Enga mellom fjella

Orosí, Cartago, San José

San José.

Yep. I'm back in San José. I really enjoyed Orosí and want to go back... soon if I can.

Yesterday I stopped in the church (built 1743) and watched a football (soccer) match between Orosí and Paraíso... in the pouring rain. I visited the puente azul (blue bridge) and my vertigo did not bother me.

This morning I went to Soda Luz early and had gallo pinto con carne once again with café negro and a crema. 2,000 colones. I talked to the owner Luz Coto and made sure she knew how much I enjoyed her town and her place. I highly recommend her restaurant.

On the way out I said good-bye to Papaya (the cat; she slept with me all night), Guapo (the old dog), various folks staying there and Felicidad (she cleans, et cetera, muy buena gente). I highly recommend Montaña Linda as well.

On the bus, I spoke to Isabella (from Palomo) who gave me a name of a local writer (in English) who is a friend of hers and lives in the area. She also said that having a beard is okay for a poet (most male Costa Ricans have only mustaches).

Today I visited Jardines Lankaster and took pictures of orchids, fern trees, bromeliads... Although the Guardia Morada is the national flower, the Guardia de Turrialba is a large and beautiful yellow and orange flower. Magnífica.

I also sat for a while in the basilica in Cartago, passed by the old-church-ruins and somehow found the bus to San José. It's not easy as streets are generally not marked in Costa Rica.

When I got back to the big city I got turned around but managed to find the post office and a calling card. Ronald R. met me at the park (where someone fired a shot; the police caught them) in the pouring rain and he and his partner Mauricio took me out for coffee. We had a nice time talking about a mutual friend and other insanities. Ronald lived for a year in Bozeman, Montana.

Well... it's late. I'm at the Friends hostel tonight in SJ. Couldn't find a cheap place in Alajuela. Very few folks here. It will be a tranquil night.

I have no plans for tomorrow. Pick a place and go, I guess.

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