Comments for nocalcostarica.com

Comment on Slumming it in Costa Rica by Wallhal23

Wallhal23 — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:23:09 +0000

Also da bin ich aber anderer Meinung.

Comment on Where Incompetence is Acceptable by Johnson

Johnson — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 23:21:10 +0000

moneygram…

Fantastic Task on the Site…

Comment on Gringo Gripes – Caja Health Care by Cy Bolinger

Cy Bolinger — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:50:05 +0000

Well, I haven't learned much from Casey or NoCalRefugee posts on the CAJA system. It most assuredly is overloaded and bound to get worse since all expats applying for residency after March 1, 2010 have to pay into a medical system which is in financial tatters. Many of us disrespectful folks who come to CR for cheap medical care will try to USE the CAJA. Yep, it will get worse in a culture where customer service is a joke. There are no "thank yous" or "be sure and come back to see us". Ticos do love our money though, and to prove how agreeable they are about inflated expat pecuniary matters, are glad to over charge us for most anything from Spanish lessons to veterinary bills. Most of us stay disillusioned since we don't like living in the states either so living in Pura Vida becomes the lesser of the two evils. We, to be sure, are malcontents with money!
Cy Bolinger
U.S. Journalist (retired)

Comment on Gringo Gripes – Caja Health Care by Casey

Casey — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:52:41 +0000

We just signed up for Caja as a requirement of our cedula renewal. No complaining here. You get more than you pay for, $62.50 per month for a family of three! That is chicken feed compared to even a high deductible (read: pays nothing) policy in the States. The Caja is unlikely to be our primary provider. We are healthy (thanks in part to our lifestyle here in CR!), so usually we just use the free doctors in almost any pharmacy (you learn which ones are good quickly), then perhaps private, but Caja is an excellent backup.

In general, since we've been here I find that the gringos that complain about life here are the ones who don't stay long (fortunately), but there are an inexhaustible supply of them (unfortunately). You are exactly right, they are trying to fit their European or USA-ian frame of reference into CR's culture, politics, economics, etc. Classic round peg meets square hole. We complain, too, of course, but it's more of a resigned-to-it complaining and all around I see CR improving in lots of ways and a lot of advantages that the U.S. doesn't have, such as the health care system. In the States, they think they are getting a great deal at these new "fast-food" clinics where it costs *only* $99 for a 15 minute consultation!

Comment on The Incredible Shrinking Colon by Tommy Clinton

Tommy Clinton — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:43:53 +0000

Good morning, What a fine web-site, spot on as they say. My question is, as of August 10, 2011, what do you see as the future excange rate of Colon vs. Dollar? My wife (a tica) thinks we should exchange our colones for dollars. She is in a panic that the colon will dump. I told her that the dollar could dump too. What does your crystal ball say? I know all paper money is "fiat", so maybe we should buy more gold and silver even though they are at the top of the curve (or maybe not) What to do, what to do?

Comment on Costa Rica – Heaven or Hell? by Cy Bolinger

Cy Bolinger — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:10:49 +0000

Thanks for your article. As a retired expat, crime is becoming more than just something to "deal" with here, it's getting much worse almost on a daily basis. For instance, a recent home invasion-shooting/homicide in Atenas Sunday Aug 7, (AM Costa Rica carried the story Tuesday Aug 9). In the meantime, just since last weekend, there have been more robberies in San Jose/San Pedro and surrounding areas in the Central Valley. On the Pacific side in Jaco, theft is rampant. Many robberies including violent home invasions don't make the news. It's becoming "pro forma" for expats to accept the fact that there is little or no police protection in Costa Rica and the bad guys surely do know it. The crime wave goes on and on…
Cy Bolinger, Retired U.S. journalist

Comment on The Story of Dave by @Coanimatrice

@Coanimatrice — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:42:09 +0000

…but didn't she know he was building a house for them?

Comment on The Story of Dave by Esteban

Esteban — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:18:34 +0000

Why not tell Dave to just find a new girlfriend! This Costa Rica, I am sure there are many girls that would die to live there.

