LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA blog

ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
I’m NOT an expert (an "expert" 2 ME knows 101%-NOT me). I believe in sharin info•helping where I can! And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise. At least you have some basic info to get you started.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP:
Better yet - do you have extra time on your hands & looking for a volunteer project? Since this blog is a labor of love & RARELY does anyone share a donation (even though MANY have said how much it's helped them), I could REALLY use help updating info. Spanish speakers ESPECIALLY welcome since my VicLish can be somewhat limited at times!!
DONATE:
Has my blog helped in any way? Helped find something•brought more EASE? More exposure or business?
I welcome you to show YOUR appreciation for my efforts!
ANY size DONATION is APPRECIATED!
(see below other ways to show your appreciation)
The easiest way is with PAYPAL - Attn: LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com
(you do NOT need to have a PayPal account to do this - just a credit or debit card)

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

CASTRACION CLINIC - May 5 - Cuidad Colon

ENGLISH:

AMOR POR LOS ANIMALITOS ABANDONADOS AAA

LOVE FOR ABANDONED ANIMALS AAA

http://facebook.com/groups/CastracionesCR

is sponsoring a

STERILIZATION and NEUTER (castration) CLINIC

http://Facebook.com/events/394008327300756

for

Dog and Cat owners in/around

Santa Ana, Piedades, San Bosco, el Rodeo and Cuidad Colon

DATE:

SATURDAY - MAY 5 - 9am-4:30pm (I also saw 8:30am)

Appointments are a MUST - 2-431-2552 • 8-832-1717 • 8-393-0875

REQUIREMENT:

Animals must be at least 4 months old

It should be fasting for at least 12 hours before

Bring a blanket

PRICE:

7,500-colones

LOCATION:

From the new Banco Nacional - go East/Este 75 meters and 400 meters North/Norte Cuidad Colon Centro

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ESPANOL:

AMOR POR LOS ANIMALITOS ABANDONADOS AAA

http://facebook.com/groups/CastracionesCR

a STERILIZACION y NEUTER (castracion) CLÍNICA

http://Facebook.com/events/394008327300756

llamando a todos los

Mascotas de Perros y Gatos propietarios en

Santa Ana, Piedades, San Bosco, el Rodeo y Cuidad Colon

DIA:

SABADO - MAYO 5 - 9am-4:30pm (I also saw 8:30am) -

se debe pedir cita - 2-431-2552 • 8-393-0875 • 8-832-1717

REQUISITO:

Los animales deben ser mayores de 4 meses viejo.

Se debe estar en ayunas durante al menos 12 horas antes.

Traiga una manta

PRECIO:

7,500-colones

UBICACION: Banco Nacional 400 al Este y 75 al Norte Cuidad Colon Centro

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PLEASE "SHARE" this with EVERYONE you know that could use this information (ESPECIALLY on Facebook & Twitter)

POR FAVOR "SHARE" con todo el mundo sabe que podrían utilizar esta información (sobre todo en Facebook y Twitter)

http://LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/castracion-clinic-cuidad-colon_02.html

Mundo Mascotas Grecia - Pet Adoption & Trade Show

Adopciones Grecia - Costa Rica

http://Facebook.com/AdopcionesGreciaCR • http://AdopcionesGrecia.com

is sponsoring

MUNDO MASCOTAS GRECIA • Pet's Grecia World

http://Facebook.com/events/369511459767353

Mundo Mascotas Grecia • Pets Grecia World 2012 is the trade show for all those animal lovers, created to promote the demand for their services and / or products from your target audience.

Grecia 2012 World Pet Adoption meets Grecia in their struggle for pets and their hard work.

In our show will find everything that has to do with our loyal friends.

DATES: Friday through Sunday - May 4-6, 2012

SATURDAY MAY 5

Activities and surprises from our sponsors

SUNDAY MAY 6

10am - Adoption Fair where they can come to find that beautiful pet happy life.

