The record-union., 1898-09-18

and no one ever touches it.
Corinto, Nicaragua, our next port and
principal one, possesses one of the most
beautiful little harbors along the
coast, and is by far the prettiest place
at which we cast anchor. As the port
is landlocked, therefore the water is
very smooth, making it very easy to
go ashore. Here we went ashore and
did some shopping. AS soon as we
stepped from our boat on the pier we
were met by two policemen and es-
corted to the Commentaries office to
be searched and identified. but after
considerable parleying by our purser
they allowed us to go without even
questioning us, and gave us liberty to
go where we pleased. This city, though
not large, is very enterprising and
beautiful, with it's shore lined With
the majestic cocoa palm, forming
groves along the beach, and its trop-
ical verdure. After a days stay we
hove our anchor, and were off Cor our
next port, Punta Arenas.
AS we passed from the border OF
Nicaragua to that of Costa R1ca only
a narrow strip separated us from Lake
Nicaragua, from which a strong wind
was blowing out to sea, turning into
quite a lively stream, and disabling
most of our passengers.
On Sunday evening, July 10th, We
reached the port of our destination
We did not go ashore until Monday
morning, as we could not do anything
at the custom house, and did not wish
to remain over night so near The sea
coast at this time of the year, being
Upon arriving at the custom house we
were ordered to leave all our baggage.
We find the people very slow and easy
going, and although we wanted to
hurry our baggage through we simply
had to wait, their breakfast being at
II o'clock and occupying about two
hours, at which time the streets are
nearly deserted. Inquiring at this time
for any official or merchant, you Will
be told he is at the Casino The
Casino" is the swell resort Of the
town. Here they meet for a social
time before going to breakfast.
Esparto is Of no particular import
ance (has but a population of 800 peo-
rle), except as a starting place for the
overland trip to San Jose. From here
we took horses for San Mateo for a
distance of about twelve miles. Wish
ing to avoid the afternoon rains we
Travelled in the morning. The trip is a
delightful one, riding through noun
tains and forests and over streams. The
scenery is of wild nature, no pen
could do it justice. This is the home
of the bagonia and fern, here on noun
tain sides both grow out from the
rocks from one to five feet in hight.
Those who have travelled over famous
mountains the world over proclaim
Costa Rica's natural scenery above ALL
The roads being very bad and the
horses very slow, made the trip tedi-
Gus one, taking US about five hours to
San Mateo. The hotel accommodations
along the route are anything but desir-
able; cleanliness and good cooking are
unknown quantities. In the early
morning they serve you with black
coffe and dry bread the breakfast
hour being between 10 and IL o'clock.
SO one must take their long ride before
getting a meal.
In the early morning we left for
Atenas, our next stopping place. Dur
ing the ride we crossed the Aqucote
Mountains at an altitude of over 5000
feet. At this point We were above the
clouds, and overlooking the lower hills
and valleys, gazed down on the Pa
cific Ocean; the view was a grand one.
On reaching Atenas we found quite a
colony of Americans, all employed on
the new Pacific railroad, which is now
being built from the coast to San Jose.
AS foreigners here are always glad to
meet people from their own country, at
hot 10 i'm Cd
over two days.
Atenas is but a small place, but its
climate is perfect, and is as healthy
place as can be found The American
colony was out in full force to see US
off in the morning, and with their well
wishes we proceeded on our journey to
Alajuela, twelve miles distance, over a
fairly good road. On our way we
stopped at a fonda" for refreshments.
where we had a cup of chocolate, in
fact two EACH for we could not stop
at one, as we never tasted genuine
chocolate before. For here they use
cocoa bean, as grown, with all
it's substances retained. The bean,
after being dried, is ground between
two stones by hand, and from its own
oil forms a putty-like substance, which
put into boiling milk, beaten with
'moleo" to a froth, and sweetened to
taste, is a drink fit for the gods. At
breakfast time we arrived at the hotel,
and remained there until train time.
when we left for San Jose, fourteen
miles travel. In two hours we found
ourselves at the pretty city of San Jose.
We proceeded by carriage to the hotel,
and thus after nearly four weeks ended
our trip from San Francisco to San Jose
de Costa Rica
E. w. BRUENING.