www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I don't think I've seen this topic covered, but having just returned from my third trip to CR, I realized it was something that struck me from my first visit. And that is, we should tell all newbies:

PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE YOU ARE WALKING

There are more potholes, plumbing troughs, broken chunks, etc, etc in the San Jose sidewalks that you can shake a broken ankle at. I cannot believe there haven't been more sprained and/or broken bones from new arrivals with their heads in the clouds not looking where they are walking. So, as a service to those making their first trek, I repeat:

PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE YOU ARE WALKING

Of course, potholes don't care about how many trips you've made to CR, so all CRTers must be vigilant. Thank you and pura vida.

Busted up sidewalks .......How about the crosswalks at the intersections where the steel grates are missing? You could step off the curb to cross the street, and your entire leg [maybe your entire body] could drop 5 feet into the storm sewer.

I guess those steel grates work out pretty well on the barbecue pit.

Considering these Tico nut jobs cut live wires to get the copper to support their drug addictions, I'm surprised there are any storm grates at all. SJO sure is a great place to practice your Olympic triple-jumping skills--surprised some Tico doesn't win it every time.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

And those brown spots are NOT oil stains. Over flowing sewers some how deposit shit and tp on the side walks.
Makes for a interesting walk from SL to HLH.
Just my personal seen $.02
Trampa

...And youse guys wear sandals on that walk??? I could see wearing Wellies on the stroll...Would look real cute with the mid-calf shorts.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

By all means watch out for sidewalk potholes!
I found out about the sidewalks the hard way on my first SJ visit. I was doing a mini-tour with BB57, we were walking and converesing when I suddenly stepped into a one foot deep sidewalk pothole. I twisted my ankle a bit and banged my knee pretty hard. I was able to recover and continue our journey. Given my voluminous size I was lucky not to be more seriously injured.

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"Guess what?! I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"
Christopher Walken

Other sidewalk/street hazards:

1. Missing manhole (er....access hatch) covers. Probably missing for the same reason the sewer grates are...

2. Water meter pipes/hydrants which protude 2 feet into a 3 foot wide sidewalk

3. Chunks of masonry falling from buildings. Yes, it does happen with amazing frequency; you not only need to look down, but also look up as you're walking.

4. Beggar k*ds lying in the path, trying to appear asleep but actually a gringo trap...

5. Motorists who neither understand nor obey traffic laws, and even if they did, the pedestrian does not have the right-of-way.

6. Aguardillas, or can~os...these are the troughs next to the curb which direct rain to the storm drains. They vary widely in depth and width, and I have stepped into some as deep as 18 inches. Here's a good example: The calle running in front of JetSet and VIP's #1 has a very high center crown, then slopes downward into very deep drain troughs. Even if you're sober, it's incredibly easy to snowball down the street from center line to curb, then trip/fall hard into one of the canos.


7. Bang Bang 57's leftovers

Seriously, as a blind walker, I literally take my life in my hands when I walk the streets. I have so far (knock wood and cross fingers) avoided serious accidents.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

This is the reason I never leave my room. WTF take the chance? But seriously, if you think is a bitch for us to navigate the sidewalks, imaging the chicas with their high heels. I sometimes wonder why we do not see more chicas on leg braces.

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Hit them fast, Hit them hard and NEXT!
A good chica is like a good carpenter - No wood gets wasted!!!

What a bunch of wimps(El C excepted)! I power my way over the sidewalks with barely a second glance, never had a problem. The only thing I really notice are the tiled sections, they can be slippery when wet, which is why I wear trail-running shoes.