I’ve lived in Costa Rica for a year now, and honestly, it’s expensive. Why? Some people say it’s because of tourism. That might explain part of it, but there are many nearby countries that also receive tons of tourists, and yet their prices are far lower than those in Costa Rica. For example: Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico—even Brazil.
But tourism isn’t the whole story. There are other factors:
IVA (sales tax)
Tariffs
Imported products are much more expensive, including:
Phones and computers
Cars
Gasoline
About 80% of what you find in a supermarket—even coffee
Government fees, such as:
Tolls
Car registration
Parking meters
In short, a lot of things cost an arm and a leg here. So my opinion is that the high prices in Costa Rica come down to the country’s size and a long history of poor governmental decisions.
Expensive items include gas, cars, electronics, most supermarket products, coffee, imported goods, and even McDonald’s. Government services are also pricey: tolls, car registration, parking meters, IVA.
Hitched a la Mexicana
Recently, I got married. My wife lives with me now. She’s Mexican—we met while I was traveling through Mexico in 2021. During COVID, I was unemployed, so I took the opportunity to travel through the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico. In Xalapa, an enchanting city I had visited many times, I stayed at a beautiful hostel in the historic district for only seven dollars a night. My future wife worked at a café nearby. I was struck by her beauty, so I kept going back. Eventually, I worked up the courage to ask her out. We went to an Italian restaurant known for its wood-fired pizzas and shared a few glasses of wine.
We stayed in touch for a few years. I invited her to visit me in Costa Rica, and eventually, I asked her to marry me. I felt like I truly knew her—her looks, her personality, everything. We complement each other well. We divide household duties easily and we get silly together. Once a week, we go out for a few beers.
Enter Feline
My cat is loving but has a dark side. It has bitten and scratched me out of nowhere. The other day, it even pooped inside the house, though it normally uses the litter box on the balcony. So I told my wife, “Unlike a dog, we don’t have a cat because it’s affectionate. We have a cat because it keeps life interesting. It pushes us into both positive and negative emotional states—but hey, that’s change, right?”
Social Stimulate
Today I did 120 interviews. Most days it’s around 100. It doesn’t exhaust me. It reminds me of when I worked physical labor at Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill in St. Pete—I would just go and go, never getting tired. Ten- or twelve-hour shifts, no problem. I need to keep my mind and body busy.
In conclusion, life is good when you have a partner and you stay active, and don’t worry about the prices.
People, it’s been a while since I’ve done any updating. I’m now in Costa Rica. Been here for about 7 months. This city isn’t small but it has the feel of a small city. There’s not many skyscrapers or wide boulevards. It’s like the main structure of the city layout and character hasn’t changed in decades. Kinda dirty. Lot’s of vegetatation, especially adjecent to the 4 rivers that cross the city. While driving , one doesn’t actually see the rivers because they lay below the city. You could say that the city sits on a mesa above the rivers. Yet away from the rivers, there are many streets with no trees and with a hodge podge of types of cement of various levels that make up the sidewalks.
But the job is enjoyable. This is a whole new world. It’s nothing like any job I’ve had. Well, the closest is working for the military overseas. There’s lots of benefits but lots of restrictions. Unfortunately, I haven’t got into the Costa Rican society. Yet, I have gone out a few times and had a few beers and talked with locals. I went on a date. I’m trying to make Costa Rican friends, but not trying hard enough due to I like being alone and I find it difficult to initiate conversations with strangers. I haven’t always been like this. It wasn’t my plan to become the person I’ve become.
Noticias: I bought a car. I haven’t owned a car since 2003. For the first time in my life, I feel like I have all my ducks in a row. Apt, job, free time, health, car, disposable income….all checked. I have a wonderful balcony where I am king. And nobody can see me, well, without binoculars. Drinking only on weekends and no smoking. I miss the happiness and moments of ‘zen’ that smoking gives me, but it does have negative physiological effects that have become increasingly annoying.
Roadtrip:
I’m out of the city for the first time. I’m traveling with an old friend, Richard, to a small touristy town called La Fortuna next to a volcano, Arenal. The town attracts tourists because of the hot springs in addition to the volcano. This place is fairly warm, tropical, humid, love it. Richard has had trouble with drinking before and now he’s on a bender. I’m not drinking and he’s pissing me off but he’s a good friend so I tolerate it.
The first night he was here, in San Jose, we celebrated and drank a lot, which resulted in me enthusiastically opening the front glass door to the apartment building lobby and broke it, which could have gotten me into hot water. Fortunately, nobody said anything more.
San Jose can be chilly. It’s higher up elevation, much like Medellin, eternal spring. But I miss, and prefer, the hot humid climate of Miami.
People at work are worried about what the Trump administration is doing. Cutting government waste and therefore people are going to lose their jobs. I’m cool with it. If I lose my job, I go back to where I was, which wasn’t bad.
Conclusion: It’s never too late in life to start a new job or live in a new place.
