Costa Rica Dulce

One thing I love about this country, they pay Tribute to what 's important. In Alejuela they have a statue to honor the coffee picker's, recognizing their economic contribution to the country, and to the sheer awesomeness of fresh coffee. Hats off to the campesinos who keep me caffeinated!

I had never been to an active volcano before. It was an impressive site but the sulfur odor was nasty; reminiscent  of the dying catalytic converter on the 1976 Dodge Aspen I used to drive. So this is what hell is like?

We stopped for a drink at Jack Beach where I met this guy. He wasn't very social; more of the strong & silent type.

On my first visit to Costa Rica in 1989, I went on a tour of an Oxfart Factory in the town of Sarchi. In the late 19th century Oxfart were used to transport  bananas and coffee and bananas to the port city of Limon. From Limon they were exported around the world. The Oxfart were hand painted by artisans in Sarchi with colorful designs. I got to witness that tradition and view some beautiful work there.

Walking through the Braulio Carillo Rainforest spied this fellow sleeping behind a bush. He was so gosh darn cute I couldn't  understand why he hasn't been immortalized in a plush toy, or atleast  as the inspiration of a Pokemon  character. Agoutisan, his superpower is discreet napping.

Juan Santa Maria (1831-1856), Costa Rica's national hero, is depicted on this statue in Alejuela Park. Santa Maria is credited for setting fire to a building held by mercenaries led by William Walker in the 2nd battle of Rivas, April 11, 1856. Walker had led an army of soldiers of fortune determined to conquer Costa Rica & Nicaragua and have them admitted to the United States as slave States. Santa Maria sacrificed his life torching the garrison and his bravery rallied the Costa Rican  soldiers  to defeat Walter's band. Costa Ricans celebrate April 11th each year as Juan Santa Maria Day.