Sunday in Heredia

We had been reading about Heredia, a small university town just to the East of us. So we decided to go have a look.

Out thought is that we could rent a place somewhere here in the Central Valley, maybe Alajuela or Heredia, and use it as a base for exploring the rest of Costa Rica. Just a thought.

What we found was a town with a very active Sunday program. Youth activities, bands, drummers, athletes, and story tellers.  Kiddie attractions involving water, slides, climbing gym, and other indescribable diversions.

When's the last time you were kissing in the park?












Later, without a clear reason, we ventured up the hill to San Rafael. The town felt right for us, but we could not find lodgings there within our budget.

Outside of town an English expat named Debbie operates a coffee plantation and B&B, so we started walking up the road to visit her.

Then we ran into Adrian. Our walk ended once Adrian began playing his guitar.

Where nothing meets nothing.

On Sunday in Heredia it's all about the kids. Find your inner kid and go! 

I want shoes like that.

Drill team. So cool.

Mr. Unicycle himself.

The Stiltman cometh.

Going back with my video camera for this guy.

They teach their youngsters to dance while they chime.

These guys had a very big sound.

There's (always) a Catholic church near the main plaza.

Heredia employs a town sculptor who works in lava rock. The lichen finish happened naturally. 

There was a horn section....

She's giving me that "I got my marching jeans on" look.

Wield your baton with skill and passion.

An inflatable climbing gym floats in a wading pool. Talk about layering functions.

I don't know what to call this, but I want a ride. It floats, it rolls, it rotates.

Inside the Rollie Floatie.

Up in San Rafael, there's a Catholic .church ...

Shadow brick composition.

Meet Adrian Arce. He teaches guitar to kids in San Rafael. he plays us some Samba, Jazz, Classical, Bossa Nova, Rock. in his studio.

The Willie Nelson of San Rafael.

In Search of the Electric Oxcart

Rambling around the Central Valley again. This time NW to the towns of Grecia and Sarchi.

Grecia is a regional center for agriculture. It is clean, and a definite residential possibility.

Sarchi is known for woodwork, furniture and crafts. 200 shops strung out along the road for several miles offer everything from deluxe wood furniture to painted trinkets. Who buys this stuff?

The elaborate painted decoration of oxcarts has become the national trademark of Costa Rica, similar to Kahlo's lillies in Mexico.

There's a Catholic cathedral near the main plaza in Grecia. Duh.

More importantly, there is time to sit on the bench and talk.

Music in the park, courtesy of Ecuadorian musicians.

Excellent salad.  Safe to eat salad greens and drink the water in Costa Rica!

Candied figs and espresso. it don't git no better than that.

What's my next move?

Friendly locals.

Sarchi has a Catholic church near the main plaza. Double duh.

Witness the giant electric oxcart in its natural habitat.

Saw a few carts hauling coffee. Not this one.

Beautiful piece of art on this bench! Oh, and it's nicely painted too.

The paint job - up close