A trip to Costa Rica

Gringos are welcome in San Jose, Costa Rica. Most of them are shaggy-haired, surfboard-toting young men; they don't stay in San Jose too long. The hot surf spots, like Jaco and Tambor, are a mecca for waveriders. However, in San Jose one can find the excitement of a big city mixed with Costa Rican culture. Upon arrival, if one chose to look out of the airplane window, they would see lush, green hills and valleys. …showed first 75 words of 658 total…

…showed last 75 words of 658 total…souvenir. When I expressed interest, the vendor hurriedly picked one up to demonstrate it. I expected to hear an exotic, foreign tune. Instead I was serenaded with Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water.' Costa Rica looks towards the west; it has been tainted by our thoughts and ideas, but only to a point. And it's physical beauty (in places other San Jose) remains intact. Tourism continues to flourish in this land of American dreams.