Mike most interesting as always
 

Its great to see the other side of countries.:D

San Jaun del Sur
 

Thanks Noel900r and AndyT. Lotsa good ways to travel.. But, personally, I like to ride, even when I've got nowhere to go. One young woman, Erica, got on my bike even tho she had the bus ticket paid for and we went to her next stop. On the way, she was delighted as we wandered around blind alleys and 'lost' on back streets. It only took 10 minutes but, she never gets to do that....and we roared past a lota buses,too.(Delightful CA-1 north of Guatemala City) I heard these guys say that I didn't speak enough spanish, so they let me go. I had done nothing. Later I was going really quite quickly and was pulled over. I kept smiling and not giving him money. I did give him a book to help him translate spanish to english. No fotos that time.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica130.jpg

Was behind a big truck and had to stop quickly for this guy. wow.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica138.jpg

I made it to Cafe Revolation. $2us camping and pricey food. great marketing. Found a book on the evils of capitalism on the bar and was amused. I also read the book.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica178.jpg

Less than 20 miles from Costa Rica. Did New Years here....
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica228.jpg

With the Surfers....
 

A little ways up the beach....
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica198.jpg

Another sunset with the surfers..
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica264.jpg

New years eve on the beach
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica256.jpg

Just a couple of us guys looking for the bigger, better, cooler, hipper party.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica250.jpg

Into Costa Rica
 

Leaving Cafe Revolution (great surfing, great food, and live hiphop) going south toward San Jaun del Sur, is found this dump where locals did for treasures.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica268.jpg

Did I mention that this is a windy place?
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica277.jpg

Crossing into Costa Rica took time but it went fine.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica280.jpg

In Liberia, I found the first modern styled Catholic church. It had a bunch of skate borders and a radio tower taller than the steeple.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ostrica302.jpg

San Jose, Costa Rica (2 1/2 million people)
 

Parking at the first hotel. Downtown.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ricaone031.jpg

Hawking their products. Kinda a competitive loud , nasal barking...
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...o/CRtwo030.jpg

Jimmy at the Kawasaki shop was really great. Knew where to get this 6mm heli-coil ($52us) and then I did a valve check and a bunch of other related work.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...o/CRtwo061.jpg

Paul, who replaced my carton of milk that someone stole from the fridge, also was all the help he could be in the hallway of his, the second, hotel. He could not do more or better. Thanks Paul.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...o/CRtwo100.jpg

Hey Mike, it took me awile but I finally read thru all of your posts, beginning to end. It looks to me like you are having one Hell of an adventure. Great pics, history and stories. Be safe and I will keep watching your posts. Your cuz, John W.

Hey - :thumbup1:

Update?

Some Costa Rica Bikes
 

I don't know what the locals call this things, but I call them gridlock bikes. They can be seen splitting lanes better than anything else in really thick traffic. Tis a sight to behold following briefly and watching. The KLR650 is so big and clumsy so I gotta let them go!
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ricaone020.jpg

They are often very tidy and well done. They add wide 17" wheels and sport tires so I am sure they feel planted. But I don't ever see one leaned over much... But often wide open and noisey with plenty of 'tude.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...o/CRtwo095.jpg

This is a 'Honda Cargo' The box is not standard but the rack and the rest of the bike is and it is marketed for just this work. Big corporate revelries in the 125cc market Honda, Suzuki, some Yamaha and a lot of Chinese clones from 125 to 200cc. Somehow a 250 is a major step up.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...o/CRtwo004.jpg

Cultural differances
 

Latins in good weather have different manikins than protestants in harsher climes.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...o/CRtwo099.jpg

I don't think a manikin of this nature is found in a Birmingham mall
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...-4/CR-4023.jpg

Maybe one like this....But the attitude about such things is markedly different
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...-4/CR-4082.jpg

I have very rarely heard a child crying or angry and loud. It is considered child abuse to raise your voice to a child. Prostitution is legal and promoted but if she is 17 rather than 18 you can get 30 or maybe 40 years for that. I have lunch here often.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...-4/CR-4077.jpg

:funmeteryes:

Great mannequins.

A couple of complaints....
 

Once upon a time there was a city that had no names for it's streets. Honest!! San Jose, Costa Rica did not a name for any street in 2011. Consultants advised that tourists find this troublesome, so they devised a good system of all streets go north and south and all aves go east and west Odd numbers on the north and east. This system can be adapted to fairly quickly. Before this advancement, addresses were given as the name of some landmark place and so many meters north or south etc. San Jose has a population of about two and a half million. None of the locals can read a map like most people can not read an electrical blueprint. Yes the police and fire dept used the old system, and may still. Most streets are one way. Here there are only two cross walks total, so pedestrians do not hamper drivers turning right. They have adapted well to that.
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...-4/CR-4067.jpg

Clear plastic bags of coins in the doorway of the bank.....
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...-3/CR-3100.jpg

Tropical Latin plumbing does not include a separate pipe and such for hot water. Just one water. This thing it supposed to heat the water as it comes out the pipe. This devise is everywhere but the upscale hotels. It sporadically brings the water to lukewarm and goes to cold for no apparent reason. It is evil. Cannot be used without spontaneous bursts of profanity
http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_3612.jpg

enjoying the report
 

I greatly enjoy your report. Keep it coming and keep snapping the pics.
So, did you pick up one the the leftover bags of coins? They were just extras? :innocent:

Mac

Mike the shower thing got me laughing
 

I know its not fun at the time (words like for f##ks sake come to mind)But funny from a distance,great report as always.

That's hilarious - an electric water heater in a showerhead?!?!?!? that doesn't work, so you grab it to get it to work?!?!?!?!

Even funnier, is thinking of you screaming and cussing . . . . .:rofl:

Looks like a great trip! I flipped through a few pages and will go back and read some more.
Where are you heading from San Jose?
I did the same ride as yours about 8 years ago...on a bicycle! Wish I was on your adventure instead of procrastinating in my office at work.
Via con dios!