Estoy en Costa Rica!

Hola amigos! Many years after those Spanish lessons I am finally in a country where I could potentially use what I learned...if only I could remember a little more of it! So I made it here safely and I am really enjoying myself. The plane rides were alright accept for not being able to get much sleep - I sat by a "talker" on the first flight. I even closed my eyes but he kept talking! So arriving in Costa Rica was pretty surreal. I hadn't quite had time to prepare myself for it since I only bought the ticket a week beforehand! Some plans I had didnt work out but a new door opened so I went for it. My friend Greta from college is living and working here in San Jose and she invited me...so here I am I took a taxi from the airport and met Greta at her work yesterday. Then we went to her house. She has a sweet set-up. Her employer pays for her rent in this fully furnished house in a gated community...she even has a cleaning lady! So nice So last night we walked around in the little town she lives in, San Raphael de Heredia, and got some food. The rest of the night we just caught up since we hadn't seen each other in three years! We made fun of all the crazy things we remember about our alma mater and made fun of me and how spontaneous I am. Then today while Greta went to work I set out to explore the city of San Jose. I took a taxi there (about 25 minutes). I toured the National Theater, which was just beautiful. Then I went to the Pre-Colombian gold museum, where I was hit on by numerous men who worked there. One of whom enthusiastically told me about the Costa Rican belief that alcohol is a preventative treatement for cholera and other illnesses..."Better drunk than sick! Drunk is gone tomorrow, sick it stays!" The gold itself was vaguely interesting :P I just was all museumed out. So I went walking again. I found the Central Market, which the guide book said was supposed to be really good....yeah, not so much. It was a whole city block covered over with a pluthera of raw meat vendors...mmmm... tasty! I got out of there quickly and then went looking for the National Park so I could see the National Monument. On the way I found a different market - an Arts and Crafts Market. This one was much less stinky and had some nice things. I had to laugh though when I realized that a lot of thie things I saw there were made in India, Mexico, hong Kong, etc.! I did eventually go to the Park. It was very tranquil. I didnt mention the weather yet! It is so beautiful, just perfect. It is sunny and not too humid, not too dry, slight breeze that cools your skin...perfect really...ahhhhh. So I eventually got a taxi and went back to Greta's place. Now we are just hanging out and will go get some dinner soon and go dancing with her friends later Tomorrow....the BEACH!!!! I can hardly wait Hope you are all well!!