moving in

After breakfast at the hotel, I head to San Pedro. I move into my new apartment on a sunny Sunday afternoon. My-bags-are-so-heavy. But I'm really excited. I'm definitely going to need more clothes hangers. Not to mention a plethora of other household items. The apartment is completely furnished, but I still need to buy the basics.. food, cleaning supplies, some toiletries.

But first, I need to explore a bit. Plus, it's lunch time now and I'm ready to try some of the local food. Jonathan and I head out and stop at a soda (tico word for small, local restaurant). Actually, it was a Colombian restaurant but the food was pretty traditional: beef in some sort of sauce, rice, beans, salad. Next, we're off to Mas x Menos (more for less) for the essentials. Apparently, Mas x Menos is owned by American conglomerate Wal-Mart. There are plenty of Great Value products on the shelves. It seems there is no escaping the U.S., even while in another country.

Back to the apartment now. Walking takes a lot out of me. Not that it was actually a lot of walking, I'm just really lazy and accustomed to going everywhere by car.

Orosi, Cachí, Cartago oh my!

With my trusty friend/tour guide by my side, we venture towards the slightly chilly Cartago. Our first stop is La Basilica. The architecture is quite impressive and the weather is perfect. I love the contrast of the gray stone statues against the perfectly blue sky. The courtyard is full of las palomas (pigeons) running around, pecking at scraps of food. Normally, I would find this kind of bird annoying but today it just fits. Did I go inside the cathedral? Yes, of course. The interior was impressive. I come from small southern Baptist churches in south Georgia, which are quite modest in comparison. The Catholics really know how to do it up!

Afterwards, we head to the back of the cathedral to see La Negrita who is housed in a cave-like section at the back of the church. When we start to leave, I notice a lady kind of wandering around and looking at us. Turns out it's a friend of Jonathan's family, Analia. She is a doctor in Cartago so Jonathan tells her about me and my nursing education. She invites us to Tukasa Cafe for coffee. I listen intently as they converse, not understanding much, but enjoying the experience nonetheless.

Next, she offers to drive us around. We drive through the mountains of Orosi Valley (they are mountains to someone coming from Florida) and I spot something... a real, live waterfall!! Unable to contain my excitement, Analia stops the car and lets me out. It's pretty small in comparison with ones I've yet to see, but wow..... Good thing I brought my camera. Snap!

Our next stop was la Represa de Cachi (the Cachi Dam). Also pretty amazing. Check out the picture. It's hard to decide what's better; the stunning view, or the roadside grilled corn on the cob. My eyes and stomach are fighting.

my first costa rican casado, taking pictures of colones

---these are ideas---

my tropical paradise

The hotel provides complimentary breakfast. This morning I eat gallo pinto for the first time. My thoughts... "how strange to eat rice and beans for breakfast." Little did I know I would soon be craving it weekly, if not daily. The rest of the breakfast was nothing special. Some fruit (papaya and pineapple), toast, and some extremely yellow butter.

I arrive at Villa Lakshmi for my appointment to see the apartment. The electric fence around the perimeter is slightly off-putting, but at least it's secure. I started researching apartments on Craig's List a month or so before arriving. Jonathan advised me which neighborhoods were okay and which to steer clear of. San Pedro made the cut.

I'm greeted by Martha, the all-knowing, all-seeing property manager from Nicaragua. She opens two sets of gates, both with keys and a number combination. Luckily, Jonathan is with me to translate. Marta speaks no English, I speak no Spanish. The spanish tiles in the walkways (and throughout the apartments) are beautiful. There is a lush tropical garden in the courtyard, complete with beautiful Heliconia plants. The apartment is on the 2nd floor, on the end. My first thoughts... it's kind of small, but really cute. At this point, I'm pretty much sold. No need to keep looking. Contracts are signed in English and in Spanish. Done.

My only question... how do you turn on a gas stove?

a new beginning

I arrived in Costa Rica tonight at the Juan Santamaria International Airport. The airport is pretty empty. Not surprising, given the time of day (or night, rather). I'm wearing jeans, a long-sleeve button-up and a jacket. Definitely overdressed for the climate. Luckily, I don't have to haul my luggage very far. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was a nightmare. Extremely busy, computer systems down, couldn't find a luggage cart.

Going through customs was a breeze, much easier than in Florida. I don't have to walk far before finding my first tico friend. I'm nervous, but mostly excited. I can't believe that I'm really in Costa Rica. I first started talking to Jonathan Cubero Acevedo about a month before arriving. We met online and quickly hit it off. We talked on Skype practically every night. He spoke English, and my Spanish was shit... so it worked out pretty well. Jonathan is accompanied by his brother, who has agreed to come pick me up. A very nice gesture considering the hour. It also saved me a $20 taxi ride to the Hemingway Inn, conveniently located in barrio Amon. Later I learn that I should probably brush up on my tico etiquette. Apparently, Jonathan's brother thought I was "cold". Was it because I offered to pay him for the ride? I thought I was being polite. Anyway, just a learning experience.

We arrive at the hotel around 3:30am. It wasn't very much fun carrying 100lbs of luggage upstairs (maybe I overpacked?). But Jonathan was very helpful, as always. Time for bed.. tomorrow an appointment to see an apartment.