First Impressions

We're not in Sultan anymore, for sure.




And we're finding that Costa Rica is certainly different from Ecuador or Colombia!













When listing out the qualities that we're looking for in a country, we forgot something.


We neglected to realize how nice it would be to live somewhere where lots of the people are happy.


Yes, happy, joyful, playful, sometimes giggling people. Adults. Odd but fascinating.










My first impression is that I'd like to stick around here long enough for that happy thing to infect both of us.


That'd be worth the price of admission.












But first we have to decompress from months of stressing over getting here.



We're just plain strung out on stress - and pretty tired overall.






More first impressions: Tap water is safe to drink in Alajuela.

 A lot broader range of consumer goods are available here than in South American places we've recently visited.

The food is good - both good tasting and reportedly safe. The people know much more about food safety.

I haven't seen a street dog yet.

 There are no street addresses and NONE of the streets are labeled with names - anywhere (try to wrap your head around that one). Guess we'll have to ask the (also friendly) cops.

The marketplace reminds me a lot of Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles as it takes up one full city block, is indoors, and has permanent stalls - plus it just feels a lot like Grand Central Market.

Tomorrow we're taking a bus out of town, heading up either to the Poas Volcano or part way up the volcano to a coffee growing and processing plantation.

 If we opt to go to the coffee plantation, we'll have to hitch hike part of the way.

 That's a funny thought: a couple of old farts like us hitch hiking. We'll decide tomorrow.