When you are completely relaxed, it doesn’t really matter what you spend the day doing. We both read books and drank coffee in the tranquility of the garden sitting area this morning.

By 11 am we took Jen and Greg’s suggestion and walked a few blocks to “Soda La Perla”. A Soda is what a little restaurant or diner is called. In rural areas they may be the front porch of someone’s home on the side of the road. But here in the city, its more of a little hole in the wall. Exactly our kind of place! Some of the best food I have eaten has been at sodas. This one, “The Pearl” was no exception.

We both ordered coffee, I usually take mine black, but heard that they steam frothed milk here, so I decided to treat myself to a little indulgence. Let’s just say…I know where we are going for coffee tomorrow! We were both getting pretty hungry by this time so we flipped straight to the lunch menu and ordered arroz con pollo (rice with chicken, and served with a fresh cabbage salad and fried tortilla chips). After over stuffing ourselves, Sean asked to pay the check, it was 6,600 colones, or $12 including tax and tip. If you decide to travel here, do not miss out on eating at sodas! Definitely the best bargain when it comes to eating.

For fifty cents each way, we hopped on a bus and decided to check out the next town up called Sarchi. It was a pleasant 30 minute bus ride. There was not much to the town but it was nice to walk around and appreciate the beauty there. Everything was meticulously maintained. Flowering trees and lush green grass in the yards of the homes and public areas. All of the signs were hand painted, and even the trash cans were pretty. We trecked down a little side street that led us to the school buildings. School was just letting out and teens were socializing on the sidewalks. The paintings on the walls of the school were just breath taking. This guy was painting one while we were there. Sarchi is unique as this is where the famous painted ox carts of Costa Rica originated.

We were getting pretty warm from our walk, as the sun was at its peak. Before waiting for our return bus, we went into a little heladeria (ice cream shop) Sean picked a prepackaged cone with chocolate and nuts. I was totally craving one of the fruit smoothies that I saw in their menu. We had to wait a little bit, as a group of teenage girls in front of us were all getting fruit sundaes. The timing was perfect as we soon boarded our bus and headed back to Grecia.

Walking from the bus terminal to our hostel, I could hear the hammock on the front patio calling mi nombre. After a little nap, we met Joe, a fellow hostel guest who is vacationing from northern Michigan. He invited us to join him for dinner tonight. We love our adventures when we travel, but nothing matches meeting interesting people and making new friends from all over.