Avenida Central San Jose

Downtown is not that far from me..........perhaps a 20 minute walk.

You end up walking by one of the hospitals and then by this small park.

I was amazed at myself for being able to read a map!

The main area of shopping is about 8 blocks long, with the street in the middle used for people walking...no cars allowed. It kind of reminded me of the shopping in Holland.

Highlights:

• The USA is here with their fast food places. McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, Taco Time
• Loads of people sitting in chairs with tables in front of them selling lottery tickets. Everywhere. Costa Ricans must like their 649's.
• No cops ANYWHERE. No armed guards. NOTHING.
• Besides the store merchants trying to get you into the store, you have other street vendors selling their stuff on the street.
• You also have loud music and people with microphones trying to lure you in to shop.
• Christmas is here........as there is alot of Christmas stuff out...to buy....not decorations.
• All the people walking around look like city people. No hippy type people, backbackers or tourists. Everyone locals like a local.
• People here are better looking that Guatemalans.
• The women here wear very little on top and tight tight pants...AND...loads of makeup.
• The men are taller than the Guatemalans and some are very very hot.
• Mothers don't walk around with strollers for their small kids, they just carry them.
• Very fashionable clothing..........very high heeled shoes for the women.
• Right next to the currency exchange places, you have these guys just muttering under their breath, over and over, dollari, dollari, dollari. This means blackmarket exchange if you are interested.
• All the larger stores have computers that show you the local currency and what it is in US dollars........even converting and giving you change. They actually prefer US cash...small bills (and boy do they check to ensure it is not conterfeit), as they make money when converting the US at the bank (they obviously exchange at a lower rate for store customers).

It's not a very "pretty" place. Not dirty really....just not pretty. No colors..this might just be real noticeable for me right now coming from colorful Guatemala!