Nuestra nueva lavadora

Our first Christmas in Costa Rica was wonderful, spending time with friends & Tico family.  Tamales, turkey, roast pork ... the works!  It was 2 days of pretty much non-stop party.  But then, boxing day brought back reality.

You all may, or may not, remember the trauma of last February where we paid way too much for a load of laundry so went out and bought a washer.  Well, it WAS old, and of course had its problems, like bladder control (at least it lived outside).  It finally gave up the proverbial ghost the beginning of this week, so it was either wear dirty clothes, pay for some exhorbitantly priced laundry service or go out and find a washer.  Having already experienced the joys of a used washer, I, in my (sometimes less than) infinite wisdom, started pricing washers.  Check Craigslist ... nope, Check Encuentra24 ... nope, Check MercadoLibre ... nope.  Hummm ... trip to Grecia is in the offing, I see.

So, yesterday, I hop in the car with my buddy, Brenda, and off we go.  Hit 5 or 6 appliance stores to check pricing and any other perks that might be germane.  Sheesh ... I have to buy a new washer?  So, went to the repair shop, where they thought it might be the solenoid (at $50 + a $40 housecall), but it might not be.  Hummm ... out of desperation, paid $165 (too much) 10 months ago for a machine with a bent shaft ... do I want to put another $100 in it?  Nope!  Do we have the $$ for a new machine?  Not so much.  Just paid Marchamo (registration & insurance for the car for the year), have Property Taxes and Insurance coming up, annual garbage bill, not to mention that we just had not one, but two new motherboards put in our TVs due to lightning issues with cable!

Then I remembered the stash of 500 colones coins that I'd been working on for months (Thanks to Brenda for the idea) for something fun.  These coins are HUGE and weigh a ton, so better to stash them than to carry around in one's purse or pocket.  There were enough to pay for over 2/3 of a new washer.  What is more fun than clean clothes, I rationalize?  So thanks to Dickie, our friend from Chinook, WA who lives just below Grecia, for the transportation:

Instead of this:

We now have this:  

It works very well, is quiet and sorta cute!  Now I need to go find an old sheet to use as a cover to keep it nice and pretty!  Merry Christmas to us!  

Happy Fourth of July, Wiley Update and Progress Report

We wish all of you in the states a happy holiday ... and our Expat friends here, too!  Today is just another day in CR, however.  There are a few celebrations, but we've got too much to do to participate.

Tuesday morning, Roy, Wiley & I hopped in the "bounce-zuki" and headed into Grecia for Wiley's check up and next round of shots.  Mr. Wiley is a VERY good dog in the car, laying on a pillow with his head between the seats, totally relaxed.  Got to the vet, he went in on his leash and into the exam room with no problems.  First, the weigh in ... he went from 3 kilos on June 11 to 6 kilos on July 2!  He is no more just all ribs and backbone.  Roy has him trained to sit with either voice or hand command and he LOVES his leash. He is afraid of balls at this point ... we are strongly suspecting that he has had things hurled at him in the past and hoping he gets over it.  For now, he is content to play with "ducky" ... inside, outside, on the lawn, in the dirt.  Wonder what will happen when I toss dirty ducky in the wash?  Guess we'll find out soon!

Wiley doesn't always look this sad ... he is sad because Ducky is here:

On another note, we're headed to Granada Nicaragua Monday morning.  Can't believe we are making our second visa run already!  Granada is a colonial city on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, with a population of over 100K, so it will be a very different trip from the one to San Juan del Sur.  There is a Coco Museum ... samples?  Got a room at a highly recommended small hotel with a pool for $34/night.  Will post photos upon our return.

Still waiting on the permit for the "bodega" ... due by today, but this IS Costa Rica.  I guess it was too much to hope for that it would come as quickly as the cochera permit!  Roy has a giant hole in the wall of the existing garage, in order to install a door into the cochera ... so we can finally get rid of the "carbuncle".

THIS: 

GOES HERE:

SO WE CAN GET RID OF THIS:

Our new septic system is pretty much ready to hook up and fill in

Got clothes on the line, another load in the washer, need to do dishes & mop the floors ... more later!

Tenga Paz,

Kathleen

Army Ants, Lazy Cats, Clean Dogs & Tico Bingo

Today was a little different ... Roy, fixing to work on the new septic system, calls to me "baby, you need to look at this" ... as you know, I hear this alot!  Slipped on some sandals and walked out back to see what.  ARMY ANTS!  They are known in these parts as "cleaner" ants, as they swarm over the property, consuming all the stuff we DON'T want around ... dead bugs, live bugs if they can catch them, bug eggs, scorpions, ect.  These photos don't really show how MANY of them there were because they also bite and I didn't want that to happen twice!  Suffice it to say that the back of the house was BLACK!

