Night On The Town

We enjoy going into town for dinner.  It's been our practice to head in to Montezuma once a week and treat ourselves to life in the Gran Manzana (Big Apple to the those who don't know how to use translate.google.com like I do).

In the past few weeks, we've walked into town, ridden our bikes in or taken the bus.  All are excellent options.  Last night we walked.  Other than being dusted down by a couple of ATV's it was a very nice walk.  A big flock of campers have hit town and are camping out on the beach south of town.  There don't appear to be any rules about camping on the beach.  If there's room, you pitch your tent.  Everyone camps under the trees, off the beach.  Your tent would reach blast oven temperatures if you were out under the sun.  What this means is that tents are packed side by side.  It's a nice scene, however, everyone in a good mood, the odd camp fire, some meals being prepared, kids running around and good cheer all round.

As is our habit we stopped off for a pre-dinner cocktail over which we discussed the events of the world (I think, it's a bit of a blur with all that walking).  After the sun goes down, the temperature drops from it's mid-day 35 celcius to something in the mid twenties, making for a very pleasant outdoor dining experience.  I don't think there are any restaurants here with windows.  The higher-end establishments often provide a roof but that's pretty much unnecessary this time of year.

Next up, a very nice dinner.  I enjoyed a tasty piece of beef, something that's not available in the local stores so it doesn't get cooked at home.

Final stop of the night, a grocery run.  After that, we're loaded up with provisions in our durable and handy Sunnyside Market reusable grocery bags (blatant plug).  Now to find a taxi.  We've always had success just hanging out at the crossroads of main street and the highway (ha-ha).  A taxi usually shows up in a few minutes.  Not tonight, so we head back on foot.  We're in luck though and flag a cab heading the wrong way, with a passenger for town.  After a brief discussion with the cabby we negotiate his return and settle down to wait.

Five minutes later he's back and we're on our way in air conditioned SUV comfort.  These blog entries  tend to have some discussion of the difference between life here in Costa Rica and back home in Calgary.  I think I'm getting there.  The taxi driver introduces his son, Manuel, a pleasant twelve year old enjoying Friday evening with his dad.  Don't get that at home.  The language barrier with the driver is much the same as at home but we handle all that with good grace.  The taxi stops and we all peer out the front window.  Slowly, we back down the road, looking, looking, looking.  Que?  What?  It turns out we're looking for a Coati Mundi, a Central American racoon.  Nope, didn't see it.  This is more like a nice drive with Manuel and his dad than a business transaction with a destination.

Our ride is over quickly and we're deposited at home.  No excitement.  Nothing dramatic.  A pleasant night on the town.