www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I almost posted to this thread early on. I'm glad I waited and let it develop. I think a lot of the "heart of the issue" has been touched on here by quite a few people. I won't try to mention all that I have read and agreed with. Witling's description is very accurate of a lot of well intentioned guys, IMHO.

I want to address some of the things that chi_trekker said in more depth. He talked about how a lot of people come to Costa Rica with unrealistic expectations. He described some of the people he observed; they were escaping America at an early age or grasping for fading glory at an older age but all the different "failing" people he described had something in common. They were all bringing their problems to Costa Rica with them.

Some things people can't run away from. If your problem comes in a bonded bottle then Costa Rica is probably not a good environment for you. No matter what hour of the day or night, you can always find someone to buy you a drink and to buy a drink for. Someone who will not be critical of the fact that you have been at the bar for 18 hours straight and haven't uttered an intelligible word for the last four. This is one of the saddest things I see in Costa Rica: The perfectly good guys sitting in the all day heavy drinking bars, waiting to die.

To flip to the positive side of a pretty negative topic, the guys I see who are doing well are the guys who are still learning and growing, regardless of their age. Costa Rica is a wonderful environment to expand experiences and knowledge. For someone seriously intent to live in Costa Rica or anywhere outside the US, in my opinion, it is vital to learn the language and culture as quickly as possible. Thanks to CRT (and few others) many new arrivals are much better armed to adjust to the new "reality" than even a few years ago.

Yes, there are some bad gringos in the gulch. I'm sorry that anyone is taken advantage of, but due diligence is required in Costa Rica as it is anywhere. My daddy told me to trust everybody, but cut the cards. If I ever "lost" money to someone it was because I put myself in that situation.

The thing I have told everyone considering coming to Costa Rica is that they better have the devil under control because anything is available and no one is there to tell you "No". For someone used to looking over their shoulder in the US, the temptations of CR can be nearly overwhelming. You will soon discover your personal limits in Costa Rica, (IMHO).

By the same token, your experience will be influenced positively or negatively by the company you keep. It is important to be as picky with your male companions as with your female. There are plenty of guys with integrity who happen to enjoy the company of young hot women. I never had a problem finding good fellas.

Costa Rica can be as good for me as it can be bad for me. One thing that chi_trekker said that is absolutely agree with is that nothing that is good comes easy. The path of least resistance is always downhill.

I'm not a religious man, but I heard this lyric on the HBO series "The Wire" and it spoke to me about trying to keep the higher road. I think that those of us who have walked the earth for awhile have come to realize that doing the right thing is it's own reward and that the temptation to do less than the best we can do or the rightest right thing is constant. For me, it has always proved to be worth the effort. I see the religious references as synonymous with "good" and "evil" rather than any specific belief...anyway, here is the lyric:

When you walk through the garden, you gotta watch your back
Well, I beg your pardon, walk the straight and narrow track
If you walk with Jesus, he’s gonna save your soul
You gotta keep the Devil way down in the hole

He’s got the fire and the fury at his command
Well, you don’t have to worry if you hold on to Jesus’ hand
We’ll all be safe from Satan when the thunder rolls
We just got to keep the Devil way down in the hole

All the angels sing about Jesus’ mighty sword
And they’ll shield you with their wings, and keep you close to the Lord
Don’t pay heed to temptation, for his hands are so cold
You gotta help me keep the Devil way down in the hole

Everybody has their "Devil". As we walk through the garden, let's watch each other's back. We can help each other keep him down in the hole.

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Another thing I learned early on was how close both sides of the street could be. Many of the Hookers absolutely were very close in their behavioral patterns as the non hookers if you found a newbie that was sweet by nature. This can sure make one scratch you’re BIG head a lot. The best thing about the better class civilians was they were not desperate & much easier to trust. Another HUGE perk for me is they were far less jealous since many were very naïve about how bad boys could be. The working gals don’t want to let you out of their sight knowing what dogs we really are!

This freedom is very important in many ways. I hate being smothered by anyone. I think you will find that most successful ticos have a wife & several mistresses around. As long as you are a good man & always put the family first there is little said even if the Ticos wife senses their might be something going on. She maybe doing her thing also but I do believe it to be less likely. This is pretty ingrained in their culture. It is kind of like don’t ask don’t tell. Things are much more accepted it is after all a mans world there.

The other BIG difference is their level of education. The better class Ticas attend private schools which are harder & more complete. They also put more emphasis on learning English. This means a lot to a more in depth relationship. I always needed more than Papi Rico to get me thru the day. Their whole circle of friends I find to be much more entertaining also.

The best part about it all is you can have it all there if you take your time & organize it well.

_________________
"Run silent, run deep"
Spunk glazed Chicas are the building blocks of the universe!

Pacifica,

I didn't mean to be totally negative. I've had bad times here in CR and some good times. I have written off the losers on this board that have stabbed me in the back and let their scumminess slide down my back. I simply blow them the phuck off.