Not really wanting to stick around to see if they swarmed INSIDE, we grabbed the dog  ... more on him later ... hopped in the "jumpzuki" and headed to Steve & Brenda's house.  Got as far as Soda San Luis and remembered that we needed to be home for Ferreteria Los Angeles to deliver materials, so, sigh, turned around and went back home.  By this time, the ants were all.over.the.place ... but it didn't last long, thankfully.  

When the army moved on, Roy decided that he could do a little septic excavation, and then discovered that he needed a few more plumbing parts, so off to Ferreteria I went, bought parts and came back home to bathe the (rather) stinky dog.  It was a "two man job", so I don't have photos, but we, together, got 'er done.  Wiley smells sooooo much better now and behaved better than expected!

Kiki, however, was totally underwhelmed by the whole thing.

The other day, our new acquaintance, Hymie, stopped by to sell us tickets to the local church fundraiser bingo game.  Now, I am NOT a bingo person, but WTF, so Brenda & I decided to go (the guys were TOTALLY not going to go with).  Grabbed a quick, post dog bath shower and off to la iglesia for fun & games.  

Bingo is a little different here as:  a) you had better know your numbers in spanish and b) they don't EVER say "B - 12", just doce (12).  Then, of course, when it is "4 corners", or whatever and you don't understand ... still fun and we were the only gringos (gringas) there!  I hear there is a really HOT game in San Juan from time to time which we will probably hit when it next happens.  

So, that's life "en el campo" today ... exciting, no?

Tenga Paz,

K

Where is this coming from? And doggie update

I am so glad that my our friends are following our "journey", but a girl has to wonder ... what the hell is UP with these 'stats'?!  In the last month, I seem to have had the following viewers :

Pageviews by Countries Entry Pageviews United States 365 Costa Rica 29 Pakistan 28 Russia 20 Germany 19 Nigeria 11 Indonesia 9 Ukraine 6 Czech Republic 5 Italy 5

Since I started this blog, the stats are:

United States	2672
Costa Rica	230
Germany	125
Canada	82
Russia	72
United Kingdom	50
Pakistan	28
Japan	14
Indonesia	11
Mexico	11

Really?  I mean, lots of US, CA & CR, which is to be expected, but  the rest of them ... WTF?????  Do they somehow think they have wandered onto a porn site or what?  I have a friend in Japan, OK!  Some in the UK ...  OK, Italy ... maybe, it's a gaming thing, but the others?  Pakistan?  Nigeria?  Russia?  Indonesia?  Really?  How do they get here ... are they really here ... I don't know enough about this "blog thingie" to know.  Anybody got a clue?

The Dog

The puppy is doing well.  Eat, shit, sleep!  Pretty much like any 4 month old baby!  Or, perhaps like all of us who don't work outside the home anymore!  We still haven't settled on a name, but that is forthcoming ... Thanks for your feedback!  Stay tuned.

Spent yet another bunch of $$ today for:  a) leash;  b) a squeaky ball;  c) a brush ("easy clean") and best of all ... an aerosol  bottle of "Frontline" for around $30 ... now, compare that with the single dose @ $15!  Don't know exactly why this product is clearly labeled " NOT REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", but it is.

Is this a typical product of our "nanny state", where some many most people can't read, therefore can't follow instructions on packaging, or just another symptom of our (US) kowtowing to big Pharma or what?  Six pumps of the bottle every TWO months ... three on the neck, three on the belly ... duh?!?!?!  Just sayin'.

Rambling and ranting , past my bedtime ... Tenga Paz

K

Our newest addition, a vote & progress.

Saturday morning, early, I am just waking up when Roy calls to me "Baby, you've got to take a look at this". Now, this is not an uncommon thing to hear and I always look ... but this was really something to see.  This little guy was foraging in our compost pile for any little edible morsel.

Dirty dog

He could barely stand, was totally flea ridden & filthy, starving to death and we couldn't stand it.  We, of course, are NOT set up for a dog, but we fed him some leftover chicken & rice (it was supposed to be Roy's lunch), hauled out a cat bed (our cats prefer our bed, our chair or anything except a bona fide pet bed) and made him a nest.  I ran to the pulperia and bought some puppy food, although we didn't know at that point if he was a puppy or just small.  Couldn't let him in the house because a) fleas; b) possibility of heartworm and c) he had a real STANK goin' on.  By the next morning, he was walking a little better & eating more, but still we didn't know if the poor little guy would make it.

