The Rhythm of Our Lives in El Coco

The days are beginning to take on a pattern or routine of a sort. We arise early in the morning, sometime between 5-6 am. It is still dark at 5, but this is when the birds and monkeys begin their morning songs, and I really look forward to this early awakening.

We dress fairly quickly, grab a piece of fruit, or perhaps a light breakfast, and head out for a walk while it is still relatively cool outside. Sometimes, we explore the many streets of the Las Palmas complex. Other times, we head down the beach towards town. These walks always lead us to a morning cup of coffee, sometimes to a full breakfast out. There are many little cafes, sodas, and bistros to choose from. Perhaps we will have tried them all by the end of February? Perhaps not.

Bob in front of the Coco Palms Hotel-Bar-Restaurant-Mini Market, just off the beach in the village of El Coco.

 

We do our walking, breakfasting, and errands between 6 and 10 am. By ten, the sun is intense and it is very hot. At that point, we begin to lose steam and wilt like thirsty flowers. So, we come back to the condo and relax. We do our computer projects - read emails, catch up on the news in the states, blog, work on photo or video editing, etc. This is also a good time to swim in the pool, sunbathe (if one is so inclined; we are not), read, shower, tidy up the condo, or do laundry. Caveat: sometimes the water pressure is very low or the water is turned off altogether, so we can't count on showering or doing laundry at this time.

We would most likely have a light lunch at the condo and perhaps take a siesta afterwards. Then, usually, more pool time and/or blogging.

Around three or four o'clock, we begin to get ready to go out again for an afternoon walk, perhaps to do errands or explore the town. At some point, we might take a swim in the ocean. So far, neither of us has been drawn to do that. Our afternoon excursion might well bring us to a dinner spot, or at least to a happy hour at one of the many open-air bars in town.

Beach Bums Bar, Playas del Coco

 

Some interesting things happen in town in the late afternoon and early evening. Sunset happens between 5 and 6 pm, and it is lovely to be at the beach at that time. Also, the monkeys are active between 4:30 and 6:00 pm, and are often found hanging out at Coconutz, one of the open-air bars. Quite entertaining.

People-watching is another great adventure, especially at this time. Tourists are out in droves, at the shops and in the bars. And Tico "townies" are busy selling their wares, or engaging tourists in offers of tours and such. The Tico teen males can be found on the cement beach promenade practicing their skateboarding, roller skating, or bicycling skills or flirting with the young Ticas. Watching people bustling about in the village is endlessly entertaining.

 

At the beach, you can also watch pelicans and other seabirds diving for fish or watch the fishing and touring boats arrive and unload their catch or passengers.

There does not seem to be much in the way of nightlight for us older folks. Dining in a nice restaurant seems the best option. One near us, La Dolce Vita, plays nice Italian music, sometimes recorded, sometimes live. Last evening, as we walked by, we saw and heard a Costa Rican "crooner" singing Italian songs, such as "Volare", in Spanish! We have many restaurants yet to explore.

For the younger crowd, including Ticos who come here on weekends from San Jose, there is an active nightlife, based in the many bars in town, with names like The Lizard Lounge, Zi, Coconutz, La Vida Loca, the Coco Beach Casino, and many more. Each plays loud recorded music for dancing (way too loud for Bob's sensitive ears!). We gather that things get going around nine o'clock and can go until three in the morning.

Our pattern so far is to have a relatively early dinner out and then either walk home or take a taxi. We might linger in the Las Palmas Pueblito for dessert before heading for the condo.

After a day of walking, it is refreshing to sit at the small circular spa pool at the edge of the larger pool outside our condo and soak our feet in the cool water, while perhaps enjoying a beer or wine and doing some star-gazing. The night sky here is very clear and the visible stars are plentiful and bright. We can see at least two very bright planets overhead, though we have not yet figured out which ones they are. And the constellation Orion's Belt is directly overhead and very clear. Another early evening option would be a dip in the pool.

The spa pool and larger pool, as seen from our balcony.

 

We do have a TV in the condo - two actually - but so far we have not turned it on. Bob brought his Bose box all the way from home, with an iPhone full of danceable music, and we have plans to dance in the living room in the evening. So far, we've been too tired to dance, and tend to turn in early. But we are just getting acclimated. We expect to have much more energy in the days to come, especially given all those siestas!

 

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