Nov 6, 2007 | Crime, Culture Shock
This Tico Times story illustrates the only reason I would leave Costa Rica. Petty theft is rampant here and there is no consequence. None. As in zero. Unless spending one night in the slammer is considered a consequence. It’s clearly not a deterrent. I’m...
Sep 4, 2007 | Cost of Living, Crime
We fired our third maid yesterday. Maid #1 wasn’t a great cleaner, although I believe she was honest. And, in truth, looking back, she may have needed to come for a full day to get the job done, not just a half day. Just as I was becoming more and more...
Aug 9, 2007 | Crime, Culture Shock, Living-In, Moving-To
My friend Dan wrote me the other day. He said, "Okay girl, step away from the computer… yes, that’s it, take your fingers off the keys and step away…. 😉 6 posts in 24 hours, you trying for a record?" Not exactly. Just in a race against time...
Aug 8, 2007 | Crime, Key West
My friend Trixie in Key West wrote to me this morning. She is a world-traveler, lately fixated on India and immediate surrounds. We are certain she was an Indian princess in a past life. If there is such a thing. As a past life. She so enjoys her adventures. But,...
Aug 6, 2007 | Cost of Living, Crime, Culture Shock
Our first few months in Costa Rica, we were taken aback by the intense security around homes: high gates, electric fences, massive bars covering every window and door. Many subdivisions (and some private homes) have guards, from casually dressed bicycle guards to...
Aug 3, 2007 | Caribbean, Crime, Pueto Viejo, Teenagers, Travel Tips
July has been quite the month for lessons on crime. On Day One of Camp J2J, we were stolen from. At our first cabina in Puerto Viejo, I was accused of stealing, lying and poor parenting. When I got home, I discovered we’d had an attempted break-in at our house....
Jul 31, 2007 | Accommodations, Caribbean, Crime, Culture Shock, Parismina, Travel Tips, Turtles, Volunteering
Our little Royal Family was not happy in Parismina and we left as soon as humanly possible. The day after our forced march, we were so exhausted that doing a patrol that night was out of the question. And this first day, our only full day there, we were stolen from...
