www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Haynes T-shirts and shorts for clothing, preferably tank top (wife beater) and as for the cloth bag around the neck. Well it all depends on the size of the bag. Glad you got through your vacation safe and secure.

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In 15 trips, I have never been hassled by the cops. I have a belt with a zippered inner lining, but have never used it in CR, I bought it in case of emergency for Colombia. The bag around the neck thing may work, but you have to consider the possibility of a thug using it to choke you to force you let your valuables go. Not saying it will happen, but it's a possibility. I recommend that you wear jeans, golf shirt & dark shoes. Lots of gringos make themselves targets by wearing loud beach print shirts, shorts (locals usually only wear them at the beach) & neon white running shoes. I was concerned like you before my first trip too...it was fine. Go & have a blast!

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I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of elderberries. Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time!

I live in a suburb of San Jose and travel solo all over the country. I walk the streets of San Jose at night. I have never been hastled by the police. Street people are best ignored. The transvestites can be agressive and should be avoided. I am a gringo, look like a gringo and can't hide the fact. Use common sense! Don't wear jewelry. Don't go to places you are not familiar with at night. Never walk the streets intoxicated. Be careful of any strangers you invite to your hotel. Don't advertise the fact that you have money. Cabs at night are a good investment. I was a detective in Atlanta for 25 years. You are as safe or safer in San Jose as Atlanta. People will steal from you if given a chance. Don't leave things laying arround. The dentist here are like anywhere else, some good some not so good. Do your research. Come down and enjoy yourself. The Costa Rican people are on an average must less agressive than the average American. Physical confrontations are not as frequent as in the states.

Pops definitely looks like a gringo

Now ME on the other hand....

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mh

ME TOO!!!!!!!!

Berk.....

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FRUITCAKE... and you thought it was something you eat! Not on CRT!

I have NEVER been robbed, shot, stabbed, pick pocketed, assaulted, mugged, coerced by the police, bent over a park bench by a trannie in Morazan, etc.. I have had my ass grabbed in the Blue Marlin, but that doesn't count. I would have to get out my passport to count the number of trips (15 plus) I have made... all at least a week long never staying in the HDR.

Your seemingly paralyzing fears are unwarranted.

Berk.....

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FRUITCAKE... and you thought it was something you eat! Not on CRT!

You're making some strides Berk...

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"...

I have been to several Places Cancun, Monterrey,Mx , Dominican Republic and other cities with a lot of criminal elements.Also was once questioned and almost detained by Caracas ,Venuezuelan Policia for just walking past the Cetro District alone and NO I am not into anytype of Drug trade or whatever . Im just a hardworking citizen who love woman outside the states. I have to admit that I have probably not used good judgement in going out alone.

So i would echo what the previous member says.
*Have a contact to hang out with when in a Foreign Country and keep a somewhat low profile when traveling abroad.

*Dont be flashy,or let your self be vunerable.
For the most part you cant be sure who you can trust.

*Policia*Chicas*or random people you come across could potentially be friend or foe.
Just look out for your self and wellbeing.

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DEEP UNDERCOVER~

Pops made a comment about not taking a gal to her hotel or something similar.

Look to the past to a true crime novel called Serpentine. It is the story of a career criminal named Charles Sobrajh (spelling wrong on last name.) Charles was the bastard son of a Frenchman and a Viet woman in Vietnam. He grew up in the streets, learned charm and many languages. He started by scamming European tourists. on vacation and later escalated to Murder. I believe he is now incarcerated for life in a Thai prision.
Every few years he comes up for parole and people take to the streets to protest his possible parole. This book, (if in print) is a great read and a lesson that could save a world traveling mongers life.

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Providing humanitarian assistance to self employed chicas, one cash grant at a time.

Jeez Brother El Ornitorrinco, You're taking all the fun out of dressing for me. What you described is what I janitor in every day. I was thinking semi-loud silk shirts (great deals on'm at thrift shops and they pack small), cream-colored pants and boat shoes with the requisite crushable Panama hat. No? Oh well OK I'll be drab.

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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

Hi Pops
I would sure like to read more posts from you, especially if you had any insight in U.S. based monger boards where hooking is not legal. To many questions to ask and would be impolite to burden you! but if you are ever bored and wanted to post from a retired detectives perspective it would sure be valuable to us that party in the U.S. as well as CR.
Thanks
smell

The true-crime book Brother El Viejo mentioned (Serpentine) is by Thomas Thompson and is available on Amazon.com for about $9. They like the hell out of it.

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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

I have to agree with POPS. In almost every case of guys being mugged, robbed, hazzeled by cops, etc, here, it has been because of the gringo doing something to draw attention to them selves. This old argument "I am an American and I am on vacation, and therefore I will do what I want and dress how I want" is just what usually ends up attracting the "bad" guy to you. The way I see it, you have a choise--Dress the way you want, drank too much, walk alone in areas you shouldn't, get loud and obnoxious, and one not often mentioned her- BE SEEN WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH YOUR HANDS ALL OVER THAT CUTE HOT SEXI LITTLE 19 YO YOU JUST PICKED UP AT HDR!!! The Ticos love to see you enjoying their "young ladies" OR second choise-- Dress to blend in; act like you belong here; keep a low profile; if you drank too much, take a taxi and or stay in a large group; and when with your chica of choise, take a taxi. If you must walk with her, do not even hold her hand.

Believe me, with the first choise, you are asking for problems and do not come complaining; you brought them on yourself With the second, in the long run, you will have more fun.

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

Hmmmm I don't know about that BB57, several instances come to mind of long term vets being robbed or shook down by cops for doing nothing out of the ordinary to draw attention to themselves- other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and of course being a gringo. For instance DonGordo being robbed at gunpoint, Latinoheat jumped by street rats on the calle, RBC and Icantstayaway harassed by the cops near Molino Rojo. They all knew the deal, were cautious yet became victims.

Yes by all means take the precautions but the ladrones and cops might still get you.

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

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