Jul 31, 2007 | Caribbean, Crime, Culture Shock, Parismina, Pueto Viejo, Travel Tips
Hal spent a year in Germany in his youth. During that year, he traveled all over Europe. He said in every country but France, you could hold out your hand with money in it to pay for something and get back the right change. They’d count it out so you’d...
Jun 11, 2007 | Banking, Crime, Culture Shock, Jaco, Money
I went to the ATM last Thursday with my mom. You put your card in, you punch in your code, select ENGLISH or SPANISH, DOLLARS or COLONES (get colones, it’s easier), punch in the amount… wait while the machine whirrs and counts. Then take your cash, receipt...
Apr 6, 2007 | Crime, Guns
When I sent yesterday’s letter to A.M. Costa Rica, the editor wrote back and grilled me about owning a gun, asking if I was married to a tico, did I take the test, did I register the gun… yikes. I couldn’t figure out if he was against private...
Apr 5, 2007 | Crime, Living-In, Moving-To
Crime in Costa Rica is a hot topic these days. It’s been heating up for the past few months. Then that 70-something-year-old ex-Marine cruise ship passenger killed an armed mugger with his bare hands on a bus in Limón. That made the news. Then Robyn in Jacó...
Mar 29, 2007 | Crime, Jaco
Here’s an update to Henry and Robyn’s story in today’s A.M. Costa Rica. With a photo: click here! Henry sent me other photos… it’s pretty awful… In a small town like Jaco, they should catch the thugs. Doesn’t everyone know who...
Mar 28, 2007 | Crime, God, what a world!, Living-In
This is not a funny post, not in the least. This is the story of a crime that happened a week ago, outside of Jaco, down on the coast. I don’t know Henry, but I have exchanged emails with him and he is a regular contributor on the Costa Rica Living Group board....
