Blogs from San José, Costa Rica, Central America Caribbean - page 74

Well, the trip has finally winded down to a close here in San Jose. What a journey it´s been. I feel like I´ve seen more in the past ten weeks than I have my entire life. From the friendliness of the locals, the organic beauty of the landscapes, the mystique of the ancient traditions; the trip has been both completely satisfying and hugely surprising. Half of me never wants to leave. He wants to forget the plane ticket home, and move south through Panama, hop to Latin America and tour the continent. Stay in one city for a month, really get to know the place, the people, and the life. He wants to finish school, well, later. There´s so much to see, so many increadible places that are only imaginable through impassioned stories from fellow backpackers. ... read more

Thursday we played tourist in San Jose after Bill's dental appointment. (three fillings for $72). I'd been wanting to see the National Arts and Craft Street Market for some time but we just hadn't made it there. Thursday we finally did. The market is on 13th street between 2nd and Central Avenue, west of the Plaza de la Democracia. ticoartesanias You can find many of the same things you find in all the shops throughout the country but less expensive. For example, a wooden bread board made to hold a baguette was priced at 8,000 colones or $16 at the mercado, we've seen the same in La Fortuna selling for $80. T-shirts sell for $5.00 each and Callista found her miniatures for 500 colones or $1 each. We had a great day wandering around 'the city' ... read more

So I made it ok to costa rica, after waiting an hour at the airport for the hostel to pick me up we got to the hostel located right in the city center. Although he hostel is really cool, I´m starting to hate being in the cities so I´m here only 2 nights and I´m headed off to the pacific to a place called Mal Pais. According to the locals here is a hippie spot and alot of potheads go there. I´m actually going out there to stay with someone for a few days. The hostel PANGEA is really cool, has a pool, a restaurant and bar, $1 beers after 8pm but most importantly when traveling is the free internet. Oh, and yes a free international call nightly for 10 minutes. Everyone I´ve met here so ... read more

Trial and error, I am attempting to get the countdown feature going. Here goes til we head south... read more

Ive made it back home to Costa Rica and will update you even if you dont want it, since I have free internet in San Jose. :) Well, what a mission! It started yesterday in Ecuador when I picked up my new passport (after the other one was stolen). My credit card hadnt arrived yet but they can send that to me in Costa Rica. Anyway, they were all doom and gloom at the South African consulate, telling me if I didnt go to Ecuador immigration to get my entry date stamped into my new passport, I would be fined $300 USD at airport immigration. Thats cool, I tracked down immigration early the next day (the day I was flying out) and managed to charm the officer into giving me a new stamp on the spot. ... read more