San José

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After Lindsay talked to the security guard in Spanish and was granted permission to place “an animal” on one of the large stone spheres at the entrance to the National Museum in San José, I knew it was time: GROUP PHOTO WITH HOWL!

We spent yesterday afternoon in San José, the capital city of Costa Rica, which is only about half an hour from San Joaquín. The two main attractions were the National Theatre and the National Museum, but all along the way Johnny filled us in about the history, commerce, and culture of the country. In the National Theatre, we were amazed by the ornate details and beautiful architecture. When seeing the marble from France and Italy and the huge amount of gold throughout the theatre, it is hard to imagine that the location was once the middle of a bunch of coffee fields. We were able to sit in one of the boxes of the theatre reserved for dignitaries and watch an excellent small group of musicians playing marimbas, xylophones, and percussion instruments, as they rehearsed for an evening performance. That was a special treat for us!

The weather was nice enough to walk to the National Museum, where we entered through a calming butterfly garden. Johnny led us through about 12,000 years of history of the region – from primitive weapons and pottery, to ancient burial practices, to the transport and use of jade and gold, to colonial times, to modern-day Costa Rica. All of the pieces started to come together, and we began to see where some of the practices and products that we see here every day had their origins.

After the museum, some group members talked Johnny into some free time at a nearby market so that they could start to shop for souvenirs. There are definitely some negotiators in the group!

We returned to San Joaquín at about 5:30 in plenty of time for dinner with our host families and ready to re-charge for another day's adventure.

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Photos

Group Shot!
At the entrance to the National Museum

Lunch
Our group filled the entire restaurant!

National Theatre
Our first glimpse of the National Theatre

What is it?
Everyone wants to know what Lindsay bought from a vendor just outside the entrance of the National Theatre

It Plays Music
It is a little flute-type instrument that looks like 5 different animals, depending on how you hold it

What's Everyone Looking At?
There is a lot to see on the ceiling of the entry to the National Theatre

Painting on the Ceiling
There is a huge painting depicting 19th-century Costa Rica (painted by someone in Italy who had never been to Costa Rica, so there are mistakes)

Howl Takes a Look
Howl wanted to see if he could spot the mistakes in the painting

More to See
There is much more to see up there

ASU Group Upstairs
The group visiting the upstairs social room of the theatre

Fearless
Howl didn't let this gold-plated Costa Rican beast scare him!

Inside
We spent some time inside the theatre where performances are held

Rehearsal
This group was rehearsing for a performance

Artifacts in the National Museum
Lindsay, Sean, Emily and Lesley look at some artifacts and the animals that inspired their shapes

Huge Spheres
Costa Ricans are still doing research to explain the existence of these huge spheres that were discovered throughout the country

Handcraft Market
Samantha makes a purchase at the market

Shopping
Emily and Sean check out some items at the market