Monday I had a trip to Alajuela planned with some girlfriends and we had put it off way too many times (for one reason or another ... more on that later), so I went ahead, instead of cancelling, yet again, to take the waif to the vet.

Tuesday morning, shoved the pup in a cat carrier, hopped in the car and took off for the vet (who is great, but looks like he is about 20, or 12).  He checked out the dog, around 4 months old, no heartworm, but plenty of the other kind and, of course, fleas and malnutrition.  He kept the dog, bathed him, gave him his shots, wormed him and he was ready in a couple of hours.  Cost?  8,000 colones (around $16).  We then bought him special high protein food, vitamins, flea shampoo, treats, chew sticks & a collar.  Cost?  21,500 colones (around $43 ... sigh).  He looks SO much better & smells good too!  All he does at this point is eat, sleep and follow Roy around ... like a puppy!  Here is a shot from this morning.

Clean dog

Cute little guy, yes?  Coati nose, gremlin ears, overbite and VERY long legs.  Not at all aggressive toward "the girls", although he does growl a little bit when Kiki steals his food ... for now, we will fix that!  He certainly has added a new kink to our life ... did we want a dog?  No.  Could we help it?  No.  Can we wait till he gets a little meat on his bones?  No.  Me with a dog?  Really?  

Still haven't named him, which is where you all come in.  We've come up with a list of possible names, but can't decide.  Want to weigh in?  Please do!

Bandito - because of the mask
Mojito - because I LIKE them a LOT
Chewey (short for Chewbaca) - Just because
Astro - remember the Jetsons?
Einstein - because he is really smart
Farley - because he sorta looks like a Farley
Neo - because he is new ... also the Matrix
Indy - because he is independant ... also Indiana Jones
Obie - Wan Kenobi?
Lucky - because is is ... he survived alone & found suckers to adopt him
Mylo - don't know ... just like it
Navi - you know ... Avatar ... big ears
Radar - because he can zone in on food in a hurry
Dexter - because Roy likes it ... even tho that IS a fictional serial killer!
Paz - because it is Spanish for Peace

Help us out here in the comments.  All opinions will be considered, but no promises.  Other suggestions welcome, as well.

OK, reasons for cancelling trips to Alajuela?  Well, first, check engine and battery lights on ... hummm.  New belt, yes, but no change; rebuild alternator ... no new ones out there.  Then, on the WAY to Alajuela (a week ago) much shuddering, clanking, turning around and limping back to the mechanic for new U-joints!  All seems to be well at the moment, but it does always seem to be something!

The Project
Here is where we are so far.

The green board will get stucco, the post on the left is dual purpose:  support for gate rail and corner post for the "bodega" (storage space).  We are calling the guest quarters the bodega for permitting purposes ... much easier!  We are almost ready for concrete.  Roy built the gates (this shot doesn't show the back ones, which swing as opposed to roll).  Oh, and there is Roy's butt!  He is working on the guide and lock system for said gates as I type.

Roy is REALLY good at digging holes.  This is what he did in a couple of hours on Saturday morning.  Here is a shot of 1/2 of our new septic system

There will be two tanks, the other one hasn't been dug in yet ... 

Gotta do housework now ... ick!  When I am rich, I WILL hire a housekeeper!

Tenga Paz!

Kathleen

I know, I know ... It has been a while

I just realized that it has been a full two months since I updated y'all!  Highly unlike me to be quiet, huh?  Anyway, here is a quick update on the past two months.

Our "stuff" finally arrived on Wednesday, March 27 at nearly dark.  Bear in mind, that is in the middle of Semana Santa ... Easter Week.  Hardly anyone works, everyone is on vacation!  Everything is closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, so while we were told that it was coming, we held little hope.  BUT, the truck arrives w/a driver & two guys to unload.  It was fast and furious, even with Roy helping.  We just tried to get garage stuff in the garage and house stuff in the house ... not entirely successfully, I might add.  Everything arrived, but damage to china and glassware won't be determined until we are ready to unpack such things.

The next two weeks (mas o menos) were spent shuffling boxes, unpacking the bare minimum and wondering why we brought so much "stuff".  If you remember the original photos of the three bedrooms all in a row, well, there are now only two, Roy having removed one wall and moved another.  So, there is now a bedroom and a "storage" room ... for the time being.

Oh, yeah, so Easter Sunday was the third birthday of our friend, Alberto's son.  Took a road trip to Frijanies to participate.  So much fun to hang with Marco, Mari & Family!!

