Exploration and Adrenaline

A Journey Through Central America

Walking the streets of San Jose was an immediate reminder that I was a foreigner in someone else's land.

"Doesn't speak the language, holds no currency, he is a foreign man, he is surrounded by the sound"...

Paul Simon rings through my head as I recall every set of passing eyes on us as we ventured through the city streets. The Canadian flag on my bag hardly a shield, in fact, probably more of a calling card, as we were warned by two American expats we met in a little cafe. Street crimes were of main concern, but we decided to proceed with caution. Everything was new and excitement over took any sense of danger. My head was on a swivvel, and I'm sure I looked like a toursit, but it was just boyish curiousity taking over. I instantly loved baring witness to a new and different culture and although seeing poverty all around me was tough, my adrenaline was took over and my roller coaster was just leaving the gates..

..we ended up hopping into a red car with a man that spoke no English. Combine that with almost zero Spanish spoken by us and the potential for conflict sharpened. The ride back seemed longer than it did to get there. I remember seeing more open spaces on the drive back, when we certainly had driven through a metropolis on the original cab ride. The car pulled into a parking spot outside of a park and I felt sure I knew where we were. The drivers' head turned and began speaking at an incomprehensible pace and I caught maybe every tenth word. I remember hearing "dos mil" and I wasn't about to give him two million cordobas, so I made it very clear I wasn't reaching into my pocket for more than the two american dollars already in my hand. He angered and the stalemate continued. With no resovle in sight, I motioned to the door and we slid out the car. The cabbie, instinctually gets out and it was as if our toes were touching we were standing so close. Not a place I wanted to be mind you, but this man was angry. He snatched at the money and I showed my instincts and kept a tight grip. He was persistant and quickly snatched again and as quick as he grabbed the money, he proceeded to tear it into pieces. A quick tilt of my head in confusion, and there was nothing left to do but RUUUN! Through a park, down a side street, back to the hotel...heart beating...heavy breathing...Ok so did anyone follow us?