Fun In A Car In Costa Rica

You never know what you will run into while on the roads in Costa Rica. There are things to slow traffic to a crawl, and you can even just spend time waiting to have your shot at a parking place at the grocery store. I spent 33 minutes completely stopped because of road construction last week. I really do not mind that so much because they do keep those two lanes in good condition.

The good news is Costa Rica always has crews out working on the mostly two lane roads throughout the country. The bad news is that they are only two lanes winding up and down the mountains. It is not unusual to run up on a truck or car of some kind that just can barely make it up the steep climb because it is too heavy or not enough power. Exhibit A. (above)

There are the small trucks hauling cows or horses. It's tough watching the animals swaying from one side of the truck to the other trying to stay on their feet. These are always slow boys!

Then there is the ever popular Old Lady...aka "The House Shoe Lady" who you will find just walking almost in the middle of the road any given day. You do have to be on the lookout for her. You can come around a curve, and there she is just daring you!

Last but not least the valued parking place. Do not go to the supermarket on the weekend. If you do not get there very early you will wait in line for your turn to get the next parking place that has just become empty. They have a very official attendant there to make sure you wait your turn.

I made my first little road trip by myself this weekend. One thing I found is, drive on Sunday. There is very little traffic. The drive took me one hour. Most roads were marked, but the main road I had to get to which was the Autopista Hwy. 27 was not marked! Luckily I had been to Escazu several times and knew there was a curve off on the road before the toll plaza. Once I was down on the hwy. I soon saw the 27, and I could breath again. I drove to Atenas to see my friends, Nancy and Tim Muldoon. They are building a home there and will be officially living in Costa Rica as of November.

Pura Vida!