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| How a wheel is made |
We rolled into town and
saddled our horses in the Sarchi town square--Taking in the giant,
painted oxcart---big enough to fit the Jolly Green Giant and be pulled by a
team of behemoth oxen! The World's Largest Oxcart (a Guiness book title
that has surprisingly never been challenged) was painted at the Fabrica de
Carretas Eloy Alfaro, a hundred year old warehouse where the wheels are
designed and painted with the deepest care.
We marveled at the
intricate work by painters and struck up a conversation with Henry, who offered
to show us how the factory has worked for a hundred years. That is when
the magic began.
Henry told us that the
wheels were not designed from a round piece of wood, but rather from 16
triangles of wood, set in a metal frame.
Each wheel is so strong
that it is guaranteed for 50 years (or, as Henry joked, 100,000 miles!)
The sound the cart makes
as the wheel turns on its axel is important music, says Henry, and he takes
pride in knowing that the oxcart driver will hear it on each revolution.
But most spectacular was
the power system in the plant. One hundred years ago, a water wheel was
installed which powers everything from the drills to the saws and to the air
pump, which cools the forged metal. It was wonderful to see the pride
that Henry took in describing the fascinating workings of the factory.
We went to the botanical
garden too, where the spiders perched right near the playground equipment. There were some pretty flowers and dangerous swings. But the factory was
really worthwhile. Also recommended: Soda Rustica for lunch.
Only about 45 minutes
from San Jose, near Grecia, this place is a treat for a day trip!
We sure enjoyed relaxing, swimming, eating, and watercolor painting at Manuel Antonio with friends, human and animal. 
We marveled at the
intricate work by painters and struck up a conversation with Henry, who offered
to show us how the factory has worked for a hundred years. That is when
the magic began.
But most spectacular was
the power system in the plant. One hundred years ago, a water wheel was
installed which powers everything from the drills to the saws and to the air
pump, which cools the forged metal. It was wonderful to see the pride
that Henry took in describing the fascinating workings of the factory.
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