Christmas Day

It certainly was a very different kind of Christmas for Bob and me.  Christmas Eve was very quiet, as Walter had to spend much of it at a clinic with his mother, (she has now been diagnosed with high blood pressure, so they are still getting a handle on what that entails for her) so Bob and I watched NFL games (yay Pats!) and had a light dinner.  Bob went to bed around 9, and after Walter returned we went to a neighbor's house for a bit.  This neighbor is the family of a friend of Walter's, Carlos, who also lives in DC.  Carlos has a very large family (he's the youngest of 11), and the bigger gathering was on Christmas Day.

So Christmas morning was a small gift exchange.  Bob got 3 shirts that look good on him.  Walter, Bob and I then went into town for a walk around.  It was quieter than usual, so we got to see things more casually.  It was good to get a bit of the history and architecture without the crowds.  Despite that, things were open on Christmas Day.  In CR, it's a different kind of day.  There are lots of fireworks going off in the evenings, but things do not shut down as much as in the States on Christmas Day.  After getting back from town, we took Walter's mom, Flor, to lunch at a "tipico" CR roadside restaurant - open air, casual, good food - and then to a nursery for some plants. 

When we returned, Bob, Walter and I went back to Carlos' family house for more festivities.  Lots of tamales, lots of people.  Bob enjoyed the tamale, saying it was different than the tamale he tried at Flor's house.  It was actually from the same place; I suspect that because he had had one before, it was no longer "new" which, for him, is often what "different" means.  Bob also had a great time with the family, and they were very engaging with him.  We then ended the evening with another walk around the main park in town. 

Here are some photos of the day:  

Tree at Flor´s house

Tamale, a Christmas staple

Natalia and Sergio sitting on Bob´s left

Kids wrestling

Carlos, our host, on right

Bob holding court with Carlos´ sisters

More court

Bob with Natalia

Natalia´s son, Andres, with Walter

Bob explaining who is in his family

Tree at Carlos´family

Downtown Alajuel

Among the many friendly and engaging people were Sergio and Natalia, who have 3 kids and 6 dogs.  They live in the mountains about 20 minutes away.  They have invited us for dinner.  The plan is to go on Tuesday evening.  Should be a good time. 

Heading to the party

At Carlos' House

Bob with Natalia and Sergio