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This is Really Irritating!
February 23rd, 2009
I get a lot of email as you might imagine. The vast majority (well over 99%) of the comments are positive and pleasant.
On occasion though, I get a comment that really frosts my Twinkie. This happened last night and I responded… but then I stewed about it all night! The comment and my reply appear below. I guess what really bothers me is that I spent a huge amount of time writing The REAL Costa Rica and then more time keeping things current both there and here on this Blog. I then get an email from someone who implies that I whitewash Costa Rica. I know, of course that there are people who do not agree either with my opinion or my rather blunt style of writing. Others love it as they really want to KNOW about this country, and they are concerned (rightfully) that they are not getting the facts from other sites that really do nothing but promote Costa Rica. I love living here but as I have written about 20 zillon times, this country is not for everyone. It is right for ME, but only you can decide if it is right for YOU. Anyway, if you wanna listen to me rant a bit, read on. Her quote is exact. No corrections or changes.
Filed under Costa Rica, Crime in Costa Rica, Culture Shock, Life in Costa Rica, Moving to Costa Rica, Real Estate | Comments (59)The New Driving Laws in Costa Rica
February 13th, 2009
A lot of people are surprised to learn that it is perfectly legal to drink and drive in Costa Rica. It’s true! However, the law also states that you cannot drive while drunk. That means that means that you as a driver are depending on the guy who is drinking to know when he is drunk. File that under things that make you go… “Hmmmmm”.
The government, getting fed up with the huge number of alcohol related traffic accidents and the resultant deaths, passed last December La Ley de Tránsito or simply new driving laws.
Although signed into law and effective last December 2008, I did not blog about it because there were sure to be a ton of appeals to the Costa Rica Supreme Courts, called Salas, regarding the legality of the new laws and the associated punishments which are truly severe. Sala IV has upheld some and is still considering others, but it is time to talk about these new laws. In this post, I will provide my thoughts and more important, a shortened list of the new laws and the associated fines and/or imprisonment. If this topic is of interest, read on! Continue reading »
Filed under Costa Rica, Costa Rica Law, Driving in Costa Rica, Hmmm!, Life in Costa Rica, Living in Costa Rica | Comments (9)The Costa Rica Blues Fest
February 8th, 2009
When I left Chicago almost a decade ago, I knew the stuff that I would not miss (snow, cold, weeks with no sunshine, snow, cold, snow, etc.) and the things I would miss (grand kids, children, friends, Fall, Chicago Fest, Spring, the Blues and the Chicago Blues Fest, etc.). Well strike the Blues off the list as of last night for that was evening of the Second Annual Costa Rica Blues Fest.
Coming to Costa Rica? Do You Like Cheap Fares?
February 2nd, 2009
I realize the audience for this post may be a bit smaller, but here it is anyway.
Did you see it?
Frontier Airlines ran an ad during the Superbowl that may interest you if you live near or can get to, Denver, Colorado (all flights specials originate there).
Price Denver to San Jose, Costa Rica is $139.00 (each way) and that ain’t bad… BUT you have to book and pay TODAY by 9 PM MST.
Rules:
* Purchase by February 2, 2009
* Complete travel by June 10, 2009
* 14 day advance purchase required
* Choose off-peak travel days
o Tuesday – Wednesday for US
o Monday – Thursday for Costa Rica
Can you do it? If so, come on down to Costa Rica! The weather is fine… though I DID see a cloud the other day!
Oh… and the temperature here this morning (in San Jose): 72 F
How is YOUR weather?
Filed under Costa Rica, Tourism, Travel, Travel to Costa Rica | Comments (8)A Nasty Little Parasite – Parents Take Care!
February 1st, 2009
I did a fair amount of work a couple of years ago when researching the various illnesses and health issues common to Costa Rica. I thought I had a pretty good handle on it… then some nice lady sent me an email about Chagas Disease… so I checked that out and added it. Well I guess Chagas was not the end because today, I will introduce you to Angiostrongylus costaricensis, a nasty little parasite that has made sick and sadly killed some very young children. Of the 42 cases treated since 2003, 16 were girls and 26 were boys under the age of 14 years. At serious risk are the youngest… under nine years old.
Open Season on Cops?
January 31st, 2009
In the United States, shooting, assaulting and of course killing a police officer is a huge deal. The police simply do not rest until the perpetrator has been caught, and they are non too gentle in the process. This is as it should be because when something like that happens, it is not simply an assault on that officer, it is an assault on all police officers and more important, it is an assault on society.
Whether or not you are a supporter of the police, the one unassailable fact is that they represent just about the only line between you and a very nasty group of people who pay little attention to the law. A complete lack of respect for law enforcement is a harbinger of anarchy.
Filed under Costa Rica, Crime in Costa Rica, Life in Costa Rica, Living in Costa Rica, Opinion, Rants | Comments (17)Dress Code Change. Shorts are OK!
January 27th, 2009
Last year, I was visiting an inmate err friend at the Costa Rica nacional funny farm err Psychiatric Hospital. I drove up to the gate and requested entry, but the guard told me I could not enter because I was wearing shorts. I thought he was joking… but no. It was a rule. Needless to say I was more than a bit torqued at this. I said nothing as too many times foreigners (read that as Gringos) act in a manner that 1. makes us look like a bunch of arrogant buttheads and 2 one seldom wins these battles.
Renewing My Costa Rica Residency
January 26th, 2009
Oh the pain. Caught again! Obviously a regular reader… and one with a good memory… Miguel is one of my Blog watchers. This is good really as I get busy and fail to followup on things when months pass between the writing and the actual activity. The pain is for making me remember what I sort of wanted to forget!
In this case, Miguel (who I suspect is really a Michael as he writes from the USA), reminded me that I had never followed up on my post from last July 4 regarding my residency renewal. I really meant to do this, but as I did not go until September… OK October… I lost track. So for anyone interested in what happened… read on!
Filed under Costa Rica, Costa Rica Residency, Immigration & Residency, Immigration Law, Living in Costa Rica, Moving to Costa Rica, Residency | Comments (4)Nicaraguans and Costa Ricans – A Tense Relationship
January 25th, 2009
Some time ago, I blogged about the increasing tension between Costa Rica and its immediate neighbor to the North, Nicaragua. I thought it was one of my better semi-humorous efforts (see it here), but I was recently taken to task for my opinions by alert reader EJ. While I think EJ perhaps overreacted to my post, his comments are really good if a bit emotional, and are worth discussion as the complex relationship between Costa Rica and Nicaragua is something we deal with every day.
Gasoline Prices Drop Again
January 19th, 2009
Better late than never! I wonder if there is such a thing as getting “less screwed”.
While oil prices have dropped from the $145 per barrel levels of just a few months ago, to less than $36.00 per barrel, Costa Rica has been very slow adjusting gas prices here to reflect that decrease. Somebody is making some serious cash, and it is NOT me. However, prices are due to come down this week.
Filed under Cost of Living, Cost Of Living Costa Rica, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Tourism, Gas Prices, Gasoline, Life in Costa Rica, Living in Costa Rica | Comments (2)