We booked a hotel in San Jose that was close to the airport so we would have a day to get our bearings when we landed in Costa Rica. We picked the Holiday Inn Express because it received good reviews and was economical. As we were pulling in to the hotel at 1 a.m. (3. a.m. Puerto Rico time), there was an unmistakable sensation of deja vu. This was the same hotel Kristin and I spent a fairly miserable night seven years ago when we visited Costa Rica for our ten year anniversary.. The name and fortunately the standards of the hotel changed, but it was still the same place where Copa Airlines stuck us when our flight to Managua had been cancelled due to mechanical failure. Seven years ago we were upset because the hotel featured small and smoke stenched rooms that were a far cry from our prepaid resort outside San Juan del Sur. This time around we were happy to be there. Perhaps it was partly a matter of perspective. - like Liam's 'lowered expectations' philosophy. However, it does feel like a synchronicity since we booked this hotel randomly from hundreds. Not sure what the message is - if I had to guess perhaps it is a tap on the shoulder saying that we are on the right path.

On an unrelated note, we are doing much better parsing the gear. We only paid an extra $47 to Spirit Airlines to transport our baggage to Costa Rica. At this rate, we will be able to carry it all ourselves by the time we arrive in Panama.