In the middle of all this, we had to make our first "visa run" to Nicaragua.  Ill timed, but necessary.  Took "Tica Bus" and they took care of getting us into Nicaragua (and out again), although it is a bit disconcerting to hand over your passport to someone you don't know.  San Juan del Sur is a really quaint town ... muy barata, tambien!

We love how when the concrete sidewalks need repair, the people take things into their own hands and take care of the problem.  Just a couple of examples, but there are MANY more!  So much fun to explore.  Looks like we might have to return there before our trip back to the states for paperwork in August!

On the way home from San Juan del Sur, we had a couple of hours to kill, waiting for the bus in Rivas, so we took a pedi-cab to el Parque Central ... quite lovely.  Hot, but lovely!

Tica Bus is the only way to travel, even though there was a bit of a misunderstanding (gee, can you say language barrier?) about getting off on the Autopista in Grecia (we didn't even come CLOSE to Grecia on the way back) ... ended up going all the way into San Jose and taking a bus to Grecia, then a cab to our friends' house to pick up our car ... didn't know if we would even make the last bus, but we did.

Building in Costa Rica 

In talking with vecinos (neighbors) up here on the "hill", we decided that we could build the carport (cochera) without a permit ... NOT!  Well, that opens up yet another can of bureaucratic worms for Katalina!  So, someone ratted us out and we got a visit from the local building inspector ... OK, easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right?  He was VERY nice and told me to go to Municipalidad to get a permit ... this is on a Thursday afternoon ... late.  I went to town on Friday to take care of it all ... hah!  

Found out that a)  there is a stamp that needs to be on our original Plat map, called Visado, before any permits can be issued.  b) to GET Visado stamp you have to have all sorts of weird shit, like a "note" from the water department stating that you have potable water there ... duh ... a paid water bill won't do it?  Nope!  

Every time I went back to Municipalidad, thinking I had all the "boxes checked off" ... hah!  Nope, you have to go to Seguro Social to get a "note" saying you don't owe them money, and, you have to go to the Officina de Correos (Post Office) and pay a bunch of colones to get a CERTIFIED copy of the paper you already have ... sigh.  OH, yes, and you HAVE to have an architect signed plan of the carport!  (Side note ... you should SEE some of the "carports" in this neighborhood" ... just sayin!)  OK, fine, I can do this.   After seeking the assistance of a young neighbor, Michael ( who speaks both English & Spanish incredibly well and without whose help I would have jumped off a ridge), I found an Architect, Luis Nuñez (who, by the way, rocks) and let him do up the "plans" for the 3/4 built cochera ... he charged us (mas o menos) $100.  Had plans in hand early Tuesday morning, did all the requisite "running around getting other paperwork" and turned in the completed package Tuesday "noon-ish" ... OK, so Roy can't work, it is going to take 6 months (from all the horror stories we've heard).  

On Thursday at 3:00 PM local time, got a call from Geoffery (my English speaking buddy at Municipalidad), saying that my Permit is READY!  What?  Two days?  Really?  !!!!!  Went to town the next morning, picked up permit, brought it home, taped that sucker to the wall and we are LEGAL!  

My TWO new homes

So, yes, we have a new home:  1 km Norte de la Escuela San Luis.  I, however have yet another new home:  Ferreteria Los Angeles.  It is about 15 minutes from here, on the way down to Grecia and I am there so often I can't even begin to say!  My new friend, Jonathan, is pretty much the only guy there who speaks any English, so he is totally mi amigo (cute young thing, too!)  Anyway, I am there at LEAST every other day ... sometimes every day.  Square steel tubing, redi-mix, screws, roofing, blades, paint, rebar, steel studs, hinges, wheels for the gate (also the track for same) etc., AND I have most of the words in Spanish!!  

Due to my trips to FLA (as I so fondly refer to the lumber yard), and Roy's HARD work, we have this to show, so far (Please forgive laundry on the line, but at least it isn't DIRTY laundry :-) )

See the rebar running there?  That is for the stem wall for the cochera and the new "bodega" that is coming next ... it isn't REALLY going to be a bodega, but the guest quarters for y'all so you can come visit!  Also for us to live in when we tear into the house.  

Kitties are well ... I know that is what you REALLY want to know!  

When Roy reads this, I am SURE he will have additional information that I have omitted for whatever reason ... age, too much stuff going on, etc.  So, expect an update/edit soon.  I will try to do better in the future ... been so busy!  

Pura Vida, Katalina!

8 hour round of golf? Really? And it cost WHAT?

So, I had the opportunity, and honor, to be invited to play in the annual DHL tournament (benefit for children's hospital) at Cariari Country Club on Friday ... albeit at 6:30 a.m.  So, left home at 4 on Thursday afternoon,with a stern command to call home upon arrival, in the "bounce-zuki".