Comment on Fun Facts from the CIA World Factbook by Adrianna Hess

Adrianna Hess — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:21:26 +0000

Wow brilliant story!
Does any one know stores or shops @ California using text message marketing service 12stores.com? My store is switching to it and I would like to make joint specials with other local stores. Plz reply >

Comment on Caja Suspends Breast Implant Surgeries by seattle plastic surgery

seattle plastic surgery — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:14:34 +0000

Cosmetic surgery is really a medical niche concerned with the actual correction or even restoration of form as well as perform. Although cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known type of cosmetic surgery, most plastic surgery isn’t aesthetic: plastic surgery consists of various kinds of reconstructive surgical treatment, hand surgery, microsurgery, and also the treatment of uses up.

Comment on Touch a Butt, Go to Jail! Rob a Bank… well… by Cy Bolinger

Cy Bolinger — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:12:51 +0000

I am a journalist, albeit retired, and, I believe this website is more often than not correct on foibles of Costa Rica –life and living. NoCalRefugee wrote an excellent article which articulates expat dealing/coping with much of the chicanery of the CR government, also, he is quite right about every day problems of living here. It is not easy for us foreigners to cope in a third world country even considering Costa Rica with all of its glorious eco-beauty. I love this country, but it does keep me thoroughly pissed off.
Cy Bolinger
Retired published journalist

Comment on Touch a Butt, Go to Jail! Rob a Bank… well… by Casey

Casey — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:34:51 +0000

Presidents in the U.S. steal all the time and don't even get probation, let alone go to trial. Instead they get multimillion dollar libraries and a lifetime pension, and millions in speaking fees. I think C.R. should be commended for attempting to bring justice, whatever brand, to TWO presidents of the country.

Comment on Touch a Butt, Go to Jail! Rob a Bank… well… by Allison

Allison — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:26:27 +0000

ha ha ha, nocal, you have been living in Costa Rica too long with the lazyness.

But seriously, you couldn't have done any research even if you wanted to as all Court Cases in Costa Rica are close cases and not available to the public. Basically, we get the so called facts from the news and they decide what to report.

I totally get your point though that the law in Costa Rica is a joke as the laws are enforced and made from a whim by a judge and the worst part is that they make laws in Costa Rica without being able to enforce them.

Comment on Touch a Butt, Go to Jail! Rob a Bank… well… by NoCalRefugee

NoCalRefugee — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:58:36 +0000

You got me, easycr. I admit not doing my homework here. I do stand by my contention that 'justice' is arbitrary here, a conclusion many of your statements would seem to support. I could have chosen other cases to support my opinion, but you are correct in that I was lazy. Unlike AM Costa Rica and Inside Costa Rica, I don't pretend to be a journalist. I give opinions. Give me an 'F' for my lack of research. It doesn't seem like you disagree with the idea that justice here is arbitrary and not really just. I could definitely have done a better job of supporting my contention.

Comment on Touch a Butt, Go to Jail! Rob a Bank… well… by easycr

easycr — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:52:55 +0000

Your story is very superficial and evidently done without any research. Evidently you base what you wrote only on either Inside Costa Rica or AM Costa Rica. More information about the case is that he is a low income Nicaraguan guy who could not afford a private attorney. I am not excusing for one minute what he did however had he not had the previous serious conviction and had he had a good private attorney the consensus is that he would have had a much less severe sentence.
As to the two Mexican narcotraficantes, the real story IMO is that many citizens and media (especially Channel 7 and La Nacion) rose up and expressed outrage over Pavas Judge Kathia Jimenez's order to release those guys; this has subsequently been overturned and the two Mexican (alleged) drug dealers were never released for one minute.
Sure, there are lots of real problems in Costa Rica however there is no excuse for you to write misleading stories like this without doing a bit of easy research (assuming you have some spanish language skills). One thing you are accurate in saying is "I have no facts.".

