challenges

I think it's clear that I love this place or I wouldn't keep coming back, and while it has it's magical moments I think it's important to point out that it is definitely not all easy.  There are some notable challenges to adjusting to the Tico lifestyle. Here are a few challenges or things that take a little time to adjust to;

1. Learning to put your toilet paper in the garbage.
Yes, you are not supposed to flush toilet paper in 95% of places in Costa Rica.  Why?  Well the plumbing just isn't set up for it and it really screws things up if you do. You have to throw it in the garbage next to the toilet, which is hard to remeber at first and it is kind of gross and stinky. All in all, I have a new appreciation for (U.S.) plumbing that I never had before!

2. Bugs. Bugs. Bugs.
Tropics = bugs, and LOTS of them. Our apartment is fully screened and on the second level and it is still a battle.  We left some pineapple chunks on the counter for a few hours one day and when we got home it was fruit-fly-palooza! We keep our place clean to stay on top of it, but if you look in the nooks and crannies you will find little creatures living. Always shake your clothes and shoes out if they've been on the floor.  And outdoors is a whole other story.  I made the dumb mistake of stepping onto the lawn barefoot one day and was attacked by red ants. Ouch!  The kids always wear their boots when playing outside. There are lots of locals who don't even have screens in their windows, I can only imagine the kids of things crawling in there!

3. Laundry/ Cleaning
A lot of people wash their clothes by hand, and I have never seen a dryer anywhere in Costa Rica or Nicaragua. Here at our apartment we have a washing machine, but it is not like the ones at home where you out your clothes in, walk away, come back and their clean.  This is a more involved process. First you put the clothes in the washing compartment, then fill it with water and set it to wash.  Then switch it to drain.  Then move the clothes into the spinner to wring them out.  Finally they are ready for the solar powered dryer (clothes line) The final product is crispy clothes that don't smell as good as the ones out of the dryer, but hey, they're clean!

 

Also, the cleaning products are different.  Most people wash dishes by hand, and the dish soap is solid, not liquid. You have to sweep a lot, no vacuuming, there are very rarely carpeted rooms even in nicer houses. It's all tile.

4. The roads.  There are a lot of pretty bad roads here. Hilly, bumpy, muddy, dirt roads.  This area in particular is prone to flooded roads in the rainy season. 4x4 is necessary in a lot of areas. Also, beware of scary drivers.  Costa Ricans have a reputation of being bad drivers, plus it's not illegal to drink and drive, it is only illegal to be drunk while driving.

5. The Heat.
Lots of sweating. Very humid. My hair has exploded in the into a puffball. 


6. Theft/Swindling
This is common in any touristy area, but it is so different from where I come from that it is a bit of a shock.  Back home, if you drop a dollar or over pay someone, most people are almost eager to return it to it's rightful owner. Here your cab driver may seem like the nicest guy but he has all kinds of tricks up his sleeve to swindle a few extra bucks out of you, especially if you are from out of town (we have experienced this many times). Pickpocketing is common in the city.  The beaches as also pretty bad.  If you don't watch your stuff like a hawk, it is likely to be scooped up and disappear. And everybody knows of a "great" hotel/car rental/restaurant whatever that turns out to be not so great, they just get paid from their buddies to take you there.

7. The food.
I do enjoy rice and beans, but every meal seems excessive. Of course, I'm not sure sure I've figured out how to make them right either. This was harder at first but I'm getting used to it and finding ways to expand and be creative. I will post in depth about the seeming lack of both creativity and flavor in the Tico diet. Let me clarify that this is NOT Mexican food. I wish it were. However, it is fresh and nutritious and fairly inexpensive. In the right season, you can't beat the variety of delicious ripe friuts! So, it's not all bad.

So, in conclusion, while there are some breath taking beauties, exciting adventures and kind, friendly people to behold, like any place there are always some negatives to consider as well.