However the day was filled with a trip to the mall to finish off buying Christmas presents. Yes, that's right Christmas presents, and no I'm not getting in early for 2014. I had decided that I would buy presents for my family in Costa Rica and give them belatedly once they arrive.
So, after breakfast and everything else that takes up time in the morning, Jose and I headed off to El Paseo de las Flores, the main mall in Heredia. It was actually after lunch that we left, but because we had risen from our beds at about 9 it didn't feel like the afternoon.
We took the bus from outside Wal-Mart. One thing about the buses here is that the prices are very specific and differ greatly from route to route. For example, this route cost 425 colones, while the one into San Jose costs 430 colones. That's about 1 US cent difference. One cent. I mean, I know petrol is about 70 cents cheaper here than in New Zealand, but I'm sure that 1 cent difference isn't necessary.
The bus took us right to the mall, and then the shopping started.
We did a bit of shopping, well, mostly walking, with a little purchasing, before we stopped at Cosechas for a smoothie. We both had Jose's favourite, the Colibri Morado, which has blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and cranberries. It was very good, and quickly became my favourite too.
We then kept shopping and I got pretty much everything I needed to get, it was a successful excursion.
To top it off though, we stopped in at a little dessert shop and I got an amazing looking chocolate dessert called 'Demisphere'. It was an impressive thing. It had a chocolate sponge base, chocolate mousse on top, then a very shiny layer of chocolate fondant. The ladies at the store were quite surprised that the card I used asked for a PIN since it is sort of like a credit card, but it isn't.
Then somehow we got talking to them about where I was from, how I knew Jose and also all about AFS (the exchange programme that Jose came to New Zealand with). One of the ladies was especially interested and wrote down the name so she would remember it.
Thinking that I would find the dessert very rich, the other lady brought out a drink of water for me. It wasn't needed. I am used to sweet desserts.
After this we walked back into Heredia. While walking through the streets a pretty scary thing happened. A young guy, probably my age, approached up from behind following us while he asked for about 300 colones. It is pretty normal for people to ask for money in the streets, but this guy was very persistent, despite Jose telling him 'no', and us continuing to walk. Finally he gave up and as he did he whacked the street sign that was just beside him, making a huge noise giving me such a fright. It definitely made the adrenaline pump and the 'karate mode' to activate.
We decided we would walked the rest of the way home, since it was only another 2km away. While we walked we had some pretty interesting conversations including one about the American girl in the souvenir shop we had quickly visited before leaving the centre of town. I won't go into details, but it caused a little dispute... :)
We got home at about 7pm, and had a small dinner which we organized individually. There was to be more food later on at the party.
At 9pm the party started. We all headed over to the ranch for drinks, food and dancing. As part of the event, we all had to wear a hat. I started off with a purple green and blue cowboy number, before changing to a Tigger inspired cap with floppy ears.
Now, Jose had kept warning me that there would be dancing on New Year's Eve, and that was no lie. The music was pumping and the feet were moving. Despite my reluctance, I got up and tried to mimic what everyone else was doing, even learning a few dance moves, before reverting to the universal dance move that works for any song, the side step. While people told me I was doing well, I could see them laughing as they watched me. But really, who cares :)
We had the TV on with a clock on it that was counting down the time till midnight, and with 3 minutes to go we all crowded inside the ranch, all in a big huddle almost, and watched the countdown. It was a strange feeling to do the countdown in Spanish for the first time.
Once it turned 2014 there were handshakes, kisses on the cheek, and of course fireworks.
The party kept going for a while longer before we all headed to our individual homes for bed.
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| The countdown is about to start |
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