I arrived in San Jose late arvo and was picked up by a transfer ... It was cheaper then  cab and didnt want to be stressing catching buses alone.

The transfer guy spoke great english and was friendly and funny :-) liking Central America already!

I got to my hostel - Costa Rica Backpackers just before dusk.

The guy behind the counter was pretty useless and gave me directions to the wrong room - a boys only dorm so suprised some guy that was sleeping ... 

In hind sight he wasnt too bad looking and offered me a bed - maybe I should have stayed!

I ended up in the right room - a girls only one and as it seems to be mostly couples travelling, I ended up with it all to myself!

The useless fella said I should be ok to walk out and around town by myself, so headed out for a gander - no use spending my one & only night in San Jose at a hostel.  

I caught the markets as they were closing but seemed to be the same stuff as South America with 'Costa Rica' written on it.

I checked out the parks and spotted a prostitute in the one they'd warned about and said they'd be at ... Almost seemed to be a tourist attraction!  High tailed it out of that area as it was a bit dark & dodgier.

Went past a couple of landmark buildings and found a few gringos wandering about ... Followed them to the mall.

  I found a department store style place that sold premium brands but at a giod price.  So fell into crazy consumer mode & bought a couple of nice casual going out tops (as I am sooooo sick of my tshirts & singlets!) and new reg grundies - what a treat!

I went for chinese for dinner as still sick of chicken & salad!  It was really average though ... No lemon chicken or mongolian beef on the menu ... What the?

Instead I had some fatty tasting fried noodles and wished I'd ordered thier dim sum instead.  Prices are getting dearer and dinner and wine was about $15 for an very average looking restaurant and a very average meal!

I decided to walk home from there, even though it was a little dark around the backstreets near my hostel...

I stopped at the 'AM / PM' on the way to get snacks for the bus trip the following day and followed a local who was leaving there back towards my hostel.

Halfway home he turned around to say hi.  We had a very brief chat in Spanish but didn't understand his accent very well ... Just the usual of where you from, where you going, what's your name and then he dropped the 'Can I have your phone number?'.

I'd already told him I was leaving in the morning never to return?  

Anyway as always it was flattering ... I wish boys were this forward with me at home!

I didn't hand over my number and got back to the hostel safely alone.

The Interbus shuttle arrived for me early the next morning to take me to Montezuma.  It was worth the $40 to get their 4 hours quicker and comfortably!

As soon as I hopped on the other passenger introduced himself - His name was Paul, originally from NY but living in Japan for the last 25 years.  

He was a professor but having a sabbatical and had already spent time doing a quick version of what I'd done in South America (we worked out we nearly both did same boat in Galapagos at same time). 

He was now in his way to Monteverde and Tortugero National Park, then flying from San Jose to Guatamala City then doing Honduras & Mexico.

We got along really well and conversation was easy, so exchanged emails and hopefully our paths will cross again soon.

I left his shuttle and was met by another one.  Jose a cute cool Costa Rican who only took me about 30 minutes to the Punta Arenas ferry crossing.  

He then introduced me to another not so friendly guy who carried my bag onto the ferry and looked after it for an hour while I wandered about!  

I thought this was hilarious as kept joking with my last tour that perhaps I might be able to pay someone to accompany me and carry my bag while I'm travelling alone ... Well looks like I found him!  

He took my bag off the ferry again at Parquera to an awaiting car and another guy, my 4th staff member from Interbus, drove me all the way to Montezuma giving me tips & advice along the way.  I later realised I probably should have tipped him for this - doh! 

Was so nice not to do all that travelling alone and a lot quicker to have cars waiting rather then having to wait between the 2 buses & ferry it would have taken me to get there - definitely worth the money!!!