I went to a cocktail party hosted by the Italian Embassy. I willed myself to talk to others. I talked to the Italian Ambassador and to a retired artist, retired doctor, and many others. It was a hit. Also, as I was waiting for the event to begin, I saw a young woman looking at some historical items on display so I approached her and acted as if I was a tour guide at the Library. I was upbeat and friendly and consequently she responded positively, and we had an enjoyable conversation. Playing make-believe in an imaginary situation. Conversation ended. I didn’t ask for a phone number, perhaps could have acquired it. I just wanted to talk to someone, and conversation in Spanish is an awesome plus, too.
Social commentary:
At work my co-workers annoy me but I don’t say anything. Is that wrong? They think I’m a nice guy, but I’m not, I’m just holding my tongue. Is this a proper way to behave? I’m not sure. I have to work with these people, so if I’m honest and piss them off then I have to go back to work and face them. Perhaps I’ll be honest with them, but in the past that has ended badly, so now I’m gun shy about being honest.
Secret of success:
People talk about how to get ahead, like what we NEED is a good education, money, or friends in high places, but I present something people don’t talk about but is very helpful to success: DELAYED GRATIFICATION. What is it? The ability and/or willingness to postpone immediate pleasure for a bigger prize in the future, sometimes a distant future.
What are the benefits of delayed gratification? A better and more rewarding education that leads to a good career. A job that pays more. More money in the bank account. A rewarding retirement plan. A long marriage. A marriage that is happy and fulfilling and therefore a happy family with children who are confident. To make a long story short, delayed gratification leads to a higher standard of living.
Years ago I read about a study that was done, a human experiment. In a room was placed a table, two chairs, and on the table a sweet, a candy bar I think. In one chair sat a child and in the other side of the table sat an adult who was a member of the experiment team. The adult told the child that he would leave the room and the child could eat the sweet but if the child waited the adult would bring back an even better sweet. The adult stayed out of the room for a bit and the child found themselves in a difficult situation, no? Some ate the sweet and others resisted temptation. They repeated the experiment with many children. And then the Experiment Team followed the lives of the children until adulthood. As you can guess, the ones who resisted temptation had better academic success and more success as adults.
So this leads me to the question: can delayed gratification be taught or is it innate? Both, some people are born with this ability and some need to be taught and some unfortunately, will never master it.
Today in our society we shouldn’t just teach traditional education but also teach delayed gratification: HOW to do it and WHY it’s important.
Until the next report, my friends. I’ve got news brewing.
I’ve been staying at The Rock Hostel for a couple of weeks. I like it here. Good social vibe. There’s many nationalities here: Peruvian, Argentine, French, English, American, Colombian, Italian, Brazilian, even Japanese. I checked in on December 31st and we went out to a lookout point next to a statue of Jesus to watch the fireworks. I got really drunk and had a good time. I didn’t really want to go out and just kinda got corralled into the taxi.
El Truco
En la calle, mujer me dio dinero. Yo observaba un juego “esconder un objecto debajo uno de tres cubiertos. Una taza. Una persona jugo y ganó dinero. Fue una mujer. Yo estaba dentro de la multitude y ella volteó para ver y me dio un poco de dinero como 5 mil. Yo lo rechazo y ella trataba de convencer que yo lo tomara. Pensé que tal vez fue un truco y me fui.
El Trabajito
I got accepted, finally for the embassy job, which I’ve been trying to get for at least 6 years. Now I have to go back to the States to prepare for the ‘call’, which I could get at any time. My money is almost all gone. I may have to borrow from family members. Yet, this job is going to be life changing. I will earn more money than I’ve ever earned. And the increase isn’t gradual. It’ll be night and day. From penniless to hefty pay checks.
Un Año en los Andes
From my drone above my Sky Palace, Lol.
My time is almost done here in Colombia. It’ll be un año next month. I don’t know how honest I want to be with myself. I could have had a lot better time in Colombia. My first 6 months were in Bogota, the 2nd in Medellin. I really want to do better next time. To be more social. Initiate the convo. I did meet many people here and I enjoyed riding my motorcycle through the mountains. I will always miss it.
Conclusion:
Sometimes you are surprised that you can’t get off the merry-go-round.
I’m really thinking of leaving Bogota. I’m thinking of Villavicencio. It’s tropical. Warm. Humid. Cold showers. Green. Trees. Mold on the walls. My place. Small-town people. My people. But back to subject. I’m thinking about leaving the metropolis. Going to a small town, I need it. This big city life may not be for me.
Villavicencio
Mujer
I’ve been talking to a girl who works at a cafe near my apartment in Chapinero. We exchanged Instagrams and talked a lot. Later I asked her out to the movies. She never answered me. When I saw her next she gave me a cold shoulder. I’m taking it in stride. The ball is in her court. If she wants to be friendly again, I’ll let her come to me.
Mr. Kitty
I listen to ‘After Dark’ by Mr. Kitty. I’ve been going out hitting the streets without my cameras. I’ve been thinkin’ about my next move. Where will I go? Villavicencio is the premier candidate. Next Medellin, where I lived for 3 months in 2004. It’s where I discovered real porn.
A Script
I just had a ‘meeting’ with Lina and Sofia about a story that I wrote called ‘Embrace or Invade.’ This will get me back in orbit. I need this. This is an activity that could make a lot of people happy and be wonderful spectator event. I could meet my future wife via this short film. It’s a way to connect with others.
