Do you know the way to San Jose?
What a beautiful sunny city!
No of times lost - 2
No of times asked for directions by some one thinking I am Costa Rican - 1
No of times various gentlemen have greeted me "Buenos Dias" - Quite a few
No of hours spent looking for the Caribe bus station - 3 (aprx)
No of guidebooks in which the bus stations location is completely wrong on the plan - 1
No of streets the bus station actually is from the Hostel Pangea, where I am staying - only 2
Ha ha! But not to be daunted, I have a bus ticket! -1, (and a sink plug!)
Maybe you do know the way to San Jose, but if you don't know the way to the Caribe Bus station, don´t try finding it using the map in the guidebook I have. No, I am not going mad(er) I have this independently verified. It was very much a day of wandering around today!
Yesterday I saw some excellent sites including the legislative assembly, complete with student demonstration, (very artistic - lots of painting and music going on). I also checked out the leafy Parque Nacional, full of large tropical trees, with sun dappled lawns and imposing historic monuments, near this is the National Museum which is housed in an interesting old fortress style building, and has it´s own butterfly garden.
However on todays getting lost extravaganza, (or more just not finding what we were looking for), I saw a lot more of San Jose. It is a colourful, vibrant city, which bustles against a mountainous backdrop bathed in sunshine.
Fortunately today I also had an excellent guide! Thanks very much to Mark. Mark is a pseudo Australian Englishman. One of these people who hasn´t been home for so long that his accent has gone all skew wiff. We had a great day wandering around looking for something that actually wasn´t there, (or where it was supposed to be anyway, according to the map). Maybe the person who was drawing up the map was on a late shift when they marked it up!
Aside from today, the most amusing thing I have discovered about Costa Rica is the politeness of the men when they are, well, you can´t really call it "leering" at you, as they are so polite. By comparison to London where you can walk past men to all sorts of imaginative remarks, here if a gentlemen wants to make a comment to you, he simply says, quietly, and in passing "Buenos Dias". Nothing more, nothing less, thats all. Never have I been leered at in such a nice way!! Men in the UK could really do with some etiquette lessons from these guys. So all in all, as a woman, you can walk around and feel pretty safe.
I have had a fab time in San Jose and met some great people. As an introduction to Latin America it is perfect, it is sun blessed, buzzing and friendly. I am off to see the turtles for a couple of weeks from tomorrow, so may not be able to post, or have t´internet access till after then.
Love to all!
Cath x
Hey, sounds like your having fun. I'v had a very frantic week & all ready for my mountain biking extraveganza. I see no comments from the old folk, I will nag them forth with. x
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Hola!!
Sounds like you're having a fabulous time - ahh, wish I could be somewhere exotic too, but 'spose I had my turn already this year ;o) Can't be gready!!
Lots of Love
B & J xxx
PS I got a new job!!!!! Woohoo!! I start on 14/05.
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Yey hurrah, Bridget!
About time too..
Are you going to go out in a blaze of glory?!
It is pretty damn good over here I must admit.
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Hello Cathy,
Ian is here, having biked to Wales, and is showing me how to do this! Havent read your blog fully yet, but will do it later today when Ian is cycling to England. Loads of love, Mum.
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I´m glad you have given a little lesson in boggeeing bruv. I know you hate traffic but is cycling to Wales not a little excessive for avoiding the queues?
Have you got a sore Bum now? How did it go? It seems to be the spring trend, Jose fiend has been on her´s too I see.
Well done mum, see you can do t´internet! All you need to do now is get into your e mail too!
Love you both oodles!
Cathy xx
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Hi, all sounds good- I don't know if I can send you comments, it doesn't seem to work. Good luck with the turtles.
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