I did it and I have the pictures to prove it.

But, I did it my way and it didn't involve any buses except the ones we met on the windy, curvy mountain roads that are barely wide enough for 2 little cars, let alone a bus or a truck and a car.

I hired a driver for the day and Adriana negotiated a rate of 65000 colones and that converts to about $124.00 to $130.00. We left here at ten this morning and arrived back at 6:20pm. It was Milton the driver and Adriana and me in his little white taxi. Luis, Adriana's regular driver suggested Milton as Luis was in school. The white taxis are less expensive than the red ones.

We headed for Grecia and although it was greener than Atenas, it was too big and busy for me. On we went to Sarchi which is known for their decorated ox carts, which used to be used for carrying coffee to the coast for shipping. Nice town, but still not my place. Adriana has been there 3 times but still hasn't seen the inside of he church because it is closed over the lunch hour.

Now, let me tell you about Zarcero. It is a smaller village, high enough that the temp was much cooler. The clouds do come down low enough that if your windows are open they go through your house. It is easy for things to get moldy. The square is covered with sculpted hedges that one man has been keeping up for 30 years. We had a wonderful meal at a little Soda with the nicest people. The church is lovely and in all the churches they were getting ready for Palm Sunday and Holy Week.

On the road again to the village of Naranjo. Here the church made you want to cry - it did make Adriana cry. There is so much damage from an earthquake. They seem to be having fundraisers and working on it but they have a long way to go. BUT, there is nothing wrong with their ice cream! This time it was a water based with both sno cone and ice cream and fruit layered. We bought one to share and went to the lovely square and talked with a couple. He is a Tico and she is from Minnesota. He especially was very interested in what I am doing and that I am brave enough to do it alone. It was only after they left that I looked at Adriana and said "where are we?" she said I think we have to go this way. I said no, what town are we in. Up until then I thought we were in Palmares. Off we go again for our last stop.

Palmares has a lovely. Square and church. By the way if you aren't sure of directions, the church always faces west. 

We didn't spend a lot of time there as it was getting close to dark. It was a beautiful but treacherous drive back, part of it after dark.

AND! We are going to do it again tomorrow to Santiago de Puriscal. it is another town I have been interested in. Off the beaten path for tourists, beautiful mountain scenery, very unusual church made of tin. It won't be as long a day so it will be about $55.00 to $60.00 for Milton for the day. 

Speaking of Milton, he is a good driver and very patient when we are wandering around.

I will post some pictures separate from this so you can see a bit of what I saw.