In: Costa Rica
Residency Renewal
November 12, 2006Last month I renewed my residency here in Costa Rica. I’d been reading all about the experiences of other people. Even the Tico Times ran an article a few weeks ago talking about how messed up the Immigration folks are. They said the average wait time for an appointment was 10 months.
I decided to try a different approach. I’d read on an online forum that this guy hired a lawyer, only waited a couple of weeks and got everything taken care of smoothly — and for only $60. It did sound too good to be true, I have to admit.
La Flor
October 29, 2006I found this flower in a neighboring town called “La Flor,” which means the flower. They did have some nice flowers there!
We were in La Flor because we’re preparing to send some of our volunteers there. It’s a super small, quiet community set apart from other towns. The community is very focused on helping one another, recycling, education and agriculture. Here is a photo of their community garden. Pictured are (left to right) Allyson (La Flor resident and activist), Jimmy (neighbor and friend of ours), Isaac, Gustavo (La Flor community leader and program Spanish teacher, and Louise (friend).
Fighting Crime
October 24, 2006A friend of mine called me yesterday to tell me that his beach community here in Costa Rica is experiencing a big increase in crime. This, of course, if not unique to just his area. Crime is increasing at an alarming rate, but most especially in beach areas.
Read MoreReject Flowers
October 22, 2006We have these wonderful neighbors, Al and Allison. They own a flower exportation business. The other day they gave us these beautiful Birds of Paradise, because they were “rejects.” I thought they were pretty amazing!
Read MoreGay Costa Rica
October 19, 2006I heard an interesting statistic this week from a friend who has a contact in OIJ (Costa Rica’s version of the FBI). Supposedly there is an internal document that reports the percentage of gay men in Costa Rica is 46%, of which 25% are men who are married, many of whom have kids. When I’ve mentioned this to people I know here, they don’t seem at all surprised. I guess their experiences support these numbers.
Read MoreCosta Rica Calling?
October 9, 2006Ready to make the jump to Costa Rica? The country’s a lot more than a pretty face — it’s one of the most economically and politically stable nations in the region. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and outlawed capital punishment half a century earlier. It has near-universal health care and has set aside more than 25% of its land in parks and reserves.
Read MoreDr Kim’s Number
October 6, 2006I’ve been getting requests for Dr Kim’s number. I wish I could find his website, but I can’t. Anyhow, his telephone is 231-6361. Mario is his brother-in-law. He manages the office. If you call and you don’t get a call back in a day or two, call again. They are super busy. (Saratica, I couldn’t find your email address and you only gave me your profile page — which was empty.)
Read MoreSlow Recovery
September 30, 2006What a long few weeks! As you know by now, I just got out of the hospital. I ended up being in there for 5 days. In the end, they think I had 2 different infections. One viral, like meningitis, and the other bacterial in my respiratory system, like streptococcus.
Read MoreDeyBi Pedrinsk
September 26, 2006Isn’t this card cute? You probably can’t read the words. It says, “From what the doctor said, you’ll be back under my feet in no time!”
Also cute is the new name I’ve been given. “DeyBi Pedrinsk” is the name on my records here at the hospital in Costa Rica. I’ve actually been in here for 4 days now. Tomorrow will be day 5 and I hope to go home. I stopped by on Saturday because I’d been having awful headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light for way too long. Over 15 days. I know, stupid. I don’t always take care of myself like I should.
Police Issues Part II
September 21, 2006Back again with more police talk. Today it’s about the way they take things into their own hands. I’ll give you two examples:
First. In Puerto Viejo de Talamanca there was a bar on the beach owned by a husband and wife who were known to be heavily involved in the sale of illegal drugs. The police were finally able to get the husband thrown in jail, but the wife remained in control of the bar and allegedly continued selling drugs.