These are the two resident parrots who entertain us all while at the pool. They are about 35 years old and were Norma's mom's. They will start to laugh uncontrollably sometimes. We didn't catch the laugh on the video recording below, but will keep trying. They sure are a good alarm clock.
Normas talking parrots
Yesterday morning Rob and I were asked to go for lunch with Ilene and Keith. They said they were going down the road 1/2 mile to the little truck stop that served awesome rice and bean soup. It certainly did not disappoint. The beer was cold and the marinated cabbage and peppers served with the soup was hot and spicy. Great food and enjoyable company and conversation.
Cost for the two of us: c3150 or about $6.30
We have found the people of Costa Rica to be very friendly and gracious. This morning we headed into Alajuela on the bus. At the stop two young men were transporting eggs via the bus. Rob asked to take their picture and they both smiled and posed for him. Later in the large central market the vendors were all too happy to smile for the camera and shake your hand. We got some good chuckles when Rob showed them the shots on his camera screen.
Boys at bus stop taking eggs to market
Main bus depot in Alajuela
Central Market Alajuela - indoors
While walking around the pool I noticed this one tree with these gorgeous purple flowers sprouting from the trunk and wondered how they got there. The next day I was talking to Norma so asked her.
She proceeded to show me how she attaches the orchid plant to the tree trunk with stretched out pieces of nylons. Then the roots sprout and attached themselves to the tree. She has them all over with differing colours and sizes. Very inventive and quite beautiful.
Took a very hair raising ride on the bus to Atenas. It is 10 kms from here -5 down and then 5 up. When you reach the bottom there is a 90 degree turn onto a single lane bridge over the river and then 90 degrees back on the other side. It is a paved road with two lanes but narrow when you consider the size of the buses and transports that travel it so frequently. Cost was c430 for the two of us one way.
Atenas is a smaller town, quite cute and a nice grocery store. We needed to get some money and had to try three ATM's before we found one that would take our card. It only gave colones but we got our groceries. So if the first machine doesn't work, keep trying.
Point of Interest: The ride on the bus is much smoother at the front!!
A midday stroll through the immaculate,
palm-lined Parque Central in Atenas.
The Road to Atenas
shot late in the day with setting sun
Atenas is located in the background mountains with an elevation of
2300-2500 feet (700 to 800 meters) above sea level
Chorotega Pottery - Tinajitas Pottery
San Juan del Sur - Pacific Playground
San Jacinto Mud Pits
