Costa Rica, today's highlights

• Bought fresh ceviche from a road stand and ate it at playa Dominical (Dominical Beach), there were fishing boats in the distance
  
• Picked up two German hitch-hikers who had a lot to tell us about this country
• Stopped at a roadside stand to buy fresh lychees, and a papaya that is guaranteed larger than your face. Cost: $1.50
• Drove up a mountain and through the clouds
• Had the best lunch from a little soda, overlooking the tremendous valley including fresh juice and home-made corn tortillas
• The room at our lodge overlooks a beautiful valley. We are the only guests at the lodge tonight, and we are getting first class service (all for the cost of a super 8 motel)
• Basic Spanish is coming a little easier: gracias senior, por favor, pardon, es sculpe, bueno, mucho gusto, fresca naturales por favor? Papaya. Gracias. Quantos questa dos personas?
  

Tomorrow's agenda includes a morning hunt to catch a glimpse of the quetzel, a bird of paradise; then a tour of an organic coffee plantation.

Costa Rica

I realize it´s been a while since I´ve posted! I think I´ll start where we are now and will write at a later time to ¨fill in¨the gap in time since so much has happened in the last 4 months.

About two weeks ago Colter and I were out looking at washers and dryers for our new to us house. We went back and forth on price, style etc. In short, after analyzing the cost we decided to skip the washer and dryer and instead, head to Costa Rica, from where I am writing this post.

We spent the first few days in San Jose, eating at small family restaurants called Sodas. Sodas, as it turns out, provide amazing home made meals of rice, beans, fried plantanes and many other sides. One order is the perfect size portion (if not more than you can eat) and most of the meals are under $3. The hostels are also affordable, averaging about $7 per night (dorm) and $25 for a private room. Most places have breakfast included.

In San Jose, we went to the Jade museum, the museum of art, to the central marketplace which sells an abundance of anything you need. The variety of fruit and vegetable there are unbelievable (as well as the size). Besides sight seeing, we did a lot of walking. Colter kept telling me how much this place reminds him of the Philippines.

After a few days, we took a bus ride to the Pacific coast, to Manuel Antonio, a beatuful beach town and National Park. A four hour ride for $7. No problema. Windy as hell but well worth it. I looked out of the window at one point and I kind you not, two dogs were standing on a hill facing the freeway, side by side, with the same legs lifted taking a pee. A rooster stood there and watched, awquardly. He he. In Manuel Antonio we took a guided tour through the rain forest and saw various moneys (howlers, white faced, squirrel). Colter asked how our guide was so good at finding animals, and the guide said, jokingly, ¨Vibrations¨. He was really funny. We concluded our stay at the park by soaked sun on the beautiful beaches.

Today was awesome! We went on a sailboat with 6 other people. The hosts served us fresh fruit and made us a home made meal right there on the boat. We sailed around the Manuel Antonio point and hopped out for a swim. So far, the worst that has happened on this trip is that we´ve been stung by jellies a few times but hey, no problem! I am certified CPR and marine life injury certified. Yes friends, the patch that has the octopus hugging a heart. he he I know that´s your favorite. The boat also stopped at a place where we all jumped out to snorkle and I have to say, I am very impressed with Colter´s snorkeling skills. He swam and dove so easily, whereas I felt like a bobbing bouye. We got some sweet pictures as well (thanks Chiara for letting us borrow your camera!) I´ll post pics later.

Tomorrow the adventure continues as we head into the forst. The loose itinerary includes possible bird watching, hiking, and we are definitely going to tour an organic coffee plantation.

Right now I am suuuper hungry so we´re gonna head off to the Soda across the street.

Jordana