COSTA RICA PRODUCES THE BEST COFFEE TOUR OF A COFFEE FARM

From Berry to Brew: Touring a Coffee Farm in Costa Rica’s Central Valley (PHOTOS) (via The Cultureist)

Located on the fertile slopes of the Alajuela Poas Volcano, the Doka Coffee Estate is widely known throughout Costa Rica and the world for its high quality Arabica coffee. The rich soil, ideal altitude and climate create the perfect conditions for growing…

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Liberty Reserve Case. Could This Happen To Bitcoin ?

Russia asks Costa Rica not to extradite its citizen to US in Liberty Reserve case (via http://insidecostarica.com)

October 18th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The Russian Federation is asking Costa Rica to not extradite its citizen, Maxim Chukharev, to the United States.  Chukharev is wanted by the Southern District Court of New York on money laundering charges relating…

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"Oh, right . . . that was in the bag.

Saludos,

Kass

In consideration of the powerful adage “Be careful what you wish for”, I haven’t yet told you what happened when living with my friend the week before leaving for Costa Rica. Here goes . . .

After an invigorating and especially joyous sunrise skipping session, I headed out searching for Karmalita to address the rather odious task of repacking my two 75 lb check-in bags. As I may have mentioned, I was still in the very beginning stages of packing my bags at my condo whenmy landlord’s wife arrived early. Incidentally, the gal I was planning to move in (in an hour) sent me an email saying “Oh, by the way, my landlord doesn’t want to make another key and he’s selling the place so I don’t think it’s a good idea that you stay”. Really? Ok, Plan B: I call my friend and she says she can be home in an hour and I can crash with her.

Back to the main story. I am generally very organized when I pack but the pressure of having my stuff strewn throughout my weary traveler’s/landlord’s studio space made me want to get the heck out of her hair ASAP. So, I tossed everything in haphazardly (clothes with hangers and all) and resigned to a repack later. As I lugged the bags into my trunk and backseat, I realized that they actually represented about 50% of everything I own at this point in my crazy life (clothes, books, electronics, toiletries, etc.) and happened to be worth many, many thousands of dollars.  

So, anyway, I find Karmalita tucked away on a sidestreet, greet her, and open the trunk to find . . . a very large empty space. I just stood there in shock and then my hands started to shake. I actually tried to dial my friend to report the find but wasn’t able to do so and wouldn’t have been able to speak anyway. I took a shallow breath, wondered, and attempted to rationalize: Had I taken the bags out already while I was sleepwalking perhaps? Maybe I was the recipient of a great gag? Hmmm. Less than comforted by these thoughts and with increasing trepidation, I moved to the passenger side front door to find it (and all of the doors) unlocked. I then opened the back door to find the other large black bag missing. My heart sank further. This was not good.

The thought of anything being ripped off from sweet innocent Karmalita was devastating – and two days before I was leaving for Costa Rica! It had all made perfect sense in the planning stages when I had the bright idea to bring along everything but my work/dressy clothes/shoes/photos/writing/comforter/blanket for variety and practicality as there was no room left in my small storage condo closet and I vowed never to pay for storage again. Also, in case I was stuck somewhere in the event of the “Apocalypse”, I envisioned calmly departing in something rather stylish and quite possibly never even worn!

In any event, it was a rather disturbing, unnerving shocker at first to be certain but after a few minutes of tears and venting blended with a healthy reminder from my friend that now I “won’t have to worry about wearing the cowboy boots in Costa Rica to justify their trip”, I was happy and fortunate that I had my laptop, id/cc’s, and carry on. In the weeks leading up to this event, I recall that I was quick to brag that a recent article noted her exact make/model/color/style won the accolade “most stolen car in Hawaii”. Oh neato. Why the apparently naked, transvestite, snorkeling thieves left my surfboards, 3 golf clubs, tennis racket, large fluorescent pink flippers,and a host of other random items (that would have made for a very amusing scene in “The Jerk”) varying in monetary value and purpose, and for heaven’s sake Karmalita herself is beyond my capacity for understanding!! Again with the adage.

So, after a few hours of grieving, a few shots of wine, and a rather comical police investigation and report, it felt rather light and refreshing and it was quite a bonus that I didn’t have to check any bags! A few times the elation gave way to disgust as I remembered some favorite, meaningful, expensive items that were lost in the “bags” but soon one of my favorite phrases and means of comfort was to simply chuckle, smile, and sigh with an “Oh yeah, that was in the bag.”

In any case, I’m doing my best with working (and daily hand-washing) my “garanimal” outfits (remember those?) that survived the heist but eventually I broke down and began to replenish the scant inventory with some basic replacements. My pride and joy - and new favorite stylish outfit - consists of brown khaki shorts with a plethora of zippered pockets in a size too large so I feel like a teenage surfer dude, a t-shirt that reads “Sergeant Kitty” (Kitty being one of many nicknames christened to me by an adoring “fan” from back in the day), and a pair of very squishy spongy brown/tan medley flip flops which I was so excited to wear that I did the switcharoo on the sidewalk right outside of the store - and with wild abandon allowed the homeless man next to the shop (who needlessly helps people from the bakery back into the street) to take a break to assist me as he clearly noted my enthusiasm by the broad, stupid grin on my face and the cackle in my voice.

