Friday, March 8
Have we REALLY been here a week! We arrived last Friday afternoon, and everything seemed strange. It took a while to get oriented. Now, we pretty much know our way around town and are beginning to explore the outskirts.
Up early this morning, we headed out for Kay's Gringo Postres which is catty-corner across town from us, about a 20-minute walk from our apartment. Along the way, we ran into the Friday morning open-air market that we had heard about. We decided to come back on our way back home.
Friday morning street market near the grounds of the school, Atenas, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)
Sign outside Kay's Gringo Postres, Atenas, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)
We were the first arrivals of the morning at Kay's, and we had a chance to meet and talk with Kay herself. The first time we came here, Kay was away. Kay and her husband Tom moved to Atenas about eleven years ago, and as she says, "we never looked back." To learn more about this welcoming oasis for gringos, visit Kay's website at www.kaysgringo.com.
Interior of Kay's, Atenas, Costa Rica. Bill, one of the cooks, in foreground. Connie in background. (Photo by Bob)
Kay's serves a wonderful breakfast, which we have sampled twice so far, and also serves a lovely homemade lunch - so we've heard, but which we have yet to try. Today I had a scrambled egg with very crisp bacon and a homemade apple muffin; Bob had banana walnut pancakes. And we had coffee self-served from an endless pot. All delicious. And this place is known for its homemade desserts (postres), especially brownies, lemon squares, congo bars, and cookies - American comfort food!
After breakfast, we followed the road past Kay's as it wound its way uphill and out of town.
Rural road, Atenas, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)
This is a more rural part of Atenas, with more open land and, for the most part, nicer houses. I suspect that some of the Atenas "gringos" live up this way. Bob photographed many of the homes along the way, still fascinated by the elaborate fencing and walls surrounding many Costa Rican homes.
Bob photographing a fenced-in home, Atenas, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)
Typical Costa Rican home with fence. Atenas. (Photo by Bob)
Photographer Bob declares "victory" during photo walk in Atenas, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)
Along the road, we also came across this car, which had obviously been stolen, stripped down for parts, and left as junk - an unsettling sight. We wondered how long it had been there and whether the police had had any involvement with this situation.
Stripped down and abandoned car, Atenas, Costa Rica. Legitimate or stolen? (Photo by Connie)
Walking back into town, we headed back to the street market - still, at 11:00 am, very busy and active. There was stall after stall of fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, breads and bakery items, clothing, and more, each tended by different vendors. We had not come prepared with bags or knapsacks for carrying many items, so we only bought a few items - green bananas (hard to find in the markets and Bob's preference), strawberries, a whole ripe pineapple. Next Friday we will come prepared to shop.
Bob buying green bananas at street market, Atenas, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)
Hot and tired and heading for home, we stooped at a small shop that sold nothing but fruit drinks and ice cream. We both ordered a Batido fresca - a smoothie- type drink made with fresh fruit, ice, and water - added sugar optional. The true "pause that refreshes."
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