Family Road Trips and Amusement Parks

I think it’s time for another picture post.  This time, you get double the pictures for half the cost!  Meaning, I’m going to share two events with you in one blog post.  Crazy thinking, I know.  The first set of picture you will see details the journey my roommate and I had with our host family to an area in Cartago that had been hit with a bad earthquake a few years ago.  My host parents went to talk to a family who needed help and we (Jose, Josh, and myself) decided to tag along.  What started out to be a simple journey turned into an adventure along a river and a friendly pickup game of soccer.  The second thing this picture post will detail is my trip yesterday with Laura to the Costa Rican amusement park, el parque de Diversiones.  We encountered more than just rides at the park.  Enjoy with your eyes!  Let me what you think by commenting below.

Myself, Jose, and Josh along for the ride.

A view of the countryside/hillside.  In this part of the country, they grow a lot of flowers that they export all over the world.

Gleys, Jose, and Juan Carlos climbing around on the rocks by the river.

The river we explored.  During the rainy season the river is very much so more alive.  It is also one of the cleanest and coldest rivers in Costa Rica.

The host family was nice enough to pose for a picture.

On the way home, we passed a soccer field with some kids playing.  Juan Carlos, my host dad, told Gleys to stop the car.  She did and he proceeded to get out and play soccer with these kids.

They were one short of having even teams so I joined in.

This kid was showing me his cleats.  He and I talked a bit in Spanish.  Some how he knew I was a gringo.  Notice Juan Carlos taking a breather.

The only roller-coaster there was in the park.

Laura and I just had to ride it.  Now we can both say we have ridden a roller-coaster in another country.  The ride was short but worth it.

No amusement park is complete without an octopus.

The park was free to enter but if you wanted to ride a ride you had to pay.  It was about $1 for a ride ticket.  This ride cost 2 tickets.  The roller-coaster cost 3.

A drinking fountain!  I think this is the only drinking fountain I have seen in Costa Rica my entire time here.  I miss drinking fountains and free public restrooms.

Inside the park, there is an old mock village.  Inside the village, there are many replicas of old buildings, stores, etc.

Here is a shot of the park inside the old village.

Here is a view inside one of the traditional houses that the village had to offer.

The creepiest baby I think I have every seen.  It was sitting on a bed inside one of the houses.  I think it has a mustache too.

There were water rides too.  It was a hot day which made these rides tempting.  However, we didn't give in.

Also in the old town were horse-drawn buggies.  However, the horses had the day off.

A grandmother and her granddaughter playing in the fountain.

They also performed different events in the old town.  We watched them perform traditional folklore dances.  Overall, it was a wonderful day.  Laura and I always make the best out of our excursions.