Part II: October is the Cruelest (err…Rainiest) Month

It is winter in Costa Rica. In reality, there are just two seasons here: Rainy and Dry (a.k.a. summer). The tourism savvy Ticos have aptly renamed winter, the “Green Season”. It is true that is rains everyday, but this produces a verdant landscape. The rainy season stretches from May until early December. We just happened to arrive during the wettest month, October.

Now, in general, rain does not affect one’s life adversely. However, when you do not have a car, and rely on public transportation and taxis, constant precipitation is a bit of a challenge. We have had to figure out how to hold Claire and an umbrella at the same time. Thomas, though, loves to walk in the rain. He greats each approaching puddle by name (“Oh, there’s big Water”) and then quickly stomps his foot in the middle before we can grab his hand (or, get out of the way!).

We did bring a rain cover for the kids’ stroller. This works well in a normal shower. However, we were caught in an unusual downpour on our way back from the store last month. Claire was scared from the sound of the rain and cried the whole way home. I tried my best to hold an umbrella with my chin as I navigated the stroller up a flooded, potholed street. Needless to say, Ali and I were soaked when got home. Claire was dry but traumatized. Thomas was perfectly content; he had enjoyed the ride!

The upside to winter is the temperature. It normally drops into the upper 60’s at night and rarely surpasses 75 degrees during the day. In summer time it will warm up to the low to mid 80’s, yet, it is never uncomfortably hot. We live in the Central Valley and are insulated on every side by mountains. These mountains keep the San José and the valley from the intense heat and humidity of the coasts and southern zone.

On Saturday night it dropped to an atypical low of 59 degrees. On Sunday morning at church, the Ticos were wearing winter coats and scarves. One lady even wore gloves throughout the service! Now this is hardly long sleeve shirt weather for us, but for the locals it is a deep freeze!

Unlike our friends in Georgia, we are looking forward to summer and the rainless days. The kids will be able to play more often in the small parks in our neighborhood. I know they will appreciate playing somewhere other than the “courtyard”. Thomas will miss the puddles, but I’m sure he would gladly trade his raincoat for sunshine and hours at the park.