I´m on higher and cooler ground today after yesterday´s bus journey from Liberia to San Ramon, a colonial town of about 25,000 just 60km west of San Jose. Although the town doesn´t boast a whole lot in terms of tourist accomodation, there are a couple churches (one of which is undergoing extensive renovation), and one of the best-kept Parque Centrals I´ve ever seen in Central America or Mexico. Those who are familiar with the ubiquitous parque central, a fixture of Latin American towns of any size, will know that these are often run-down and dilapadated, and sometimes scourged with swarms of pigeons and their droppings. This one in downtown San Ramon is truly beautiful with many trees, clean pathways, and plenty of well-maintained park benches--a great place to hang out between 5-7pm.
This town also has the fastest high-speed internet connection I´ve discovered thus far on this trip--one of the great bargains I´ve found here at 80 cents per hour!
There´s not much else holding me here save for the cool weather. Last night the rains came down hard, and for more than just a shower or two. Today we have mostly overcast skies.
So, it´s off to the capital city today for the last few days of my trip. I´ve made arrangements to meet the artist uncle of one of my violin students tomorrow--he sounds pretty interesting on the phone.
If there´s one thing I´ve learned on this trip it´s that two weeks is not enough for me to do all things I want to do when I set out on a "vacation" like this--in a way, it´s hardly worth it for me to set out on such a journey without committing at least a month (or three) to the project. The problem, as always, is finding the time and the budget to make things work best for me.
Another important point that I´ve learned is that I´m beginning to really appreciate Latin America in general, so I hope to be doing more exploring here and in South America in years to come. To make that kind of commitment, too, I realize that I´d probably better take some immersion Spanish language courses. Learning the language is truly the key to getting the most out of such a cross cultural experience. And it would almost always be a prerequisite if I decided I want to explore the region more longterm, perhaps in some volunteer capacity.
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A GREAT VALUE I DIDNT HAVE TO BARGAIN FOR
ReplyDeleteI wanted to post a separate comment regarding my digs in San Ramon. Now & then the Lonely Planet recommends a true gem of a place, whether it be a hotel, restaurant, or other attraction. When the guidebook urged me to "go ahead and splurge" on the Hotel La Posada, I took them up on it, and Im glad I did.
Located just north of the towns bustling commercial center, this beautiful joint with two 2-story wings opposing each other across a quiet street is a real find.
My single room features a king-size bed; a medium-size fridge; a very large big screen TV--with Cinemax and HBO--set in a massive wooden chest of drawers; and a bathroom with a first rate shower with hot water--in a country where you cant be sure always of getting it--and a shampoo/conditioner/soap dispenser.
The towels aint too shabby either.
On each side of my Cadillac of a bed are a couple more solid wood drawer tables with reading lights.
Wooden ceilings, solid wood doors, and even more wooden shelving in the bathroom make for a pleasant, homey interior.
The room has a fan but no AC because theres really no need for AC this high in the mountains.
And thats not all: for $40 per night taxes inclusive you also get breakfast in the morning. The desk clerk sold me completely when he assured me: "Its a good breakfast, too"!
Did I mention they have laundry service? Great, I have clean clothes for the weekend, too. . .
that's livin'! Why I don't even have cable at home. How many nights? Will we see pictures when you return home?
ReplyDeleteI stayed only one night in la Posada, but I got a few photos.
ReplyDeleteCheck back later after I´ve uploaded photos to this site!