25.06.2013 - San Jose, Costa Rica

This morning I had breakfast with Dominic, a sweet man who (evidently) can be a bit directionally and temporally challenged on tours. He's one of many current or former school teachers in the chorus and he shared stories about his years as an educator in an oil industry school in Libya during the reign of King Idris I who he described as one of the most captivating speakers he had ever heard.

We had a brief meeting with whole group - everyone had arrived minus two chorusters - to cover logistics for the day. When the group split, Alicia, Linda, and I made our way up Avenida Central to the Mercado Central, a stall-market with a variety of wares. But what I really wanted was a new pair of zapatos (shoes) so I looked onward with Sonja and Dominic at my side. Moment of pride in self-restraint: I did not buy the $40 shoes that I liked but were not perfect. My dollars need to stretch this year... and, I have plenty of time to shop. 

Our group reconvened to board our tour bus for the first time where we also met our tour guides for the next two weeks: Annie, a seasoned tour leader, and Geovanny, who took us on as his first large scale tour. G-d help them both. Our tour stop today found us at Cafe Britt in the province of Heredia to tour the coffee plantation and learn about production. The Britt staff who led the tour were some lovely hybrid folks - a cross between expert teaches and stand-up comics with a flare for puns and slapstick. Easily one of the more entertaining tours I have ever been on. 

On the drive we encountered traffic delays as protesters had taken to the streets across the nation and along our route.  The Tico Times noted that activists were "criticizing a range of issues, from the elimination of benefits for public workers to the Public Concessions Law... In Heredia, students from the National University and workers from the local public hospital blocked the main access road to the province." I am reminded of the 99% movement in the United States which students and faculty in the Global Health Department at the University of Washington supported with a group called Global 99, recognizing the work for social equity that was occurring around the world and the need for solidarity in a globalized society. 

Back at the hotel I was able to catch up on a few emails before we congregated in the ballroom on the top floor of our hotel for our first in-country rehearsal. I was able to learn more about our tour guide, Giovanni, over dinner - he is finishing his education in a distance program in the environmental field. I think he will be a great fit for our itinerary which was organized by our environmentalist, Charlie. We were also joined by Gaby and Leonardy, the children of Hugo and Marcela who had met us for dinner at the Argentinian restaurant on Friday. Gaby is 23, sings in a choir, and wants to study music in the US because music education in San Jose is mostly classical. Leo is 17, finishing high school and plays the alto saxophone. She is planning to meet us later in the trip and promised to take us to karaoke  when we get back to San Jose. Life is just more enjoyable with new karaoke friends.

Downstairs to our room to pack for our 6:45am bus departure tomorrow. Mama and I listen to Sonja Lee's jazz album - Board President for the Kulshan Chorus, an amazing musician, a dear friend, and my favourite person to flit with. It's a pleasure to be on tour with such great talent!