BOOK CLUBS • GROUPS in Costa Rica

NEWCOMERS womens group of Costa Rica
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH 

WHO CAN JOIN IN:

Newcomers of CR members

HOW OFTEN:

Monthly

More details:

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/01/NewcomersCR.html

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WOMENS CLUB of Costa Rica

LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH

WEST SIDE STORIES BOOK CLUB – SANTA ANA
If you are interested in joining this out-of-the-ordinary group that reads and reports on books from its own library.  CONTACT:  Mary Alice Lesko - malesko2000@yahoo.com . This group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month

PARAISO BOOK CLUB  -  CARIARI
This group of raucous, fun-loving and dedicated book enthusiasts meets in Cariari on the 1st Friday of the month.  CONTACT:  Michale Gabriel - michalgabriel@me.com.

WHO CAN JOIN IN:

WCCR MEMBERS

HOW OFTEN:

Monthly

More details:

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/03/WomensClubCR.html

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Book Lovers In the Central Valley- Amantes De Los Libros En San Ramon

facebook.com/groups/851271448261196

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ADVENTURERS BOOK CLUB

This group is on hold but if an interest in it pops up, it could start up again!!!  Contact Niki below!!

LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH

Focus is on authors who expand your understanding of geographical, historical events and places. Bring a couple of any type of books to swap and ideas about when and where it would be best to meet in the future (it's a newly forming group

THIS MONTH THEIR READING:
Inquire

WHEN:
Contact them for the date & time
WHERE:

North section of the Central Valley

Heredia/Barva - AutoMercado

Carretera a Barva, 500 norte de la Comandancia de Heredia 2-262-2833
 (this is AutoMercado's phone # just in case you get lost)

(next to the coffee shop, beyond the fruits and veggies)

CONTACT:

Niki Sims
NikiSimsNew@yahoo.com
(tell her Vicki Connected you!!)


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ESPANOL:

facebook.com/pages/El-Club-de-los-Libros-Perdidos-de-Costa-Rica/427467090633954


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DO YOU KNOW OF ANY OTHER BOOK GROUPS IN COSTA RICA TO ADD TO THIS LIST?

I'm making a list of BOOK CLUBS in Costa Rica in English and Spanish in my blog (that gets over 30,000 page views a month) 

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/02/BookClubsCR.html

and I would like to add your group.

Please send me the following information:
NAME OF GROUP: 
WHO CAN JOIN: 
(women only, men and women, members of a group only, teens, kids __??)
WHEN DO YOU MEET:
(day of week, hour,
HOW OFTEN DO YOU MEET: 
WHERE DO YOU MEET: 
(city, name of location [or "Members Home" - OR - "Rotate between members homes" - OR - ___??". 
If a business or location you can give directions on, please give detailed directions as well as what bus directions)
PRICE TO JOIN GROUP:
PRICE OF EACH MEETING:
WEBSITE:
FACEBOOK:
TWITTER:
CONTACT NAME:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:

Email me ALL the above information at:
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com



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¿SABE USTED DE CUALQUIER OTROS GRUPOS DE LIBROS EN COSTA RICA PARA AGREGAR A ESTA LISTA?

Estoy haciendo una lista de los clubes de lectura en Costa Rica en Inglés y Español en mi blog (que recibe más de 30,000 páginas vistas al mes)

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/02/BookClubsCR.html

Y me gustaría añadir a su grupo.

