These three weeks in Costa Rica were challenging but delightful. Last year we realized that flying from Florida was much less expensive and a shorter time on the airplane. Also, we realized that we were not getting any younger, so if we were going to go, we had better get on with it.
Heredia was chosen both for its climate and safety and for the incredible friendliness and honesty of the people. Also, we would better immerse ourselves in the culture here and escape other tourists. Elizabeth found this fine school, and a fairly upscale house for Costa Rica, and so we decided to try and learn more Spanish. Old people do not learn second languages well, but we are not going to get any younger. So, seize the day!
It was a good bet on the climate. It was not too hot, except in late afternoon, and the evenings were cool. There were fine mountain breezes that cooled the house for sleeping with just the two fans. We did not have air conditioning.
We did have hot showers, but no other hot water. We heated water for doing dishes, but the landlord was surprised that we wanted to do our dishes in other than cold water. The water is not chilling cold. Still, the grease and such came off much better with a bit of hot water.
is very disabled. The driver leaves the radio blaring and no one uses their inside voices.
But we are content. We get up early anyway. In the night it is always very quiet.
We have two bedrooms and that means I can get up and go back to bed without disturbing Elizabeth. I get up generally around 3 AM for an hour or so of writing.
We took one trip with the school guide to Monteverde, Arenal, and the Doka Coffee Plantation. Otherwise we just went to the little towns around here, saw the outside of the churches and sat in the plaza or ate in a restaurant. They were uncrowded and their were no tourists.
We found some very fine restaurants, so we avoided the foods we should not eat, and the typical little places called "sodas" that feed the locals as well as the pastry shops.
Uber took us generally, and then a cab if we could not get a car or internet. It is inexpensive, under $6 per trip, and while not as cheap as the bus, much easier to navigate. Also, it gives us one more conversation with a stranger everytime we ride. Few speak much English, so we get to practice.
Our house area is well marked with an arch and named Maria Fernando. Most of the drivers know it. If not we just say it is near the Mas por Menos supermarket in San Pablo. Most know the Intercultural school too. If not we give the crossings of Avenida 4 and Calle 10, but most Costa Ricans do not do directions with road names or numbers.
Heredia was chosen both for its climate and safety and for the incredible friendliness and honesty of the people. Also, we would better immerse ourselves in the culture here and escape other tourists. Elizabeth found this fine school, and a fairly upscale house for Costa Rica, and so we decided to try and learn more Spanish. Old people do not learn second languages well, but we are not going to get any younger. So, seize the day!
It was a good bet on the climate. It was not too hot, except in late afternoon, and the evenings were cool. There were fine mountain breezes that cooled the house for sleeping with just the two fans. We did not have air conditioning.
We did have hot showers, but no other hot water. We heated water for doing dishes, but the landlord was surprised that we wanted to do our dishes in other than cold water. The water is not chilling cold. Still, the grease and such came off much better with a bit of hot water.
is very disabled. The driver leaves the radio blaring and no one uses their inside voices.
But we are content. We get up early anyway. In the night it is always very quiet.
We have two bedrooms and that means I can get up and go back to bed without disturbing Elizabeth. I get up generally around 3 AM for an hour or so of writing.
We took one trip with the school guide to Monteverde, Arenal, and the Doka Coffee Plantation. Otherwise we just went to the little towns around here, saw the outside of the churches and sat in the plaza or ate in a restaurant. They were uncrowded and their were no tourists.
We found some very fine restaurants, so we avoided the foods we should not eat, and the typical little places called "sodas" that feed the locals as well as the pastry shops.
Uber took us generally, and then a cab if we could not get a car or internet. It is inexpensive, under $6 per trip, and while not as cheap as the bus, much easier to navigate. Also, it gives us one more conversation with a stranger everytime we ride. Few speak much English, so we get to practice.
Our house area is well marked with an arch and named Maria Fernando. Most of the drivers know it. If not we just say it is near the Mas por Menos supermarket in San Pablo. Most know the Intercultural school too. If not we give the crossings of Avenida 4 and Calle 10, but most Costa Ricans do not do directions with road names or numbers.
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