Bonehead play of the trip

For those of you who will be seeing Bob, I am pretty sure this will be one of the things he will tell you so this is just the info. As I was scrambling late this morning (after a pleasant walk for breakfast down to town), I couldn't find the $60 I had to pay for our room last night. It was a a definite bonehead move on my part trying to finish packing, pay and catch a bus. We had been waiting for Walter but I just got an e-mail that he would be at the clinic with Flor until at least 2, and the bus was coming soon. We missed the bus as we searched the grounds to no avail. Not a big loss, but there you have the facts, ready for Bob's presentation. He has duly lectured me about being more careful.

Horses, Volcanoes and Water

It's been an action-filled three days since Christmas.  Bob and I started the day at a spinning class.  He really didn't care for it, and didn't go back with me this morning.  No doubt, the facilities are not the standards he is used to, but I appreciate that the basics are really all you need for a good workout.  Here's a few pictures of the spinning room and our instructor, Paolo, showing us that 10 minutes of good form and effort is better than 2 hours of bad form.


After this, Bob and I caught a bus to San Jose for their annual El Tope parade.  This is a huge event with over 3000 horses (takes about 7 hours), music and dance.  The horses do high-stepping.  I'll be putting some video together for this, as the pictures don't do justice, but here they are anyway:

The bus itself was a good experience (and cost less than $1).  I think Bob and I both love the feeling of independence of being able to walk to town and catch a bus to and from San Jose.  Walter and his mom spent the afternoon together still trying to get a handle on the medical stuff.  The medical system here, like in the states, can be really atrocious for those with less means financial as well as functional.

On Tuesday, the 27th, Walter, Bob and I took a ride up to Poas Volcano National Park.  This is about 18 miles up the mountains from Alajuela.  It is often the case that no matter how clear the valley is, Poas can be cloudy and rainy, but not today.  Walter said he has never seen it so clear.  It was spectacular.  The drive up included a stop at a coffee plantation/tourist trap, where bob and I got on an old coffee bean cart.

  Then it was on to the park.  The system here can be a bit screwy.  There is only one lane entrance to the park that everyone has to go through in order to pay.  Thankfully we were early enough that it only took 10 minutes (as we were leaving, it was long as people also had to wait for others to leave).  It was well worth it, though.  A short 20 minute walk up a paved path leads to the volcano, and then a longer and more rigorous walk loops around to a crater lake from an older volcano.

Bob is in the shadows, a safe distance from the edge

Hike between volcano and lake

The local flora

When we got back, we all pitched in to help with Flor's garden which she takes great pride in.  

   
We capped the day off with dinner at some folks we met Christmas day, Sergio and Natalia.

Notice dog in my jacket

 Then, today, for a bit of a change of scenery, Bob and I are staying back in Atenas at Apartmentos Atenas.  We have a bungalow for the night, as Walter and his mom spend some time together (she is feeling much better today).  This is just down the hill from the Lighthouse (where I stayed the first week).  We took a hike (Bob was a trooper - not a happy trooper, but a trooper none-the-less) to a waterfall.

Hiking down

Hiking up

A few other views of Apartmentos Atenas:

Our bungalow

After this, we came back and laid by the pool.  Here's Bob demonstrating how to get on a float (this was actually the second attempt).  I want it duly noted that I promised Bob I would not push him in or flip him from the float, and kept my promise - notice my feet.  However, I do have to admit that not doing anything and still watching the flip AND catching it on camera brought great joy!  No worries, however, as Bob demonstrated his usual ability to overcome the odds and conquer the situation.  

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

Christmas Eve doings

After a thoroughly exhausting day that started with a spin class and workout (Bob said it was "different"; I think he meant "hard"), we slowed down a bit last night, cooking fresh corvina fish and going to bed early. Today is a quiet day. Bob and I walked into town, got haircuts at Los Cubanos, had lunch, and picked up a few things for Christmas morning and dessert. My hair has not been this short in a loooong time. That's what you get when you don't speak the language. Bob got a kick out of it. It feels good in this weather. We'll be spending the afternoon watching football and relaxing before going to a neighbor's house for tamales.

Bob is enjoying getting to know the town and his way around town. Even though he still struggles with the money, he is getting more comfortable using it and is less intimidated.

We will be thinking of all our family and friends tomorrow, wishing everyone a restful and meaningful Christmas and holiday.

Settling into Alajuela

So the hike on Tuesday REALLY wiped Bob out.  Not only was he physically wiped, but he says the 2 beers went right to his head.  The next day, he had a lot of trouble walking.  As I mentioned previously, Spinning maybe good for helping with hiking up, but not so good for coming down.  We stopped to get him some anti-inflammatory and muscle cream.  While he rested a bit more on Wednesday before we left, I got to do something I have not done for years - body surfing.  Because I am the main recorder for this trip, no pictures of that, but I must say I am still a champion body-surfer.
Here are two pictures of Vela Bar where we stayed in Manuel Antonio, a good friendly place with good food.

After the surfing, we hit the road and stopped for lunch in Jaco.  On the surface, it looks like a regular beach town (think Seaside Heights), but is a trashy place with a mix of sex-workers and their customers, and drunken (or soon-to-be) surfers.  If you are ever this way, do not go out of your way.

Returning to Alajuela, we found Flor, Walters mom (I know there is supposed to be an apostrophe there, but I do not know how to toggle for it on these keyboards, so no grammer comments, please) to be a bit under the weather, so Walter took her for some lab work while Bob and I went for pedicures!

Soaking the nails

He was a bit ticklish

I mean, VERY ticklish

Getting the nails done

 

   But you cannot argue with the results: 

Over the top funny!

Needless to say, it was a new experience for Bob - for me as well.  We will be going back to this woman for haircuts before leaving.  Her salon is just across the street. 

Bob, Walter and Flor in town

Bob has taken on going next door in the morning for fresh bread and the morning paper. After eating this morning, we headed into town to do a few errands, then Bob and I headed out looking for a good gym.  We came across three, chose the last one for a good workout today (I was his trainer for the day), then we went to the Mercado Centrale for fish lunch.  The ceviche was outstanding although Bob did not care for it.   He loved the fish filet and rice.  Tomorrow we will be heading for an 8AM spinning class.  The gym was a bit of a challenge for him because everthing is different, but that did not stop us from a hard workout.  More, with gym photos, later.