Central America 2012: San Jose

I left La Fortuna Saturday morning. I was told I would be picked up by Interbus at 7:30 am. Instead, after two calls to the place where I bought my ticket, I was picked up by RideCR at 8:20 am. Fortunatey from there the ride was all good. (Yes, the driver knew the way...)
I shared a new 8 person A/C van with a young couple from Toronto who were going to the San Jose airport to return home. Of course my destination was the hotel in San Jose. I made there about 11:30 am. However upon arrival. I discovered there was no room at the inn (Hotel Aranjuez). I guess other people must have been able to do all their strange reservation requirements. Any way, no big deal. I simply went across the street to Kaps Place. This is another weird place - kind of like an upscale hostel. I looks like a bunker from the street as you must go through two security doors to get to reception. But it is rather nice inside and the rooms are small but well furnished.
I spent the rest of Saturday and all day today looking about San Jose. I was hoping to take a commercial walking tour this morning but that didn't happen. So I did it on my own using my tour books for all the information. I discovered the most notable building in Costa Rica is no doubt the National Theater which was built in 1897 to compete with the finest in the world. I got lucky there as they just recently began Sunday tours so I took advantage of the opportunity. See pics. I also discovered that San Jose was the third city in the world to be wired for electricity...after New York and Paris. Who would have thought?
As for Costa Rican food, I'm not a fan. Most of the people here like rather bland foods - just the opposite of my liking. In addition, they have a "typical" salad here they serve with a lot of their meals. This salad is made up of beets, mayo, etc. In my opinion the only thing it is missing from being a complete mess is onions. Maybe they could add that just for me!
Tomorrow (Monday), I'm off by bus to the Caribbean coast. I'll probably spend tomorrow night in the town of Cahuita. Supposely this area, unlike the rest of Costa Rica, has Caribbean cooking. Therefore I'm hoping for some good jerk food, maybe something spicy in coconut milk, etc. I'm also hoping the food in Panama is much more inspired than what I've encountered so far in Costa Rica.