La Fortuna had apparently been a sleepy farming community until a rather spectacular eruption of its nearby volcano in 1968. Since then regular minor volcanic activity had drawn the tourists and catalysed the arrival of souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels and spas to service the predominantly American visitors. La Fortuna was really the first clear sign on our trip that the impacts of the financial crisis is global in the full sense of the word. Empty hotels, deserted restaurants and tour guides sweating on another day of no sales. The impact may have also been compounded by a recent nearby little judder perhaps putting off more of the legendarily worrisome American tourists. The excitement was not so much about seeing the volcano in all its splendour, it never actually emerged from the clouds, but the prospect
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