2pm - Sensational catwalk pets, awards ceremony.
Join and thus help us to Greece Adoption programs.

We invite each and everyone to come to this party and enjoy with family pets

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ESPANOL
Mundo Mascotas Grecia 2012 es la feria dirigida a todos aquellos amantes de los animales,creado para favorecer la demanda de sus servicios y/o productos por parte de su público meta.

Mundo Mascotas Grecia 2012 se une con Adopciones Grecia en su lucha por las mascotas y su ardua labor.

En nuestra feria encontrarán todo lo que tenga que ver con nuestros fieles amigos.

Tendremos actividades los dias 04,05 y 06 de mayo.

El sabado 05 de mayo tendremos actividades y sorpresas de nuestros patrocinadores y el domingo 06 de mayo a partir de las 10:00am tendremos Feria de Adopciones donde podran venir a encontrar esa hermosa mascota que alegre su vida.

Y a partir de las 2:00pm tendremos la sensacional pasarela de mascotas, Ven y participa tendremos premiacion de nuestros patrocinadores.

Inscríbete y de esta forma ayudaras a los programas de Adopciones Grecia.

Gran pasarela de mascotas el domingo 6 de mayo a las 2:00pm. Valor de la Inscripción 2,000 colones a beneficio de Adopciones Grecia . Los esperamos en nuestra fiesta de mascotas..

Las inscripciones las podes hacer dejando un mensaje por este medio o el día del evento.

Los invitamos a todas y todos que vengan a esta fiesta de mascotas y disfrutemos en familia.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

SASY GOLF Tournament - Valle del Sol - May 4 (& Prizes!!)

2nd Annual SASY! Charity Golf Tournament

This is sure to be a fun day and a great way to support SASY! and it's mission to end animal suffering.

WHEN: Friday - May 4 - 7am-2pm

WHERE: Valle del Sol Golf Course - Lindora/Pozos de Santa Ana

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY - MAY 4
6:30am Continental Breakfast
7am Shotgun Start
Lunch - after the tournament

ENTRY: $100 per golfer, 3-person teams. Price includes - 2 teams per hole. Awards luncheon, golf cart, range balls and lots of chances for prizes included.

HOLD SPONSORSHIP: Starting at $350.

RSVP: Reserve your spot as we are limited to a field of 108 players

Marjan - mvuurman@gmx.de / 2-203-1803
(please tell them Vicki Connected you!)

http://Facebook.com/events/327073630658948

PRIZE DONATIONS:

Here's a sample of some of the prize donations:

2 Round-trip Airline Tickets - American Airlines

$30 Gift Certificate - CowTown Restaurant - Santa Ana
4 Rounds of Golf - http://HaciendaPinilla.com

3 Rounds of golf at Valle del Sol

2 Rounds of golf at Cariari Country Club

Golf Bag from Lindora Golf & Tennis

M & N Steakhouse certificate $150

3 separate Spa Packages from 202 Spa and Salon - Escazu
$25 Gift Certificate at Maya Lounge - Ciudad Colon
3 night stay in a deluxe condo at CocoMar Residences and Beach Resort - http://CocoMar.net

Los Suenos Marriott - 2 nights for 2

Gecko Trails - http://GeckoTrails.com - 2 nights in a beach front house "Magic Moon" with a combo tour included

Cannon Pillows

Finca Caballo Loco - horseback tour

Doggie Divino - dog grooming session

3 Spa packages from 202 Salon & Spa

Hotel Indigo (3) certificates for delux room w/breakfast

Pura Vida Hotel - 1 night for (2) w/breakfast

Casa Bella Rita B&B - 1 night for (2) w/breakfast and welcome cocktail

Sandra Magdaleno Spa Services

Clinica Karen Medicina & Estetica - massages

Cowtown Bar & Restaurant - $30 certificate

Toucan Rescue Ranch - one night for (2) w/tour

Hand Paint Tile from Francisco Munguia

Brooks Running Store

Other sponsors bringing fun things at holes are these sponsors:

Adventure Inn & Hotel

Craft Brewing Co.