Por favor, envíenme la información siguiente:
NOMBRE DEL GRUPO:
¿Quién puede formar:
(sólo las mujeres, los hombres y las mujeres, los miembros de un grupo único, adolescencias, niños __?)
¿CUANDO USTED RESUELVE:
(día de la semana, hora,
¿CON QUÉ FRECUENCIA USTED RESUELVE:
¿DÓNDE USTED RESUELVE:
(ciudad, nombre de la ubicación [o "Miembros Inicio" - O - "Rotar entre los miembros casas" - O - ___ "?.
Si una empresa o lugar le puede dar instrucciones sobre, por favor, dar instrucciones detalladas, así como lo que las direcciones de bus)
PRECIO PARA INSCRIBIRSE EN GRUPO:
PRECIO DE CADA REUNIÓN:
SITIO WEB:
FACEBOOK:
TWITTER:
NOMBRE DE CONTACTO:
DIRECCIÓN DE CORREO ELECTRÓNICO:
NÚMERO DE TELÉFONO:

Envíeme un correo electrónico toda la información anterior en:

LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

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WHERE TO FIND BOOKS IN ENGLISH  •  BOOKSTORES

in Costa Rica

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/06/english-book-stores-costa-rica.html


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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/02/BookClubsCR.html
.235/7/20

SURFING - Where are the Best SURF SPOTS in Costa Rica

I've asked this question of a bunch of surfers the 9+ years I've traveled to•lived in Costa Rica and searched the internet for this info and here's what I've gathered.  This is by NO means the bible on all things surfing in Costa Rica info.  It's the opinions on a bunch of local surfers and other surfers I've known that know a LOT about surfing.  Hey - Mother Earth does her own thing and things•weather•conditions are always changing so I'm sharin' what I have for now!!

MAPS

(SOURCE:  AnyWhereCostaRica.com/maps/surfing)

http://CentralAmerica.com/cr/surf/surfmap.htm

RIPTIDES in Costa Rica - How to Spot them & What to Do if Caught in a Rip Tide (this is a SERIOUS ISSUE - ESPECIALLY on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica!!! I know first hand!!!)

IMPORTANT TO READ • WATCH
BEFORE Going to the Beaches 

in Costa Rica!!!!! 

#1  -  RIPTIDES are a SERIOUS ISSUE 
THROUGHOUT Costa Rica!!!!!

#2 - VERY FEW beaches in Costa Rica have Lifeguards and I'd question the level of training they get compared to lifeguards say - in California.
Surf•waves in Costa Rica are potentially DANGEROUS - ESPECIALLY the Pacific Ocean (and somewhat on the Caribbean side) - as MY observation is the ocean is a mighty angry broad - hence there are LOTS of areas on the coasts of Costa Rica where RipTides are an issue.
Heck, I got caught in one while playing in the waves in Manuel Antonio my first trip to Costa Rica and some miraculous angel surfer dudes appeared out of nowhere and “saved” me!! 

NOTE that Riptides are NOT exclusive to areas with bigger surf!!!!


Don't believe me, read these articles
"Something Everyone Needs to Know About Rip Currents"
TheInertia.com/surf/something-everyone-needs-to-know-about-rip-currents
News.co.cr/why-are-so-many-canadians-drowning-in-costa-rica/33729
WeLoveCostaRica.com/public/Costa-Rica-Beaches-Think-smart-and-play-safe.cfm
 

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I'm dedicating this article in the memory of Jasmine - a sweet 2 year old Tica (with Canadian mom) - friends with my friend Theresa - who tragically lost her little life January 26, 2015 - from being swept away from a RipTide in an area in Santa Teresa that was pretty calm (see the picture below that was taken just hours before she & her grand aunt Andree Hamel of Montreal lost their lives)

The ocean can be VERY deceiving!!!  This picture was taken just a few hours before taking the lives of Jasmine & Andree. 
It was calm like this when I got caught in a RipTide at Manuel Antonio Beach (luckily some angels appeared to save me).


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IDEA to any LIFEGUARDS coming to visit Costa Rica!! 
 
