![\"Costa](\"https:\/\/www.mightyelephant.com\/ams\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/CostaRica.png\")
At George W. Bush International Airport, Houston, TX. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re just hanging out at Casa de Luz visiting with a retired NASA colleague, Brenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re staying at El Cafetal Inn, Santa Eulalia de Atenas. \u00a0While waiting for the bus to Atenas, we witnessed a pigeon landing on a power line and getting electrocuted. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a ball of bright white light, a very loud explosion sound and the bird dropping from the the power line pole. \u00a0It had it’s tail feathers and parts of its wings totally blown off and couldn’t fly. \u00a0People came out of their homes to see what had happened. \u00a0The bird was stunned for awhile but then revived enough to try and evade some kids who had come \u00a0out to look. \u00a0Later, a man from one of the houses came out and caught the bird and went inside his house. \u00a0I don’t know what fate befell the bird<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n We went to Atenas and got my data card (dongle) set up. \u00a0Amelia bough a pair of boots and we had lunch. \u00a0Headed back to El Cafetal to fetch our things and head off to Casa de Luz. \u00a0We’ll stay at Casa de Luz for some days and join with Christmas Celebrations there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Later we went to visit at local family who work and live around Casa de Luz. \u00a0It was really nice to see a Christmas Celebration in a village. \u00a0Amelia made friends with a girl in the family about her age and she was able to speak in Spanish – I think her Spanish teacher would be very proud of her<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\nHung around Casa de Luz most of the day and enjoyed the company of Albert and his son A.J. from the British Virgin Isles.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brunch with the neighbors. Swimming pool time with my new found friend, Maria S. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re going swimming at a neighbors pool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n AMS is off to Atenas with her friend Maria. \u00a0They both wanted to get hamburgers in town. \u00a0AMS also will get a SIM card for her phone so she can make calls and send text messages. \u00a0They will take the local bus and be on their own]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Went to Dona Anna Beach. Fed wild monkeys living in the trees. Ate chicharones <\/em>and a great meal at Cases de Cafe on the way back. Really tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spending the day in Atenas at an Internet cafe getting caught up on our Internet fix. \u00a0Planning the rest of our trip in Costa Rica. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tomorrow we go to Alajuela and play. \u00a0Tonight dinner at Don Yayo’s<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travelling \u00a0by bus from Casa de Luz to Atenas then to Alajuela and spending the rest of the trip there at Club Martino Costa Rica (dropped off at Zoo Ave). \u00a0The bus leaves at 1:15 PM from Casa de Luz and goes to Atenas (420 colones). \u00a0Then we transfer to another bus departing Atenas at 2:00 PM for Alajuela (640 colones). \u00a0From there we’ll be able to go out on day trips in all directions and yet still be close to the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting Zoo Ave<\/a> and checking out the rescued animals and the small canopy tour (zip line).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\nZoo Ave animal rescue and rehabilitation….\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n We rang in the new year with fireworks and sleep. Went to Canopy San Luis and did a canopy tour (zip line). They had a very long (1,500 meter) Superman zipline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n [Today we take a quick trip into San Jose.] Walked to Barrio San Jose and had lunch at a “typico Tico” restaurant, La Princessa Marina. Very good, very typical local food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\nThen by taxi to Cuidad San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica for some urban culture. We visit the Museos del Banco Central, San Jose, Costa Rica.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\nWe return by bus Tico style for $1.20!\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\nWe return to Casa de Luz via public bus in preparation for our return trip to the San Francisco tomorrow.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enjoyed our last hours at Casa de Luz. Hugs and good-byes. A drive to the airport and we begin the long return to our home in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arrived exhausted in SFO around 11:10 PM. Shuttle ride home and a long sleep. It’s really cold in Palo Alto!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garden grown mandarino marmalade from Casa de Luz returns with us to Palo Alto as a souvenir!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" December 22, 2012 We finally get a real vacation after years of staycations! Departing from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), we head off to Costa Rica via Houston, TX. Vamos a Costa Rica! At George W. Bush International Airport, Houston, TX. December 22-23, 2012 We’re just hanging out at Casa de Luz visiting with a … Continue reading Christmas in Costa Rica 2012<\/span> ![\"Waiting](\"https:\/\/www.mightyelephant.com\/ams\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/2012-12-24-08.35.08-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"Relaxing\"](\"https:\/\/www.mightyelephant.com\/ams\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/2012-12-24-12.24.25.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>December 22-23, 2012<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
December 24, 2012 (Monday)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
December 25, 2012 (Tuesday) – Christmas Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
December 26, 2012 (Wednesday)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
December 27, 2012<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
December 28, 2012<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>December 29, 2012<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a>December 30, 2012<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
December 31, 2012<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJanuary 1, 2013 – Happy New Years<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>January 2, 2013<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pre-columbia Peoples and their Artifacts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Contemporary Art Exhibit – Lola Fernandez<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>January 3, 2013 (Thursday)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
January 4, 2013 (Friday)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n