Life in Costa Rica: Another successful visit

I left home before 9:00am to take the 9:00am bus. I read yesterday the bridge was open again so I didn’t expect any problems. My bag was packed with 10 mens hats and 15 ladies hats. My goodies were in the refrigerator to be added to the bag at the last minute. I had asked Ligia to go with me but she had an eye appointment in Paraiso so I was going alone. I can do that with no problems except I can’t have conversations with the patients.

As I was walking to the bus a neighbor who speaks English stopped and asked me if I would like a ride someplace. I thanked them and said I was going to Cartago so I would take the bus. They are now working on the road - resurfacing and filling pot holes - between the church and the bridge so there were delays because it is down to one lane in some areas.

At La Colonial bus stop (Gerardo’s appliance store) Ligia got on so we sat together and talked till Paraiso. She is making good progress on the center section of the blanket and needs me to bring white yarn on Tuesday.

An easy walk to the hospital and there seemed to be some supervisors at the guard station. I just whipped out my permission slip and cookies for everyone and away I went. The hospital seemed extra busy today. Wash my hands and into the chemo room. Not too many people. I had parchment paper cut out to put around the cookies which were balls so it was easy for me to hand them out alone. Next I got out the men’s hats and let them pick what they wanted or what fit them. There was a hospital volunteer there today but she was just confusing things. I think she thought those were all the hats and was trying to take some and give them to women. I explained I had more for the ladies and got them out. I try to bring extra so they all have choices. Next week it should be Emilio with me on Wednesday and Otto on Friday. The next week it will be Ligia on Tuesday.

After everyone said goodbye I headed for the yarn shop to pick up a package of beige yarn they were holding for me. It was all very organized and only took a few minutes. I was having thoughts of stopping to eat at Pizza Hut but it turned out they weren’t open yet. Subway was and this is where my interesting story begins.

Now I in no way want you to think this is unusual. I am sure it happens all over in some form or another. It has happened to me rarely since I have been here and I am sure it is because Cartago is a big city. I got my food - a combo with a drink- and sat down. Just a few minutes later a young man came over and asked if he could have my cup when I was done. He had long wild hair but looked quite clean. He even typed it into a translate program. I told him I understood him and he sat in the next booth facing me the whole time I was eating. I figured if he had my cup he would go get pop refills for who knows how long. I didn’t feel right about that. I did some thinking and came up with a plan. When I finished eating I told him to come with me. He picked up his skateboard and I told him to get in line. I went to the cashier and said I wanted a beverage for him. I asked him what size and he said large. I paid for it and gave him the cup. I figure now it is between him and the workers at Subway how many times they let him refill it. And they know it is actually his. I don’t know if that was right or wrong but I do know I forgot my hat and when I went back it was gone. Darn! I really liked that hat.

Taxi to Walmart and Fran brought me back to Subway to check on the hat and then home. Cats are set with food for several weeks. The clerks at Walmart got cookies and so did all the taxi drivers while I was waiting for Fran. When he left my house he had cas, guayaba and lemons. Still tons on the tree. He said when I come to Paraiso for the feria I should call him and we will have coffee with his wife.