Time Out Tavern & Restaurant

Electric Cars

Giacomin

Luminet

DGS

I Want Help

Product C

Arenatrek Gym

United Country Properties in CR

Scatola Rosa

Cafe Doka

Bagelmen's

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WHAT IS SASY:

SASY's ("Stop Animal Suffering Yes!" / http://SASYCostaRica.com) is an all-VOLUNTEER organization dedicated to the eradication of animal abuse and suffering in Costa Rica. Your support funds educational programs to promote animal welfare, funds SPAY-NEUTER CLINICS in low-income barrios and areas with overpopulation of strays and sponsors several shelters that house and rehabilitate abused and abandoned animals NATIONWIDE. At any time you can donate to this wonderful cause on PayPal!

You know times they are a LOT TOUGHER these days, hence they REALLY NEED your help NOW more than EVER if they're going to help Spay and Neuter as many Pets around Costa Rica as they do!!!

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PLEASE "SHARE" this link with EVERYONE you know - ESPECIALLY on Facebook and Twitter!!

http://LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/05/sasy-golf-tournament.html

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Traffic Cops & Bribes Warning!

Friday AMCR did a story on Traffic Cops being busted for demanding bribes from people on Routa 32.
http://AMCostaRica.com/morenews5.htm

I've had 2 people this past week share with me similar stories but in the vicinity of on the road between San Ramon and Alajuela - somewhere before Grecia area still coming down that mountain.

Both said they were told that the ticket was $600 (one was for speeding, the other was for crossing over a double line which EVERYONE else was doing but only she got stopped [note both were in rental cars - which would make me assume they might have been targeting tourists???!!!]).

One has been living in Costa Rica for about 2 months but wasn't aware that they put that outrageous ticket law on the shelf (where tickets were even higher than in the U.S.!!) so she ended up giving him 30,000-colones/$60 (all she had in her wallet).

This was a VERY BOLD cop as he literally came out and asked for the bribe!! He said that if she "took care of him, he'd take care of her" and he went so far as to tell her to just put the money in the ticket book (he presented her the ticket book - after he was ACTING like he was writing her a ticket since there was another cop there).

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE SOMEONE'S WANTING A BRIBE:
To pay or not to pay - this is up to you (more on that in another post) but MY suggestion for people that choose TO pay the bribe (I don't think I'D do it but . . . This is what I do for regular traveling practice) is to have an additional "Travel Wallet" where I carry just up to 10,000 (what I hear is the standard price of many of the bribes) and usually in small bills (so it looks like more) and some expired credit cards and I stash my real $$ somewhere that it sure doesn't look like it would have $$ [or in the trunk under the tire]).

After the way this one was SOOOO bold, if I was hitting the road - I'd also either before he got to the car - call the cops and leave the cell on my dashboard so they could be hearing it - and/or I'd record the conversation (many cell phones now a days have some sort of Recorder on them) - for PROOF!!!

Being one that likes to look at all sides of situations & have compassion for people that are doing things that are less conscious, to me it's a tough call as it's not surprising this type of activity would go on when cops are making about $400/month (not agreeing or trying to justify what their doing - but it's like - "dahhh" there's a good chance they'll do something like that just to survive! Reactions like this are more likely to happen when people are is not paid (hence treated) with respect.

Just another way of looking at things/life/situations!

What's your take on bribes or your hints to avoid them/work around them??

Tico Mountain Climber Warner Rojas NOT affected by Mount Everest Avalanche

Costa Rican•Tico•Escazu Mountain Climber Warner Rojas was NOT affected by Mount Everest Avalanche.

