The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-19
TRIP TO COSTA RIGA.
Miss Jessie LeweIIing Writes Interest
ingly of the Country.

Miss Jessie Lewelling- daughter Of ex-
Governor LeWeling. has a 1ull page with
illustrations in the Chicago Tribune. tell
ing about her recent trip TO Costa Rlca-
Part Of her description follows.
'On the arrival in Port Limon our. first
impression was that II was lnhaDlted
solely by Jamaica negroes They crowd
the wharf and swoOp down on arriving
passenger vessels like the hideous black
buzzzr5fs which fufest the streets and
strike terror TO the hearts Of tourists
These negroes are the blacklist of the
dark-skinned human kind Arrayed IN
half Indian and half European style they
carry such doIeful. long faces about that
q stranger invariably gives the begged
Tor aims with genuine sentiments OF pity
They delight to steal in A petty way, but
are seldom guilty of crime The one
great difference between them and the
American negro is their utter lack of
Cheerfuluess. They seldom smile, and
among them a cake walk was never heard
over here from the States can stick a
paste diamond in his red tie, smoke a
black cigar. an lord it over his more
humble brethren all ne pleaSes- OF the
5000 Inhabitants Of Limons ID Per cent
are blacks
While the hotel accommodations in
Itmou are not all one could wish for the
hospitality and ready service are consOI-
ing. The servant=aI negroes of course
nave an uncomfortable way OF ann0unc-
Ing themselves by q peculiar twist OF the
door knob and entering ones room with
out waiting for so much as a. come in
Port LimOn IS proud of its concrete sea
wall, which is almost mile in length
and about seven feet high The wall
along the sea front is pointed out to visit
tors as a mark Of progress along with
the beautiful park The Banana River
railway. which follows the sea beach
through winding cocoanut groves for
twenty-five miles out OF the city, affords
a satisfactory means of enjoying some
OF the tropical beauty OF the country.
The road was originally constructed BY
the fruit company Tor the DEVELOPMENT Of
a farm containing ZOO acres Of banana
grove ana AFTER following the sea Tor
about three miles it strives inland until
II reaches Banana river Imagine a
clear stream rejecting tropical ferns
great pains, cOCOanut trees. and the
broad velvet Of banana leaves. and you
may imagine something of the appear
ance Of this picturesque river. from the
banks or which thousands of punches of
bananas are shipped yearly.
The streets are paved with cobble
stones and brick, and are beautifully
clean There is a general atmosphere Of
comfort and de1perat1On- Here. too. one
sees the quaint OK carts. but there is also
an occasional carriage Of ancient make.
and some good horses There IS not a
carriage building concern in Costa Rfca.
and only a few Of the Wealthier families
possess modern equfpages.
ne one torbiddlng feature IS the great
number Of turkey buZZards which fnfasf
the street. or spread their bat-lfke wings
and perch on the gallery outside one s
WINDOW waiting ike so many undertak K
ers for some one to die
AT II O'Clock every one breakfasts. The
shops are closed and the streets deserted
FRUITS, meats and sweets with plenty OF
wine are well served in successive
courses by the agile poems
Immediately after dinner which IS
served at 8. all san Jose cougregates In
the plaza a park in the center Of town
10 attend the band concert given nightly
Inc music chosen from the French and
Italian, IS extremely good, and It is q