BackpackerMom

What do you do on a lonely evening in Costa Rica? Go to the fair!!! But with lots and lots of caution.

Chances are there will be a local fair in some little town along the way to your destination. Unless, of course, you are traveling during holiday season or on some obscure catholic saint day, you will find one in every town. And even though you might think there’s tons of stuff to do while traveling, don’t overlook this little treasure trove of local blending.
But like I said, be very wary of the rides and the food.

This is the typical ride, it will have at least one major component missing. Since I have a toddler, it’s difficult to avoid a ride, so getting him on a baby ride isn’t as dangerous as an adult ride.

The average rollercoaster, freefalling amusement ride is well over 15 years donated to these countries from the US fairgrounds of lost and forgotten rides. The owners, being businessmen, reap in big tax benefits by their generosity failing to mention the real state of the ride.

However, the excitement in the air, extra loud music, and bright lights will keep any aged kid stimulated!

Note: I wouldn’t recommend the food for kids. Normally the people serving it serve the food with the same hands they take the money, clean their noses, wipe their sweaty brows and clean the counters.

(Even if it is only to the corner market, and even if I do live in tropical, exotic Costa Rica.)

To get out of the house before my 2-year-old determinedly achieves making my head and/or my husband’s into a flat-board for his diving expertise.
2. To avoid hearing my son demand I draw his hand on any random surface, AGAIN!
3. To see new places and teach him something other than “do you need to go pee-pee/ca-ca?”
4. To wear him out so he can develop a big hole in his belly and finally eat without me ripping my hair out or crying for him to take just one teensy-weensy morsel of the food I’ve slaved over for hours so he can have some ‘spice’ in his life, because god-forbid if a toddler eats something with less than eight words in the title. And, of course, the reason for his NOT eating is because ‘y cooking is too boring’for him and I have to cook up extravagant concoctions of mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, pasta, and meats!
5. To wear him out completely on someone else’s turf so he can sleep like a ‘baby’.

6. For me to see something other than my four walls which have become miraculously, and too quickly, covered in chalk, crayons and marker. (My husband and I are totally opposed to this, but if we say no the full-on temper tantrum awaiting us is by far more taxing than the hours of scrubbing the walls clean.)
7. To know that there is a world out there with real people other than Barney, Mickey, Clifford, Dora…
8. To interact with real, live people and kids who will be great distractions for my son as he attempts another round of climbing our shoulders via stepping all over my body and face, or having us fly him around like an airplane. (He only weighs 30 pounds!)
9. To have a reason to take a shower (other than because I am too stinky even for myself) and throw on clothes bought in trendy stores than my glorified robes and PJ sets. Besides, I’ve realized dressing up for any reason at all when my little man joins me is fruitless. He manages to leave footprints, paint prints, food prints on me no matter how hard I try to run from him.
10. To dress up ‘the-light-of-my-life’ (my son) in the numerous designer outfits my family and friends eagerly bestow upon us. They actually think my life is as exotic as the country I live in!