San Jose, Costa Rica

Vibrant city, full of history, architecture, and colors!

Seibel Boots

These boots are over 10 years old and have been all over the world! When they started to fall apart, I couldn't bring myself to toss them. You should have heard the gasps I made as a Kalihi cobbler began tearing it apart to begin the healing process. The treat was the complimentary shoe shine at LAX. Good as new!

Churros con Chocolate

I credit my high school Spanish teacher, Señora Chang with instilling a passion for traveling. My fellow classmates would ask her questions about her travels and she gladly shared her stories with no abandon. The stories would take the place of lessons and before you know it, the bell would ring for the next period. What others saw as a way out of work, I viewed Señora Chang's stories as the catalyst for wanting to see the world! I vividly remember a poster in her class showing a young girl feasting on churros con chocolate and I would tell myself, "I want to do that!" I got to feast on churros con chocolate in the Plaza Mayor, Spain in 2001 when I was pregnant with Anna! We got to feast on this decadent treat TOGETHER in San Jose!

Robin's Cafe & Ice Cream

Tourists in Nosara are health conscious and Robin's Cafe is packed with trim, attractive, almost vegan patrons. Anna and I needed a sugar fix and Robin's homemade ice cream was the perfect treat in the hot and humid jungle!

Rancho Tico

My favorite restaurant, located in the pueblo of Nosara. The highlight of the trip were the evenings we shared with new friends from all over the world. Stories of surf experiences, afternoon outings, and the challenges of getting to Nosara were shared at dinner!

Arroz con Pollo

Translation: Rice with chicken is a meal popular in Central and South Americas. I found it odd to have it served with french fries but my family enjoyed all the carbs!

Casado

As soon as we landed in San Jose, I asked a local, "What should I eat in Costa Rica?" She replied, "Casado," with no hesitation. Casado is a Costa Rican meal using rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an optional entree which I always chose fish. The Spanish word casar means to marry and this dish is a marriage of all the ingredients. I longingly think about my next casado in Costa Rica.