A Trip to Heredia

Tuesday, April 2

Things are looking up this morning. We again took the walk up the high hill behind the Casa - great aerobic exercise. And, we are rewarded with a panoramic view of Escazu and beyond to the mountains.

Another delicious breakfast on the terrace in the backyard, where bird-watching is a side benefit. We saw a couple of hummingbirds that come to a hibiscus bush nearby. And we watched a pair of large birds - we think they are Brown Jays - fly to a nearby tree, gather twigs in their beaks and fly away repeatedly. They are obviously building a nest somewhere on the adjacent property. Many birds frequent this lovely spot - a true oasis hidden in the hubbub of the city.

Our hostess, Pilar, has invited us to join her on a trip to Heredia, a city almost due north of Escazu and of Alejuela. She has an errand to do at the University there, and we have been wanting to visit Heredia and the University also. We have also received some good suggestions for things to do the last two days we are here. So, perhaps we will stop just marking time and really make use of the time remaining to us.

... Later

What a delightful day! We drove with Pilar and her friend Giselda (from Argentina) to the National University (UNA) in Heredia. Pilar and Giselda are in a masters program there - both studying to be translators - and Bob and I looked around a little while they were busy. The campus is quite contemporary in design. We learned from Giselda that there are 58 colleges and universities in Costa Rica, five of which are in the National University system.

UNA building, Heredia, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)

Bob & outdoor sculpture of the University and city of Heredia, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)

Outdoor sculpture commemorating the building and development of the National University in Heredia. (Photo by Connie)

 

Afterwards, Pilar drove us around Heredia for a look-see. Then we headed off towards San Isidro. On the way, we stopped at a wonderful Tico restaurant, Casona de mi Tierra. The restaurant is located in an old farmhouse with great historical ambience. We ate outdoors on the terrace. The food was very good.

Giselda, Bob, Pilar outside Casona de mi Tierra, Heredia, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)

Connie, Pilar, Bob at Casona de mi Tierra, Heredia, Costa Rica.

Lunch conversation at Casona de mi Tierra, Heredia, Costa Rica. (Video by Bob)

After lunch, we drove a little further up the mountain to a smaller town, San Isidro de Heredia. This is coffee-growing country, and even from the center of town we could see coffee fincas (farms) on the hillsides. Pilar had an appointment in town, and we had about an hour and a half the explore. It was cloudy and a little drizzly at times, but that didn't keep us from getting around, or keep Bob from photographing. As in every town, there was an impressive large church facing what, in most towns, might be a park or plaza but in this town was a giant soccer field. We spent the last fifteen minutes or so watching a soccer practice.

Scenes from San Isidro de Heredia, Costa Rica. (Video by Bob)

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