Why not get some Lifeguard friends together (or even just yourself) along with someone to translate in Spanish - 
Gather some old equipment (equipment is RARE in Costa Rica) to DONATE - 
and come VOLUNTEER your time to help train these people better - or even offer to help set up a Volunteer Lifeguard Team.
Heck - do a "Sister-City" type swap situation - where y'all basically agree to "adopt" a team and throughout the year you collect things to bring•gift to the less fortunate locals [as well as things for your trade - everything from beach related clothes/bathing suits, games/toys like frisbees, sunblocks
[heck - maybe you can bring Surfboard donations with you - leave the board you've brought - and help teach local kids how to surf - you might have to start with teaching them how to swim but maybe the hotel where you're staying at will let you do classes in their pool.  It could be positive PR for them as well!])
THEN you might be able to write your trip off your taxes!!



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A POSSIBLE SOLUTION THAT CAN HELP THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM OF PEOPLE DROWNING FROM RIPTIDES IN COSTA RICA

Training is important but MY observation is it's RARE to find lifeguards on the beaches in Costa Rica. 
What is NEEDED #1 are LOTS MORE SIGNS - IN English & Spanish (at least) telling PEOPLE WHAT to do in a Rip Tide!!!  & a few at EVERY entrance•walkway onto EVERY beach in CR!!! 
And make them in Fiberglass or something less desirable to steel to make $$ from.

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GREAT Description of a Rip Tide:
RipCurrents.noaa.gov/overview.shtml


Here is a GREAT VIDEO on what to do:

(I saw this at  Top10CostaRica.com/10-top-beaches/costa-rica-rip-tides

HOW TO SPOT A RIP CURRENT

A RipTide is a flattening of the surface that happens when the water enters a depression in the ocean floor and rushes out to sea.
Look for a channel of churning or choppy water or an area with a recognizable difference in water color (often it's a brownish-colored water on the surface which is caused by swept-up sand and debris).

Pay attention to any lines of foam, seaweed or debris moving steadily seaward or any breaks in incoming wave patterns.

SOURCES: 
ceoe.udel.edu/ripcurrents/characteristics/index.html - this site is GREAT!!
  nj1015.com/rip-tide-warning-issued-for-today
itravel-costarica.com/riptide.php

(image from WeLoveCostaRica.com/public/Costa-Rica-Beaches-Think-smart-and-play-safe.cfm

WHAT TO DO IF CAUGHT IN A RIPTIDE
In a nutshell (but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read
BrightHubEngineering.com/naval-architecture/34498-everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-rip-currents/#imgn_4  -  (this is an EXCELLENT article!!)
WikiHow.com/Survive-a-Riptide
RipCurrents.noaa.gov  
for a more complete refresher course)

#1 - STAY CALM and do NOT PANIC!!!
As scary as it seems, #2 do NOT fight/resist it and do NOT try to swim back to shore!!!
Just tread water and let the riptide current take you FURTHER OUT to sea till you don't see the rip. 
THEN swim to the SIDE - AROUND the rip -
since most rip tide currents are about on average 100 feet wide/in circumference.


Even if you learned before what to do in a RipTide and THINK you know it all - we ALL react differently and can forget things when in a panic/scary situation - so
PLEASE
do a refresher read on it before going to the ocean
as MANY people - even strong swimmers - die each MONTH around Costa Rica from Rips!!! 
88 people died in water accidents in Costa Rica in 2012
(though 3 people are still unaccounted for as of January 2, '13)


NEVER NEVER NEVER SWIM ALONE!!!!!!!

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Information on some of the BEST PLACES TO SURF in Costa Rica!

 LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-surf-spots-costa-rica.html

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Tips to Enjoy Costa Rica's Beaches
(this is an "official" video yet it does NOT cover the warnings strong enough!!)
youtu.be/3K6-LhzlIYo


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PLEASE "Share" this link with EVERYONE you know that going to the beach!!
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/01/riptides-cr.html
.864  3/8/15

Cool MAP of COSTA RICA by Maria Rabinky

Check out this COOL

ILLUSTRATED MAP of COSTA RICA
created by

MARIA RABINKY

You can order everything from a copy of the map to a metal copy of it & even an iPhone cover at:
Pixels.com/featured/costa-rica-map-illustration-maria-rabinky.html

& check out other creations of hers at:
facebook.com/IllustratedMaps.RabinkyArt  •  IllustratedMaps.com


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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2015/01/IllustratedMapOfCRMariaRabinky.html
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Lakshmi Shakty MEDITATION - Luna Uena & Kundalini Yoga

fb.com/LakshmiShaktyDevi

Lakshmi Shakty MEDITATION

Luna Uena & Kundalini Yoga


CUANDO:

Martes - 3 Febrero, 2015 - 7pm

LUGAR:
San Jose, Costa Rica - Sun & Body Esthetic - Calle 43

COSTO:
$20

CONTACTO:
Carla Porras  6-883-8103  •  CarlaPorras@gmail.com


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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2015/01/MeditationLakshmiShaktyFeb3InCR.html
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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2015/01/MeditationLakshmiShaktyFeb3InCR.html

Dulce de Leche - CARAMEL in a Can!!!! Sweets in Costa Rica

One of my FAVORITE tastes in the world is CARAMEL!!  When I got to McDonald's to get a Caramel Sundae I ask for EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA Caramel - a layer of Caramel, a little ice cream & more caramel on top!!!

If you're used to YUMMY North American or European Sweets•Desserts, you don't come to Costa Rica (heck, from what I've experienced or heard from others, Latin America in general overall) for the sweets, desserts or pastries. 

BUT - one thing I've found they've done right (based on MY taste buds) is . . .

DULCE DE LECHE!!
aka - CARAMEL in a CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT IS DULCE DE LECHE?

ROASTED CHICKEN • POLLO ROSTIZADO in Costa Rica

To date MY FAV Roasted Chicken • Pollo Rostizado is surprisingly:

PriceSmart's
AND - the price is INCREDIBLE!!!!

UNDER 3,000-colones (less than $6)!!
What I LOVE about it is the flavoring they use as most roasted chicken's I've had in Costa Rica don't have much flavor.  They're the cheapest of all the grocery store chickens BY FAR (one major store's roasted chickens are nearly double - & to ME - they don't have much taste).  MY FAV part of them - the SKIN (which I OFTEN eat all of before I get home!!).  They use an electric rotisserie.


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MANY say they feel the Best FLAME•FIRE Roasted Chicken they've had in Costa Rica is:

POLLO MALE

in Escazu Centro

They roast their chickens the popular Costa Rican way -
over COFFEE twigs!

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Where to find
ORGANIC &/or FREE RANGE CHICKENS
in Costa Rica
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/11/OrganicChickensCR.html



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What's YOUR FAVORITE ROASTED CHICKEN??
Email me where, why, hours, prices & LOTS of DETAILS at
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2015/01/RoastedChickenCR.html

NOTIONS STORES in Costa Rica = PASAMANERIAS - Where to find Sewing Notions like zippers, threads, needles, ribbons, buttons & more

In Costa Rica - NOTIONS shops - where you can find zippers, threads, needles, ribbons, buttons and sometimes Arts and Crafts supplies and LOTS MORE are called
"PASAMANERIAS".

WARNING - I have not found many Fabric Stores in Costa Rica ("Tiendas de Telas") carrying Notions like we're used to in the U.S. and they're not so easy to find.

U.S.•AMERICAN PASSPORTS - Renewing • Adding•Additional Pages • Stolen • Lost - a Step-by-Step Guide on How to do it in Costa Rica

 
(this is actually a navy blue color - ahhh - my camera)


This is a
DETAILED STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS TO
RENEW and/or REPLACING YOUR
U.S. PASSPORT
at the U.S. Embassy in
Pavas, San Jose, Costa Rica


It covers:•  the procedure for the MANDATORY APPOINTMENT
•  GETTING THERE
(
Driving, Parking, Bus)
•  WHERE TO STAY
(note that it is based on MY experience and that of helping many others and other's sharing their experience AND
verifying points with "Powers that Be" - though note this is
NOT an "official" document of the U.S. Embassy!!)