On the positive side, I think I have finally found some kind of a balance in CR. The key is NOT spending time in the gulch. The key is to also find other activiities to kind of fill time. For example, I take my puppies for a walk in the park, not because I really like the park much, but because it drains their energy and they don't destroy my house. Anyway, I meet probably half a dozen chicas just by doing this.... I venture to guess of these gals, I could probably take several home.... easy!!!!

I also have found several other things to keep me busy and keep myself balanced. When I first moved here, I spend about 50% of my time, sitting in the gulch and gawking and flirting with hookers. That shit just bores me now. I'd rather have an intelligent conversation with one of my neighbors or surf the net in the coffee shop.

I also have sort of landed in a good spot. I have a big American style home in Escazu, two dogs and a girlfriend that doesn't regard me as an ATM machine. I guess I either got lucky or it is a result of walking my line.

_________________
http://TipsCostaRica.com for pratical advice on living in Costa Rica.
In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

Chi_trekker, I guess it all depends on what you like to do. I can spend a lot of time in the gulch without drinking and flirting with chicas. I like BSing with the guys and meeting new people and hiking around. Being in a positive frame of mind has little to do with locale, in my opinion.

If a house in Escazu with a girlfriend is your idea of success then more power to you. That scene is not for everybody but I won't judge you just because your idea of ideal is different from mine.

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Not a question specifically for you Pac, but since you said it, I quoted you, does anyone ever get tired of hearing their own story? Everyone has their own story, "I am from blah, I work for blah, I was married... I have 2 K*ds ... I... I.... I." I begin to hate my own story. I also begin to zone out on other guys stories after I've heard so many. I start to just not care. I mean the turnover of people in the gulch is so huge, I could not stand to tell my "basics" to so many people so often. You know, the basics, if you don't know much Spanish is all you can really share with chicas.

I don't mind meeting new people, but I don't want to meet new people everyday. After day 10 in the gulch, I start to zone out on my story and everyone else's story. For me, it is tiresome and it is why I usually look forward to going home.

Seems a pretty big digression off topic but I rarely get into "my story". Histories are pretty boring unless they somehow relate to something interesting. There are plenty of interesting characters and interesting tales without listening to life histories or looking at pictures of grandkids. One of the best things about CR is that you are not tied down. If the conversation looks more interesting at another table, change tables!

I usually go to CR for weeks at a time and always leave with things I didn't get to do or people I didn't get to say goodbye to and 100 reasons to get back as soon as possible. Even when I am doing nothing special, I look forward to every morning in Costa Rica. One more week and I get to wake up there again!

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Never heard that before P55, good one and it certainly does apply to men trying to have normal relationships with gulch girls. Witling's scenario happens every day down there and if lucky Mr. Gringo will jump on the learning curve and learn how to play the game to his benefit. There are always those few that never learn though and keep heading down that hill towards the brick wall. We read some of the stories here usually posted by guys that should know better and didn't listen but I wonder how many more there are we never hear about. I've watched guys spend ridiculous amounts of money on HDR women and end up with broken hearts and bank accounts, it's amazing some men are so desperate they can't simply enjoy the scene for what it is but want to take the path of least resistance and bring one home with all her gulch syndromes, needs, immaturity and family problems.

Shame on you Zippy for doing another man's novia. Funny thing is I also do this practically every trip, not intentionally but there always seems to be 1 or 2 that are supposed to be "off the market" yet there they are working. When I ask them why they say they want more $ or else they are just horny so you may have a point about them wanting some strange. I guess gringo novio shouldn't expect a hot 20-something chica that's used to getting laid everyday to suddenly stop having sex when he is out of the country just because he sends money.

Also good to hear from Chi-trekker and read an update, I remember your "3 month experiment" post back when you were thinking about moving down. As someone that did some research into moving myself I came to some conclusions concerning what I consider the biggest problems men seem to have down there- money and women (big surprise?): I noticed the expats that seem really content and happy there do not have to worry about money or making a living in CR, enjoy the culture & people, speak the language and have also found a happy medium with the women- whether it's a steady civilian novia, ex-working novia, or playing the field with any number of chicas. Then there's the guys Zippy mentioned- "anxious & disappointed," these guys wake up having to worry about money and struggling to make it there, and/or always seem to have problems and drama going on with chicas. No thanks that's not for me, I could handle the women but need to make a living so it's best (and so much simpler) to play the game one week at a time to my advantage using what I've learned here and leave the broken hearts, drama and Western Union payments to those other poor guys.

_________________

Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Pac55wrote:

_________________
"You will never run out of good things because there is more than enough to go around. Life is meant to be abundant"
____________________________________________________________________

No. There are not many flies in Las Vegas. What specifically do you disagree with?

