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Another day another border. We crossed into Costa Rica this morning. It was hot. We didn't have to wait in any long lines, but because the process is about the opposite of streamlined, it still took about 3 hours. On the Nicaraguan side, the immigration line (the part everyone has to do to leave the border) was pretty easy. The aduana (customs) was the weird part (this is where you check the bike out of the country). We needed to find an official who is wandering around in a parking lot to sign something... we found him, but he was busy with a bus full of tourists... then he disappeared. Luckily, I spotted another guy with a logo on his shirt, interrupted him as he was walking back from lunch or something, and he signed our papers before disappearing into a building.
On the Costa Rican side, there was a bigger change between borders than I have seen since passing out of the states. The buildings in Costa Rica have big glass panels, cops manning the entries, and signage!!! So weird! however, they still have Central American streamlining... there are two customs offices, and a person with a vehicle will need to drive/walk between the two at least three times because someone in the "other aduana" needs to sign/check something... oi.
All-in-all it went well and we were on our way in Costa Rica around mid day. We are luck enough to have made friends with Dale who is a motorcycle mechanic from Seattle and married to a Costa Rican lady. He spends half his year down here and invited us to stay with him in Atenas, Costa Rica, a place that has "the world's best climate." Dale's lovely wife, Heisa, their three children and four dogs have welcomed us into their lovely home and even fed us dinner! Based on their recommendations, we are planning a little tour around the northern parts of Costa Rica before continuing South.
The pictures are of Carlos/Carlito (pet name), their youngest boy (about 18 months, I believe) and one of the puppies. More pictures (not taken in the dark) to follow! :)