In Search for History and Supplies in San Jose - Costa Rica.

Arriving to the new continent requires sorting out some supplies first. Travelling with carry on luggage has its obvious pros and cons. One gets to buy very cheap flights but needs to compensate with buying the prohibited items again on the spot. But how little did I know that getting even the sheer basics can be quite a challenge in central America.

I have arrived on a late rainy afternoon so getting to the city center quickly was a priority. I knew that there is a bus connecting the airport with the city, but didn't expect it to be so hard to find. After few unsuccessful attempts and bunch of questions to random people I have met a guy who was waiting for his Uber taxi and offered him to share the ride together. He accepted and soon off we were to the city center.

The price was reasonable but still rather expensive for my expectations. Fourteen dollars to be precise. But on a rainy day and with some 48 hours of no proper sleep I was quite okey with it.

Checked in to the Tripon Hostel and started absorbing the local atmosphere on my own skin. It is very warm and welcoming culture here in Costa Rica. Apart from the obvious scams of course, but about that later.

Thanks to mild jet lag I woke up rather early. Perfect occasion to get out and try to take some nice pictures. I took a random street and ventured out without a plan. I just needed to kill an hour before the breakfast time. And let me tell you it is so worth it to do the breakfast if the hostel offers it. Local fresh fruits are another level. Pineapple and papaya served with some peanut butter is all you need to kick start the daily adventure.

Shopping for some rather random items was on today's menu. And boy, was it a hustle. But the search for a cheap T-shirt and nail scissors was luckily accompanied by good portion of sightseeing. Parks and colonial architecture are ever present and one really gets the feeling of being in some tropical western movie - should something like that exist.

Most of the statues are memorials of the Costa Rican revolution/civil war of 1948. Second attraction got to be the local flora... Every corner of the city looks like a botanical garden.

Let me tell you I wasn't lucky with my shopping this time. There are plenty of some sort of Chinese shops, but for my random items I needed a little bit more specialized store. And they are hard to find. So I have bought a Colombian made fake crocks, shoe leashes and sawing kit. All that after visiting what was maybe ten different stores full of random products. But enough for a first day. It would be a pity to spend the whole time shopping anyways.

There must be time for socializing and relaxing as well. For that we had the whole afternoon as it rains now everyday around the same hours. At about three o'clock in the afternoon you want to be finished with your daily business and back home watching the rain by sipping on cup of tea.

I am accompanied by two other solo travelers - French man and Chinese girl. They do make the rainy afternoons and evenings pass by with ease.

The most expensive picture of the day was the one baring the city's name...

The very center is indeed full of opportunists and beggars of all sorts. One of them caught me off guard. I was in such a good mood that I have handed him all the small coins from my pocket and it amounted to well over one dollar. I have surely made his day.

My wish is that I have elevated somebody's mood with this article as well.

Pura Vida!

Global Local