Hell, MrLasVagas,

He is Canadian What do you think he is upset about jejejeje

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

I don’t see this as a big problem at all. Actually I use this to what I feel is my advantage. Ticos love to joke & laugh the day away which while on vacation is fun but trying to get stuff accomplished can be trying (one good reason to travel but not live there). I personally like the dynamics of a multicultural relationship. They make fun of me being MUY GRINGO & I make fun of them for being MUY TICO. It lends itself to many funny situations. Just look at Ricky Ricardo in I Love Lucy. How we approach & deal with it is what will make a huge difference.

I think the frustrations that arise from what many perceive as a cultural gap are more from an educational & class gap. Too many Gringos play with the lower echelon group of Ticas & this is what leads to such problems. If you are dealing with a more educated sophisticated Tica from a good family without the desperation I think these things are minimized since many of these Ticas have been to & familiar with the USA.

Actually I find multicultural relationships to be far less boring than the high school sweetheart type you have known all your life but that is just me. Many people like the security of the known & do not except or adapt to change readily & the older we get the less tolerant many become.

Ok on another subject from my last trip. STINKY PU$$Y!!!!! Oh the hazards of the newbie at times. They simply cut both ways. I snagged two Fresh Ticas in HDR Yes! Well they were fresh one way but not in others! It was their second time & MY… were they lost! They had NO idea where anything was in the gulch. This is why it can be better to stay in HDR since they feel more secure. I have always found for me that the more you can get them to relax is directly related to the time you will have for both of you.

Well I am rarely a 2 Tica kind of guy so I find my buddy playing cards & he likes what I have been up to . The good thing is we have completely different tastes in women so he likes it that I want the one he doesn’t want. We all take off & go our separate ways. Two hours latter & we are back comparing notes. We both had the same end Result STINKY PU$$Y!!! I told mine you need the bath room to get ready? YES! She goes in but doesn’t do a very good job. I tell you doggy just isn’t good as hot air rises to your nose. It wasn’t the odor of an infection but of general untidiness.

My friend had trouble getting his to settle down as she just seemed to jitterbug around. He does not speak their Language which can make this harder. We have both been in this hobby along time & even though we did our interview together with them & he has great 6 senses you can only eliminate so much. The rest is what it is.

I never got off because I simply could no longer focus with that aroma lingering in the air. You know my friend & I never get upset about any of this. They are all interesting experiences & the actual sex act is just a small part of the overall experience we feel. Fun to just get so close & touch on other peoples lives. They were real sweet Ticas. Bottom line is you can lead a Tica to water but can't make her use it ! I hope these Chicas don't do this on purpose ???

_________________
"Run silent, run deep"
Spunk glazed Chicas are the building blocks of the universe!

Respectfully, the hell you can't!

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

YES YOU CAN!!!!

If all else fails, just suggest a mutual shower and wash the "stinky" yourself. Actually a good way to get things going, and can be a lot of fun. If this fails, just be honest with her; tell her it stinks and she needs to take care of the problem if she wants negicios; AND if she doesen't take care of the problem, you will just have to send her packing without paying! SHE WILL WASH IT

_________________
Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

quick thoughts...

1) Even though women here dress and act more sexual, they are usually more naive and conservative about sex than women in the US (at least non-older women).

I think this accounts for a lot of the misunderstandings, but think about it from their perspective... this culture doesn't look so kindly on divorced women or women who have a lot of boyfriends (especially important if they have a decent family background), so they are extra cautious about hooking up.

And latin women are high maintenance, not necessarily in the gold digger sense, just that they like and expect a lot of attention, romance, and special consideration for being women.

I've read some things on this board before that I had to laugh at, like "these women like a man who will tell them what to do..." NOT my experience with the "sweet little" latin girlfriends I've had.

On the other hand what someone said on this thread about being confident without arrogance I think is a great summary and great thing to aspire to be.

2) There are a TON of sketchy foreigners in Costa Rica, mostly Gringos and Colombians, but the Gringos are a special type of sketchy. Many are on the run from financial issues/crimes, others are escaping bad past relationships, but sometimes it's more serious.

My neighbors, a nice older couple with a young son (who I thought they just must have conceived at the last biological opportunity) recently disappeared and then the police come looking for them because they had robbed their grandson from their daughter in the US.

Getting more serious, a good friend of mine here was hiring for an English teaching company, and once gave a job interview to John Mark Karr.
:?

PS - Whole lotta cocaine addicts.

I know you can but when they are new to this I like to let them be as comfortable as natural as you can make it. We all have our own style & I play the pretty reserve guy that doesn't stare at them like I am so hungry for them. I usually lay on the bed messing with my computer playing music or movies not paying that much attention to them. This type usually comes out of the bathroom covered in her towel. I let them message my back to start with while I show them some old 15 year old videos I made of downtown San Jose. They get a kick out of this & some have seen some of their relatives in them. This really perks them up with conversation. I think it lets them see the more human side of you & less of the dog in us. You know how it is to each their own but I know what you guys are saying .

Very true & this is why it is fun to find this type since once they see you as an OK guy they tend to try to make you happy & try to work something out with you pretty easily .

_________________
"Run silent, run deep"
Spunk glazed Chicas are the building blocks of the universe!