All four of us went to tour the Teatro Nacional (National Theater).

Built in 1897, it is the finest theater in Costa Rica, if not Central America. There was a humongous

chandelier and a beautifully painted domed ceiling with small angels and cherubim. Maroon colored

velvet seats looked inviting. There are three levels to the balcony. Beside the marble stairwells are gold

guilded woodwork. Wow, this was so elegant.

Bob split away from our group and headed towards the Jade Museum. Next, we tried to tour the

Gold Museum; but it was closed for the day. Such a disappointment. Will eventually have to come back

here on a future trip.

Then Wendy, Tyler and I went to one of the central shopping markets. There was ample opportunity

to do some bargain shopping. I bought a perched parrot for Bethany's room. There were dozens of stalls

of raw food products and herbs. That was certainly an interesting hour. As we were leaving, there was a

Marimba band on the sidewalk.

Now its time to take a taxi to the National Art Museum. Unfortunately it was closed today to set up

a new exhibit. Oh well... there is a nice park right there with a lake and sidewalk around it. There is a

large swath of bamboo and a nice water fountain in the center of the lake. At last years International Art

Exhibit, an architectural display representing each Latin American country was donated and left to

”circle the lake”. We enjoyed watching ducks, a few fishermen and several trees I'd never seen before.

The three of us caught a bus from San Jose back to Alejuela for 60 cents each. Got to listen to

interesting stories about Panama, Easter Island, the Cuban refugees, scuba diving, whale sharks, foster

children and movie making on Jekyl Island, Georgia.

The bus dropped us off about three blocks from the Methodist Center. A quick change and then we

are off to supper. Our large group walked about eight blocks and stopped at a super market to buy some

souvenir coffee. We then stopped at a Chinese restaurant. I ordered a chuleta de cerda and received a

big 14-inch pork chop, smothered in gravy and onions. Of course, a little salad, french fries, plantain,

plus rice and beans. I drank a ginger-ale and topped it off with flan de coco. Yummy!

We arrive back at the Methodist Center at 9:00. I was able to call Janet and Bethany. In bed at 10:30.

This has been a wonderful day and a terrific trip!



August 7, 1999 (Saturday)

3:05 seemed way too early to rise and shine. After packing the luggage on the bus, we pulled out at

4 a.m. And by 4:15 we were at the airport. Then there was a two hour wait. I found a grasshopper to

play with. Check-in went smoothly and the plane left at 6:40.

Breakfast on the plane was black beans and rice (surprise!), scrambled eggs with tomato and fresh

fruit. Flying over the Pacific Ocean I saw a few fishing boats near the coast. There was lush green, hilly

land as we flew over the El Salvador countryside. There was a short wait at the newly remodeled San

Salvador airport. Then, there was a short layover in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. I had a few hours to

write postcards. By 1:00 Louisiana is below us. I'm going through customs at 1:17. Very pleased that

my luggage arrives with me. It is time for a happy reunion with Janet and Bethany!

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