Volcano Numero Uno (Costa Rica)

Unfortunately, we didn't see the first volcano we were scheduled to see! Yes, we were there but the weather was cloudy In Poas National Park. Vulcan Poas is stunning in all the pictures. According to the guide book, this 8,850 foot giant was formed long, long ago and is "ephemerally volatile with peak activity occurring in approximately 40 year cycles." The last eruption (minor) happened in March 2006 and again in January of 2009 (6.2 Richter scale) with devastation in much of the immediate region.

Here's our view of the crater:

Oh, well.

We did some "imagining" at the Visitor Center mural instead.

Once back in our bus, though, we saw some memorable sights.

A gorgeous waterfall:

A family of white-nosed coatis:

And also along the way, we stopped by a roadside restaurant with a fruit stand right next to it.

Here I had the tastiest, best fresh strawberry drink con leche that I have ever had in my life!

Seriously, the best drink I have ever had! It more than made up for the volcano we didn't see!

Coming: the volcano we did see...and it was so gorgeous.

Spotted: The Most Famous Costa Rican Craft

Leaving San Jose and with the destination of La Fortuna and the National Parks meant we headed into the countryside. Our first stop was a coffee plantation and right near there was a "Bucket List" spotting of a careta - a traditional oxcart.

Oh, how I wish I would've captured the face of the man driving this cart!

Before you get to see the actual painted oxcart, some history: in the 1850s, these carts were used to transport coffee beans from the Central Valley over the mountains to Punteras on the Pacific coast. This trip could take up to 15 days. Spokeless wheels on the cart helped in the navigation through the mud.

In the early 1900s, the tradition of painting and decorating these oxcarts began - each region had its own particular designs. You could tell, at first glance, who the cart belonged to by looking at the painted patterns on the cart wheels.

Isn't it beautiful?

Then and now, there are contests involving the paintings on these carts.

These days, most oxcarts are becoming obsolete as a mode of transportation. How lucky were we to see one in use? Veerrrrrrry lucky, indeed!

In fact, these two (at the coffee plantation cafe, bakery and gift shop afterwards) probably sipped coffee from the beans carried on that very same careta. ☕️ Maybe, maybe not.

Color Blast - Costa Rica

Presently happening in Chicagoland: cold and snow. Really? My reaction is to blast you with colorful flowers in the La Fortuna area near San Jose in Costa Rica...

I'll close with the blooming poinsettia bush.

Winter, you've worn out your welcome here!

                Thank you, Costa Rica for your beauty in flora and fauna!

Being a Tourist in San Jose. Costa Rica (City of)

We ended up with only one free afternoon in San Jose to explore the city's offerings - and this was a blitz of an afternoon at that!

First we walked through the bustling Avenida 2 where people were out in numbers. Blankets spread on the walkway offered customers ample opportunities to purchase handbags, electronics, happy face pillows and more.

We continued on to the Museueo del Oro Precolombino. Otherwise known as the Gold Museum.

Here we saw impressive pre-Colombian treasures such as El Guerrero - a life-sized warrior adorned with gold ornaments:

Also many many many cases of gold figurines:

I especially was drawn to the golden frogs:

Keep in mind some of these were smaller than my pinkie fingernail.

By this time, we needed to refuel a bit and we found a lovely respit in the Theatro Nacional cafe. The theatre was closed on Mondays, unfortunately, but at least we got a feel for this gorgeous, historical landmark.

Next we walked over to the Catedral Metropolitana.

If you look closely, you can see two bright green parrots roosting in the left pediment.

On the cathedral's north side, a statue (contemporary) of Pope John Paul by Jimenez Deredia is to be found.

It would have been lovely to take a closer look inside the cathedral, but it was 5:00 mass and that wasn't  possible. However, the tiling on the floors was most attractive.

Right across from the cathedral is Parque Central with a gazebo-type structure that is reported to also serve as a bandstand. Most impressive (and messy) was a tree in this area that was home to thousands of squawking parrots!

The daylight was lessening and we needed to make our way back to the hotel. But not before we checked out the Mercado Central (indoor market) that takes up an entire block of real estate; it reminded us a bit of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and fresh "curiosities" we would've enjoying learning about had we not been so exhausted after our whirlwind time as tourists in this city!

Bedtime was especially welcomed on this day!

 

Why Costa Rica?

Shown here: the view from our hotel window in San Jose, Costa Rica.

If you are a part of the Facebook community and happen to be my friend, you know that Wes and I -along with 9 other NPU students, professors, alumni and friends - were fortunate enough to say "yes" to the annual International SBNM Experience. 

"The purpose of the International experience is to help participants gain a better understanding of the business and nonprofit management practices, economics, and politics of Costa Rica, and to learn more about Costa Rica's rich history and culture."

Three very full days of meetings/visits took place.  We were to have had four full days of business, but our flight delay in Chicago led us to miss our connection in San Jose (insert 🙁☹️🙁☹️🙁 here. Including visits to the US Embassy, Florida Bebidas/Nutrivida and GS1.)

Our first visit was to HB Fuller, maker of adhesives. The world certainly needs adhesives!!

Our second visit was to Irex de Costa Rica. Because of the presentation given by the man in the white coat, I am now way into Irex detergents; the paste dish detergent made its way home in my luggage!  The star product, in my opinion, is the TERROR line of room deodorizers and cleaner.  Yes, you can actually buy a cleaning product named TERROR!!! But, sadly, I had to leave my sample product in the hotel room as it would create a problem with its flammability on an airplane ride back home. Again...🙁☹️🙁☹️😕.

Visit #3 was my favorite:  Habitat para la Humanidad - Habitat for Humanity. Three dynamic women were our presenters and they work so hard/care so much that we all left inspired by the differences they are making in the lives of others.

Following this was visit #4 to Financiera Desyfin. The rooftop deck following this financial lending company presentation was breath-taking. Here I nearly lost it with some confusion as to a Spanish/English translation and a hearty cough (almost) covered my fit of painful giggling. Again, I apologize to my spouse and group!!

Recognize these California surfers?  They founded the company of our fifth visit, DHL, a shipping giant.

Our 6th and final visit was to FOS - Federacion de Organizaciones Sociales. This is a nonprofit 

with exceptional connections to various areas of services for the people of Costa Rica and beyond!

Many in our group felt this was a top visit as well.

Speaking of our group of travelers and learners, this group meshed well and I loved our times together in the sessions as well as out and about in this gorgeous Central American country. 

You can read about those adventures in upcoming blogs... This is just your orientation into the whys of

taking this memorable trip.