La Tortura
I arrived yesterday in San Jose, Costa Rica, and its very possible that I will leave tomorrow for Panama City. It all depends on whether there is space available on the bus leaving tomorrow evening. I like it here, actually… it is a real shame that ive been able to see so little of Costa Rica. Some day I’ll have to come back. San Jose is pretty, a very nice, modern city. There are lots of tranquil parks along a busy shopping street in the center. In fact, of all of the cities I’ve seen since entering Mexico, San Jose looks and feels the most American. The buildings look just like parts of Boston, the streets are clean, and it is a safe place to walk around. People seem fairly self-concerned and indifferent to strangers, just as in the states. The one very latino thing I saw today when walking around the center was a line of guys at the edge of one park, all looking at the women who passed by and commenting on their appearance. This is something that never exists in Boston.
Last Thursday I went to Granada, Nicaragua, for the first time in a year and a half. I had no idea what to expect upon arrival. The first thing that struck me were the crowds of tourists in all parts of the city. In my first visit there were quite a few tourists, but nothing compared to nowadays. I found it funny how some things remained the same, yet there were always subtle changes. The central park looked the same, but my little friend selling necklaces, everyones’s favorite “amigo”, wasn’t there. Nor was a girl who worked at a drink stand, who I met during my spanish classes. Mario, the bartender at one internet cafe, was now working down the street at a restaurant. The city was full of new hotels, mainly aimed at backpackers. In front of my old house there was a hostel, and the entire street had been given a fresh coat of paint.
To be honest, I am rather concerned by the current state of Granada. It is still beautiful and a wonderful city, but I fear it is being turned into another Antigua, another tourist museum. Granada, unlike Antigua, is a real city with a significant population and industries other than tourism.
I visited the family with whom I stayed during my earlier visit, the Ortegas. The mother was home, as were the two sisters; they were extremely suprised to see me. We talked awhile, and they offered to let me sleep in their house. Later, they told me to go see the brother of the family play in a salsa band in a local cafe.
I also met two friends that my friend from home, Greg Storch, met during his visit to Nicaragua. We spent quite a bit of time together. On Sunday, we took an excursion to the city of Diriamba to see the local hipica, or horse parade. These horse parades are a big deal in Nicaragua, and people come from all over the country to take part in the festivities. Bands rove through the streets, rum is sold dirt-cheap, and everyone is drinking and dancing on the sidewalks as the horses make loops around the city. It was loads of fun, and reminiscent of the hipica that I saw in Granada when I was first in the country.
Yesterday I made the journey here from Granada taking public buses. I arrived in the evening, and went first to one hostel recommended by my taxi driver. It was a nice place, but because it was very new, it was also nearly empty. Today I decided to change hostels, and now Im staying in a crowded but lively hostel, “tranquilo backpackers.”
I was going to go out tonight, but I decided to take it easy instead. In Panama City, I will party like crazy.
Ive started a new tradition of seeing the sunrise on Sunday morning after a long party. I’ve done it the last two weeks, at least. I think its a trend Id like to continue.
Y Asi Es.
Love,
Dan
Tags: Costa Rica, Nicaragua
Neocoltrane
January 28th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Dan, Im writing from India with my “aunts”, they are extremely young. We were just reading your blog to see how you were and checking to see that youre safe. At the moment I have the Hershey squirts and its kinda nasty. Someday I’ll demonstrate all the smelly glory.
yours,
Farid
January 30th, 2006 at 11:52 am
hey daaann! 🙂
once again, great title 🙂 i lov that song 😀
its great to know that ur stayin safe and having lotsa fun and seein new places 😀
over here everything’s gud
i got accepted to Queen’s U. i think i told u that wen i was talkin to u online the other day 🙂 it was so great to c ur face again :D:D:D yippeeee!!
i cant wait for u to come back!!! (but take ur time cuz i know ur having a blast down there, and i want u to make the best of ur trip :D:D)
take lotsa pictures :D:D and then post ’em up on ur thing, u did that once but u never did it again 🙁
btw it’s always so entertaining to read farid’s comments, theyre soo funny! 😀
stay safe and keep updating!!
besitos!!!
lov always
Alix
January 30th, 2006 at 7:02 pm
I’m glad you liked Costa Rica; I think it is a wonderful country. The coast is quite nice, provided you stay away from the gringo resorts. I hope the rest of your trip goes well and I look forward to seeing you later in the year.
-Zach
PS: Enjoy all the nice warm weather you have, we have tons of snow here in Maine.
February 14th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
Que pasa hombre?
I wanna hear more about your experiences with my bros…. send me an email if you get the time.
Peace,
Greg