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Published: December 3rd 2009
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victoria & janine
Guacima - at the house Travelling on American Thanksgiving turned out to be a good thing; the border & highway to Seattle were empty and getting here was really quick. Early next morning we flew to Dallas and on to San Jose. Mike & Kevin picked us up at the airport and we drove to their house. Victoria and Mike built their home in Guacima, a more rural area of the city, very quiet street just a block from the main roads so everything is close by to them. Harry & Sophie re-connected with Kevin & Marina immediately like they had never been apart and they kept each other entertained for the next three days.
The first morning (Sat) they took us through Alajuela to see the mercados. We can count to 100 in spanish but all the prices are in thousands, the colon is 1000 which is about $2 for us. It was really helpful to see & hear the exchange of money at the market and to learn 'how to drive'. Victoria is a great teacher, Mike is a great driver and it was lots of fun. I think all men would like to drive here, anything goes, it seems to work really well,
doug & mike
at the house we didn't see any road rage like at home. You have to dodge pedestrians, pot holes, semis, buses, bicycles and motorcycles going down the middle, all on a road no wider than a driveway which is constantly curvy and hilly like a roller coaster, with businesses lining the sides and lots to see, no room for error because of the 'gringo traps' on each side (ditches or holes with no covers). So different. We learned the route to their house (because there are no addresses or street names you just sort of have to remember) . One of Victoria's friends made a big batch of tamales for Victoria for Christmas so we walked to her house to pick them up and got to practise a bit of Spanish. They have tamales like we would have turkey dinner, they are like a large soft tortilla with rice and beans and pork all packaged up in a banana leaf and then steamed. Very good!
Next day (Sun) we picked up our rental car (OMG). I have to say I was worried to be let loose in our own car, I was getting pretty comfortable with Mike driving but we had a cel
all the kids
eating at the marcado phone in case we lost them and we never ended up separated, we just followed and it was ok. They took us to a beautiful natural pool, Ojo de Agua, (eye of water) where a giant artisan well of natural water flows out of the ground and they've made pools with it. The water has no chlorine, is clear like a lake and cool and is constantly flowing so its really clean. The kids played all day, the weather was hot and sunny & windy at the same time which is good because otherwise it would be too hot. Later afternoon we went to Victoria's Mom & Dad's house to meet them and had a visit and again a chance to practise our spanish. Victoria has a large family, all living close to her parents and helping take care of them.
Monday morning we drove to Poas Volcano and hiked up to look down into the crater, perfect weather, apparently it's often clouded or fogged over but we saw the aqua crater lake with hot steam spewing out and it was pretty spectacular. More hiking then we drove back down to a place for lunch with a beautiful vista, ....
victoria
with tamales and then Mike let us lead .... so we got lost. Learned a new spanish word 'hacia' which will help us in the coming days when Victoria is not there and we need to ask if we're on the right road. We loaded up at the bootleggers, helps to know some Ticos!
So far we're thinking they have a pretty nice life here in the Central Valley, hot sun, cool breeze, spectacular plants, relaxed lifestyle and apparently there are lots for sale just across the street.!!
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