We flew early in the morning from Newark to San Jose, it was a 5 1/2 hour flight.
Ticos, as the people of Costa Rica are called, use the phrase pura vida (“pure life”) in their everyday speech, as a greeting or to show appreciation for something. I learnt this early on, and said it everywhere.
From Wikipedia: "Pura Vida (pronounced poo-rah vee-duh) represents Costa Ricans' relaxed attitude towards life, no matter the circumstance. It's used to say hello, goodbye, to say everything is okay, and to brush off any negativity. It's a way of life and an attitude, and using it can help you fit in with the locals." In NZ maybe we use Kia ora similarly (though maybe not as relaxed). In Jamaica 'Don't worry, be happy' or "Ya mon'.
More from Wikipedia:
"Costa Rica’s well-populated heartland, formed in and around the upland basin known as the Valle Central or Meseta Central, is devoted to the cultivation of coffee, one of the country’s most important exports. In the region’s outlying reaches, bananas—the principal export—are grown. Pineapples have become a significant export, surpassing coffee as the number two export by the late 20th century.
Extending from northwest to southeast, Costa Rica is bounded by Nicaragua to the north, by the Caribbean Sea along the 185-mile (300-km) northeastern coastline, by Panama to the southeast, and by the Pacific Ocean along the 630-mile (1,015-km) southwestern coastline. At the country’s narrowest point, the distance between the Pacific and the Caribbean is only about 75 miles (120 km).
Ticos are generally proud of their political freedoms and their relatively stable economy.
After getting to our Marriott hotel, which was not far from the airport, we hung around there for the afternoon and evening. It had a great gym.
The next day, a bike tour around San Jose. We have discovered a bike ride gets you oriented around new cities, and is a fun way to have a first look. This was local guides, Alex and Jose(?), and Cory from Hawaii and us.
I can't remember what these wings meant . Maybe meant for people like me who are into birds and think about what it is like to fly one day.
Here is Alex, our tour guide talking about a well scented flower. We commented after there was a lot more talking than biking on this tour, and it was fun. In the background here is a temple of music, where in the 1970's they had bands playing and everyone gathered to listen to them.
Daniel Odouber Quiros was President of Costa Rica 1974-78. He is particularly known for the creation of the National System for Conservation Areas, including the launch of the first of 13 national parks. The parks make up more than 20% of Costa Rica. He was a popular statesman who, according to his daughter, ruled with personal sacrifice in favor of all the social sectors of his time. I loved this. Also he was a keen basketball, poet and lawyer. Here is me with him.
A tall tree here. I begin my search for sloths. I found none here.
A small building that stood out, though I don't remember it's significance!
Last sighting of this jacket of Lachie's. He has had it since he was 16. Someone has benefitted.
The macaw in art. Hope we get to see one of these, although I read they hang about in pairs for life.
The Metallic Building, an iconic educational center in the vicinity of green parks and historic buildings, is the common name for the Buenaventura Corrales Elementary School in downtown San Jose Costa Rica. This school building is made out of 1000 tons of metal and was manufactured in Belgium. It was made there first then transported to San Jose in bits and completed in 1896. It was a Central American first school of its kind..
Since its beginnings, the Metallic Building was never meant to be unpretentious. On the contrary, its magnificent beauty and the exaggerated costs were meant to show the Costa Ricans how important education is in a free society. Today it is an emblem to the country’s liberal educational revolution that took place during the late 19th century.
Coffee and empanada at a Costa Rican cafe near the end of the tour. Coffee was good. Not sure about the empanada. Will have to learn to enjoy black beans in Costa Rica by the look of it.
A bit more cycling. This building is the government building - the concrete high rise with few windows. It is controversial in Costa Rica and certainly is different for a government building.
I kept on harping on about sloths, and I had read they were at the University of Costa Rica. I asked Alex whether that was on the tour? He said it wasn't, but he was going to the university after the tour as he was a student studying and he would take us. He said he could show us where the sloths were, as he is a guide in the summer doing walking tours of the grounds there too. So we all got a taxi there! I was getting excited ... and then Alex showed us one, and then another. I didn't expect to see them all curled up. They sleep for 20 hours of the day. More about sloths later. (A lot more, Ed.)
The University had pretty gardens that were worth a look anyway.
Bamboo is introduced and grows like a weed.
My teeth are getting straighter (these two students think so). I am in the 49th of 75 weeks wearing Invisiliners.
Then it was back to the hotel for more chilling (a view from near our room).
