Do you know the way to San Jose

Well, if you don't know the way to San Jose - then I am your girl!

Arrived quite late on Thursday evening, hustled my way through the crowd and managed to be the first one out of the airport - how's that for experience? My hotel was quite lovely, gardens thoughout the grounds, our breakfast area was filled with different coloured birds that would sing sweetly as I immersed myself in my new environment. Friday was spent walking around the town, well they would probably call it a city, but it doesn't feel that big compared to our big smoke.
The downtown area has some lovely old buildings, but most of them are newer. The pedestrian only street is filled with shops, many of them advertising with paint-or soap- on the windows "descounte" - or something similar. Prices are remarkedly close to north american prices, a bit cheaper, I assume they have a high standard of living. Once on the streets, you are constantly bombarded with folks trying to pass on their advertisement - quarter or half sheets of photocopied "deals to be had" - even children are helping their parents in trying to get the tourists to accept the papers. Now, what would I really do with a dry cleaning service, or a free car wash?
After hours of walking the pavement, I headed back for a well deserved nap. Almost felt like my regular afternoon nap - except that my timing was off. For dinner, I decided that I would venture to a restaurant nearby that served tapas, then I would go to another for a beer at the bar in the restaurant - of course, all lonely planet recommendations. Well, the streets are a bit less friendly in the evenings, there are men everywhere holding cane-like sticks - who are they ready to beat? My map mislead me, I ended up on the railway tracks where two guys were busily chatting... until I arrived. Oops, don't think this was the right way - the lonely planet wouldn't send me here! Back to the main street, take the map out of the napsack - I usually try to avoid this, that way they will never know that I am a tourist with lots of money in my pocket and a camera that's worth would feed a Costa Rican family for a month! So back to try to find the restaurant from another angle- there it was, right beside those two chatting guys! In I went, and had a lovely Italian dinner! Yep, italian, yummy creamy pasta and bread with olive oil for dipping.
Walked back to the hotel a little faster than before, and decided that it was a-ok to be in my room by 9p.m. Watched a bit of tv and read and lights out for me - I'll save my socializing for my new friends.

Today, Saturday, I spent most of the day walking around an art and music festival. That was pretty neat, of course I can't understand ANYTHING anyone is saying to me, but what the heck. And, the worst of it - you can't tell if the person is Costa Rican or not. Just a half hour ago, I found a very cool place. It is kind of like a legion hall, but they had a live band and dancing. I know that I personally do not have the latin groove anywhere in my blood, but boy do these people have it. You can't help but tap your toes as you are watching - many people were dancing, all ages and shapes grooving away to the beat. As I sat there, alone, an older, grey haired woman asked if she could join me - well, that's what I imagined she said. I could have sworn that she was english speaking, but nope! all spanish - so I just smiled and gestured that she should sit beside me.
It's not that I am not trying. In fact, I am perfectly fluent in a combo of spanish-italian-french-english. How's that. So when I attempted to ask the fellow how much a hammock was, he just smiled at me - but still proceeded to answer in spanish like I should know what he said. I have discovered that if you try to say something, anything really, but follow it with por va vour - they will smile and bring you something. Today, I had no idea what I ordered for lunch - but the server just smiled asked me another question, -- my response "Sure!" - it worked, food and juice arrived. And it wasn't cat or dog!

So generally things are working out. I have my first meeting tonight with our group, which from the list, is primarily women. Forgot to bring p.j.s, but those of you who have shared a room with me know that this is nothing new. You will be glad to know that I purchased a pair today, so my future roommate is safe!
We are off to the Caribbean coast at 8a.m. tomorrow. I am already sunburnt, as is Lorcan - he emailed me - the sun is much stronger than in Thailand. So, camera and sunscreen in hand and I am off! Hope that it is not snowing too much there!