Exploring Escazu

Monday, April 1

Strange things are happening in the world today, such as Internet pranks by YouTube and Google. April Fool's!

But here, in this lovely small sanctuary called Casa de las Tias, we are cushioned from the world - from newspapers and TV news programs - Internet news our only link to the outside world. We are marking time here, counting the days until we are home again.

We started the day with an early morning walk uphill behind the Casa, walking up and up to the top of a ridge where there are some grand walled homes and a great view of the valley and the volcanic mountains on the other side. Great walk, great exercise!

Bob on porch of Casa de las Tias, Escazu, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)

Next, we were treated to another delicious breakfast on the patio - just the two of us today. There were no other guests last evening, nor will there be this evening, but starting tomorrow, the Casa will be full until we leave. We have treasured the quiet and having the place to ourselves. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

After breakfast, we set out to explore Escazu. It turns out that there are three sections of the canton called Escazu - San Rafael, the modernized, Westernized section where we are staying, Escazu Centro which is south and uphill from us - an older and less Americanized town - and then San Antonio, a village still further south and way up into the hills. We took a bus up to San Antonio, got out and walked around for a while. Other than a great view of the valley and opposite mountains, there was not much to see.

Mountain peak behind San Antonio de Escazu, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)

We took a bus down the mountain from San Antonio to Escazu Centro, got off, and walked around some more, again not finding much of interest. The central plaza was disappointing - dirty and in disrepair. Not at all like the Parque Central we loved in Atenas. The bright spot was the church facing the plaza.

Church, Escazu Centro, Costa Rica.

Once again, we boarded a local bus for what turned out to be a short ride downhill to San Rafael. We got off the bus at the Atlantis Plaza near the Casa and purchased a few snack groceries at the AutoMercado. While in the grocery store, Bob's distance eyeglasses fell on the floor and a lens popped out. Fortunately, next door to the grocery store is an optical shop, where Bob left his glasses for repair.

Then, we walked to the Casa and took a short siesta before heading out for lunch. We ended up back at the Atlantis Plaza and the D'Amalfi Restaurante where we had lunched yesterday. This time we ordered and split a Pizza Greca (delicious) and some iced tea. Then back to the Casa again, where we spent the remainder of the afternoon reading, iPading, and resting. Bob went for another walk up the hill behind us.

Foyer and stairs to bedrooms, Casa de las Tias, Escazu, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)

At dinner time, we headed down the lane to the main road. We had a restaurant in mind, and it is across a very busy 4-lane road. The traffic was so heavy and non-stop that we couldn't seem to cross safely, and we got frustrated and abandoned that plan. Instead, we ended up at a restaurant called Carpe Diem, located at the end of the lane where the Casa is located. We had not originally considered this place, because we had been told that it was pretty pricey. But we were tired and hungry, and so we tried it. In fact, it was pricey, and even though we ordered off their Pub menu, it was still one of the more expensive meals we have had in Costa Rica. And it was noisy - right on the road, with all the rush hour traffic still passing by, and loud Madonna music videos also making conversation difficult. We came away from the day, and the dinner, a little discouraged and blue.

But we had a nice evening after all. We found an old Trivial Pursuit game in the living room, and we took the cards and took turns asking each other questions. No score-keeping, just an opportunity to keep our brains exercised and ourselves entertained. Of course, many of the questions, and answers, were dated. But then, so are we. And then, another treat. As we began to fall asleep, it began to rain. This is only the second time it has rained since we came to Costa Rica, and the sound was heavenly. We feel asleep to the sound of raindrops on the roof.

We have too much time on our hands. We have explored a lot of Escazu by foot and by bus. We have booked a private taxi for a day trip on Wednesday. We have two other full days on our hands, and so far no really good ideas of how to spend them. Bob, says, "I've had enough of Costa Rica. I am ready to go home." Me too.

 

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