Details at: http://news.co.cr/avalanche-mount-everest-flattens-camp-1-tico-climber-not-affected/5749

He's broadcasting his reports nightly at 7 and 11pm on TeleNoticias - channel 7:

http://TeleNoticias7.com/detalle.php?id=130498&idp=1 / http://news.co.cr/tico-mountaineer-mount-everest/3890

Mel Gibson's Nicoya House for Sale but BIG Penalties Outstanding

I wonder if any potential buyers of Mel Gibson's Playa Barrigona house/property on the Nicoya that's for sale knows there's a BUNCH of $$$ due on it in Unpaid Back Taxes and Penalties from some structures on his land that were built illegally - built withOUT all the required building permits (note these were built BEFORE he purchased it) - to the tune of 27 million colones/$54,000-US$!

Gibson purchased the house in '07 for $25.8 million. He put it on the market to sell it for $35 million in '10 but it's been reduced now to $29.8 million.

For more details check it out at: http://VoiceOfNosara.com/archives/04_12/04_12_regional_10.html

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL - Best Prices

BEST PRICE on

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (including Power Tools++)

ABONOS AGRO

(http://AbonosAgro.com / 2-211-5000)

They guarantee what they sell!

DISTRIBUTION CENTERS: San Jose, Limonal (Guanacaste) and San Isidro de Perez Zeledon.

FREE CONCERT - April 29 - Conciertos DidacTicos - Cartago

ORQUESTA SINFONICA de CARTAGO

http://Facebook.com/OrquestadeCartago

http://OrquestadeCartago.com

BANDA DE CONCIERTOS DE CARTAGO

presents•presenta

FREE CONCERT • Entrada GRATUITA!!!

CONCIERTOS DIDACTICOS

Asiste con tu familia, amigos y demas, a disfrutar de un espectaculo musical, en donde a traves de la musica y el video podras aprender muchas cosas.

Sunday•Domingo - April 29, 2012 - 11am

Anfiteatro - de la Municipalidad de Cartago

FERIA de la PAPA - Cartago - April 28 & 29

FERIA de la PAPA (Potatoes)

Saturday - April 28 - Noon - Cooking show
Saturday - April 28 - 2pm - Concurso para aficionados "El Platillo de papa mas sabroso" / Competition for amateurs for the tastiest potato dish.
Sunday - April 29 - 11am - Deguste del "Pure de papa mas grande de Costa Rica (con el Chef Edgar Alvarez) - the Largest prepared Mashed Potato in Costa Rica
Sunday - April 29 - 1pm - Visita de "Chico Loco"

LOCATION: Cartago - En el Centro Comercial MetroCentro, se van por la AutoPista, en ruta La Lima, entrando a Cartago, diagonal al Cementerio Principal / Go down the AutoPista/highway towards La Lima - near the entrance to Cartago and it's diagonal to the main Cemetery.

Recuerden hoy sábado 28 Abril, Feria de la Papa en Metrocentro, Cartago, show de cocina 12md y concurso de platillos 2pm. Mañana domingo el puré más grande 11 am...

Housekeeper Available

The last day of a Pet/House Sitting gig I just did, the family had a gal come in to clean. She actually did a pretty decent job and she's available if someone is seeking a Housekeeper - / Maid be it for a solo gig, 1-2 days a week or full time. She lives in Escazu (Centro - near the 2nd cemetery). She does NOT speak any English. I'm not sure if she works with kids or cooks also.

Tatiana - 2-228-2442 / 8-540-8526

(tell her Vicki Connected you and if you hire here and find her as helpful to you as she was for me, I welcome you to consider making a Donation to the blog [top right corner])

Demonstration for Día Internacional de Trabajo - May 1

TRAFFIC WARNING!!!

Tuesday - May 1 - is Día Internacional de Trabajo - aka International Worker's Day - aka May Day which is a LEGAL HOLIDAY (which also translates to workers get the day off - OR - double pay) in Costa Rica and MANY will hold a BIG March•Demonstration•Protest starting at 9:30am from Parque Central - up Avenida 2 - to the Legislative Complex.
(the warning aspect of this is to those planning on driving down in that area!!)

Here's a more detailed description about it:

http://AMCostaRica.com/042712.htm#31

HAPPY MAY DAY!!!!

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