The beach in front of the hotel became a social space and a center for political commentary, analysis of the economic situation, and the latest community gossip. “Since your cousin Luis became an advisor to the President, have you noticed that Doña Sarita doesn’t even greet us anymore? Her head has gotten too big,” commented Doña Esther.
The reality was that few of our country folk knew how to swim, so they preferred mouth exercise that implied whisky. The gentlemen preferred to keep their distance and dedicated themselves to playing poker on the beach. The bolder women would go into the sea, and, like unemployed Esther Williams, they would bend down, get a little saltwater on themselves, and believe that they had crossed the English Channel.
The trip to the Pacific was a safari. First, the adventure began with the train at the Pacific Station. Since the journey lasted about four hours and passed through a lot of towns, one took advantage of eating everything that thousands of peasants offered; the Phoenician buffet started with hard-boiled eggs, chicken, meat, and chorizo. When we arrived in Orotina, the main and most controversial dish was yellow chicken thighs cooked with achiote, which Elena didn’t eat because she said they caused hepatitis.
More important than the food was the pile of clothes we brought because Puntarenas was a small fashion show: no woman could afford to wear a blouse, a swim-suit, or pants twice. “Me darf nit zein shain; me darf 29
joben gein” (There’s no need to be pretty if you have charm). To make matters more complicated, the outfits changed according to the time of day: shorts and a light cotton blouse in the morning; pants and a cotton sailor shirt in the afternoon; evening dress for dinner, and exquisite pajamas before retiring to the rooms. At any unexpected moment, Doña Golche would come out with a beautiful carved cotton dress that made her look like a Christmas tamale. “Jacob, do you think green suits me?” she would ask the naive question. “Of course!” I would respond, feeling like the biggest liar on earth. “Are you telling me the truth because I don’t want to look like Ofelia whose tsitskes (boobs) are pop-ping out of her sleeves?” she would insist.
The mothers not only brought half of San Jose in cans, boxes, or suitcases, but also their offspring since the trip was for young and adult kind; this meant, in other words, that urban torture was transferred to the beach, and I had to face my enemies without being able to escape to Los Yoses. or the stone bench at Morazán Park14.
One night I went to the Paseo de los Turistas15 , which was full of soda shops and game rooms. At one of the 14 Parque Morazánis a popular park located in the heart of San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica. It is surrounded by important buildings like the National Theater and the Gold Museum. The park is a great place to relax, go for a walk, and enjoy the sculptures and green areas.
It is also a popular spot for locals to meet up and socialize.
15 Paseo de los Turistas is a famous promanada located in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. It stretches along the coastline and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The promenade is a bustling area with restaurants, 30
foosball tables, I looked at a group of four boys playing a tournament. I approached as a spectator and looked at the opponents. One caught my attention because he was the most handsome man I had ever seen; his face was that of a movie actor, like Montgomery Clift, one of those sun-kissed angels. The boy, older than me, greeted me and asked for my name. He found it amusing that I had a biblical name. The Port had a large Chinese population, which accustomed them, he said, to sharing with other nationalities and beliefs. At that moment, I noticed that Raphael’s famous song “Yo soy aquél” was playing16.
The gang from the Port adopted me as their mas-cot and there was never anything sexual between us; rather, they were the most macho guys I had ever met. But they were not homophobic, they respected me and would prove it. In Puntarenas, people thought that homosexuals were born that way, and nothing shops, and entertainment options. It’s a popular spot for tourists to enjoy a leisurely stroll, indulge in local cuisine, and take part in various water activities such as swimming, fishing, and boat tours. Many people also enjoy watching the beautiful sunsets from Paseo de los Turistas.
16 Raphael is a Spanish singer and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the best-known and most successful artists in the history of Spanish music. Born in Linares, Jaén, Spain, in 1943, Raphael rose to fame during the 1960s and 1970s with hits such as “Yo soy aquel” and
“Digan lo que digan.” Known for his powerful voice and passionate performances, Raphael has sold millions of records worldwide and has received numerous awards throughout his career. He continues to perform and record music, making him an enduring figure in the Spanish music industry.