Another day in paradise & some interesting facts you may not yet know about Costa Rica


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Published: March 3rd 2011
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What a lovely day here in Atenas! We had more sun than we've had for a few days plus a nice and at times a fairly stiff tropical breeze.

The day started early as most of them have been recently...ever since I got MR (Montezuma's Revenge) I've been all messed up. More ways than one;( We were without Internet connection between about 8-11am. So I went for a walk. As I approached Central Park I heard music playing loudly and went to check it out. There were a group of mostly Ticos & Ticas working at one of the first recycling project in Atenas. Barb had told me awhile back that a very ambitious young Tica, unfortunately I can't remember her name, was the energy and brains behind this project. Barb predicts that this woman will be the next mayor of Atenas. Pretty impressive!

Between about noon - 1:30pm I spent time in the cabana reading while my apartment was being cleaned. The young Tica that does the cleaning here is very quiet and respectful. I hate to say it but I have also forgotten her name....hmmm...do we see a pattern developing here;(

I went on another walk late this afternoon through the park and down some side streets that I had yet to explore.

It looks like Friday will be the day that Barb and I go to the Artisan Shops with Maria Elena but it's not yer confirmed.

I'll try downloading photos from Orosi Valley again this evening. Maybe since we lost connection today and then got it back it's stronger and can handle it!?

To add interest here are a few interesting facts about CR you may not yet know:

Though Costa Rica has its own currency (the Colon), most stores list prices in terms of U.S. dollars since there are so many U.S. tourists and access to U.S. dollars is easy. However, in order to exchange money, travelers must visit an official exchange, as illegal exchange of currency is forbidden. Head’s up: most banks close at 3p.m

There are about 52 species of hummingbirds in Costa Rica, making Costa Rica a true North American hummingbird capital. The Costa Rican hummingbirds are most often found in the rain forest, as they pollinate flowers in the area where bees cannot travel.

Bug-phobists look out! There are about 750,000 species of insects that live in Costa Rica, including about 20,000 different types of spiders!

Guaro is the local alcoholic liquor of choice. The beverage is inexpensive and is made from sugar cane. Costa Rica also produces a fine coffee liquor – straight from the coffee bean.

Ten percent of the country's 4 million inhabitants live in San José, and more than half of the population live in the Central Valley. Eighty percent of the population is of Spanish origin. Most of the black and mulatto populations (7%) live in or around the harbor town of Limón on the Caribbean. About 40,000 Indigenous live mostly in isolated forests. At the moment, some 250,000 foreigners live in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a founding member of the United Nations since 1945.

Ciao,
Barb

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3rd March 2011

Sounds like you had a good day. Have you seen hummingbirds around your yard? Very interesting facts!
3rd March 2011

I've only seen one...
they tend to be larger than the ones we have and certainly larger than yours.

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