Futbol

Yesterday was way too long for any blog, but of course there’s a lot to talk about, more so today. I got all excited when I saw the Quiznasty yesterday, but today I saw at least 5 more, so I guess Ticos like perfectly toasted, artisan crafted sandwiches. We woke up sometime before eight and engorged ourselves in the included buffet breakfast with omelets made-to-order.

Did some efficient plan making and took off for the Coca Cola bus terminal to catch a ride to Escazú, the Greenwich of Costa Rica. Our first and only stop in Escazú after driving by Mercedes dealers and quaint strip malls was the Multiplaza. This mall, was without a doubt, nicer and more expensive than any mall I’ve ever been to.

All the major clothing brands from the states had their own stores here, a Puma store, a Lacoste store, a Tommy Hilfiger store. The top 1% of Ticos know how to stay in style. Since we really didn’t have the wallets to buy anything there is was time to go to San Pedro, the college (Universidad de Costa Rica) town east of the city.

We bused back to San Jose and took a taxi through some crazy traffic to Bagelmen’s. A great college atmosphere with a Panera-esque menu. Specialty coffee drinks, bagel sandwiches, salads. I had a bagel with grilled chicken and a big ole piece of cheddar on a warm everything bagel. ¡Qué rico!

At Bagelmen’s we check the La Nación (biggest newspaper) for movie times. Decided to catch the 12:40 Pirates of the Caribbean 3 at the San Pedro mall (good-looking gringo girl center). Waited in a long line as 12:40 went by to get tickets. Luckily they’re as nuts about previews as we are in the States so we didn’t miss a thing. Constant Spanish translation as subtitles brought me back to high school Spanish.

At times sitting in the theater I had more of those, there’s no way I’m not home right now moments. The movie was long, but well worth the $3. By the time we got out it was 3:40 and we decided to power shop. I went over to a Foot Locker-type place called Extremos to get a soccer jersey for tonight. Spent too much money, but it’s a sweet jersey.

Used the ATM and we hopped in a taxi back to the hotel after dropping Danielle at the grocery store. We changed quickly and hopped a taxi up to the Tibás McDonalds (where they have a sandwich called the McRiffica) to meet up with Stefan. Before five the three of us, Amanda, Stefan, and I where on our way to the Taxco, a local Mexican chain. We had a few drinks and I got flautas, yummy.

From there we went 4-5 blocks to go join in the pregame crowds. Did some street vendor shopping, I got a nice big Costa Rican flag. Got into the stadium just before the game was starting and pretty much stood the whole time since the general admission seating was ugly, and we were closer.

Very spirited crowd. Around the 30th minute Costa Rica scored off a corner kick and went up 1-0. The game was dominated by the Ticos, with the Chileans only taking 8 or 9 shots on goal. Sometime halfway through the second half they scored again with a solid high shot left of the goal. Crowd went nuts.

After the game got some Pizza Hut stuffed crust, yum. Tame crowds afterwards, almost no chants, on the verge of disappointing. Went back the hotel and went to sleep shortly thereafter. I think that’s about at succinct as it’s going to get, plus we have to get going for La Selva soon. Back to the real world…haha.

BP