www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'll tell you who got me started on this. An amiga (non-hooker) told me a while back, after complaining about being burned out on the gluch, if I would come back to CR we would get on a bus and "see where it takes us for fun". I came back for that bus ride and discovered an entire new world. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the people. Nothing like SJO centro. I was hooked. In fact, I was telling this experience to a guy at the lobby bar and he told me he did the same thing the day before. Rode a "city" bus to nowhere and got off. Said he saw a catholic church and went inside for the service. After the service he started talking to some locals... his Spanish sucks... but they invited him over to their casa for lunch. He went and had a great experience. That's Costa Rica. Hence the thread I started... "Phuck the Gluch".

Berk.....

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

Very good advise Berk.By going out to the countryside you'll get to see the other great things(although the gulch is fun)in Costa Rica.I also like to meet the locals and i often venture in the opposite direction of the tourist traps on my many trips to Mexico.

An interesting anecdote to show just what awaits you once you get out of the gulch.

Yesterday I was going to an American legion meeting and was taking someone who interested in joining. The post hold it's meeting in Heredia. The gentleman that accompanied me has been visiting Costa Rica for many years and has has lived here for a number of years however he had never been to Heredia.

He was stunned by what he saw. He saw the park, the church, the bustling downtown area and could not believe such a place existed just a few miles north of San Jose. He felt like he was almost in a another country.

It is a fascinating country once you break free of the gulch and the tourist regimented tour groups.

Try it you will like it.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Don't you mean "gluch"?

Thank you for that insightful comment. Unfortunately my education seems lacking here. Would you be so kind as give a definition of gluch No need to use it in a sentence just the definition will be fine. many thanks.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Ask Berk, I got it from him.

If you don't speak Spanish very well, another option for filling non-monger time is to take some classes.

There are numerous Spanish language schools near the Glutch (a.k.a. Gultch), including the Costa Rica Language Academy (CRLA). Classes run from two to four hours per day, and you can also arrange for one-on-one tutoring. Costs are surprisingly affordable at all the schools, and you'll have a chance to meet other world citizens trying to learn Spanish and ticas trying to learn English. Plus, many schools also offer Latin dance or cooking classes, conversation/cultural exchange groups etc. You can study for as little as a week, or as long (I suppose) as a couple years.

Having Spanish skills really enhances your Costa Rica experience. The local people are amazingly tolerant of beginners and will gently help and correct you when you make the inevitable errors in your Spanish.

Another way to spend a rainy afternoon is to hang out at the del Rey, Sportsmen's or any other gringo bar and talk to other mongers. Or alternately, you can go to someplace like the New York Bar or Nashville South and chat with expatriates currently living in C.R.

Finally, you can shop. Aside from the Central Market, Hypermas, Pricemart, Wal*Mart and the downtown crafts market, you can go to Sarchi and look at all the cool handmade furniture and wood products. Have a pair of custom boots made at one of the bootmakers downtown. Get an inexpensive haircut/manicure/pedicure. Try different cigars. Go shopping for liquor to bring back with you to the States. Watch a local futbol (socfcer) game...and I'm not talking the Sorpresa...check out a pickup game in a park, or watch enthusiastic youngsters trying to learn to play. Go bowling. See a movie in Spanish.

I'm all out of suggestions...time to go drink some more Costa Rican "Volio" coffee. Hope this all helps.

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

Well then perhaps you should have quoted his post and inquired as to what he was referring to.

That way you could answer the question when someone asks you what you meant rather than have to direct them to ask another.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

"Heredia: It’s Like a Whole Other Country”

Spare time in CR? What's that?

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

The only casino I've ever had any delay cashing out at is the Fiesta at the Best Western, because the pit boss has to write you out a withdraw slip. That took 7-8 minutes I think. Otherwise it has always been an instantaneous process, and I am talking at least 2 nights a week for the past 3 years at at least 8-10 san jose casinos.

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heredia porn king

Sshhhh keep the gringos out of Heredia!

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heredia porn king

Sex,drinking alittle gambling and eating.3-4sessions a day 15-20 imperials3rd or4th day sleep .You will find what works for you.

I walk a lot. I've walked from the HDR area all the way west to Parque Sabana and back several times. I've done this walk with segments along all sorts of side streets. One day I set out walking and ended up in Barrio Mexico. I snagged a taxi and told the driver to take me to Escazu but I didn't know of any landmarks so I just said "Mas por Menos"

Several minutes later he dropped me off where I asked. I got out of the cab in front of that used car dealership then went to the Mas por Menos. For some reason I thought I'd find a map as Escazu there. I didn't. So I walked about for awhile but I was getting tired so I opted to walk downhill, past the Shell Station, and all the way to the little strip mall (With the Harley dealership) across from the Hiper Mas.

I ended up catching a bus there. I sat on the bench and let a lot of buses go by, hoping to see someplace I recognized. Finally I saw "Merced" so I hopped on that bus and paid something like 60 colones and rode to the Parque Merced, which I gathered was the last stop. I got off there and walked back "home."

I stayed at the Villa Tournon (by el Peublo) my first trip and I made the walk from there to the HDR area all the time. For those of you who don't know where the VT is, if you took off from the HDR and walked to ZB and then continued walking about twice that distance again, you'd be in the right area - generally) One of those days I also walked over to the Ch*ldren's museum but elected not to go inside.

As an earlier poster said, you can really see CR if you get the ambition to hop on a bus and just ride it. That, and all the walking, makes for a somewhat more gritty experience to shake up all the drinking and phucking.

Someone earlier also mentioned going to Heridia. I did that as well. I didn't know a damned thing about Heridia but I figured there would be a central park, so I hailed a cab and told him to take me there. The park was nice and the church was worth seeing too. I spent about a half-day in Heridia just walking around, going into shops, stopping at little sodas for a snack, etc.

If you stay at the Sportmen's, be sure to use the excellent fitness center there.

I recommend having lunch at the News Cafe, sitting at the bar stools overlooking Avenido Central. Also, be sure to have lunch at the Gran Hotel in the patio, which overlooks a park. It is really excellent, and reasonable.

You will find the Gold Museum (Museo Oro) and the National Museum worthwhile.

Sit for a while at the park next to the Gran Hotel, and you may end up with a GFE.

I am probably an exception as I've lived in CR for almost two years and pretty much am bored with the gulch. Here are some things I do in my spare time:

1. Go for day hikes. This is totally underrated. There are tons of mountains surrounding the city and lots of trails. Some are very difficult. Some even lead to waterfalls and are off the chartered maps. For example, if you are very adventurous you can hike the crosses in the Escazu mountains. There are three. The hike to the highest cross takes about a day. I've done the first two and its a blast.

2. Go to parque Sabana. Its a pretty nice place to just chill and get some sun. Plus... lots of chicas to watch.

3. Get a day pass to the Costa Rica tennis club. You can do just about anything there from lounging at the pool bar, tennis, bowling, pool, squash, basketball, you name it.

4. If its rainy, go to the Multiplaza and shop or see a movie.

4. If you are biker, you can rent mountain bikes. There are trails just past the Monteserio that are beginner to intermediate.

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