Ferias

I love getting my produce from the local ferias, or farmer's markets around metropolitan San Jose and Heredia. Farmers bring their fruits and veggies so the food is fresh and cheaper than a supermarket. They are always lively, and I love learning about fruits and vegetables I have never seen or eaten before; so far, I've discovered chayote, a small plum variation, tacacos and 2 other green veggies I can't remember the name of, all to great success.

Feria in Escazu 

Zuccini and Tacacos 

Ayote

Escazu Feria

Favorite part of ferias-- fresh coconut water! The girl is scooping up the remains of the outer skin that was chopped off to poke straws through the thin membrane. 

At the Santa Ana feria one day, a surprise parade with typical Costa Rican masks and music came rolling down the street!

Things I love About San José: The Restaurants

Remember when I didn't find anything redeeming about Costa Rica's capital? That I couldn't find any intriguing buildings, no remnants of history, no places I wanted to wander around in? Well I was wrong. Let's start first with the surprising places I found to fill my belly. Proof:

Casa los Sueños

An amazingly artsy café/bar hidden in one of San Jose's oldest neighborhood. 

Cool local paintings on the wall? Check.

Delicious veggie-friendly food and sangria? Check.

Interesting crowd to people watch? Check.

Roma Café

A cozy, contemporary Italian restaurant with live jazz music and a killer risotto.

Kitschy colosseum lanterns? Check.

Exposed brick walls? Check.

Takeout with a moped? Check.

Mi Tierra

Sure it's touristy, but the classic café chorreado served in traditional tin mugs make it worth bearing the keyboardist playing the same folklore song for 30 minutes.  

Attention to detail to include every possible thing traditional to Costa Rica? Check.

Casado served on banana leaf plates? Check.

Hand-painted murals on the exterior walls? Check.

Provecho!

A very Merry late Christmas and Feliz Año

My favorite things about this year's (or I guess, last year's) Christmas season:

The entire downtown streets of San Jose decorated with suspended lights...

...giant Christmas trees...

...and flashing holiday greetings.

Couples who know each other too well.

Large, intriguing presents.

Steaming fondue Christmas dinner with family.

Inappropriate moustaches.

Festive table settings.

Belly laughs.

True love.

Merry 2012!