Arriving and First Weekend

Leaving America, Arriving in Costa Rica:

I landed in San Jose on Saturday morning after a long day and night of traveling. My friend Jesse, in New York City, let me stay at his house. I scheduled a cab to pick me up at his high-rise in China Town at 4:30am and take me to LaGuardia. I boarded the plane and fell asleep on the runway before take off. The details of the flight from LaGuardia to Ft. Lauderdale are very fuzzy, primarily because I didn't have my contacts lens in. I slept the whole way. I switched planes in Florida and went back to sleep.

I awoke to the sound of an Australian flight attendant doing some comedy bit he uses when the flight passes over Cuba. I needed to use the bathroom and put my contacts back in, so I went to the rear of the plane. I had to wait in line, while I was standing there an overly enthusiastic American guy from Milwaukee or something, bought a round of rum for everyone waiting to use the restroom.

When I returned to my seat I was awake and started up a conversation with my isle mate. I had a window seat and the man to my left was a slick looking guy with olive skin and jet-black hair. He was already dressed in the stereotypical tourist outfit...Cargo shorts, flip flops and a surfer/designer polo shirt. He was a producer for a major company out of Australia hired by a real estate company to photograph their property for publications throughout the world. His job was to get the lay-of-the-land and figure out the logistics of the project; man power, equipment etc. Seemed like a cool job.

As we approached the airport, I was impressed with the landscape and the mountains. The mountain range in the Central Valley is very steep with sloping rock faces. I had to admire the fortitude of the Spanish settlers and their "native servants" for the ability to build a thriving city throughout such rugged terrain. I was able to get through customs and immigrations in about 45 minutes without being interrogated as to why I had a one-way ticket.

Evan and his girlfriend Melissa were waiting for me outside the airport and I was quickly whisked away into the thick of the San Jose traffic. The country is infamous for its underfunded and poorly maintained roads combined with impenetrable gridlock.

We were all hungry, so they brought me to my first fast food joint called The Roasty Pollo. I was admittedly intimidated by the menu and still very groggy so I pointed at the item that looked like chicken nuggets and said "Por favor." They were good. We ate fast while Evan explained what the plan was for the weekend. Melissa and her brother Alejandro had a gringa friend from Texas, named Jodi, who is also a teacher in Costa Rica. Jodi's sister and brother-in-law were on vacation and staying in Puerto Viejo, a cool surfer town in the south eastern part of the country. 

The Caribbean coast is known for its chill lifestyle beautiful beaches and jungles and Afro-Caribbean reggae population. Melissa took us to her mother's house in Heredia where I was able to take a much needed shower and leave me luggage. After packing a small weekend bag and practicing my Spanish with Dona Ellena, Melissa's mother, we were ready for the weekend. 

Read my next blog to learn about my first experience with coconuts and a close encounter with some sea creatures.