Marchamo
This is the annual combination vehicle registration/insurance that must be paid each December. Basic insurance + registration (which theoretically includes "road maintenance") for around $127/year. Obviously, this has yet to be "installed" on the windshield. (Picture intentionally blurred)
"Easy" to pay ... unless you bought the car this year and the INS (federal insurance program) didn't bother to input the change in ownership, in which case you:
- Go to Banco XXXXXXXX (libal laws and all that)
- Go to the back area where they take care of Marchamo
- Go to the office marked "Marchamo Aqui"
- Get told to wait in the lobby and go to a different place to pay
- Wait in line to pay
- Get to the desk, only to be told that you will need to go to the office "last door on the right" to get the registration changed into your name (had the paperwork stamped by Registro National in hand)
- Give over said paperwork + passport for copies
- Be told to wait "5 minutes"
- Return to line in lobby and wait 15 minutes
- Go back to desk and wait a little more because, apparently, the computers don't talk to one another in the same language
- Pay & get receipt
- Return to original office marked "Marchamo Aqui"
- Watch clerk sort stubs numerically for about 10 minutes without acknowledging your existence.
- Hand over receipt
- Wait till 5 other certifications are printed out
- Get your certificate & sticker
I will, for sure, pay online next year. Just print your own receipt, go to "office" and wait for the clerk to sort stubs for a while.
TV & Thunderstorms
During the "rainy-season" (i.e. May - November) we get a LOT of electrical storms in Costa Rica. The areas most prone are those up here in the mountains.
We came knowing that, when electrical storms approach, you unplug EVERYTHING. No brainer! Also no problems ... till we got cable. Duh! Whodathunkit, but you also have to pull the cable or the electricity will still come ZAP your TV. So, in one month, we went from 40" to 32" to 21" and back to 40" ... after huge repair bills on both the 40" & 32". Both are back and we now know to be uber diligent about unplugging the cable too. Also, managed to lose the HDMI in my laptop, but we get by.
Christmas
Christmas is HUGE here. Every house has some kind of decoration and most people seem to put their Christmas Trees on the front porch. I like that! Tamales everywhere (except our house, where we've eaten the whole batch already), shoppers in flip flops, lights up the palms, Poinsettias growing wild, hotels full, incredible sunsets, hardly any rain at all. Most everything comes to a screeching halt around ... well ... today! Businesses tend to close a bit early on the 23rd and Christmas Eve seems to be when the big celebrations happen. Starting out partying in the afternoon, dinner near (or at) midnight, THEN kids and presents. Not so much "Santa", but a little.
The preparation of "Goodies" for friends and neighbors is slightly problematic without an oven or an actual kitchen, but I managed.
There be Rum balls, Rum-flavored balls (for the kiddies), no bake chocolate/oatmeal/peanut butter cookies & chocolate dipped pretzels in there.
Fun, but a lot of work without a truly functional kitchen yet.
Mas Christmas
Tomorrow, we will go to our friends Dickie & Ofelia's house for a fairly traditional CR Christmas. Starting around 3 or so (don't forget to bring the swim suit) we will gather for an afternoon of fun & frolic, followed by a Turkey dinner, followed by ... followed by ... followed by. Update after the event.
Un poco mas Christmas
On Christmas Morning, heading to Fraijanes to our family's "farm". Can't wait to hang with Marco & Mari and whichever of their children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews/cousins, etc. make it up. It is always a great time! Will also update on that one as well.
That's it for now, I guess. Big couple of days of driving ahead ... not far, but long! Felíz Navidad!
Me Amo, Kathleen
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