Wake Up!!

Starr had to run an errand today, so we woke up early and I saw her off on the 5:30am bus.

I found myself on a park bench before dawn in a tourist town at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, one of the world's most active volcanoes until several years ago when it seemed to calm down a bit. 

So I decided to watch the town of La Fortuna wake up and spend some time thinking about "waking up" in general.

La Fortuna is a young town, in age and spirit. It was founded in 1969 as a result of the explosion of Volcan Arenal in September 1968 that buried the town of Tabacon and displaced the entire population of survivors.

We're on the Caribbean side of the mountains now and it feels more humid, but still comfortable.

My thoughts in verse ...

Wake up! Conquer your worst fear.

Have some coffee or maybe a beer.

Be friendly and open to all harmless beings.

Pause to reflect, a great way of seeing.

Is it NOW yet? Well I think so!

The bouganvillea is beautiful, no?

Get over yourself, life's not that bleak.

Look inside, you'll find what you seek.

Ask for some help and it may arrive.

Stand up, stretch out and feel alive.

Your bus is leaving, be ready to go.

See the light, feel the flow.

Head up the road and into the clouds.

Go to high places away from the crowds.

A new day is yours! To have and to hold.

Get in your boat. Go ahead and be bold.

Your burdens are heavy. All of ours are.

Check your device, if you've got enough bars.

Meet someone new. by wagging your tail.

There's a light up above. It's high time to sail.

Jog with a friend, right through the town.

Let the past go, it might get you down.

Screw on your head. Let's boogie some more.

Raise up the curtain and write your own score.

Wake up!  Again, that's what life's for.

Checking out the Volcan Arenal area for the next few days and will let you know if it's worth the visit.

-Jeff

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.

Soaking Up Alajuela

We are feeling comfortable here in Alajuela. This is more of a Tico town and the prices are reasonable.

Staying at Charly's Place, we are meeting new friends from Costa Rica, the US, Canada, & Italy. And Charly himself is quite the entertainer.

Everyone we meet teaches us something new about Costa Rica, and the process of becoming a resident in this warm and lovely place.

There's a Catholic church near the main plaza.

The sun sets n the West here.

The pavilion in the park is a break dance venue tonight.

Yup that would break most of  us.

Cheerleader training? Really?

Man!  You got mad skills!

You can throw her, but don't drop her.

Elbow pads on. Now hop, hop, hop ...

A paved composition.

An urban building composition. Sorry about the contrast  problems - still learning my new camera.

The Deceased national hero had a hedgehog haircut. Now he has a museum.

Meet Charly our host.

must ... ring ... bell