Up until Alajuela, Heredia, and San Jose, time seemed sweet - as if it didn't even exist. But leaving the oceanside meant heading away from a calming paradise and returning to a more urban, fast-paced setting. Even though the peaceful retreat of Finca Rosa Blanca allowed for a secluded haven just outside the main cities, we knew our hours were numbered. Well, if there is anywhere to end a vacation in Costa Rica, sneaking off to the hillside of this coffee plantation, having your own villa (We stayed in Villa Boyero), and endless blue waters, drinks, and food, well...I couldn't imagine anything better.
We arrived before noon and while the kids jumped directly into the pristine waters, Chato and I headed off to tour the coffee plantation on the grounds.
Another massive amount of knowledge was documented. From the coffee cherries to the harvesting, add in the processing and roasting, finally followed by serving and tasting, we were educated on the ins and outs of how our natural habit of coffee drinking is taken for granted here at home. As we walked through the plantation we discovered secrets of the disguised practices and shortcuts that are sometimes taken to mask inaccuracies and sold out to the population as 100% Arabica coffee. (If you really want to know - I'll explain the next time we sit down over a cup of joe!)
Our tasting or cupping, as it was called, taught us all of this plus some. It is very difficult to drink coffee without thinking about it now.
Our next morning, we took a trip to Grecia and Sarchi (SarCHEE). We got to see this church, made entirely out of metal shipped in from Belgium...
...and then we were off to see the World's Largest oxcart...
...this artisan center was a rainbow of beautiful wheels...
...each hand crafted...
...and painted in very intricate and unique designs.
I SOOO wanted to bring one home. Really.
So, I did...kind of. There were some precious suitcase sized ones that I stowed away. :)
That evening we ate out in Heredia, because a certain little girl was craving pizza. Of all the fresh foods in CR!
That evening we ate out in Heredia, because a certain little girl was craving pizza. Of all the fresh foods in CR!
By the time we hit our last whole day, we took each second in stride, dined at El Tigre Vestido, and allowed our mesero, Marvin to concoct any kind of libation he wished...
...he was another Tico we will hold very fond memories of due to his constant care and true work ethic. We were spoiled rotten, but cared for so well that we knew better than to take any of it for granted..
Here at home, in the urban reality of all things chaos, we are already dreaming of the startling freshness of everything eaten, the sweet joy of a tico's voice reassuring you of pura vida, and the sanity of sitting still listening to surrounding ecosystem that we hope God grants us the serenity to one day enjoy again. We know that our infatuation still leaves us with tons to be explored, but we are intrigued. One day...we can return to this beautiful land of harmony, beauty, and peacefulness.
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