PHARMACY • FARMACIAs - Where to find Pharmaceutical Medicines & Info on Medications in Costa Rica

Pharmacies / Farmacias in Costa Rica are DEFINITELY MUCH CHEAPER than in the U.S., BUT MANY people have shared with me that they feel that prices seem to be rising on many items BIG TIME!!! 

Below are some Pharmacies • Farmacias I've found that seem to be cheaper and are having later hours as well as notes on what you can•can NOT get in Costa Rica withOUT a prescription and other helpful information.

FURNITURE - Places•Where to find Furniture in COSTA RICA

Below are some thoughts on whether to bring a container with ones own furniture & things or whether not to.  It's a NEW way of thinking about it from when I first came to Costa Rica 9+ years ago.

Below that you'll find lists of stores and places TO find furniture!!

MESSAGE BOARDS • FORUMS • FACEBOOK PAGES & GROUPS • DESTINATION INFORMATION CONNECTIONS SITES in Costa Rica

This is one of the MOST COMPLETE lists of various Forums and Message Boards on Costa Rica that I've started gathering - mainly geared towards people LIVING in Costa Rica or thinking about it and ExPats•ExPatriots.  I'm slowly adding "Pages" and "Groups from Facebook as I'm finding them to often be LOTS more helpful - either in the Instant Gratification of the responses or just the quality of some of the answers.
And in time I'll add Travel Forums as well.
It can also be a place to find information for people Traveling to Costa Rica. Basically these sites are what YOU make them to be but I'm a BIG believer if you don't find an answer - ASK (and PLEASE try to ask as CLEARLY and DETAILED as you can to get the clearest answers!!)

Democrats Abroad Costa Rica•DACR - Monthly Meeting - JANUARY 31 - Discussion of State of Union Topics & Senator Elizabeth Warren's take on them

DEMOCRATS ABROAD Costa Rica

MONTHLY MEETING
Saturday  -  January 31, 2015  -  9:30am till noon-ish

Discussion on topics covered in the State of the Union address and

Senator ELIZABETH WARREN's
take on them

DINNER SPECIALS • CENA ESPECIAL - All-You-Can-Eat Special Nights from the Costa Rica Eats Restaurant Guide

Dinner Special's • Ofertas Cena are few and far between in Costa Rica which is unfortunate - especially in these tougher economic times many (especially those not living off their credit cards).  Hopefully if restauranteurs can be true "business people" and they will see the importance in offering such specials (heck, Lunch specials [aka "Ejecutivo Almuerzos"] is a newer phenomenon in Costa Rica). 

"Early Bird" specials - I can't say I've seen one in ALL my years living in•traveling around Costa Rica!

So I'm starting this page and will share as I find

DINNER SPECIALS and ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT

specials available at Dinner time!
(NOTE:  If you see the word "Buffet" - I think most North American's think of All-You-Can-Eat - BUT - alas, that is NOT so in Costa Rica.  Costa Rican's version of a "Buffet" is what WE'D call "Cafeteria Style" - meaning there are a bunch of hot plates & a server & you can pick what you want).

SUPER BOWL XLIX - 2015 - How•Where to watch the U.S. Football Super Bowl in Costa Rica

Where to Watch

SUPER BOWL 2015 XLIX

in Costa Rica

FLAG FOOTBALL in Costa Rica • Where to play • pick up a FLAG FOOTBALL game in Costa Rica

facebook.com/AmericanFootballCR

Anyone interested in playing some pick up non-contact flag football games in the Central Valley - Men or women contact:

Jim Zimolka
JimZimolka@FlagMag.com  •  FlagMagcom@aol.com
Flag Football Magazine

FlagMag.com

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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/08/FlagFootballCR.html

Do YOU have any RESOURCES around Costa Rica to SHARE on my CR Information Lists that I'm working on?

