March 10 Perspective

It's hot on the pavement. First thing we're headed for a walking tour of downtown San Jose. Alicia is absent to do a Skype interview. Manuel's tour mixes buildings of cultural significance, great architecture, and a some wonderful street art. He's very modest; we stop outside of the house of congress just long enough that he can call a Congressman and get us inside for a private tour. We see the national church, national theatre, many parks, and a great area of the city that used to be where they made liquor. It has been restored and converted to a very hip area that houses dance and theatre companies, small marketing firms, and event facilities. Sounds like the distillery district in Toronto.

 Did I mention it's hot, and we're in our blazers, as our lunch meeting is at a fancy social club. Our tour is intriguing, and even more-so because there is a teacher's protest today. The school's are closed, and we're sharing the downtown core with them.

We hear a great presentation at lunch from a Rotaract club about a green initiative they're pushing with other Rotaract clubs around the world. We are whisked away quickly to meet our afternoon hosts at the Costa Rican Art Museum. The collection on display is diverse and very intriguing. Once we are organized it is apparent that our afternoon plans (vocational visits) have a glitch. We are toured by Rotarian named Mario around his small town, and then up into the mountains overlooking the central valley. We enjoy a few hours of dialogue, drinks, and some great Lebanese tapas. We are all hoping that this string of bad luck ends, and we can get some vocational visits in before we leave Costa Rica. Afternoon turned to dusk, and then to night. The city lights up, and we soak in the view.

After our evening Rotary meeting, we are all headed for home. Lidia insists I come to the pub for a drink with her. My schedule is open in the morning, and it's only 9:30, so I'm off. The pub is small, maybe 60 seats, and has live music playing.

After passing on their selection (8) of beers (all blonde lagers), I settle for a whisky and water. I try chifrijo again (it's still good), and a fried pork dish as well. Lidia would be a regular at my pub; she loves her beer, is a great conversationalist, and seems to know just about everyone who comes in. Her friend Ruth is the bartender, and she is a natural. I hope she makes good tips, as it's clear she has found her calling.

Tomorrow is vocational visits, and a night with the Rotaract Clubs...
CGD