Liberia, Costa Rica; Day 14

Today we did something a little different. We went out for brunch and then did some shopping in the city before going to school.

Brunch was at the Posada Real Cafe which was quite yummy. We’ve been asked several times if we’ve tried the traditional Costa Rican breakfast of Gallo Pinto but we had to say no because we haven’t had breakfast out yet. So today was the day. We forgot to take pictures of our actual food (we’re still getting used to this blogging thing) but stole photos from their site in google maps which look just like what we had except the pancakes had banana instead of strawberries.

Gallo Pinto is rice and beans and it is everywhere at every meal in Costa Rica. The breakfast version was mild, tender, flavorful and paired nicely with eggs.

• 

• 

After brunch was shopping. We went to a sporting goods store trying to replace some worn out swimsuits for Brian and Suaram and to find a waterproof key holder. No luck on any of that.

After that, the kids wanted to shop and had a place in mind to shop. Their eagle eyes had spotted this store several days ago and the requests to go were becoming too insistent to ignore.

• 

• 

• 

So we made time today to go to Jugueteria Toys. Google translate says that’s Toy Store toys, but we think it’s more like Juggernaut Toys, this store is three stories tall in a town where most buildings are one. No wonder the kids saw it blocks away.

It was a bit of Spanish practice looking at the items for sale and calculating prices in Costa Rican colones. The exchange rate is about 623 colones to the US dollar so we got a little math practice in too. If you’re wondering how all these purchases are going to eventually get home, it’s a good question. We’ve included shipping fees in our budget so we can get all our treasures back home. We didn’t truly expect those treasures to include so many stuffed animals, but in hindsight we shouldn’t have been surprised.

Our last cool thing for today was another extra curricular at the school. This was an opportunity to get hands on and cook a traditional Costa Rican dish Patacones con frijoles negro y queso.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Patacones are smashed unripe plantains that have been fried in oil. They can be eaten like that with a little salt, but more typically they are dipped or smeared with savory toppings similar to what Americans put on nachos. They were easy to make and very tasty. The plantains had only a tiny bit of the sweetness they’ll get as they ripen and they were very starchy like a potato.

Nothing else new for today. No Spanish homework for the parents for the first time, unless you count studying for our exam tomorrow. Good night all!