Costa Rica Day Three

We started Monday by pre-riding the very first part of Stage 1. The bike is working well and the conditions are dry, for now, so, I can't complain. I'm very glad that I have an extra day to get used to the heat and relax.

Our ride took us past some entertaining Central American gems: an 18 wheeler that had a man taking a siesta on a hammock that was hung between the wheels, numerous men transporting their girlfriends around town by doubling them on bicycles (how romantic), and chiquitas talking on cellphones while riding stationary bicycles inside an air conditioned gym.

At dinner, we had a freelance street band approach us on the patio. I'm sure they grow tired of playing La Bamba for every table of white people, but it satiated my craving for live music.

Walking back to the hotel, we passed a few souvenir shops and Jack pointed out a lot of trinkets that actually have their origins in Southeast Asia. Lesson for the day: Don't assume the wooden mask or carving you see at the souvenir shop represents anything historical about the area you're visiting.