Stay true to the dreams of thy youth

I made it to Costa Rica a few days ago, and after a few days at Playa Jaco on the Pacific Coast, I returned to San Jose to meet up with 5 great friends for the remainder of the trip.

A few quick reflections before I catch my bus to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean coast.

1. I actually did learn a little bit of Spanish in high school. I have been amazed at how many random Spanish words return in interactions around town.

2. Costa Ricans do not speak Arabic... in addition to the Spanish words I remember, I generally unconsciously fill in the gaps with Arabic prepositions and verb forms and grammar. I have received some priceless blank stares in return.

3. The sun here is STRONG!!! I spent three hours on the beach my first day in Jaco - wearing 30spf sunscreen, and reapplying a second time. I was burnt to a crisp, and now have been diligently applying aloe vera hourly.

4. The general atmosphere of Costa Rica seems fairly unique for the region. The buses run smoothly and on-time. People do not harass tourists with endless scams and trinkets. The people are amazingly warm, friendly and hospitable to tourists. It has been truly refreshing.

5. The Costa Rican women are either hideous or stunningly beautiful.

6. Eating fresh mangoes on the beach while watching the sunset is a fantastic combination!

Cheers