Happy Valentine's Day!!!

From Costa Rica!
I am in Alajuela this weekend. I met up with some family of a family friend. Dondero's nephew and his father in fact. I took the bus to the San Jose airport and then another bus to Alajuela Friday morning. We went out for some breakfast and then headed out to a zoo. It's more like a re-hab and set fre for hurt animals and birds. We then went further into the boonies and had lunch in the middle of nowhere at a restaurant called Fiesta de Maiz- Corn Party- for those of you who don't speak Spanish. We ate corn in many dishes and forms before leaving. On the way I stopped at an avocado stand where I was outrageously overcharged for being Gringa. We took a bus back to the hostel where we are staying. - Oh, wait! I didn't mention my accomodations for the weekend. A nice little hostel in dt Alajuela. Mango Verde. I am sleeping on a top bunk above Adrian's father, Richard.
An ice cream and a brief internet session later we dropped Richard off at the hostel and walked around until we relized that almost eveywhere was closed and decided that beer and some french fries at the Chinese restaurant were our best bet. We talked for awhile and returned to the hostel where I took my first hot shower in almost 2 weeks.
This morning we went to breakfast early and got ready to be picked up for the rum tour.- My idea.
We had our own mini van on the way to San Jose - where the tour was. Actually I think it was technically in San Pedro, where I spent my first week. The is no possible way I can acurately describe this tour and do it justice. You cannot even imagine but I will do my best:
First off, I knew this was going to be a treat when I called in for information and heard that they had a re-enactment of sorts.
The mini van arrived and another woman got into the car claiming to be another tourist. Adrian politely asked her where she was from and was sneakily ignored. I knew something was up when I saw her way-to-stereotypical tourist outfit. No one wears matching khaki pants and a vest. Yeah, and that camera around her neck was from the 70's.
We were greeted with a tray of coffee liquor in small shot glasses and barely had tme to drink it before our van, which had been driving up to the entrance, was stopped by two men dressed as pirates. Yes, pirates. They were talking about the great treasure of Costa Rica, which I immediately assumed had to be rum as that was why we were there, but I skip ahead.
I will summarize by saying that it was a cast of 4 who kept changing costumes. Richard, Adrian and I were the only three guests and the story involved some singng and dancing. In this story we learned about how rum is made, what their secrets are at Ron Centenarios Rum House and we were served several shots of rum. All of wich were delicious.
It would have been horrifyingly embarassing had I not expected this. (As much as one can in this situation.)
After the tour we declined the ride all the way back to Alajuela in favor of checking out the national museum. After which we went to a restaurant that caters to older deep sea fishing gringos. I ate a club sand and what appeared to be tempura french fries.
We then took a cab to an amusement park but felt so sick from the crazy ride that we couldn't stomach riding any rollercoasters.
That's brings me to this internat cafe.
I will try and elaborate on some thoughts I have to share with you. Maybe tomorrow.