What does one do in Puerto Viejo?
The music on Monday night wasn’t bad, though I think I can say safely that I have heard enough reggae to last me a few years. Last night, the music festival kicked off at my hostel (the place is called Rockin’ J’s…aptly named). In addition to a swarm of hippies (and all the interesting aromas that accompany), there were several different bands, performing a variety of folk music. While folk music is not really my favorite, it has the same kind of relaxing appeal of dixieland or blues, and it really is perfect for the kind of laid-back party we were having at Rockin’ J’s.
The music was all fine and good, though at some point, without warning, the concert seemed to morph into a political rally for people who would rather sing about changing the world than make such an effort themselves. This is not meant as an ideological jab; rather, I have spent a great deal of time around such folk this year, and finding myself at the point of saturation, have decided that talk is cheap.
In any event, I had a few pages left in my book, so I retired to a well-lit table to drink orange juice and read. The music shortly resumed and before long I was once again enjoying the sounds of what the emcee called a “first-rate hoe-down”. I made a mental note to listen to some acid jazz on my iPod before going to bed that night.
But there is more…I’ve found a great place to get breakfast, a place called The Mission. They have great pinto (a mixture of fried rice and red or black beans), served with baked chicken that falls off the bone onto your fork. AND they brew their coffee, using beans they roast in their shed out back. Marvellous.
Also, the town is great for riding a bike (read: it’s very flat). Tonight, I’m hoping for some non-folk music at the festival, though who knows. But either way, I plan on reading another book, guzzling more OJ, and staying upwind from my neighbors.
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