Traffic was, mercifully, light and I made it to M&M's in just under an hour (so much for 45 minutes to the Golf Course ... more like 1.25 hours!)  Way quick for the "back" road, that is to say, NOT the "freeway" ... but the route the bus takes.  New pavement all the way (what a concept in this country).  Had a wonderful visit with Mari and Marco, picked up the documents on our car (we are SO legal on that now, insurance, registration and everything!), ate ravioli w/Mari's really good homemade sauce, drank a bunch of Imperial and finally got to bed around 10:30 for a wake up at 4:30.  Ahhhhh ... a bed with Sheets!!!!  However, it is the "City" with it's accompanying noises.  As much as I complain about Oso & Chara (the barky dogs next door, less barky these days) I really appreciate living en el campo!

Marco & I were off to Cariari at 5:15 for registration, cart & club rental (remember, I STILL don't have my CLUBS, shoes, gloves, balls, tees, or towels!!!) secure a caddie (mandatory), ate breakfast, met my playing partners (a couple of 30-something sweeties) and at 7:30 we tee off.  We started on a Par 3 with heavy wind right to left ... and to the left was a ravine edged by elephant bamboo.  My tee shot (very pretty, I might add) ended up in the greenside bunker and both the guys' shots went LEFT ... EEK!  Victor was fortunate, however, as he hit a big stick of bamboo, bounced onto the apron, and we didn't have to hit out of the bunker.  I made an excellent approach shot, but we two putted ... pretty much a harbinger of things to come.

We had a GREAT time, even though we didn't score well.  Neither of the guys has much chance to play these days ... oh, yeah, me either!  Gee, it only cost around $260!  Not a price to which I am accustomed!  Works out to $32.50 per hour.  I can think of a LOT of things I enjoy that cost less than THAT!  Probably won't be playing that many charity tournaments here ... at least without my "stuff".  Although, I haven't spent dime one on golf for 2.5 months ... but still!  Just sayin'!

We didn't get back to M&M's till 4 p.m. and I was totally beat!  Rested for a few minutos and then back up the mountain.  Made it home in an hour, even with following a "Pipe" truck from Tacares all the way to Grecia ... many kilometros and the odd sugar cane truck (how do they GO that slow?)!  Roy had had a remarkably interesting day too, which I may make him post on his own at a later time ... it WAS interesting!  Slept like a log till 6 this morning ... LATE for me these days.

Sorta quiet, lovely morning with coffee, scrambled eggs w/ham, tomato with cheese & fresh basil and catching up on email.  Load of laundry on the line, etc.  Around 2 or so, some neighbors (two doors up with a vollyball field!! and 10+ hectares (pretty much 25 acres)) stopped by on their way home from their walk.  We visited at our house for a while and then were invited up to theirs.  Visited for around 1.5 hours and got to know them a little.  Macho, Emma & David.  Macho is tico, no English, Emma is a tica, but was born & raised in the US (as was David).  Their home is pretty much what we would like to see in ours ... open, vaulted ceilings and full of hospitality!  Macho has a sister who works @ Municipalidad (City of Grecia) and is going to check out how few hoops we can get away with jumping through on our "project".  Sounds like there won't be all that many (fingers crossed).

Our load is due to be delivered mid-week and I am really getting tired of hearing Roy say "Oh, for a hammer"!  Soon!  Beds with sheets, "sawsall", hammers, ladders!  Life is about to get serious!

BUT, our friends, Dennis & Cheryl, will be here tomorrow night, not "here" here, but in Alajuela.  They are bringing "a few" things for us, so we will head to Alajuela early Monday morning to:  a) welcome them to CR;  b) get our "things";  c) go change money @ BNCR (we have accounts, therefore don't get charged an extra fee);  d) take them to SJO for their flight to Tamarindo.  Won't see them again 'till probably Saturday next and hope they have a WONDERFUL time in Tamarindo ... in 96 degrees, while we are here in 80 degrees ... comfy! It is after 9, so it is (or after) my bedtime ... Tenga Paz!

K

The Grrls

For those of you who are concerned about the trauma the kitties are experiencing, here ya go!  

Taken just a couple of minutes ago.

The Banking saga may be at an end & Celebrating with our friends!

This late morning, we vegged our morning a little after being on busses at 7 for the last umteenth days, hopped on at 11.  Rode to Grecia for the final leg of our banking journey.  Got our number for Servicio al Cliente and within 5 minutes (whoa!) it was our turn.  Received our debit cards (Roy's is WAY cooler than mine ... mine is "BN Mujer" and apparently "es mas feminina"!  I like Roy's poison dart frog better ... just sayin!