Latest things I'm seeking information•leads on to enhance on my blog:

GARAGE SALES•VENTA de GARAJE • MOVING SALES•VENTA de TRASLADO • ESTATE SALES•VENTA de BIENES INMUEBLES • THINGS FOR SALE • VENTA de la CASA por la VENTA • REMATE • NOS VAMOS - APROVECHEN la OFERTA!  • GRAN VENTA de GARAJE por MOTIVO de VIAJE
In general - Where to find USED THINGS in Costa Rica

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/07/StuffForSaleCR.html

FLEA MARKETS • MERCADO de las PULGUS 
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/07/FleaMarketsCR.html

ANTIQUES • ANTIGUEDADES
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/04/AntiquesAntiguedadesCR.html

PAWN SHOPS • TIENDAS DE EMPENOS
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2008/11/pawn-shops-in-costa-rica.html

CONSIGNMENT SHOPS:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2015/01/ConsignmentShopsCR.html

THRIFT SHOPS•ROPA AMERICANA'S
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/01/thrift-shops-ropa-americana-stores-cr.html


APPLIANCES (USED and new):

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/03/appliances-where-to-buy-in-costa-rica.html

FABRIC STORES:

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2014/04/FabricStoresInCR.html

CHURCHES • RELIGIOUS • SPIRITUAL GROUPS•CLASSES - IN ENGLISH:


SEAMSTRESSES
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2015/01/SeamstressesInCR.html



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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2015/01/ListsToAddTo.html
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BUTTERMILK - What is Buttermilk called in Costa Rica - LECHE AGRIA

BUTTERMILK in Costa Rica is called

LECHE AGRIA

AND - it even has PROBIOTICS which is better than antibiotics

It's made by Dos Piños and can be found at most stores



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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2015/01/ButtermilkLecheAgriaInCR.html


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CONSIGNMENT SHOPS in Costa Rica

Finding used furniture, clothes and things is not an easy task in Costa Rica.  It's almost impossible to find a Consignment Shop in Costa Rica (MANY Tico's tend to just give their things to family members) and IF you were to find one, ESPECIALLY RARE are Consignment Shops that carry household things•furniture.

APPLIANCES•APARATOS #3 - Where to Buy Appliances like Refrigerators, Stoves, Dishwashers, Clothes Washer & Dryers++ in Costa Rica • Dónde comprar electrodomésticos como refrigeradores, cocinas, lavavajillas, lavadoras de ropa y secadoras en Costa Rica - PLUS HINTS & INFO on how to pick the best ones • PLUS CONSEJOS & INFO sobre cómo elegir los mejores!

This is a list I've started starting with IMPORTANT HINTS and INFO on Buying Electrical Appliances in Costa Rica as this is a VERY different country with VERY DIFFERENT circumstances and VERY VERY different conditions and prices!!

FABRIC STORES • OUTDOOR FABRIC • UPHOLSTERY FABRIC • SILKS & SPECIALTY FABRICS • NOTIONS STORES • TIENDA DE TELAS • TELA DE LA TAPICERÍA • EXTERIOR TEJIDO • SEDAS Y TEJIDOS ESPECIALES • PASAMANERIA in Costa Rica

First off, like with MANY things in Costa Rica, I've found that most FABRIC STORES • TIENDA DE TELAS here are more expensive than in the U.S. - especially for specialty type fabrics (which are also few and far between).

With that said, I'm sharing my findings (and what others have shared) of various Fabric Stores • Tienda de Telas. 

SEAMSTRESSES•COSTURERA to make you clothes or mend things in Costa Rica

One of the REALLY COOL things about living in Costa Rica is you can have things mended•fixed as well as clothes made for you fairly cheaply!!  Sometimes you'll get lucky where a gal (sometimes a guy) can look at a pattern and figure it out!

