www.CostaRicaTicas.com

OK I admit it, I am orientationally challenged. In basic training I was the guy who carried a rock around in my right hand because I got tired of hearing the drill Sergeant say "your other right dummy" I offer the following to others who may have problems navigating directions in CR. I am sure we would all welcome additional insight on the subject.

Yes the streets and avenues have names and there are signs now (if you can find them) but I hope you aren't hungry if you tell the delivery guy at Pizza Hut or McDonalds you live on the corner of first and third. The locals ignore them. Directions (addresses) are usually something like "150 oeste de parque espana". That's 150 meters west of Spain park.

First, 150 meters doesn't mean 150 meters, so leave your tape measure at home. 100 meters means 1 block, so 150 meters means 1 1/2 blocks, 275 meters means 2 3/4 blocks etc. OESTE= west, ESTE=east, NORTE=north, and SUR=south. These directions always reference some landmark that everyone knows, yea right. That is a problem, my spanish school uses directions from a Subaru dealer which hasn't been Subaru for a long time. But if you can find the landmark, the rest is fairly easy. If you know which way west is! A compass might help.

Recently I was looking for a dentists office, My directions were "250 oeste de…." I stopped to ask 2 locals who immediately got into a heated argument about which way was west. They sent me the wrong way, and I was late for my appointment. You can always check your shadow, if the sun is shining, and it isn't too close to noon, but one of the instructors in spanish school clued me into a piece of information that has been very helpful. The main entrance of every catholic church in Costa Rica faces west. There are lots of them, so as I walk around this info helps me keep my orientation. I've asked around, and checked it a few times and so far this info seems reliable, so everytime I pass a catholic church I know which hand to put my rock in.

I hope this was helpful to someone, And that other more knowledgable brothers will add more suggestions on the subject. Today I am off to 300 norte y 100 este del edificio de la Toyota.

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My English teacher said "I before E except after C". Then she told me to go to science class!

Thanks....... But where do you put the rock if you're not catholic???

So you are going to casa 360 Paseo Colon today?? Hmmmmmm

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

DAMN! I'm like that every time I walk past the MPs, but ... DAMN!
I'll pray for you, my brother.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Not THAT rock, but it shows you are thinking.

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My English teacher said "I before E except after C". Then she told me to go to science class!

http://www.amazon.com/CAMOUFLAGE-ARMY-C ... IP+COMPASS << for you and 11 pals
or perhaps http://www.amazon.com/SE-Compass-Watch- ... IP+COMPASS

Yeah I'm being snarky.

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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

Yea, but rocks are cheaper and there is no international shipping charges.

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My English teacher said "I before E except after C". Then she told me to go to science class!

LOL....I was thinking exactly the same thing. And greetings from the frozen land bro.

As for directions...I tend to look at the mountains around the valley as my landmarks...or the INS and/or Holiday Inn downtown. But in spite of that I sometimes get disoriented as well.

There are free compass apps for your cell phone available.

Thanks, I'll try that. But my rock never needs recharging, and I don't have to worry about it getting wet in the rainy season, and I have never had a chica try to steal it. Oh yea, I would hate to throw my cell at a tranny. My rock rocks.

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My English teacher said "I before E except after C". Then she told me to go to science class!

Bringing a compass is a great idea. Good advice. I have a cheap compass/zipper pull that'll work.

Once I was walking down a street when a Tico driver pulled up and asked me which way was west. I sent him 180 degrees the wrong way!

depending on how long he drives, he will end up WEST of his starting spot. Ah, the simple pleasures of living on a sphere.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

A story problem from high school math class: If a man starts from the Dunn Inn at 8 pm to walk to the HDR at 4 mph and another man starts from the Sportsmans Lodge at 8:10, at 2 mph-- because he is half in the bag, who will get there first and who will get laid first?

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

The DI guy will arrive first, but the dude who is willing to pay the most will get laid first.

You win! Free drink next time I see you at SL. Happy holidays.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."