Buses and Butterflies

The internet is spotty here. What I mean is that the internet only works if I go out on the balcony, balance the computer on the ledge, and stand.  It’s not quite as scary as it sounds; the ledge is a good 8 inches wide, I own a baby computer, and the entire opening is caged. Pretty much every house and every business has every window and the entrance to every door barred.  Many have their entire front patio area barred and locked at all times.  As if an 8 foot iron barrier isn’t enough, many homes have scary spikes or barbed wire looping over the top edge.

I have been trying to get email to load since I got back at 5 - 2 1/2 hours ago.  I finally found the bus to the butterfly farm.  I didn‘t go to Poas Volcano like I had wanted - it‘s mostly impossible on public transportation.  I read that if you go on the public bus, you don‘t get there until after the fog has started and it‘s not really worth it. So I did some research and came up with a couple of alternatives.  I decided to go to the Butterfly Farm in Guacima.  Again, public transportation was an issue.  I didn’t think it would be; I looked up the schedule and the location of the bus in 2 books and online.  I went with the times given online (thinking they’d be more up-to-date and accurate).  I wasn’t so sure about the location though.  All 3 locations were close to each other - and there were actually buses at all 3 locations.  I knew the company I was looking for, but not all buses are labeled with the company.  I thought that in a smaller town like Alajuela (30,000 pop.) I wouldn’t have that much trouble.  But I did.  I kept walking around the 3 bus stops looking for the correct bus.   I missed the 9am bus, but tried again at 11am and made it!

The whole thing was very complicated and it was a miracle I even made it.  AND there really wasn't even anyone to ask for help (Ticos are notorious for telling you to go to a random place if they don't know the answer rather than telling you they don't know).

By the way, the butterflies were awesome.  Imagine walking into this jungle-like area and being surrounded by vibrant yellows, oranges, and blues flittering around your body.

It’s also seriously weird how I seem to be the only tourist.  I was the only person at the butterfly farm today with the exception of about 15 minutes when a mom, gramma, and kid were there.  I paid for the tour - and got a private tour!

Additionally, I am still the only one in this dorm room, and I really think the only one in the hostel.

Actually, I did see other tourists today... I had found out about a vegetarian restaurant, but then it wasn't where the map said it would be, so I went to this other place, Jalapeno's, that was supposed to be serving texmex.  I was sooooo tired and soooo hungry (I had a package of cookies and juice for dinner last night because I couldn't find vegetarian food and the major grocery stores (I have visited all 3 chains) are 1. all owned by walmart and 2. do not have anything prepared (no sammiches or anything).

Anyways, I walk into Jalapeno's and once sitting (by myself so very lonely) I notice that everyone in the restaurant is white.  The food was pretty good, but not at all an authentic experience (I may as well have gone to pizza hut or mcdonald's) - they would have been cheaper and I could have found them more easily.  The prices were unclear (I thought I'd be paying about 6 dollars because that's what it said next to the burrito).  But my bill was 9 (not a good deal in Costa Rica).  The others (all white Southern people were cool with the prices and even left tips - I did not because service was included in the bill).