Then, take yet another number and wait for "la plataforma" and Javier to set up our internet banking.  Wait for it ... wait for it ... both Javier & MariaElena acknowledging us, as they pretty much know us at this point, but still wait ~ Finally our turn.  Get called by Marvin (don't let the name deceive you) who has NO CLUE why we are there.  Calls over MariaElena, and she says that they don't typically set up accounts for peeps, 'cause there might be problems, but we trust Javier and he has an open space, so we move.  He walked us (me) through the setup and we transferred $$ to colones and I made a deposit and we were done!

Back to el Parque Central and called M&M, who were on their way to Grecia.  They had Mari's B-I-L & Nikki with, so no room in the car, so we said we would take the bus back up, which we barely caught at 1:30.  Home @ 2:15. We actually got here before they did and had a moment to "clean up" the house before they arrived.  Per our request, they brought a couple of bottles of Trapiche Malbec (and a cooler of beer that we didn't request) and showed up about 3.  Bear in mind, cleaning up the house when you have NOTHING isn't all that hard.  Didn't mop though.

M&M brought a huge box of school supplies for the boys, Michael, Daniel & Luis.  Nicole went off to play w/the boys and we adultos proceeded to attempt to drink all the beer on the property (quite a lot, but we still have plenty).  Many laughs ensued and our friends left around 6:15.  Our newest friend, Les (Mari's brother-in-law ... a gringo from Montana (formerly of North Dakota, don-cha-know)) will probably join us at El Estadio in Grecia for SuperBowl on Sunday ... 3 p.m. for pre-game festivities!

Roy is currently watching old episodes of  "The Red Green Show" on his computer ... Marco was totally enthralled!

Enough for now, have to get up early to do something, don't know yet what that "something" is!  Might involve a car, might involve scrubbing walls.

Pura Vida,
Kathleen

p.s.
Turns out that, the price of auto fuel is going up next week.  Why?  ARESEP reported that the increase is due to speculation created in the international market because of the lack of fiscal policies in the United States last year.  Sigh ... no matter where ya go, there ya are!

Success!

On the bus at 7:15, in Grecia at 8.  Roy stood in line @ Banco National so we would be one of the first in at 8:30 when they open.  I walked to the "Parque Central" and waited for Marco.  Approached by street person wanting I don't know what, and I stupidly said "No hablo Espanol" ... Duh!  Why couldn't I have said "I don't speak Spanish"?  Anyway, Marco shows up at exactly 8:15, with new, improved letters from he & Mari and printouts of my IRA papers, which I emailed to him (our printers being somewhere else at the moment) and I was off to the Bank, a block away.  

Waited outside (actually in the open sub lobby) for 15, got in and sat to wait ... much waiting.  But not long this time, due to our impeccable timing, and soon we were sitting at Javier's desk, yet again, and he was reading letters, looking over IRA docs, asking for passports, asking for docs on purchase of our house, asking questions about: marital status, former occupations, income (? what is that ... I don't have any) and making photocopies of everything .  1.5 hours later, we had 2 accounts (one in colones, one in dollars) and were told to return tomorrow (it is ALWAYS manaña) to pick up our Debit Cards and get set up for internet banking!  Debit Cards in a DAY?  Why can't the rest of the system work that way?

So, in less than 2 weeks, it would seem that we've accomplished what takes many gringos months, sometimes years, to accomplish:

• Electricity
• Land Line
• Bank Accounts
• Internet

So, tomorrow, something novel ... we are going to the BANK!  First to Servicios de Clientes for the cards, then, I assume we take another number and wait for Javier to demonstrate how to use their internet banking system.  Wonder how long it will be before we can avoid going to the bank for a day or two?

OK, fine!

Who'da thunk it?  Kiki wasn't out at all!  She found a new place to hide ... in Roy's suitcase!

Night all!

Late Breaking News!

OK, nothing earthshaking (except the frequent earthquakes, of which we've felt none), but it is after 11 and Kiki is OUT ... sigh ... hunting, I suppose.  Gonna have to leave the outer barred door locked and the inner door ajar.  She can get in, and hopefully nothing else, except una pequena perro, can!

Buenos Noches,

K

Cars, Banks & other challenges + good kitty stuff

January 27, 2013 - The Car

We went to look at a vehicle.  Sounds easy, si?  Pero, NO!  Bus @ 8 from here to Grecia, then a bus to Naranjo, then a bus to Ciudad Quesada en San Carlos, through one of our favorite towns, Zarcero.