BRIDGE - Where to PLAY BRIDGE around Costa Rica

ATENAS BRIDGE GROUP

PuraVidaBridge.com

FORMAT 
Friendly Duplicate Bridge, which means everyone ends up playing the same hands-and luck is eliminated. 
They don't charge anything to join the 'club'.  They're a loose association of folks who enjoy playing bridge.  When they play at Don Yayo's they 'charge' a table fee of 1,000-c which goes to tip their watchie-watchie and the waiter who covers their portion of the serving area.  Tourists are encouraged to play, in fact their games in Jan-Feb-March grown to 5-6 tables with the addition of 'snowbirds'.

 WHEN

Tuesdays - 1-4:15pm 

WHERE:

Chicharronera Don Yayo's Restaurant
2-446-5901 (if you get lost)

(2km NORTH of Atenas Central - on your LEFT on Highway 3 as you approach Atenas - opposite the Oxcart Monument)

They say "We're in a bar, we're playing bridge, and we're in Costa Rica.  It doesn't get much better".

They manage to play 20 hands or so.  Come early and enjoy lunch at Don Yayo's.

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*John Randall and his wife also host games at their home in Atenas
FRIDAYS - 12:30-4pm
(tell John that Vicki with the blog connected you)

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Asociación Recreativa Nacional de Bridge de Costa Rica - ARNBCR
aka the SAN JOSE BRIDGE CLUB

The SAN JOSE BRIDGE CLUB 
has regular duplicate games on:
Mondays - 1:30pm - Pairs (for REALLY experienced SERIOUS players) = 4,000-c
Wednesdays - 4:30pm - Pairs (more relaxed) = 4,000-cFridays - 1:30pm - Pairs (SERIOUS playing - NO talking, playing by the rules) = 4,000-cSaturdays - 2pm - Teams (can be teamed up so don't worry about coming solo.  More relaxed) = 4,000-c
NOTE:  This is a MultiLingual group (average - 6 languages spoken there and whatever other nationalities show up!) - with English and Spanish being the dominant ones (but the Spanish speakers all speak English as well).

Membership:  30,000-c/calendar year
Renewal:  

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TOURISTS INVITED TO JOIN IN
but they're 5,000-c each time.

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NEW LOCATION!!!!
DIRECTIONS:

ROHRMOSER:
From the American Embassy - 

Go 200-meters/2 blocks West to the corner where the Chinese restaurant/Hotel Isla Verde and TURN RIGHT. 
Go 400 meters and TURN RIGHT - (if you go one more block you hit Rohrmoser Boulevard & gone 2 far). 
Go 50 meters and it's a private house on the LEFT hand side (they have the only Guard house on the block).

FROM PLAZA MAYOR:

On Rohrmoser Boulevard head WEST.
Pass Park La Amistad
At the Super Boulevard grocery store - TURN LEFT. 
Go 100 meters - then TURN LEFT and it's the WHITE HOUSE (a private house) on the LEFT side (the only house on that block with a guard house)

CONTACT:

Ian McLennan • 8-835-0575 • Canachilsa@racsa.co.cr

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ARNBCR is officially recognized by the World Bridge Federation (WBF) and also by Zone 5 of the WBF, the Central American and Caribbean Bridge Federation (CACBF). In both cases, it is recognized as the National Bridge Organization (NBO) for Costa Rica. This means the ARNB has the responsibility for duplicate games that have international sanction and for selecting players to represent Costa Rica in zonal and international competition.
(from BridgeGuys.com/International/national_bridge_federations.html)

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Do YOU know of any other places•groups that PLAY BRIDGE AROUND Costa Rica???

Please email me DETAILS (like you see above) to:

LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com


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DO YOU HAVE
PLAYING BRIDGE RELATED QUESTIONS?

For any bridge-related questions/more details, John Randall seems to be quite the contact person around Costa Rica!

