The rest of the day

😍

From Soda Tio Mano I went to the Mercado and checked out the stalls and merchants. Then I ran into John and Debbie and Adriana. I. Met them all at the dinner party. John and Debbie are from Prince Edward Island and Adriana lives in Texas and is from Mexico. They were taking the bus to San Jose to get bus tickets to Nicarauga and they asked if I wanted to go along. I said yes. It was 1010 colones each way and took 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. We arrived at the Coca Cola but station. Not all buses operate out of the same station. We walked to the Tico Bus Station but they didn't have good times so we all climbed in a taxi and went to the Nica Bus Station. Then we went to the Musoc Bus Station so I could get my ticket to San Isidro for April 4th. Then we had the taxi take us to a walking, shopping area. We went to the Mercado for lunch at a little stand and had some wonderful food for 2900 colones. Mine was Chicken Soup and a plate of rice. It was not soup as we know it. Great big pieces. Must have been half a chicken and a whole potato and wonderful carrot and onion. There was a vegetable that I didn't recognize but I was told it was part of the potato family. The beef stew soup had a big chunk of sweet potato. Debbie had breaded fish and she said it was the best sHe had ever had. I took pictures so hopefully I will be able to attach them.  

Back on the bus and it was much busier. People were standing in the aisle. They told us this only happens on Friday. A quiet evening tonight and another move tomorrow to another B & B in this area.

I'm getting good at this.

I went for a walk - it is 8:30am. Stopped in the church. There are flowers all around for a funeral. Then I saw the hearse with 3 people walking behind it. I went looking for someplace to have breakfast. A lot of places are still closed.i stopped in at Soda Tio Mano, a block off the square. They have a display case with lots of pastry type items. I got one with chicken and one with limon. The chicken one was served warm. The limon one has powdered sugar on top. They are both good. And, wifi.  Cafe con leche is great with a little Sweet and Low. I brought my own supply. 

It turns out the feria is a couple miles from the Central Square. In a lot of towns it is right by the Church and Central Square.

A good day

Sally, the lady who greeted me at Ana's Place also invited me to a dinner she was hosting tonight. When I went on my walk to check out the area and the Central Square I came across a bakery and got a dozen macaroons to share. it was a delightful evening with wine and beer, appetizers, pasta and steak - really good tender steak from Ana's butcher - chocolate pie and the macaroons. there is a ranchero - covered outdoor party area and there are apartments besides the rooms in the main house. People brought their chairs and dishes so there were enough for everyone. Ana and Cesar ( the caretaker) and 9 guests. It was really interesting listening and talking to everyone. Some live here full time and some are visiting. The reasons for being here are many.
My walk netted me another ice cream.
The Feria - farmers market is tomorrow and I hear there is an ice cream stand. I have also seen several chicken places I have to check out. So many goodies, not enough time!
Tomorrow I need to check out the Church at the Central Square. I didn't today because I had ice cream.
I forgot to mention - I finally found the hot water. You have to turn the hot just part way on. If you turn it all the way on, you are back to cold water.

Moving day

After my 2nd cold shower I mentioned I wasn't sure I could live with that and Isabel checked it out. Turned out someone had moved the control to cold so I may try it again, just to get my hair washed. Breakfast today was Tower of London. Fried eggs then sliced tomato then thinly sliced ham. Very good. I chatted with several people at breakfast. One is from Holland and has a company that buys pot  plants from farmers here and sells them all over Europe. The other is a senior who moved here 2. Years ago and lives on Lake Arenal. It is a rain forest so quite humid but he loves it.

Today I head to Atenas. I am doing a taxi rather than the bus. It will be easier if my first bus experiences are without my luggage.

Only me!

My room is across a small courtyard from the main house. The door won't open. I am inside and can't get out. I don't have a phone yet so I can't call them to let me out. I sent them an email. I figure sooner or later someone will come to the courtyard or read their email. If that doesn't happen I will yell.

Day 2

I had a great night's sleep and started the day about 6:30am. It took me a while to work up to the shower but I want you to know I survived, although it was quick as I never found any hot water. I'm clean, that is all I can say. It's lucky my hair is very short so I can get by with just wetting it to get it to lay down. And, I'll be wearing a hat.
Breakfast was great. Juice, fruit plate, sausage, scrambled eggs with onion, peppers, tomato and no cheese, just the way I like it. I thought I would leave the rice and beans for lunch.
I brought along my microwave bowl pot holders and gave the first one away to the breakfast cook. I showed her what it was for and she chose the cat one. I will carry a few with me when I go out wandering today for anyone who does nice things for me.

I AM HERE!

It may take me days to talk about my first day, and I even managed a little nap.
My Spirit flight was scheduled for 1:15am. As some of you know, we don't sell Spirit at Bursch Travel because of all their problems and complaints. I got to the airport at 10:15pm and it was so quiet I made it through in about 10 minutes. I did pay for exit row seats with 10 inches of extra legroom.. All would have been great if it hadn't have been for the lady 2 rows back who talked and laughed like a witch the entire trip. All the lights were off and almost everyone was trying to sleep but they couldn't. We got into Ft. Lauderdale early, changed terminals and waited for 5 hours. I had an aisle seat and although you don't have ny extra legroom, I can't say I was uncomfortable.
The line was very long for Immigration but I chatted with the couple behind me and it moved along.
Customs was just a scanner and away I went. When you go outside there is a person arranging taxis so I told him where I was going and he got me a taxi. I even had the directions in Spanish but the driver knew where it was.
My first order of the day was to take a nap. My room is the Garden Room in the courtyard. It's small but has a TV and double bed and private bath with a suicide shower. I'll have my first experience later.
After my nap I headed out for a walk with the map from the innkeeper. Her husband runs a restaurant named Jalapeños. I found it and had a very good Jalapeno's chimichanga. Iwent 3 doors down for my first ice cream, thanks to Red and Linda.  I took it to the park During the walk back came across a bakerY. The young lady didn't speak or understand English so a young man translated and helped. I got a treat for latek
Tomorrow it is Rice and beans breakfast, aTrip to the bank for colones and check out the Central Square and Cathedral .
Buenos  noches nd Pura Vida