Just a couple of older photos of the topiary in the central park there!   

Got to Quesada @ 11:30 or so, meeting the guy with the Rover @ 1.  Tenemos Mucha Hambre!  (we have much hungry!)  Grabbed a burger at Charlies Burgers ... meh, but it was food.  First beef I think I've eaten since we left!  

Guy (Luis) shows up early (thankfully) and the Rover looks & feels good to Roy.  He really wanted something "stock" and the Lime Green is definitely NOT ... but for what it is and the price, we did a handshake deal.  New clutch, new water pump, new radiator, pretty good tires, current RTV & Marchamo (DEQ & Registration).  So, told Luis (& his dad, Alberto ... to whom the car actually belongs) that we would get our banking thing out of the way and arrange to return in a few days.  Using their abogado (Attorney) as I don't want to pay one to go with us on an all day event!  Should be OK!

Then, do that trip in reverse!  One thing to ride in a bus on I-5 or 101, but way different here!  Almost like going to the carnival!  

January 28, 2013 - The bank & other challenges

Up early otro ves (again) and, before we got on the bus to Grecia @ 7:10, schlepped our two small loads of laundry up to Essprezzo de la Casa (because Isobel is a totally wonderful person who feels sorry for us because we don't have a Washer and said she would wash (if we would dry) until she could find someone to do it regularly).  Off the bus in Grecia ... First stop:  Banco National de Costa Rica (the only place to bank, per Marco).  Arrived at the bank about 40 min. before they opened, but I notice a line already so decide we need to be in it!  Using the translate function of my phone, was able to ask about the differences in the 4 ATM machines in the outer lobby (one is for dollars, 3 for colones) & also the location of the Municipalidad de Grecia (gotta pay the garbage bill, don't ya know).  

Bank opens @ 8:30 and we are about the 7th & 8th in.  Go through the security airlock thingy ... an interesting concept that I can't post a photo of because it is forbidden!  Explain to the girl @ the touch screen thingy that spits out numbers that we are there to open a new account.  We got our number for "la plataforma" ... which differs from "las cajas" in that las plataformas do more technical stuff ... not just changing money or cashing a check or making a deposit.  Finally get to Plataforma #2, only to find that Javier doesn't speak a lick of English ... I thought they taught that in school here (they do, but they are shy to speak it).  

Soon, Javier snagged MariaElena, who has perfect English.  MariaElena explained to us that we needed two letters from Tico customers of BN saying what nice people we are, our passaportes, a paid bill and documents on our house.  We had most of that, but set out to obtain the rest, saying we would (in the words of the "Governator", "we'll be back").  

Called Mari, who said Marco was in meetings all morning and she was running late for work.  Explained what we needed, then texted Marco with the same info.  Feeling totally hungry again (it is only about 9:30 and we left so bloody early ... too early for desayuno (breakfast), we walked to Cafe Delicious ... a notorious "Gringo" hangout and had breakfast.  Talked to a blustering, bragging gringo for a few minutes about his Mountain Bike, and we are off to Municipialidad to pay a year's worth of Garbage.  Now, mind you, they pick up on Monday & Thursday, just put the bag by the road, and it is only around $65 per year ... AND you get a discount for paying by the year.  Eat that WesternOregonWaste!  Waited for a while for my number to come up and approached "la plataforma" ... yeah, they have those EVERYWHERE!  Sadly, the young lady with whom I was "speaking" ... I am beginning to use that term very loosely ... didn't speak any English ...sigh!  She turned me over to a nice young man who explained that, because we were NEW owners and the National Registration of our ownership hadn't made it's way to the Municipalidad, it would take a while to complete the paper/computer work.  He got all the pertinent information from me and asked me to come back at 1 p.m.  What is a girl to say?  "I am NOT leaving till we accomplish this!"? ... Nah, I go!

So, with 2.5 hours to kill, Roy and I decide that there MUST be things we need to do ... like sit in El Parque Central and enjoy the day ... too restless me for that!  I go off in search of a nail parlor, found two, one closed with no hours posted, the other unable to contact the nail lady.  Sigh again!  

Park benches are everywhere, there must be at least 50 in Grecia's Parque Central ... of course all made of cement ... so you don't sit there too very long before your butt goes numb!  Still no word from Marco, so let's walk around!  Not getting any messages on my phone, but getting the message that there IS a message ... hummm.  Deleted a bunch of apps n stuff hoping that I would free up space, as we strolled.  

