8 Degrees North of the Equator

March 20, Monday - Up at 5:15 to catch a ride to airport from Fasten, Austin's version of Uber or Lyft.  Easily through luggage check and security (premium access as well as TSA pre-check).  We were at the United Airlines club lounge by 6:45, with an hour until our plane to Houston boarded.  We had a light breakfast in the lounge. 

Quick flight to Houston, airport tram to international gates, and early boarding in first class.  We had lunch around 11 o'clock our time and the usual other tweedling  (hot towels, nuts, drinks). I watched movies - Dr. Strange, with Benedict Cumberbatch in a metaphysical thriller.  Betsy read New Yorker.  We flew across the Gulf of Mexico and Cancun Peninsula arriving in Costa Rica at 12:30, local time.  Long wait at immigration but no issues; customs involved machine screening of all luggage and even though we filled forms, they were never collected.

We caught a taxi for a 30-40 minute to our hotel for the next three nights.  The driver took side roads instead of Route 1, presumably to avoid traffic congestion or to bump the fare.  The fare was $30.  The hotel is located SE of the city center across from a large sports complex and park.  The city is at 3700 feet elevation and is ringed with taller mountains.  Although the day seemed hot, there was a refreshing breeze coming off the mountains. 

After checking in, we walked east along the park and then into the city center on a very busy central avenue.  The city is full of energy, but lacks any interesting sights; it is sort of ramshackle.  However, it is not seedy as Athens.  I called it a long, strip mall with lots car repair shops, bodegas, and small car lots.  The drivers are relatively polite to other vehicles and to pedestrians.  We walked until Betsy got tired of the crowds and we walked back to the hotel along some quieter streets.

We rested and rehydrated before dining in the hotel restaurant - Etnico.  I only took this one photo all day.

Imperial beer is the local lager