This is my last week in Costa Rica. Friday just after lunch I'll be flying out of San Jose, going through customs in Houston and then running to my next flight, and then landing in Seattle around 10 pm. I think I'm ready to come home. I want to wear pants and shoes. It's too hot here for those. It's just plain hot.

By 'here' I mean Puerto Viejo. While Tortuguero was fun -- we saw giant green turtles lay their eggs on the beach and iguanas sunning themselves on roofs wondering if pink flowers are edible -- it was a deadend town. The beach was infested with flies and their was nothing else to do there except learn about turtles. We did that and then caught the next three-hour boat ride down the coast. Add a two-hour bus trip and viola, we're in Puerto Viejo.

This town is much more happening. There's a strong caribbean influence here: Bob Marley can be found on almost every item at nearly every street vender's booth, raggae music floats around town once the sun goes down, and the food is much better. Even the traditional pinto (rice and beans) is better. They cook it in coconut milk.

I'm still getting used to the fact that when I look at the water, I'm looking east. At the Caribbean. Woah. (No more 'water west, mountains east.') The Caribbean c oast seems gentler than the Pacific coast. There are barely any waves; it's like the edge of a big pool at a big hotel (Hotel Earth). Coral reefs come right up to the shore, making surfing spots dangerous. And the weather offshore tends to stay out there.

There is one sandy surfing spot that I'm going to try out. Jen and I might also try some snorkeling and, if we're feel brave, try scuba diving after that. Diving doesn't appeal to me as much, but this is supposedly a great place to do it.

0 Comments