Asking SERIOUSLY 20 PEOPLE where the right bus is... including policemen and other bus drivers

This weekend, I returned to The Central Valley for a crazy festival in Barva, Heredia. I will write a whole other post about that crazy experience, but first I wanted to share what it can be like trying to find your way here.

Here I am, in Tibas (a part of San Jose) where my friend Erin is living.  I have never been here before, but trust that I can ask around, find the bus to Heredia, and make it to where I know the area better.  I leave Erin's house, ask two different people, and find the correct bus no problem.  I even confirm that I am where I am supposed to be - standing in front of the store where the bus supposedly stops.  Of course there is no markings of a bus stop - but this is normal.  I am used to it. 

I board the bus with my bag of Mamones that I had bought from a lady selling them on the sidewalk.  I eat a few and hear the old men sitting across the aisle from me .... "Muchacha...." I turn to look at them and they then ask me if I could "gift them" some Mamones (a fruit that is very popular here).  I happily share, as I was just thinking about how I didn't want to carry around or eat that whole bag myself.  They thank me as they get off the bus and wish me a good day.  I feel happy that I am able to connect with random people in that way.

I happily arrive in Heredia... my old home.  A place I know better.  A place I am accustomed to.

(This is a very important thing in this culture... being accustomed to something. They always talk about this.)

I am supposed to meet my friend at 10:00 in San Pedro, a neighborhood of Barva... and it is 9:45.  It's ok, I think... Tico time.  I let her know I am in Heredia and ask her if there is a bus straight to San Pedro or if I need to go to Barva first.  There is a direct bus, so I set off to find it.

I ask a few people and get directions that take me in circles.  That's ok... I am accustomed to this too.  I ask a few more people.  I am still going in circles.  I ask the police standing on the corner.  Surely they will know.  Nope!  Still being directed in circles.  I ask a bus driver stopped at another stop.  Nope!  The hardest thing is that they all act like they know exactly... so you never can be sure.  I appreciate that they are helpful, but saying they don't know would be even more helpful.

I eventually just stop listening to people after they tell me where to go... I know they are leading me back to a bus stop I have already checked.  I even ask someone "Esta seguro?"  "Si, estoy seguro."  No.  Still wrong.

Finally, I give up... only one block away from the stop (as it turns out) and my friend comes to get me.  I can't believe that I can travel so far.... find so many ways on my own... and I can't make it out of a town I am familiar with.

 Now, it is funny.... but on Saturday it was super frustrating.  I just kept reminding myself - this is just another experience... you are ok.  You are practicing your Spanish.  You are getting exercise.

I know one thing: that was the most people I have ever asked for directions, ever.  Another thing is that I am super grateful to my friend who came to rescue me and always makes me feel at home and loved :]