PuraVidaBridge@yahoo.com

*ABOUT JOHN RANDALL:

I'm currently retired and living in Atenas, Costa Rica. 
With my wife Linda we ran two bridge clubs in suburban Birmingham, AL from 2005-2012; the Shelby County Bridge Club and the St. Clair County Bridge Club (now the Over Doubled Waters Bridge Club in Hoover AL and Abe's Bridge Club in Birmingham) I'm a Director and former Club Owner and I have all four of the teaching certificates. 

In addition I have 2 e-books published on Kindle e-books: 
Beginners Bridge 101
Amazon.com/Bridge-101--Beginners-Be-partner-ebook/dp/B00EG8FHSM/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1417296237&sr=1-2&keywords=john+randall+Beginners+Bridge

Bridge 201 Conventions You Should Be Using
Amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Bridge+201+Conventions+You+Should+Be+Using

My wife and I travel frequently to the US, primarily frequenting the Florida Regionals, although this year we will have attended Regionals in Colorado Springs, Gatlinburg and the January tournament in Bermuda. We enjoy playing in knockouts and bracketed Swiss. We run two games in Costa Rica; Tuesdays at Don Yayo's bar in Atenas and on Fridays at our house. Our telephone number in Costa Rica is 2446-4138. Give us a call if your travel plans include bridge and Costa Rica!

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(FYI - these are 

NO GAMBLING

Bridge games)

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John shared this interesting article published in England on the medical benefits of learning to play bridge.   
"A study by Berkeley University showed that there are significant health benefits from learning to play bridge.  

Back in 2000, Professor Marian Diamond showed that playing bridge boosts the immune system. Bridge requires concentration and while you are playing your brain is kept active and stimulated. It seems that this boosts your immune system.   Professor Diamond wanted to find out if it was possible to use the dorsolateral cortex to boost your immune system. He enlisted the help of twelve ladies in their 70s and 80s. He took blood samples and then asked them to play bridge for an hour and a half. After that, their blood was tested again. A staggering two thirds of these ladies had increased levels of T cells in their bodies – the cells used to fight infection.   Many people find that as they get older their brain seems to slow down. Like muscles, your brain needs to be used to keep it functioning well. People are living longer and many people are concerned about helping their brains to stay active and alert so they can enjoy this longer life to the full.

Playing bridge regularly stimulates your brain and helps keep your memory active and your brain alert. It requires you to use maths, strategy and concentration.

There is an old saying “use it or lose it” – playing bridge helps you to “use it”.

While you are playing a game of bridge you brain is kept fully active, working out your hand, working out your best approach to bidding, following your partner’s bidding and working out how their hand fits with yours.

Finally, when you are actually playing the hand, working out the best strategy for maximising the number of tricks won by you and your partner.

Many beginning bridge players concentrate on learning the bidding and forget that learning strategies for play can make a big difference to your overall score. This part of the game is one of the biggest mental challenges, requiring you to concentrate and stay focused long after the actual bidding has finished.  

Are there any other health benefits to playing bridge? Of course there are. You will be meeting people and enjoying an active social life. Instead of sitting at home feeling miserable and lonely and with no-one to talk to, you will be engaging in conversations and getting out and about – which will help keep you physically active too. 

Nearly a year after I first wrote about why playing bridge is good for your health, I noticed this article by Barbara Lynch Hill - JournalScene.com/article/20130822/SJ11/130829835/1149/a-bridge-game-over-troubled-waters 

Barbara writes about meeting a lady called Doris who enjoyed playing bridge but had been housebound while she recovered from an illness.  She discovered that she could play bridge online and quickly made friends with a group of bridge players.  After a few years, they took to meeting up regularly.  Playing bridge online had given Doris an interest to alleviate the boredom whilst she was ill and enhanced her social life when she recovered.


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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/07/where-to-play-bridge-in-costa-rica.html
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