Orchid, Rudy and Their Floating Hotel

Last Thursday, Scott and I drove to the city of Puntarenas to meet Orchid and Rudy, whose cruise ship was in port for the day. We triple checked to make sure we were heading for the right place (always learn from mistakes) and met them at 9:00 am. As this is their 38th cruise, they have already explored the sites offered by the day trip companies and expressed a desire to see our place and the city of San Ramon. While waiting for them, Scott and I were approached by the usual entrepeneurs who earn their livings at cruise ship docks by offering tours and souvenirs to the visiting tourists. It actually felt kind of cool to say, "No gracias, yo vivo aqui". Of course, one actually says: "yo bibo aqui", as there is no V sound in Costa Rican Spanish. In fact, one of my more annoying pleasures is trying to get Costa Ricans to pronounce the V sound. They cannot do it but always are bery baliant in their efforts.
We had a great day with our guests. Rudy offered many useful suggestions regarding renovations; I could tell he was itching to actualize some of his plans, but, alas, my lone tool, a crescent wrench left him with few options for action. We strolled the city, visited the local museum and Scott and I were treated to a delicious lunch. A relaxing day with friends.. or so we thought.
We decided to leave for the trip back a bit early as I wanted to make sure the drive home from Puntarenas would be in daylight. The ship was due to leave at 7:00 pm so passengers were told to be on the floating hotel (which accommodates 5000 passengers and crew and looks like the Vancouver Convention Centre afloat). We left at 3:30 all set for a leisurely drive to the coast.
About 1/2 hour into the drive, all road movement ceased. We pieced together from others in the line up that there had been a fatal accident involving a van and a semi about 2 kilometers south in the direction we were heading. Time proceeded (as it usually does) and no signs of progress. Watching the watch.. Five o'clock. Intrepid Scott decided to walk to the front of the traffic to gather information. Time passed. 5:30. Finally, traffic began to flow; we picked Scott up kilometers from where we had been, passed the scene of the accident and managed to drop Orchita and Rudy at the dock at 6:15. No worrys, minutes to spare.
We drove home in the darkness, keenly aware that our inconvenience meant so little compared to the impact on others who lost a loved one who was hurrying home from work to be with his family.