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My pride is getting in the way of asking for what I want, but here goes.........

Chi_trekker wrote about giving something to the Ch*ldren of CR. It is my intention of doing that. I want to give gifts to some of the Ch*ldren in the hospital. I will be in town Dec. 29th - Jan 8th.

Here's the dilemma, my Spanish sucks.

My main needs are in translation and finding the most reasonable toy store:

Finding the most reasonable toy store in SJ so I can get the most bang for the buck, and not the gringo rip-off. Possibly going with me to interpret on the buy day. It shouldn't take more than about an hour.

Locating the hospital for Ch*ldren (Paseo Colon?), and calling them to make an appointment for the exchange. Possibly going with me for a couple of hours to translate when the gifts are given. I don't even have to be there, if it would work out better.

I apologize for putting this in the open forum, but my embarrassment in asking is being overridden by my desire to have 20-30 K*ds have a smile on their face for at least a short time. It may make a small difference to them, at a time when they could use a lift.

Again, please excuse this request, but if you can find it in your heart to lend a hand, I would greatly appreciate the help. Please PM me if you can be of service to the K*ds.

Steve - Santas Bro

PS: Admin1, if this request is inappropriate please delete it.

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

Just a suggestion....If there's anyway you can bring the toys from the states, your dollar would go much further. My experience has been that toys I puchase in San Jose are close to double what they cost in the U.S. at WAL-MART. Your heart's in the right place.

Zebra

I applaud your effort.

I'd stop by a dollar store and buy enough toys to jam into a couple of big suitcases...be be warned if you try to bring a bunch of stuff through customs you are likely to get it taken and sent to the customs warehouse where it might take 2 days to get it back - even it if is gifts. I know this as it happened to me 12/9/07

Each trip, I bring about 10 items of toys in my carry-on. So far, never had a problem.


Popular items, all puchased at WAL-MART:

Pack of 5 MATCHBOX CARS...$5 per pack.

BARBIE DOLLS $5...each.

Ch*ldren'S WRISTWATCHES...$6.50 each [standard face...not digital, so they can learn to tell time].

There are lots of inappropriate posts, this is not one of them.

I wish I had thought of this before returning from the US.

Try Universal in San Jose. Actually I think there are ones scattered all over. They have a huge toy department. Also, you might try Maxi- Bodega. They have cheaper stuff there but it looks like nice toys. That's great, thumbs up to you. Trying to get in that spirit myself for the holidays.

Universal is very expensive. I would rather walk 4th Ave. west of the gulch past where the Park Hotel was/is. Bargain toys can be had there. Trust me on this. I've bought a lot there.

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Why Chicas Come to CostaRica:

"Predators gather where prey abounds"

I recently bought several toys at a MaxiBodega... They were all resonably priced in the under $8 category...

SB


Great gesture. Wish I was down to volunteer, I'd help you in a second.

Hopefully someone can step up and put aside a few hours of the day to make themselves feel good on the inside, then after it's over, have a moresome and feel good on the outside.


Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

Yes, the UNIVERSAL store on Central Avenida is expensive......always seems to be very busy though, with long lines at the check out counters. Apparently some people in Costa Rica have money.

Santas Bro,
This is indeed an extremely kind and unselfish gesture on your part. Kudos to you. You're a good man for doing this. If I were in town, I'd walk side by side with you.

Guys,
As I see it, SB has gotten some good suggestions regarding toys. But he needs someone's help with the Spanish translation. Is there anyone in town over the holidays that can help him with his Español ? I think this is just as important as buying / giving the toys. It is important that the people and the Ch*ldren understand exactly what SB is doing, and why he's doing it.

SB, I salute you.

Respectfully,
MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

May I make another suggestion?......Prior to delivering toys to the hospital, check with the administration first; to determine how many and of what gender toys are needed, so no Ch*ld is left out.

Sorry, I can't help with the Spanish.

Zebra

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to give me guidance. I appreciate your kind words, although it is one of the reasons that I was hesitant to post asking for help. It is not about me, but the K*ds who for a brief moment in time will not be thinking about their illness.


MG: Thanks for helping me in asking for what I need, it is something I am not very good at doing. Should I not be able to find someone for translation, I will just go and whatever happens is what it is. Hopefully someone at the hospital can help with translations. While just as I believe that if I spoke Spanish it would help with the ladies, and it would help with the K*ds and their families, but in no way be a deal breaker. While I love poosey, and will enjoy plenty of it, this for me will be the highlight of this trip.

Zebra: I will check with the hospital first. Hopefully the desk at the SL will make the call for me. Unfortuantely the $300.00 that I'm going to spend will not cover gifts for all. For that I am sad. My plan is 50% male, and 50% female. After having read the posts, I think that I will be buying gifts here and carrying them to CR. More bang for the buck.

Crookedcr: When you had the toys taken by customs was there any fees involved? I don't mind the two days, but would rather spend the money for the K*ds.

Should anyone care to donate, I will e-mail Bill & Johanna, and see if you could leave a toy at the SL.

Should you just care to go, whether or not you donate, or speak Spanish, please come along. I'm sure the joy that I feel in my heart after seeing these K*ds smiles will translate well into whatever else happens for the rest of my stay in CR. Hopefully I will be able to take some pictures so all of you can share in the joy.

Happy Holidays.............

Steve - Santas Bro

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It's not the size of the wand that put the rabbit in the hat, it's the magic in it!!!

I brought in 24 cell phones so it was no surprise I got stopped. I put the $480 for them on the customs form but went through the 'nothing to declare' line. The bag with the phones was promptly seized and I was given a receipt with a phone number to call for the customs broker. In CR the customs brokers are private but work as agents for the gov. so you will be assigned a broker if you stuff gets seized. If it does get seized, expect it to get to the customs warehouse the next day and expect two days to clear it. You'll have to go to the broker's office and fill out some paper work then go with the agent to inspect your stuff at the warehouse, then back to the agent's office for more paperwork. You may be able to pay the duty there or you may have to go to a state bank and pay it, then bring the recipt back to the agent's office. The agent will then give you a release that you take to the warehouse and pay the cashier for storage and they will release your stuff.

I paid about $25 to the warehouse, $40 for the customs agent and 15% of my cost on the merchandise. So be sure to keep your receipts so you can show value of the goods.

Myself, I'd have a note written in Spanish to show the Customs broker what you are doing. I think if you don't declare anything on your customs form and go through the 'nothing to declare' line at the airport you are unlikely to even get stopped.

If you do end up in the customs system, you may want to have your translator help you with that too. In fact if you had a CR citizen or resident with you to assign the goods to, the process will go alot smoother.

Good luck. I'm glad someone on CRT is reaching out to these K*ds.

CCR

I can see how 24 cellphones would raise some eyebrows. I would hope that toys for Ch*ldren in the hospital would get a sympathetic "wink and a nod" from the agent, and "let it slide."

Zebra