Comment on Touch a Butt, Go to Jail! Rob a Bank… well… by expatcostarica

expatcostarica — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:30:52 +0000

The facts in the case of the man who was arrested for sexually assaulting a female employee of the Banco de Costa Rica were not completely reported in the English language press.

According to reports in La Nacion the man initially grabbed the woman's butt, and then proceeded to chase her down, hold her down, put his hand up her skirt and insert his fingers in her vagina.

This was a full on sexual assault in broad daylight, and was only stopped when several other women came to her rescue and brought the police.

The man was arrested and taken to the flagrancy court, because he was caught in the act. He was required to serve the full sentence because he was already on probation for a weapons violation.

I do not dispute the thesis of your article, but again this particular incident is being misreported over and over again in English.

Comment on Costa Rica Weather by NoCalRefugee

NoCalRefugee — Tue, 24 May 2011 19:15:09 +0000

pharg,

I touched on latitude but should have been more explicit. It is Costa Rica's latitude that keeps the amount of incoming sunlight very equable year round, as opposed to higher latitudes, which vary more the farther from the Equator they are.pharg,

Comment on Costa Rica Weather by pharg

pharg — Fri, 13 May 2011 16:03:20 +0000

OK, altitude, sure, but you forgot latitude. (Can't wait for your discussion on Hadley cells)….and remember not to confuse climate with weather.

Comment on Costa Rica Weather by askelena

askelena — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:33:51 +0000

LOL,

I am near the beach and higher than the tallest point in Florida!!!! I don't have any glass in my windows, and I'll use a fan when it is hot (90). I lived 30 years in Arizona and I'd rather NOT be a slave to air conditioning. Come on down for a visit. FincaAmanecer.com We are doing a bamboo workshop next Friday. so if you want to learn to live sustainably: http://icccr.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/bamboo-q-a-...

Comment on Birthday Party at Harry’s Bar Poás by Casey

Casey — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:52:16 +0000

Mmmm, yes the staff appear to be easy on the eyes. What about the clientele? Do single Ticas even frequent bars much?

Comment on The Bus Stops HERE! by No.Cal Refugee

No.Cal Refugee — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:37:18 +0000

6′ 1″ or 185 cm

Comment on Pregnancy Deutch? by Lecia Koser

Lecia Koser — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:00:24 +0000

I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were very helpful very useful

Comment on The Bus Stops HERE! by Sean

Sean — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:25:10 +0000

How tall are you?

Comment on Then and Now… 1947 Travel Film by Casey

Casey — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:24:05 +0000

Superb! Really enjoyed this flash from the past, made just before CR abolished the army.

Comment on Trash Talk – Fresh Garbage (with video) by Tammie Margaret

Tammie Margaret — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:35:29 +0000

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Comment on Arggh! Them Pirates Be Costa Rican! by expatcostarica

expatcostarica — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:07:21 +0000

Great article. I have to agree there are quite alot of street vendors out there with pirated movies.

The funny thing is that the municipal police only deal with the problem, and the regular Fuerza Publica stands there and watches them. I'm not sure if bringing them into the fray would solve the problem, but they certainly have more manpower than the city police.

Comment on Trash Talk – Fresh Garbage (with video) by Arggh! Them Pirates Be Costa Rican!

Arggh! Them Pirates Be Costa Rican! — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:48:04 +0000

[...] poverty rate, overcrowded schools, an overtaxed public health system, crumbling roads and bridges, polluted rivers and garbage everywhere. If I’m not doing anything about any of THAT, I can certainly ignore [...]

Comment on The Heredia Train by esuran

esuran — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 21:41:34 +0000

Loved it. it was like being there.

Comment on The Heredia Train by cloudwarmer

cloudwarmer — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:20:42 +0000

Well, I think I'd take even Heredia over the South Bronx! ;^)

NoCal: what kind of camera did you get?

_ Casey

Comment on The Heredia Train by david strecker

david strecker — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:34:26 +0000

Great clip, kinda reminded me of a subway ride through the South Bronx, except the South Bronx had much nicer homes – nothing like having to much time on your hands. LOL