November 27, 2009
In San Antonio de Belen

Today we went to Alajuela first to do some banking (needed to change some dollars into collones). Well that was certainly and interesting experience. The line outside the band was about 20 feet long and they security check you with a wand just like the airports to get in. Then take a number from the computer similar to the DMV in California. There must have been over a hundred people in there. Next overhead screens both visually give the next number called and an electronic voice also calls it out. Then after about 40 minutes my number was called and I could change some money. They really should have more banks.
After that we went by the central park and the central mercando but did not stop. It was on to Olinda’s house and see if she was home. Well I must congratulate myself because even after all this time I still knew the way there. She was not home when we arrived and we were just about to leave when she pulled up in a friend’s car. She was so delighted to see us and we also. We must come in and sit down and she had to make us one of her famous refrescas (blended drink with fresh fruit, etc). Then she tried I thought to call her daughter Luz but I thought that she could not get her on the telephone.
After some time I said that we had to go as it was almost 12:00 and did not want to impose lunch on Olinda. Well no we should not go and my Spanish heard that Luz would be there at 2:00 pm and so I said that we would return at 1:30 and meet her then.
Wrong again Luz was coming then and we were to go to her house and see it and visit and have lunch there. Well it was a grand ride up to Luz’s new home and what a lovely view from the top of a hill looking over a parque (these are more like our national parks and more rural). We had a great lunch and it was really nice to visit with the family that we had come to know so well when we were taking Spanish here in Costa Rica so many years ago. Sunday evening we will be taking the family to a restarante for dinner. That should be great as one of the kids is graduating Sunday. Here the school year goes from the end of January to end of November. End of November and December and part of January off but only two weeks vacation in July and August.
After leaving we drove back to the RV where we are now and will try to call the kids tonight. I must say that Tiny Tigre has served us well but driving on the freeway in Costa Rica was not what it was meant to do. I did get a message that the pink slip for the Scooter has been sent by DHL and should arrive Monday.