We had box seats (translation: I felt cool). The theatre was lovely, complete with gold trimming and plush red cushion seats. It was a full house with no air conditioning, but I hardly noticed the temperature once the show started. The show, called "Por los trillos," was about the seven provinces in Costa Rica and their ancient traditions. I didn't understand most of the words, but I made up my own and enjoyed watching. Here is my analysis:
Set - fabulous
Music - good
Acting - mediocre
Singing - mediocre
Costumes - fabulous
I'd like to think I've been exposed to enough musical theatre to form knowledgeable opinions (Right, Jess?).
After the show and a brief photo session, we headed to News Café for a late night snack. Karol brought her mother and aunt to the show. I talked to her mom the whole time about her business selling fresh lunches to children at a local elementary school. She was so interesting, and she spoke clearly so I could understand. I love that.
News Café also had the first cloth napkins I've seen since my arrival. Everywhere else I've been has the same paper napkins, small, flimsy rectangles that last about a minute. I'm not a messy eater (ask my mother!), and I go through a stack of six or seven every meal. They're too thin. I think if Costa Rica invested in thicker napkins, they could save so many trees (or napkins). I should speak to someone about that.
I woke up this morning to the sounds of dogs barking, roosters crowing, and Patri doing laundry. I don't know what kind of washer she has, but it sounds like a drill. I am not kidding. A drill, drilling into concrete, woke me up at 6:30am. And I thought my alarm was obnoxious...
Today, Marilyn and Luis Diego took me out to lunch (compliments of Summa - gracias!). We went to a restaurant called Casa Conde. I wish I had brought my camera. There were colorful murals and lush green vines covering the walls, and we ate outside next to a deep blue piscina. Two old men sitting at the table next to us were wearing New York Yankee T-shirts and speaking with thick Long Island accents. It was so strange to hear!
The buffet was delicious, of course. I ate barbecued chicken breast and salad: my first real meal since Saturday! I'm hoping I don't regret it.
I picked up the local newspaper, La Nación, when we returned to Summa, only to discover this headline: Avalancha caen del volcán Arenal. Um, HELLO - that is where we went last weekend. Volcan Arenal had an avalanche yesterday. The entire surrounding area had to evacuate. The pictures are ridiculous. I'm still in shock reading the article. My group was just there on Sunday! Luis Diego wasn't even phased by this. It is the second most active volcano in the world, apparently. No big deal...?!
Life in Costa Rica seems to be like life in the 90s in the United States. I have not seen any car newer than 1997, and the radio is still as popular as ever (just AM/FM, not Sirius). On the way to lunch, we passed five pay phone booths. All of them were being used. I had actually forgotten about pay phones. I know that's awful, but it's true. During Orientation, Eric had given each us his phone number with instructions to never leave our homes without it. I remember thinking, It doesn't matter whether we have your phone number or not, because without our cell phones, we won't be able to call you. Sure, I have no common sense, but who really uses phone booths in the States anymore?
Speaking of the past, men here always let women go first. Always. Through doors, up stairs, on the bus...it's very old-fashioned, but I don't mind it. It goes along with the Spanish language. Manners are everywhere. Don, Doña, por favor, Usted. It's all about respect.
Now, I'm researching the CEO of Ericsson (as in Sony Ericsson) and the CEO of Volvo for next month's magazine. Marilyn is traveling to Sweden on Saturday for a week to interview various top executives from Ericsson. Que tuanis!
Signing off for now...my internet connection here is tan lento.
Pura Vida,
Lauren
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