After running around at top speed most of this vacation, Bella and I really enjoyed a relaxing day at the resort, Puenta Leona. One thing I have noticed is that the tourists are secluded into almost little towns away from the general population. This leads to a sort of weird, extended America. Everyone speaks English, the menu has bad burgers and pizza. The grocery stores have candy and snacks. Lots of candy and snacks.
This leads me to the general observation that most of the time while we were in Costa Rica we really did not see a lot of junk food. With dinner there was usually some sort of flan: coconut flan, lime flan, lemon flan, caramel flam, plain flan. But there were generally not a lot of carbs, or sugar, or desserts. I found this very refreshing. There were definitely things that I wished to be eating, and certainly a longing for some diversity in diet, but I appreciated that the food was generally healthy, wholesome and filling.
Puenta Leona was a town within a town. We were able to walk from our cute room to the beach, the store, a little coffee shop, and a few restaurants. I really enjoyed the walking and the multiple pools to choose from. Inside the community there are resort homes, a few hotels, and then the property we stayed on, which was like little bungalows. I wondered if the separation between tourists and the general public was a preference one either or both ends? I kind of wish that had been more able to really experience Costa Rican culture more. I did feel pretty isolated in our areas. Leaving was not only sort of frowned up, but mostly impossible as we were considerable distances from the main road. I also am not about to wander off in another country alone with my daughter. I might do it if I had been totally alone, but I had to think about her.
However, due to our schedule, I had added a day for us to just hang at the beach. The rest of our group headed back to San Jose, so we were all alone. Costa Rica goes on national holiday July 1, so our resort was hopping with locals. I am pretty sure Bella and I were among the only Americans there that day. At least it felt that way.
It was fun to see their community and culture at play. The above picture was a Congo (?) line in the pool being led by two very enthusiastic folks on land. It was loud, it was funky, and the people in the pool were just rocking out.
We caught some beach soccer. Juan Carlos told us that every town in Costa Rica has a church, a soccer field, and a school - usually right next to each other. He also informed us that in Costa Rica people go to church on Saturday nights. The priests have given up on trying to compete with soccer on Sunday mornings. They (and God, I guess) have accepted the Saturday night is close enough. I am pretty sure my mom would not approve.
We were pretty lazy with a day at the pool - remember, Bella broke up with the ocean.
A few drinks to refresh us.
At this resort we also found fewer people who spoke English. This led to a few snafus. I ordered water and got this:
No idea what it is called. It was water + mint and a LOT of limes.
Bella accidentally paid for an entire table's dinner. Isn't she generous? She was shocked because they ate lobster. She thought she was paying for the plate of nachos we shared.
The rains rolled in and we ate some ice cream for dinner and then went to bed. We were tuckered out.
The next morning was our last day in Costa Rica. Bella decided to make up with the ocean. As a result, we woke up early for a quiet walk along the beach. I hunted for shells and looked in tide pools.
It was truly breathtakingly beautiful.
After breakfast we packed up our things and then headed down for pool time before our car arrived to take us to San Jose for the night.
Bella had a non-alcoholic watermelon refresher - which was delicious!
I managed to get a sunburn despite sunscreen and sitting under an umbrella. White girl problems.
As we headed into San Jose we struggled with traffic. Despite what I perceive as lax traffic laws, we only witnessed two accidents. People beep at each other cheerfully as a hello. There is not obvious road rage or rudeness in driving.
Bella and I both left Costa Rica thinking the Ticos are very kind, happy, simple and accommodating people. We did not have a single negative experience.
Flowers and butterflies for today:
And just like that we were headed home. We had a long day of delayed flights and luggage issues. But it could have been a lot worse. We got to the airport at 5 a.m. and got back to Fort Collins a little after midnight. Madeline swooped us and drove us home, which was a real treat.
I have thoughts and reflections on my trip and our experience, but that will have to wait for another day. I have to unpack, organize my life, and return to reality for now.
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