I received a comment today about my post, "Exercise in Frustration." I knew someone was going to call me on complaining. That’s okay! I appreciate it. I do want to keep a careful balance between expressing my love for Costa Rica — and being realistic about some of the things that are hard to get used to here.

In Terry’s comment today he said, "What I see is arrogance and a blind assumption of superiority running around constantly looking for something to complain about. In those long lines, The only people I ever hear grumbling are gringos."

I hear you Terry! I admit I get irritated by the complaining Gringos too. And I certainly don’t want to become one of them. I really do LOVE it here. In general, my quality of life is 100 times better and I only regret not having moved here earlier. I, too, left the US so I wouldn’t be in that mindset and have to deal with all the "spoiled" people.

But that being said……Costa Rica is less than perfect. For instance, I got a call today from DHL. There is a package of espresso waiting for me at their office, but they are holding it at the airport location because I have to go and pay FIFTY PERCENT taxes on the purchase price.

I really wish it were that simple. But in reality, I have to:

• Go to the DHL office almost 2 hours away from my home.
• Find someone to review the contents of the package with me.
• Wait for them to fill out a mountain of paperwork.
• Stop by a copy center and make a copy so I can give one to the auduana office.
• Drive to the aduana office.
• Fill out more forms.
• Pay a tax.
• Wait for someone else to enter the data into the computer.
• Go buy a "timbre".
• Have my paperwork reviewed and approved.
• Drive back to DHL and get another signature.
• Go pay the "rent" for the few days the box was there.
• Head back to the original person and pick up my box.
• Drive back home almost 2 hours.

The last time I did this it took 4 hours (plus driving), during which time I had to see 19 different people.

It’s not that I’m not appreciative of life and can’t "let go" a bit. I just would love to see some basic things improved….AND am willing to help with the process, not just complain. But it’s tough to find avenues to do so when I am the "extranjero." Though I’ve been here a couple of years and I consider this "my" country now, it will take many more years (if ever) that I’m accepted as a resident. And it’ll take longer before Costa Rica streamlines some of these processes.

So I just try to remind myself that I live in "paradise" and move on. But I do think it’s my duty to be realistic on my blog about what people can expect when they are considering moving here. It may be a hell of a lot better than the US, but it isn’t all roses!