First thing I want to say is: Tman - Right On. Since I am not so much of a novice anymore after some years experience in CR I can absolutely concur with his insight into the culture. And yeah two people one male and one female with a special connection in this whole wide world – priceless.
Gonna tell a story which I wasn’t going to say anything about till the one year anniversary in April to give it some credibility. I’ve been tempted to every time I read a bunch of negative crap about relationships but held off posting. For my friend Paco I’ll jump the gun a little especially since she and I just got back from the beach

Pac-man has seen us together and ya it is still good and we had an amazing time in Tambor this last weekend at the Tropcal.
Her: Ten years younger than I at 42 and yes I met her in the Del Rey. Little tiny family – two good k*ds early twenty’s both work regular jobs. An Old Ma getting up in years; and the little grand daughter which is the apple of my significant others’ (SO) eye. Other family scattered around Guanacaste but not really in the picture except holidays which I don’t participate much since I am such a Grinch I just throw a little money to buy penance. So the family is a compact unit living in Alajuela – easy enough for me to contribute to support. She goes back and forth to my apt. on the bus not thinking twice. My SO wouldn’t be a candidate for TOM but due to her personality has had a successful career. Now, old enough to be thankful to get out of the occupation; young enough that I don’t need extra vitamins to have great times with her in the sack. Importantly: Old enough that I don’t feel like such an old whoremonger when we go out in public - which I have always hated. After almost a year I know her to be a fine individual, feminine, intelligent and tough as a head of household. And yeah a pain in the ass sometimes due to those virtues I am thinking fondly now as I type this.
I like her, a lot. Enough to commit resources to ensure that she has a good life what ever I decide to do or end up. The love part is still developing let’s see. As frustrating as she can be and as beautiful as other chicas can smile at me I don’t want to lose her.
Me: I spend about half the year now in CR and don’t get me wrong I still go to the Del Rey, which establishment I will give credit for many good memories over four years or so. I am fortunate to have been able to sample many of the forbidden fruits over these years and have had a literal ball. The last couple of those years I have had the proverbial yearning for something more intimate. Plus my aging libido contributing some issues like hardly (sic) being able to maintain woodys with a condom on - which I don’t really want to start with the magic vitamins just to be able to do. A non-issue with this SO, she light the old fire so to speak, every time.
Us: I contribute about $600 a month to the family, more or less depending on circumstances, which is less than I drink and smoke per month. A decent wage for her combined with the k*ds income, she can run her house and concentrate on rearing and educating the little one. Whenever I want space all I have to do is say so, way worth maintaining two households. We have a routine which is a joy for me – we can set up or break my camp in CR in like a half hour. When I am in the states I check in a couple times a day which also brings me joy.
Ya we argue about shit and have issues but I usually win

. Good luck with gringas on that score.
She is included in my will and in my group health insurance policy in CR (though they are all covered by the CAJA). We have talked about the customary ‘otra novias’ which at some point I am going to partake just because I can but I really haven’t felt the need to yet. I have no illusions about ‘importing’ her to the US. She would be miserable away from the little one and I need to work when I am home.
Did I mention I’m pretty happy with this set-up? Paco I had to rush a little writing down these thoughts hope it doesn’t come off like too much of a Ramble…