Let me tell you about yesterday!

The ladies had decided they would leave on the 8:40am bus. That meant leaving here at 7:45 or I would be cutting it close and I didn't want to worry about that. The Orosi bus stop is just before the central square and I have to walk across the square to the corner, turn right and go one block, turn left and half a block to the San Jose station. Emilio and his family live a block farther down that street, at the bottom of the hill. I was plenty early so I had a cafe con leche while I waited. They have a little cafe. At 8:30 one of the other ladies came so I knew I was in the right place. I started texted Emilio that he had 10 minutes. Then the other ladies came and I texted he had 5 minutes. Then we got on the bus and I texted that. No Emilio or Rosita. We headed out, turned left and went to the corner. I was in the front seat and as we got to the corner I could see Rosita and Emilio running up the hill. The driver waited so they were able to get on. There were 8 of us on this adventure. I pulled out my crochet and finished a hat on the way. It took an hour from Paraiso to San Jose. It varies depending on time of day and traffic. Our first stop after we arrived was the park across the street for pictures. Our second stop was a guatamalan market and our third stop was a naughty shop with sexy lingerie in the window. Well, wouldn't you know it, I was the only one to buy something. But it is so cute and will work great on the beach trip.

This is what it looks like from the front. It is a sheer skirt you can see through.

It has a slit all the way up one side and has little black shorts built in. Last year we found it very hot in Puerto Viejo so this should be great. We left the shop and I was showing it to the ladies and people were walking by on the street saying muy Bonita. 

We stopped in lots of shops - they really like shoes! We went to 2 fabric stores and they were a great help looking for fabric for binding my quilt pieces. I have them trained -all cotton. I bought gold colored in the first shop and red, blue and green in the second one. I spent enough in the second shop that I got to register for a free sewing machine. We put Emilio's number on the slip because if they called me I wouldn't know what they were talking about. I did take a picture of the shop so I can go back.

We continued shopping and walking towards the Holiday Inn for their lunch buffet. Thursday is Mexican Day. Salads, breads, Bean Soup, rice, vegetables, potatoes, rolled up tacos, chicken, meat, and 3 or 4 desserts. A very good fruit drink was included as well as coffee. It was great and everyone left stuffed. 

When we came out, Emilio and I left the ladies and headed by taxi for the bus station to get our tickets for Monday. They were 10,800 colones for the two of us one way. The ride is 4 1/2 hours.

There was a very nice man helping us and he was a taxi driver so he took us back to the Chinese area which is close to the bus stop. We came across a bronze of John Lennon sitting on a bench so had a photo stop. Emilio explained his glasses only lasted about 3 days and then disappeared.

Little more shopping then on the bus. While we were on the bus we called the place in Puerto Viejo to find out how far it is from the bus stop. She was very helpful and said to ask the driver to drop us off at Kattya's Place. That way we only have 200 meters to walk. The  ladies were going to Paraiso but I got off at the Cartago stop by the church and just had a very short walk to the Orosi bus. We learned that Aura and her family will be there the same dates we are. They are driving.

It was a full, long day and almost dark when I got home. As much Spanish as I am learning and as much English as they understand, it was a great help to have Emilio along. He is always watching to make sure I don't trip over anything or get hit by a car or truck or motorcycle.

This morning Ana and Tia were here and I showed off my new skirt and showed them the shorts. Tia laughed and laughed as I wiggled what little hips I have. I've done laundry in case it takes a couple days to dry. I also have to get the house ready for Otto and Ziomara tomorrow. I still have all my baking to do to take with me Monday.

Our stop at the park for pictures.

All of us with John Lennon.

Lunch.

I did learn if I do the bus from Paraiso it is quite easy and I would be able to handle it on my own. Monday morning I will have to leave here at 7:15am and I think we decided on the 7:45am bus from Paraiso. We then take a taxi to the bus station for Puerto Viejo on the 10:00am bus. The bus stations are spread all over San Jose but if you know the name of the station - for instance Coca Cola -  or where you are going it is easy enough. I wrote down the name of the park where the Paraiso bus stops so I know where I have to go back to get the bus.

So to give you an idea, it is 480 colones to Paraiso (almost a dollar) and almost 1000 colones to San Jose (almost two dollars) and 5400 colones to Puerto Viejo (just under $11.00). Those are all one way. When I went from San Jose to San Isidro last year we stopped part way for a coffee break. We will see if we do that this time. I want to do some checking on going to the Arenal area. With the bus you can get almost anywhere. I would also like to go back to Cachi area to see if I can find happy dishes. I will also be looking in Puerto Viejo.