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In Guatemala, they speed up to get potholes out the way as quick as possible. Costa Rican drivers on the other hand, slow down. Whilst hardly a poignant observation, it does highlight that the concept of customer service has been introduced here. As has ferocious captalism; you need to be ready to have your tourist dollar milked.
Anyway, hello from America's beach. We've left Spanish school and the Guatemalans behind and jetted down to Costa Rica. Which is different, quite different. Obvious things first, nearly everyone travelling is from the US, which isn't necessarily a bad thing except when you wind up sleeping in the bed across from Meatloaf. Obesity has an amazing affect on the body, snoring and creaky beds. The credit card has come out and we're avoiding dorms at all costs. And cost it does - to stand 2km away from a volcano covered in cloud costs $46 here, whilst walking up one to toast marshmallows on the lava in Guatemala will set you back $6... hmm. I know safety costs, but not that much! Half the people we meet are lovely; as friendly as we'd come to expect from the Guatemalans, but the other half are well, not.
Still, with a spot of independently minded arranging, we've having a cracking time. As you'll spot, we've finally managed to upload some photos. We've been trekking down to waterfalls, relaxing in thermal springs, nature spotting in primary cloud forrest and learning all about coffee plantations. And screaming like big girls at creepy crawlies.
We've also been eating well; burritos the size of a small child are perfectly socially acceptable. And the international currency of pizza has a favourable exchange rate with Tica beer. And Claire discovered Taco Bell. Who said capitalism was all bad?
Hair news. There's a lot less on my head after a buzz cut, but project mega-beard continues apace. If I can sweat my way through to the Andes with my facial furniture intact, some serious growth is on the cards. I've even thought about starting betting on both how long I'll last & how hirsute I can become.
Next stop is the beach; we've been away far too long. Don't get me wrong, geo-thermally heated pools and waterfalls are all well and good - they're even better with a wet bar built in - but some sand, a hammock and that Carribean vibe won't go amiss. Thought I'd best leave that until the end.
Hasta luego (see Spanish school wasn't a complete excuse to hang out in Antigua)
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