Un Paseo por San José

A week ago today I headed into the city to do a walking tour from my guide book. It was really cool to walk around the city by myself and try to get my bearings. The tour included things like the zoo, which was closed but had a beautiful mosaic wall out front;

el Castillo de Moro, built in 1925 for the Archbishop Don Carlos Humberto Rodriguez, inspired by Moorish design and constructed with extravagant details;

a series of beautifully painted tiles depicting the Costa Rican culture and economy;

la Casa Amarilla, bequeathed to Costa Rica by Andrew Carnegie to serve as the Pan-American Court of Justice, which now houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

the Legación de México, a restored neoclassical stone building;

and several parks including el Parque Morazan,

el Parque Espana

and el Parque Nacional.

The parks are really cool and different because the city is dirty and bustling and loud and crazy, and then right in the middle of downtown are these tranquil, green parks with all kinds of tropical plants. It's a nice contrast because one block you're in the city, the next in the park, and then back to the city scene again.

On the way home from my adventure I took the wrong bus and ended up in a neighborhood I'd never seen before. I felt stupid and a little frightened at first, but then I found a cab and made it home with no problems. Just another part of the experience!

In Costa Rica there's a saying that they use as hello, goodbye, it's all good, be happy, nice to meet you, etc. It can mean anything really: Pura Vida.