Back in the Saddle Again!

So, it's been quite a while since I posted on this site. But I'm back to traveling again. Sort of. After a long two years working I'm now still working but in exciting San Jose, Costa Rica! Yesterday I arrived and I am being trained to work as a manager of a hostel here. The hostel itself in very nice and is in an old building right next to the government buildings in downtown. It's obvious that the owner is from a rich family because the building and everything in it is very nice and antique. Whoever let him turn it into a hostel must be crazy but I like it. The area around the hostel is very pretty as well... in the day time. It's apparently a safe area but it doesn't feel like it at night. The crowded streets and the shops of the day quickly empty when night falls and while nothing is overtly threatening there is still a weird feeling. But during the day it's great. Lots of people, lots of parks, lots of sunshine. Today I took a quick walk around to familiarize myself with the area. And took some pictures.

Parque National is the park directly across from the hostel. Very nice, lots of benches.

This is the hostel itself. Casa del Parque. The owner, Frederico, also runs the apartments next door and apparently there also used to be a hotel somewhere in here too.

Avenue between government buildings.
National Monument
Supreme Court

Cultural Ministry





There is a lot of street art. I've posted some here but there are hundreds more. I'll have to make a video and post it sometime.
Today is Saturday and one of the parks was hosting a children's festival.


Something I noticed is that there are police on every corner. Every where you go there are young (they can't be older than me!) cops standing around. I've not really seen them do anything and they aren't heavily armed so I think they're just for show. They also, suspiciously, disappear at night.
What is this? I don't know. It was in the fruit section of the market but it's being heated.


The main square. I've heard the name several times but can't quite remember it yet.




The National Theater
San Jose seems to have lots of old architecture mixed with new stuff. Kind of reminds me of Berlin.
The mountains.

JOSEFINA!

A street that runs next to the hostel. I think it's my favorite. Not too crowded, lots of cool buildings.

So, that just outside. It seems like I'm going to be spending most of my time indoors though. I'm the only one who works here besides a cleaning lady in the mornings. Meaning, I can't ever leave. I have to open the doors (can't let guests have keys), answer the phone and do all the online bookings and availability. It's not a lot of work really but because it's only me here it spans the whole day. Even at night. It's only my second day and I'm already tired. The couple who are training me (who've been here 4 months) tell me the important things is to go out every day or you'll go crazy and be organized to minimize work times. The owner left the morning after I arrived to go to the beach for the weekend so I haven't really met him yet. But it sounds likes he'll be cool. I guess I won't be sleeping much for the next few months but... ADVENTURE!