Comments on: Books and Reading in Costa Rica

By: Margie Sims

Margie Sims — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:47:35 +0000

I love audio book, especially when I’m working on projects around the house. I’m more inclined to work until I’m done if I have an interesting book going.
Now, however, there is the advent of ebooks, and Amazon’s Kindle is fabulous. They have their own wireless, so books can be downloaded immediately without an internet connection (They have an international edition. I’m not sure how well that works in CR, though). You can also subscribe to many, many newspapers and magazines. I’ll be testing that when I come to CR in the sprint.

By: Vernon Coles

Vernon Coles — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:23:42 +0000

Wow, 2,000 books! That’s a lot to read. Unfortunately, it appears you haven’t paid much attention to grammar when reading those books. This is possibly the worst-written Web log I’ve come across in a long time.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:57:10 +0000

Read the relevant pages in The Real Costa Rica http://www.therealcostarica.com. Has all the info you need. Check the Blog too.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:38:45 +0000

Can somebody tell me how you find the residential internet connectivity now? Know that changes are “coming” but I mean now. Is it reliable, speedy, barely usable? or??? Thanks.

By: Connie

Connie — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:14:23 +0000

First I must say I love to read your blogs…very informative and very funny. Love the audible book idea. I’m definitely going to check into it. Maybe it will make all of the waiting in line time pass more quickly.
My husband and I are moving down later this year. We will be looking for areas that are cooler but the humidity is definitely a concern. Can you recommend an area that is the best of both worlds (i.e. milder temps as well as lower humidity)?

By: vox

vox — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:50:30 +0000

Audio books are good, even free ones at librivox.org and other sites. E-text with TTS ( text to speech) the voices can be a little robotic , but trying several different TTS apps can usually accommodate most ppl.

E-text is the most obvious solution to the mold problem . The average lappy HD can hold more e-text than most ppl will ever be able to read. Project Gutenberg being a source for most classics and out of copy-right material ( they also have audio books )

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:39:52 +0000

Yes, I have been to Mora’s. Sadly though, I am less and less comfortable walking around downtown San Jose.

That is just one of the reasons I started the new book store as par of the REAL Costa Rica web site. Take a look. Just click to visit.

http://www.therealcostarica.com/bookstore/books_costa_rica.html

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:21:52 +0000

A great spot to pick up used books in English, Spanish, and a few other languages is Mora Books. It’s in downtown San Jose, but I can’t recall exactly where right now. I’ll post if I can remember.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:21:59 +0000

You mention “high altitude” but do not say where. As the Central Valley is surrounded by mountains, that leaves just too much area.

Sadly, I think this is an ongoing battle, especially if the high altitude you mention is near Escazu or Santa Ana. I know folks there who battle mold and mildew full time. Those beautiful clouds coming over the mountains from the ocean do the deed.

When you chose to live high up, you get great views, chilly nights, and pleasant temps during the day. You also get more moisture in the form or rain and humidity.

Your allergies may well be affected by mold.\

Nighttime is usually more humid, but I am not sure at all that closing the windows is going to do much.

I have heard leaving a 50w light burning in the closet can help. They also sell a powder like substance in the supers to remove some of the humidity, but the closet must remain shut for that.

Hopefully you have read my numerous posts suggesting that you rent for a year before buying anything so if this becomes an issue, you can just waive goodbye and move to a micro-climate that better agrees with you.

Thanks for reading the Blog!

By: Nicole J.

Nicole J. — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 21:42:29 +0000

On the subject of mildew and mold, how to you protect your fabric furniture against it? My husband and I just moved here in early July. We live in a 3-year old condo at a high altitude in the Central Valley, and I leave the windows open all the time for fresh air.
Last week, I discovered sheer, white circles on the sides and backs of our fabric sofas, which we’d bought brand new a few weeks after we arrived!! This must happen to lots of folks besides us. I raced out and bought a vacuum cleaner and have now removed the spots. But should I also spray something on the fabric to prevent further mold action? Do I need to keep the windows closed?
I’m also discovering mold spots on other items, such as unused things stored in the closet, leaves and stalks of plants… Plus our allergies are acting up. Will the onset of summer dry everything out, or is this the beginning of an ongoing battle against the mold?
Hope you have some sage advice. Muchas gracias for your blog. It was helpful before we moved, and I continue to read and learn from it.
!Pura vida!
Nicole