Total cost for above said getup: Just shy of $8. Experience Factor: priceless

So, there’s a story I hope brightens your day and makes you smile.

Moral and Reminder: Don’t get attached to things. Experience, enjoy, be thankful for all you have in each and every moment, and (per my Papa) never forget your sense of humor!!!

Love to All!

Me

PUSH TO BAN GMO CROPS IN COSTA RICA

New push for nationwide ban on GMO crops in Costa Rica (via http://insidecostarica.com)

October 4th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) Community organizations, environmentalists and lawmakers are making a renewed push for a nationwide moratorium on genetically modified crops in a new bill.   After an intense push on the grassroots level, which…

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COSTA RICA IS A POPULAR DESTINATION FOR RETIREES

One of the most popular destinations for retirees in the region, Costa Rica can boast of a new international report that ranks it at the top in Central America and fourth best in Latin America.

HelpAge International released its first report comparing 91 countries’ treatment of its 60-or-older residents at the beginning of October. Costa Rica ranked 28th on the list, which included mostly developed countries. The rankings used four categories for each country: income security, health status, employment and education, and an enabling environment.

Buoying Costa Rica’s ranking was its health score, as the country ranked 11th out of the 91 countries – second only to Chile in Latin America. It ranked ahead of the U.S. (24th) in health. The report gave Costa Rica a high score on its enabling environment as well – a measure of how well those 60 and older can be a part of society. Costa Rica was 34th worldwide in this category, and second in Latin America, behind its northern neighbor, Nicaragua.

However, Costa Rica was hurt by its income security ranking (60th worldwide), and was given a middle rank of 48th for employment and education.

The scores indicate that Costa Rica serves as a top retirement destination, having affordable world-class health care as well as accessibility. The country has long been a destination for medical tourism and now has a growing movement for providing access to the physically disabled, including tourist destinations.  

However, the income score depends on pensions given to its own citizens, while the education and employment scores indicate the country may not be providing the best opportunities for its own older citizens.

The Latin American region had representation across the report’s spectrum, with Chile at 19th overall, Uruguay at 23rd, Guatemala at 75th and Honduras at 82nd, at the bottom of the list.

The report said a number of countries did not appear due to a lack of available data. Regions with many missing countries were the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East.

COSTA RICA TAXI INFORMATION

The 100% legal taxis are official taxis they are always red.The only exceptions to this are the official airport taxis which are orange. One can tell if it is an official taxi if it has a triangle on the door with an ID number in it.  All official taxis have a meter, here it is called a maria, and one should insist that it be used unless one is  very familiar with rates and routes and would like to negotiate a different deal. Try to avoid taxis that do not want to use the meter that are waiting directly outside clubs and discos, because they could charge around three times more.

The majority of taxi drivers are friendly and helpful. The majority of cab drivers are not bilingual unless they work in one of the orange cabs at the airport. If there is a special taxi driver in the area that one really likes and trusts, ask them for their cell number and call them whenever needed. Usually they try to give services when they can and if not they usually recommend a good friend of theirs to take one around if they are not working. One can even hire a taxi cab driver for the day if one needs to go several places throughout the day.  Most drivers prefer this type of work since theydo not have to wander around all day looking for clients.
Sadly, taxi drivers often try and take advantage of foreigners by not using the meter, or they take 
advantage of the fact tourists are not familiar with the currency or conversion and the value of the colon. It is not necessary to tip the drivers, but of course they appreciate it, and if they have gone out of their way, then it is something that one should do if possible.

The two major complaints taxi drivers have about North Americans is 1) that they try and pay lots of times with very large bills whether it is in dollars or colones, so try and use smaller bills or more exact change if you can and 2) that North Americans really slam the car doors, so try and be gentle when getting out of the car.

There are unofficial taxis which visitors should beware of before venturing out into a taxi. These unmarked taxis are usually any color and style of car and do not have meters.  In fact, they are generally just a personal car. Since they do not have a meter, riders usually have to negotiate a fee or be at their mercy to charge whatever they like.  These taxis are known as piratas or pirate taxis. Pirate taxis are infamous for ripping people off. The problem with pirate taxis is that some are not taxis at all; they are simply criminals fishing for victims. Also, because they are not required to adhere to any type of standards, they can be an unsafe form of transportation.

The Taxi Service that I recommend in the pacific town of Jaco Beach,  Herradura, Playa Hermosa
His name is Alex, Cell phone 506-8878-0645 speaks limited English, He is honest and on time.  

PERMITS TO CARRY FIREARMS CAN BE OBTAINED ONLINE

Permits to carry firearms can be obtained online beginning today (via http://insidecostarica.com)

October 1st, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The procedure to obtain a permit to carry a firearm, as well as the registration of firearms can be performed online beginning today.   According to Public Security Minister, Mario Zamora, and the Director of…

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COSTA RICA FILM FESTIVAL

Costa Rica International Film Festival opens tomorrow (via http://insidecostarica.com)

October 10th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) Presenting 140 films from different parts of the World, the Costa Rica International Film Festival 2013 “Peace with Earth” (CRFIC 2013), will take place the next October 11th to the 19th in the capital San…

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TOYOTA Prius Mini RV From Japan

Just When You Thought You’d Seen Everything

The Prius “Relax Cabin” by Camp-Inn of Japan has received a tremendous amount of press since the Tokyo Auto Salon in January of 2012.

