San Jose, Costa Rica

i'll start by informing you the showers are kosher. :)  no electric shocks in this one.

woken up bright and early by my mini home's tragaluz, then greeted by pancakes and hostelee bonding,  during which time i met Andrew, one of the awesome super tortugueros of my crew, and some other interesting folk (including a couple that has been travelling by bus since LA for 4 months and have 11 months more to go all the way to the end of the world!).    no sleep, but a good start.

I headed to downtown, imitating the tiko walk, but unable to conceal my lonely planet and large Canon around my neck.  City center has an intended to be cute pedestrian area- but not; however, the city does show a glimpse of maybe a once picturesque place, with amusing architecture (turned gray) and freckled vegetated parks - but now overall looks a bit dumpy.  the day was still enjoyable, with not anticipated blue skies, more friendly strangers, and the visit to the national museum  (the only one open on this national mothers day holiday weekend).

@ the museum while tuned into a fabulous new playlist, i zoned out photographing butterflies.  can't wait to see the morpho (which i just learnt about) free as a bird.  i also spoke to a nice old floridian sculptor who came to reinstall a piece he brought via USPS in 36 different 70 pound boxes.  quite the puzzle.  very nice man. then walked out to a mini concerto, celebrating moms dancing w their pollos. aww. then needing more mellow time, i audrey hepburned my the afternoon @ the stylish plaza cafe.




* the  brilliant encompassing vegetation surrounding the capital proves that the highlighted jem is out there & definitely not here. oh so close.  so not to diss this city, but one day is san jose is probably one day too many.

@ cafe, winds change foretelling probable wetness, got lost on my walk back to Tranquilo's.  found my way just in time before the tropical thunder storm... napped. woke. and went to dinner with the newly acquianted fantastic 6 (out of 8) STC tortugueros...

Looks like we are an awesome bunch.  not only our multiculturalness (from Sweden, Wales, Spain, Argentina, El Salvador, Mexico/US, Malaysia, and Canada), but all seem like pretty good people.  of course, we love sea turtles.  here's where we'll be: http://www.conserveturtles.org/costarica.php?page=research

as of tomorrow!   hasta entonces!