My first week in Costa Rica

The flight to Costa Rica was good. I got to drink Bloody Mary Mix-virgin of course- on both planes. Going through immigration was very different. The gentleman who checked us in was very nice and he welcomed me to Costa Rica. This is the first time I have been out of the United States.

Carlos met us at the airport and it was good to see him. I noticed traveling to Cindy's place that the roads were different. They are very narrow. The life is good here but I see that the people live very poor. There are lots of bicycles and they don't wear helmets which they should but the professional bicyclists do wear helmets which is great. This way they protect their heads.

The showers are very different here. The head doesn't move. The water comes straight down and it is not heated but it is a little warm. They only have a small shower, not bathtub.

Cindy has 3 dogs and one cat. Napo, his wife Negrita and their daughter, Puppies. The cat's name is Alli Cat. I love the way the dogs bark at things. It cracks me up. I like to feed them left over toast or pancakes or things. They do tricks for the food. I like to tell them to sit, lay down, play dead and shake.

The stores are very small here compared to those in the states. The have lots of bakeries here in Esparza but Cindy only let me go to one! The climate is very humid and hot. It cools off some at night. We have had lots of rain this week. It has rained almost everyday. (This is not usual for this time of year)

We can see cruise ships from Cindy's deck so I have seen 3 of them so far. In the park they have dancers and people selling things to the tourists. I drank a pepsi out of bag. That was funny. They pour the soda into a small plastic bag then make a hole at the top for the straw. It was odd.

I have eaten several different foods here. The food is absolutely yummy! We go to a famer's market on Saturdays and get fresh fruits and vegetables. I also bought a tamale there and I liked it very much.

I met Cindy's neighbors from Germany. They are really nice. They gave me my first coke here in Costa Rica...and my last because they don't have caffeine free here and the DR said no caffeine because of my blood pressure.

I got my hair cut. The people speak Spanish here but a few speak some English. I am trying to learn some Spanish. I went to the dentist. A lady dentist and she was very nice. I had 4 cavities filled-2 really big ones-and it cost me $100 total for all of them. I go back next week to get more fillings and my teeth cleaned.

I am having a good time but I do miss the states. I will keep you posted on what else I am doing each week. And maybe have more photos. Here are some photos we took this week.


This is me in the park with my cool sunglasses
this is me sitting on the bench by a tree
in central Esparza Costa Rica













Here is another view of the park















This is the view of a papaya tree with a bird nest in it. This is right off the deck.













another view from the house
after I got my hair cut
















Me holding fruits that grow at Cindy's place. Mangas, papayas and pineapples!! Yum Yum