Inspired by the popular Toppola (www.toppola.com) bolt-on camper shells, made for Saabs, this camper mod has been universally panned for being ugly— a position that I vehemently disagree with!

I think this is a great idea and give a tremendous amount of credit to the people who came up with the idea.

Features include a two-person sleep area with sunroof on the upper level and a sofa that folds down into a second bed on the lower level.

The transformation also includes a rear suspension upgrade to support the extra weight.

While I think it’s doubtful that any Priuses will get shipped to Japan for this modification perhaps some enterprising shop on the west coast will consider coming up with something similar.

Want to know more? Check out their website:

http://www.canp-inn-japan.com/box3

Click the button that says “Space Shuttle” when you get there if you’d like to view photos.

Current cost for the Prius RV is ¥4,599,000, or US$45,990—which includes the cost of the vehicle.

In order to utilize most of the website you’ll need to be able to read Japanese— but if you’re a Prius true believer that’s probably already on your to-do list. ;o)

And if you’re just dying to read all about it but haven’t gotten around to learning Japanese, yet, Google Translate does a pretty fair job of converting entire webpages to the language of your choice.

Be sure to bring your sense of humor with you!

COSTA RICA KILLS THOUSANDS OF SEA TURTLES AND SHARKS

Longline Fishery in Costa Rica Kills Thousands of Sea Turtles and Sharks (via http://insidecostarica.com)

October 3rd, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The second-most-common catch on Costa Rica’s longline fisheries in the last decade was not a commercial fish species. It was olive ridley sea turtles. These lines also caught more green turtles than most species…

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MINI CAMPER VAN VIDEO PART 3

THIS MY MINI VAN CAMPER SET UP VIDEO

I have converted my 1993 Toyota Previa mini van into a mini RV that gets over 20 MPG.

This works out great for road trips and weekend camping getaways. Click on my youtube video.
I've had a lot of questions from people that want to convert their own vehicles for traveling.
Bug-out or prepping has become a popular lifestyle.
I have put together a series of videos on how I set up and equip the van, there is a video bar on this blog with the rest of  the series.

Thank you for watching.

MEDICAL TOURISM IS BOOMING IN COSTA RICA.

Medical Tourism Is Booming In Costa Rica Costa Rica has been seducing foreign visitors with its volcanoes, beaches and rain forests. However, the trend of late is for foreign visitors to come to Costa Rica for cosmetic and medical surgeries and dental treatment. According to reports by the US networks, CNBC and ABC, as well as videos on YouTube, all promote Costa Rica as one of the "hottest" countries for medical and dental services. Visitors do their homework by surfing the internet for websites that offer all kinds of professional services that include plastic surgery for an extreme makeover, medical and dental treatment and buying real estate in addition to the perfect vacation spot. Some combine their vacation with their medical treatment. The reason for the medical tourism "boom" is simple, the same procedure in the United States can cost double to ten times what it costs in Costa Rica. The simple truth is that visitors find the cost of the medical and dental treatment costs much less in Costa Rica than in the United States and receiving equal of better services, as many of the professionals in Costa Rica have been schooled and/or trained in the US. The growth in medical tourism is not only from the growth of the internet and the number of websites promoting services, but also from the best form of advertising and promotion - the word of mouth, as Costa Rica is recommended to family and friends. Reports like the one features on ABC's 20/20, where they featured three women coming to Costa Rica for plastic surgery and then recuperating in places like Las Cumbres, have helped the industry get the word out. Christian Rivera, a plastic surgeon at the hospital La Católica and whose patients are mainly foreigners says that the low cost allows foreigners to have surgery that they could never afford in their home country. Rivera and his work has been featured on the Discovery channel. "They (the television crew) followed me around an entire day and filmed a step by step surgery performed on a woman", said the doctor. Many of the doctors and medical centres will be represented at the World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress being held in San Francisco, California, from September 9 to 12. According to Colombian doctor, Óscar Oeding, who is a specialist in hip and knee replacements at the Clínica Bíblica, more women than men come to Costa Rica for medical treatments, the majority being American seniors. Oeding added that there agencies in the US who specialize in putting patients in contact with doctors in the Costa Rica. In the US Medical Tourism, also known as Global Health. The World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress websites says that Global Health is one of the fastest growing industries in Global Healthcare. As, the healthcare crisis worsens in the United States, Canada and Europe, the world realizes the potential of attracting international patients to overseas hospitals. And as the healthcare crisis worsens in the United States many US insurers, Employers, TPA's and health insurance agents are looking at innovative and creative ways to reduce healthcare costs. US Employers and Insurance Carriers are saving up to 90% off of the cost of their healthcare expenses by implementing medical tourism.