Monday 28th November - Adios Costa Rica

All good things come to an end and we fly home this evening but we have part of a day left to enjoy in San José. It is nearly six when we wake up and the weather is a bit grey. The hotel is letting us stay on for a couple of extra hours, which is very helpful. After breakfast we do most of the packing then head out to see the Central Market. On the way we stop off in the small park opposite the hotel where we have seen people queueing to have their pictures taken in front of a large pair of wings. The wings are cast in bronze and are a gift from Mexico to the city. This morning there is no queue.

 People are just opening up their stalls and it is not very busy. It is much less touristy than the Artisan Market with stuff that real people might buy, such as haberdashery, spices and nativity figures. We take our time and stop for a hot drink at one of several cafes inside the market. The mugs are huge and R's té comes with 2 té bags. 

Part of the plan this morning is to recce possible lunch venues. Having failed to eat out two days in a row we intend to have a good lunch, particularly as it is unlikely that the meal on the plane will be served before 9 p.m. One place recommended in Lonely Planet specialises in Ceviche and is located behind the market. We find it and it looks interesting and the staff try to talk us in for breakfast. We try to explain that we might return for lunch but even with the phrase book we struggle. It certainly looks interesting.

One of the must see sights of San José is the National Theatre, close to the Museum that we visited yesterday but closed el domingo. As the clouds thicken we make our way there to learn that todays tours are fully booked, but the cafe is open. This is a really classy joint with smart waiters and magnificent banana loaf. A request to use el bano admits one briefly to the gilded splendour of the theatre proper. Well worth the detour. 

By now it is raining so we head back to the hotel to shower and finish packing. We hand our luggage over to the tender mercies of the concierge and set out for lunch. We have over three hours available so there is no rush. Earlier we had seen a banner outside a closed department store reading "La Tienda Oficial de la Navidad" - The Official Christmas Shop. Who could resist? It is now open and we go in to just have a look. Reductions of 40% on all Christmas Decorations! If only they were doing cheap suitcases. We resisted the temptation to buy Tartan reindeer made from polystyrene ceiling tiles.

We checked out our other possible lunch venue which according to LP offers Craft Beers. Not on el lunes it doesn't so we move on. The rain restarts just as we near a corner that threatens a pub on Piso 3. We only went in to get out of the rain you understand. For some forgotten reason D owes R a Mojito so that debt is repaid and their draught IPA is not too bad. Wait until the folks back home find out about R drinking cocktails on a Monday lunchtime.

The rain has stopped and we make our way through the market to Maresqueria Poseidon where we are welcomed as returning prodigals. We blunder through the language barrier and get roughly what we want with the bonus of plantain chunks that taste just like potato and a bowl of small conchiglie that we are told are cold snails. The mixed Ceviche is just wonderful and the rice with chicken , chips and salad pretty good too. We are offered, and accept, piquante carrots as a condiment. 

In a moment of pure serendipity, reminiscent of the Tom Lehrer song " In Old Mexico"

 three musicians turn up to entertain us. 

Time to move on. Our shuttle to the airport is booked for 15.30. When we get back to the hotel at ten past three the driver is already there.