"JUSTIN, DID YOU JUST BRIBE HIM?"

wind farm, on the way to Costa Rica

We are always excited to get into a new country.  We thought that this border crossing would be easier because we've been to it before but it still was complicated and time consuming.  In total leaving Nicaragua and entering Costa Rica took about four hours, our longest crossing yet.

We ended up getting a helper to exit Nicaragua and lucky we did.  There were two Tico charter buses that arrived at the same time.  At least over a hundred people trying to get their passport stamped, with one official on duty.  For the first time Justin did a no-no.  He put five american dollars in each passport, handed it to the helper and nodded in the direction of the official.  The helper walked to the head of the line and shoved them under the window.  He then stepped back and casually waited for the passports while Justin was still at the back of the line, trying to look all innocent.  Have to say, that was money well spent because that line could of tacked an additional two hours to this border.  We don't even feel guilty about it - well maybe a little.

One thing we just can't wrap our heads around is that they never have to see me (Nadine) to stamp my passport.  Really, none of these countries have confirmed I exist.  Except for Mexico, Justin has done all of the border crossings on his own, while I wait with the truck and stay with Anna.  With two exceptions, exiting El Salvador and entering Costa Rica.  That's two out of twelve borders (entering and exiting) that I have been requested to show myself.  Isn't that strange?

Another thing we haven't written much about is bringing Anna the explorer, across the borders.  When we were researching bringing an animal into all of these countries all we could find was conflicting information - when we could even find any information.  So to be prepared, we brought along with us vaccination records, receipts and a bill of health from our vet.  We, of course, made numerous photocopies.  Some countries didn't care and thought it was bizarre that we had a cat with us but the ones that did care always asked for the "official, original documents".  These official, original documents (that's always what they call them), happens to be a photocopy.  They see a stamp from another country and think that its some sort of official document, what they are actually stamping is her vaccination receipt of payment.  In Honduras, they have an actual  document that says she's good to travel in all Central American countries.  We show this document but all they care about is the one with the stamps on it - her vaccination receipt of payment.  Forget her bill of health, forget her actual vaccination record and forget the legal form they issued in Honduras - they just want to stamp where others have stamped before.

Another thing that happens at all the borders is that there are people constantly coming up to me, trying to sell me stuff.  Usually its food, drinks and trinkets.  At this border I had someone come up to me with one of the most unusual items ever.  A MINI SPIROGRAPH SET!  He demonstrated how to use it and showed me his designs in an array of colours.  I have to say, this was one of the cutest things anyone has ever tried to sell me, but since I'm not in need of a spirograph set at this time, I had to decline.

After getting through the borders we had a short drive to Liberia.  Along the way, we both remarked that somehow everything seemed even greener and more lush than anywhere else we've been, if thats even possible.  As well Costa Rica is not known for smooth roads and it didn't disappoint.  Driving on these highways is a similar experience to flying in an airplane in turbulence.

We arrived in Liberia, spotted a McDonalds and stopped at the nearest hotel to it.  Its not fine dining, nor is it good for you but sometimes you got to have it.

yeah, thats 250 000 colones

After our non-fine dining experience we grabbed a coffee and found a spot to stop and watch the world go by.  While we were sitting there, we both suddenly started to feel dizzy and a tad nauseous.  We thought it may be the fries but as it turns out it was a 5.5 earthquake.  It was the strangest feeling, we felt like we were going to fall over.  When it dawned on us what was going on, we thought, "did that just happen?"  We looked around and nobody even seemed to notice, I guess thats just normal here.  Later that day we felt another one.  This is going to take some getting used to.

this looks like perfect weather for the beach