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Another Mega journey from San Diego by Greyhound to Los Angeles then caught a plane via Miami to Costa Rica. Left Southern California at 2 o´clock in the afternoon and arrived at our accommodation in San Jose 29 hours later, helped in no small part to a 6 hour delay at Miami Airport. Our landing at San Jose in heavy rain was a bit scary. The plane was bouncing about so much that the guy sitting next to me crossed himself three times.
I still have the reoccuring problem with my ingrowing toenail. It´s been agony for over a week, no way was I going to seek expensive treatment in the States so have to take my chances in Costa Rica.
Juan Carlos, the receptionist at the Costa Rica Guesthouse Hostel recommended a medical facility, so next day we caught a taxi to the Clinica Biblica to seek advice. A doctor arrived, had a look and told me to sit on the table and he would fix it with minor surgery. He gave me two jags on my toe (extremely painful) then sliced open the left side followed by splitting my toenail, and removing the offending
part.
After that he stitched it back together. I will be out of action for a wee while but I´m so glad it has finally been dealt with. It cost 52 pounds for the treatment. I have to return in a weeks time to have the stitches removed. Bearing this in mind we didn´t want to venture far from the capital.
The surfing beach resort of Jaco seemed to fit the bill, only a 3 hour journey from San Jose. When we arrived at the station intending to catch the 1 o´clock bus they said ¨one seat left¨
Either, wait 2 hours for the next one in the dodgy bus terminus or take one seat and one standing. Great!!!! Standing on a bus for 3 hours with a bandaged toe.
Took the 1 o´clock, fortunately some folks never turned up, so I had a seat all the way.
Booked into the Hostel De Haan amongst all the surfing dudes and next door to a brothel. We actually paid extra for our room with 3 double beds because they didn´t have a double available, so next day we moved next door, not to the brothel
pole dancer
Let's Beef It Up a Little but another hostel named Calu. The room was cheaper at US$35, brighter, and had cable TV.
The beach isn´t great, even if it was that wouldn´t matter, someone turned on the big tap in the sky after the second day and it hasn´t stopped since!!! Thought we´d experienced severe downpours on our travels but this wins, hands down!! I know it's the start of the rainy season but this is ridiculous!!!
Turns out, it was Alma, the first tropical storm of the season, or Tormenta Tropicale Alma as the local news calls it.
Tormenta, all right!!!!! Our only expeditions were running in the rain from our hostel to the Taco Bar for great grub then back to our room to watch cable TV with ¨Oor Kerry Oot¨.
Following day we´re on the bus back to our 15 pounds per night room at the Backpackers Hostel and Guesthouse in San Jose. The route from Jaco to the capital isn´t one you would choose to travel during a torrential downpour. Winding roads up and over the mountains with sheer drops and signs of landslides everywhere.
Made the journey safely only
Troublesome Toe
Had Me In Stitches to leave a bag on the taxi to our accommodation.
Bummer!!! Never got it back. It contained some toiletries, Costa Rica Book, and my dirty washing, 3 Tee shirts and underwear. I suppose it could´ve been worse. Some Tico ( Costa Rican ) will be walking about with my favourite Thailand vest, Bastard!!!!
All this rain is pretty depressing, don´t know if we should change our plans, trapped in our accommodation watching the floods and damage on the TV news. Took a taxi to Clinica Biblica to get my stitches removed, it was sore but over quickly, and the doctor didn't charge, so that was a bonus.
After some deliberation, we decided to stay a little longer in San Jose until the condition of the roads improve then carry on as planned.
YES!!!! The rain has stopped!!!
Went for a walk through the bustling city, must be lots of thieving, almost every store has an armed security guard at the entrance. Outside one shop, which looked like some sort of money lending or credit facility, a guy was standing guard holding a sawn off shotgun.
The city is full of life size
painted cows, quite cool really.
Walked through a dodgy area to the bus station to book tickets for our next destination.
We had a great meal on our last evening in the capital at a restaurant called Nuestra Tierro. Splashed out 22 pounds on a 3 course meal, well worth it!!
The next leg of our adventure starts at La Fortuna near the active Arenal Volcano, let's hope it doesn't have a major eruption this week!!!
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Caught up with you two at last............
This work stuff's been getting in the road ~ but somebody has to do it I suppose. Still, I did take comfort from that very sore looking big toe. Why did you put it in your blog ?? Were you looking for a sympathy vote ~ well that's just never going to happen, is it ?? But while we're on the subject have I told you about my piles recently ?? God damn it, the weather's got them all hot and bothered. I'm convinced I'm sitting down on a bunch of grapes all the time ??