Chief’s Smokin’ BBQ
I’m still putting together video’s for John’s restaurant, Chief’s Smokin” BBQ, in West Virginia.
Medellin
I’m going to Medellin to visit an old friend who I met in Miami Beach in 2001 and he now lives in a small town just outside Medellin. We were roommates in Miami Beach in 2001 and 2008. I lived with him when Sept 11th occurred, I woke him up and told him what happened. And a month after that I went back into the military.
Medellin was awesome. I hung out with my old friend, Juan Carlos. In 2001 when I moved to Miami Beach. We became roommates and it was in a very intriguing part of Miami Beach. There were prostitutes in front of our apartment at night. We were 2 blocks west of the beach. There was a laundry-mat just half a block away next to a mini mart where a guy stood out in front and sold stolen goods. A strip joint was nearby too. This was 2001 and then Sept 11 occurred and I was called back into the military. Then in 2008 I moved back to Miami Beach again and again we became roommates. Soon after he moved to Colombia and this is the first time we’ve seen each other in about 14 years. He lives in San Cristobal, a small town on the slops of the mountains just outside of Medellin. Many people have motorcycles here because the slope is too steep to walk up and down. There are small farms in-between the houses and included in those farms are flower farms that are lite up by sun lamps all through the night. I’ve decided that I’m going to come back to live here.
Art
I went to an artsy part of town, San Felipe, to see an art exhibition of a friend of mine, Juan. He’s a sculptor, and husband of Lina. When it was finished I looked to buy a beer. Then I saw Juan and his artist friends standing in front of where the art exhibition was at. So we went to a little market that had tables out front to have a beer. We ordered a round. I was more thirsty so I had more beer than the others. Then I was bored and wanted to leave. I walked up to the counter and tried to pay for everything before making my departure and I was told that they only accepted cash. I only had plastic. I was about to pay the beers for everybody and be the hero. Now I owed beers to multiple people and I was the zero. And I couldn’t simply make my departure. That would seem un-respectful and uncouth. So I sat down and brooded. Plus, the seats we were in were so claustrophobic. My uncomfortableness with the situation was growing. I didn’t know what to do and I felt like a loser who was mooching beers. I finally said, “Pardon me. I wasn’t able to pay with my card. Do you guys know where the nearest ATM machine is?” My friend Juan mentioned that I shouldn’t go because it was a dangerous walk. But I insisted anyway. So I went on the march. I found the place finally, but it didn’t accept my card, so I returned, almost got lost, but made it back. Juan offered to pay for the beers. I promised to pay him back and I left. The other artists were very nice and polite to me but I felt uncomfortable and a slight anger/resentment/and embarrassment while saying my good bye. Once on the street with the open air I felt great, free and ready to explore the night.
Street Party
One night I returned to my apartment in Chapinero. I was rounding the corner onto my quiet street and I heard music. I turned the corner and saw people dancing in the streets. The crowd was right in front of my door, what was I going to do?! I took a few photos and talked to a few people. I decided to go to the store. I came back and the party was still rockin’. I’m in my apartment (2am) writing and editing and the music is pumpin through my open windows. I love it!
Short Film
We have been planning the filming of a short Film about a possible Alien Invasion. It’s been a long time since I’ve filmed something like this. I’m both excited and nervous. This is awesome. It’s what I’m passionate about. Getting a group of people together and filming something. It’s so dramatic. It’s another way of existing and relating with other humans.
THC
I needed to buy some weed one afternoon and also needed to teach a class at 6:30, so I was in a time crunch. I could buy THC chocolate at the park but my dealer also may be available and his stuff is quality. I called him and he said he could meet me near the National Museum in one hour. That was too late, I had to teach a class. He said he could be there within half an hour. I agreed. I ended up waiting a long time in front of the museum. He arrived 15 minutes after the 1 hour mark. I was angry but I didn’t want to be angry. So I imagined that he had been trying hard to arrive on time but he had things to do and therefore arrived late. I’m learning to control my emotions when they don’t serve the situation. I’ve harbored a vindictive man inside of me for a long time.
Buddy selling chocolates
No Film
It looks like the short film that I was planning on making isn’t going to happen. We couldn’t fill the main actors slots. Plus, it was a pretty ambitious project. Lot’s of dialogue and lots of needed dedication from the cast and crew. And these people have never acted before. It’s hard to imagine how rewarding it is if you’ve never done it before, so they may not be as enthusiastic as me. But alas, I wrote a script. I tried to rally the troops. If nothing else I’m closer to completing a full short film at a later date. I wrote the group that were initially involved that the project was going to be postponed. Who knows? It’s possible. Yet I depart for Medellin in a few days so it’s not probable that we will re-start this operation.
Disminuir
My money is dwindling, but I’m optimist that if I go to zero dollars in the bank account that that will implore me to be a better person. Sometimes we need a kick in the ass.
Nature Drone
I finally finished a video I made for a weekend where a bunch of us went up to Lina’s country home just outside the city. We had a bonfire and it was an awesome weekend It’s below.
Wander and Ponder 