What did we buy?  Well, a really cool hangie thingie for socks & undies when you don't have a clothes dryer!  A Dishpan (been looking for one for over a week), a couple of bottles of drinkable wine (not everywhere, mind you!), two more 4 tiered plastic rollie thingies to serve as cupboards and such till we have the real thing & a "non-mummy" type sleeping bag, as I've been stuck with the "mummy" type and it is driving me nuts.

Anyhoots, must have deleted enough stuff from the phone, because around the "appointed hour" (1:00) I got 7 texts in a row, mostly from Marco, saying we would need a CPA to open a bank account!  What?!?!?!?!?  Really?  They didn't tell me THAT at the bank, only that it is easier to open savings than checking ... I don't care as long as I have a debit card and internet banking!  I never write checks anyway!  Texted back w/ info that the bank didn't say anything about a CPA ... he said OK, but I don't know exactly what he means by "OK".

Waited for another long time in La Municipalidad and got it done!  YAY!  No more pesky garbage bills for a YEAR!  In Gearhart, we paid nearly $30/month ... do the math!  It is only 2:00 pm.  ... It only took around 3 hours to pay it, but it IS paid.  

Knowing that the bus was leaving for San Luis @ 3:10, we caught a cab to Maxi Palí and bought a few of the above mentioned things, Phone rings, Mari, "where are you" ... "en Maxi Palí, y usted?"  "en Grecia, con sus letters ... we will pick you up"!  So ........ Back to Banco National ... where they are serving #500 and we are #529!  This isn't the quick stuff either.  Marco & Mari (and their granddaughter, Nicole) said they would wait in the park.  So, we wait, we wait, we wait!  Bear in mind, it is 2:30 and the bank says it closes @ 3:45 ... so, about 3:30, it is our turn.  We feel really confident that we are going to get this done.  I drag out the letters from M&M first thing ... along w/photocopies of their Cedulas (government ID that we hope to have someday) and Javier takes one look and runs off!  

Marco

Marianella

Really, seriously, takes off!  We see him here and there all over the bank, with letters in hand ... no one comes to tell us what the hell is going on ... beginning to expect la policia!  Finally, around 4 or so, Javier & MariaElena come back and explain that, apparently, MORE information is needed in the letters.  We did as they asked, but, as Bill Mahr would say, "NEW RULE"!  Also, the bank needs documentation from our bank in the US, which is in the container!  So, we left, not before I was near shedding a tear or two, and met M&M in the park.  You all don't know Marco, but he pretty much doesn't put up with much Pura Miedra (bull shit), so he was sorta pissed too!  

Despite the fact that we were going to take a bus home with ALL our "stuff", it was lateish, so Marco insisted on driving us up the hill.  Being sorta pissed, he took the third different way up here, which neither of us had ever taken, very rural, very narrow, the most directo, but even the Taxis don't take it!  There is this bridge ...... we will take you there when you come!   Had a couple of beers (well, M&M each had one & we had wine) and they were off to the valley to resume their own lives!  I don't know what we would do without them!!!  

When we arrived home, the first thing I noticed was that I.C.E. got us on our VERY OWN electricity!  Rats, now we have to pay the bill!  ;-)  For those who don't know, getting electricity, internet & phone in less than a month here is a phenomenal feat and we did it in only 13 days.  

Emailed and then called (thankfully) our bank in Gearhart and voila, the PDF we need is in my email.  Forwarded to Marco for printing (our printers are somewhere between Oakland CA and here) and we MAY be able to finish opening a new bank account in only two days!  

Walked up the hill to retrieve our wet laundry, only to find that our new friend, Isobel - owner of Essprezzo de la Casa, had not only washed it, but line dried and folded it!  It is so nice to be able to make good friends no matter where we go!  She wasn't home, but her charming 16 year old (I think) daughter was, and delivered the "ropa" (clothes) and proceeded to get into an art conversation w/Roy!  I anticipate many more such conversations soon!  If we get a photo of them, I will update this post.  

January 28, 2013 - Update on "the grrls"

Since Kiki's big adventure, the girls are both pretty much sticking close.  Too Close!  I actually felt like I was curling this morning when I had had enough of Kiki sleeping on my pillow with her claws in my hair ... kitties slide really well on tile!  NOT HARD, OK!?!  No walls involved or anything!  Anyway, the grrls seem much closer since the move, actually playing together ... hide 'n seek is tough when there is nothing to hide behind!  Kiki out 'n about at the moment, she had better hurry up, 'cause we are getting ready to crash.   

Up early tomorrow, otro ves, & abajo a Grecia por una mas dia en el banco!  Marco w/b there @ 8:15 to deliver paperwork.

Pura Vida~

Kathleen