Day 1: Travel Time

Ensemble/Ancora Tour 2023 is off to a great start! We gathered at SFO Friday evening in anticipation of our midnight flight, which went off without a hitch! Everyone was very sleepy by the time we landed in Mexico City at 5 AM, but after passing through Immigration and Customs, everyone was able to rest and enjoy breakfast before our second flight.

When we landed in San Jose, we were met by our lovely couriers, Lucie and Fabian for Bus 1, and Alejandro and Jose for Bus 2!

We had our first taste of Tico cuisine at a buffet in Sarchí and enjoyed the staple foods of rice, beans, and plantains. As we ate, a torrential downpour began outside the restaurant, which we were told to expect between 2 and 3 every day. 

The singers have all been real troopers and are finding joy in old-fashioned choir jokes, such as “What did the farmer say when he lost his tractor?….. Where’s my tractor?!” Which absolutely brought the house down in Bus 1.  Post lunch, both buses enjoyed nap time, and Bus 1 was regaled with choir storytelling from Eric while following the winding road from Sarchí to La Fortuna.

Halfway through our bus drive to the hotel, we made a “happy stop” at a convenience store to use the restroom. There was a hopscotch outline on the floor of the store that provided some entertainment during our pit stop. We then continued on our way to our first hotel of the trip, Magic Mountain Hotel. After a lovely dinner, we retired to an early bedtime after our long travels! Pura Vida!

Click here for pictures from today! https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6c1bvytv26tnjxj/AAACThRrlN-Zo6YWp_kRUsE-a?dl=0