On the Road Again

Good bye Nicaragua. We had a fabulous go in Nicaragua. Between a visit from Ryan, Dale, the Nica people, working at Imagine and the land as a whole it was spectacular. But now we are in Costa Rica. Various modes of transport later we made it; one chicken bus ($1/10C), one collectivo taxi ($3.75/70C), and a free ride in the cab of a semi later, we made it.

We spent our last two nights in Nicaragua in San Juan Del Sur. I really wanted to hit the beach again. Maybe have a go at surfing, but it was too damn hot and expensive. So Todd and I enjoyed the local beach, splashed around in the waves, enjoyed using a kitchen again. The place was pretty, but very touristy. Luckily, the day we left was dingy and rainy. Always makes things easier.

So, we decided to hitch hike or catch a cheap local bus once we crossed the border into Costa Rica. We had been warned by many travellers that Costa Rica was expensive. But I took the information, filed it away, and was flabbergasted when the buses wanted 10dollars to take us to San Jose. So Todd and I hoofed it over the border, still excited to be on the road again. We ran into two girls with vast hitching experience and they managed to grab a semi truck who accepted all four of us, no questions and no money required. What I thought was going to be a 2 to 3hr ride was 5plus. Luckily, I pass out on uncomfortable and hot busses, so sleeping in the semi was no problem. Even with the soft bed my tush was resting on. I love the random when traveling. And riding in the cab of a semi definitly falls into the random catagory.

We made it into San Jose last night. It rained all day (good thing we found a ride when we did). We have been in Granada so long I forgot about congestion and smog. San Jose has a lot of both. Luckily, the horizon is draped in rolling green hills and mountains. A visual escape. We are staying at Hostel Pangea for an outrageous price of 12dollars for a dorm room each. A very western style place; pool, bar, night club, food, cleanliness, people, and style. Call us snobs or antisocial but I found the whole thing a bit contrived. I do like the free internet and sheets though. We were supposed to rent some motorcycles and get out of the city for a day or possible overnight. On a side note, the ooncce, oonncce music is in full effect right now at the early hour of 3pm. A little nervous to hear what is to come late night. Anyway, I had contacted a rental place and pretty much set the whole thing up. Yet, they did not get back to us until 12pm today. Tour was scheduled for this morning. So a couple choice words from Todd and I, and we decided to bag the deal. Oh, well.

The funny thing about changing countries so often is the constant need to change money. You would think that adjacent countries would set up convenient systems for such a purpose. No! Yes, there are the touts at every border eager and waiting to change your money, but one never knows if the rate you are getting is subpar or the best you will get. So, we take the approach of a little money changed at the border and the rest in a city. We may be changing this strategy. We went to at least 6 banks and a Bureau de Change today. Yes, they changed Cordobas(Nicaraguan currency) for Colons (Costa Rican) but only old bills. Go figure. In Granada, there were always guys on the street willing to change almost any currency. But in a big city like San Jose, they dont seem to have it together. They would exchange the cordobas but only if they were the old tattered bills. Of course, we only had the new bills that came straight out of the ATM. So, instead of riding a motorcycle through the beautiful mountains we hoofed it all over town trying to find the one reasonable bank in town. Luckily, it does exist. Mission finally accomplished.

We grabbed a quick bite to eat at a local buffetesque place. It was delicious. I had a fried rice, green salad, and a beef torta. It looked kind of like a burger but not. Todd dined on white rice, his favorite, black beans, pasta salad, and a hunk of pork. Surprisingly good and very filling. As for tomorrow, no idea what we will do. We have a bus scheduled for 11pm to take us on a long 18ish hour ride to Panama City. Sounds like fun already.

Dont know that I am enjoying San Jose. But it is nice to be on the road again. Panama City here we come!