www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have to give thanks to whomever turned me on to Pop’s Wingman Tour; unfortunately, I can’t recall who it was but thanks!

Pop's Wingman's tour was the best investment I made in Costa Rica, second only to the CRT VIP fee.

I strongly advise any CRTer planning their first trip to San Jose should contact Pop and make arrangements to go on the tour. Yes, you can find these places on your own -- but what you won't get is Pops' company. Trust me on this, you want it.

You will not regret it.

Let me repeat that: YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

In case you didn't get it: you will nOT REGRET IT!!!

Not only did we get the benefit of Pops’ knowledge of the Gulch, we also made a new friend in Pops and, through him, many other new friends.

Thanks Pops, and I hope to buy you an Imperial in June!

http://popsguideservice.net/

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Pop's services or with CRT, nor had I met Pops before this trip. I am merely a very satisfied customer sharing my positive experiences with fellow mongers! Pura vida!

miamiheller

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mh

Miamiheller wrote:


Or you could just meet up with other CRT guys at the Sportsmens Lodge that won't charge you for the privilege of their company.

Sonordos,

You have a point, but I'm going to meet up with Pop on my next trip, despite the fact that I have 135+ days in country, six trips under my belt, many CRT buddies and am familiar with the geography. Why? Because I think it would be cool to have a dedicated guide for a day. This eases the load on my wingmen, allowing them more freedom (because they don't have to guide my blind ass). Also, beyond the puntos de tierra (most of which I already know), there is interesting insight to be gained from talking with a local resident. I learned more in three hours for instance, with Bang Bang than I have in several other outings.

And at $30.00 for CRT V.I.P.s, Pop's service is not expensive.

For those of us who don't know a lot of other CRt'ers or who are making our first trip solo to C.R., Pop offers a valuable service. I'm going to give it a shot. Also, I respect the fact that guys like Pop and BB57 have retired to C.R. with limited buedgets, and I'd like to help guys who help others enjoy our hobby. Like I said, what's thirty or thirty-five bucks? I've pissed that away in an evening of drinking. Sounds like a very good deal to me.

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

El Ciego wrote:



Well I think you are a pretty unique case and I can understand your motives. However I think you are probably less of a burden to your wingmen than you believe, in fact its more likely a mutually beneficial relationship, at least in smaller doses. I for one enjoyed getting to know you a bit better on the way to the airport and I benefitted from the express treatment through security.

El Ciego continues:


I do to, however to my knowledge, BB57 has never charged for his countless tours of MP's. And part of the fun on solo trips is meeting new people, possibly friends that can last a lifetime. I don't think I know Pops, he's probably a nice guy, I guess I'm just not comfortable with the mercenary aspect of the service, when this board provides access to free alternatives through the Roll Call forum and the wealth of goodfellas in town almost any weekend willing to help a newbie out for free (not to mention the VIP map.

In conclusion, perhaps Pop's service does address a niche market, and $30 for 4-6 hours is cheap for a person's time, however I think newbies should be aware there are also free options. I know I'm paid in full when I take a newbie to the Del Rey just by seeing their expression.

To each his own.

All I know is this: I was the beneficiary of having both Bang Bang AND Pops for guides when I visited Relax for the first time. I wasn't aware BB doesn't charge for his tours, but I would HAPPILY contribute to his monger fund if he did, because in my opinion both BB and Pops offer valuable information that would take the average newbie a lot of time and money to discover on his own.

I'll go further: I would -- and I will -- happily pay for Pops' tour AGAIN when I go down in June with two buddies who have never been to SJ before. I will advise them before we go to take Pops' tour, even though I could show them the same places. Why? For several reasons:

1) Pops' great company and a good guy
2) I feel as if I am contributing
3) I know he'll give me new insights each time we hang out
4) BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE DOING IT AND I CAN AFFORD TO DO IT, OK? YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT?

You are getting the benefits of Pops' knowledge of the Gulch and his connections. I can't (and won't) make it any clearer than that.

Miamiheller wrote:


Lighten up Francis. You can donate to any charity you choose.

I would suggest you take your own advice before giving it to others.

Well clearly you are satisfied with Pops and his tour and that's great. After all, that's what you paid for right?

Senordos makes a great point. This board is comprised of scratching each others back (at least the amigos I have on this board are that way)

Granted, "Pops" isn't a member of this board (I don't think) so it stands to reason he wouldn't offer this for free to other members.

This thread is in the appropriate section because the real of it is, newbies would be the only ones prone to partake.

Come with your 2 buddies in Aug/Sept for the big party. Having that many goodfellas around will be an endless supply of knowledge. If one guy doesn't know the answer, the next one will.


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"...

Jadcujo wrote:


Thanks for all or your comments Jadcujo, but FYI "Pop's" own disclaimer states he's a member of the board, and to his credit steers newbies to joining, and even offers CRT'ers a $5 discount:

From Pop's website:

Or you could just meet up with other CRT guys at the Sportsmens Lodge that won't charge you for the privilege of their company.[/quote]

I have use Pop's service and I must say I enjoy his company and his insight he has to offer. His knowledge of the landscape made my first trip as smooth as possible. I did not have to ask any one where to go or how to approach any of the fine ladies. I had a friend who watch my back and let me know the finer etiquette of mongering. I was more than happy for his service. And when I return I will use his service again because his company and insight is exceptional

Once again, here's another thread with the ever-so-important YMMV aspect to it.

As we all know by now, everyone rolls in a different way, especially when it comes to mongering.
- Some guys are all about quantity, while others are looking for quality.
- Some guys prefer the “point-and-phuck” method, while others like to take their time to find that “special” connection.
- Some guys like to use escort services, while others prefer the thrill of the hunt.
- Some guys like MP's, while others have no interest in those types of venues.
- Some guys don't mind paying $200+ dollars per night for nice accomodations, while others prefer budget priced hotels.
- Some guys will pay $500 just to watch some crack-whore play with herself, while others won't pay more than $50 to slam some hot looking chica in the shooter.

Hell, this list could go on forever, but you get where I'm going with this. It's obvious that Pop's Guide Service may not be desirable for everyone, but I can understand and appreciate what he's doing. I know that many of the CR Vets or frequent visitors would not use his service(s), but I'm sure there's lots of guys out there who would gain substantial benefits from spending a day with Pop, soaking up all of his insights and wisdom, along with meeting with some of his “contacts”.

Personally, I have no desire to spend the time or money on his “wingman services”, but IMO he may have found himself a niche market. I wish him all the best.

MG

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

I agree with 'Cujo and MG. However, there is one aspect of hiring a "guide" over meeting an experienced wingman: When you are paying someone to show you around, you get to make the call. It is about whatever your idea of a "good time" is and you can call the venue, change your mind, do it your way. When you rely on the kindness of other mongers, you more or less get to see the way they do it and that may not be to your liking at all.

I see a place for Pops. El Ciego is one client who will enjoy his services, I'm sure. Fast Eddie, Zebrawon's friend, could certainly have used the service and it might have saved some headaches for the locals who tried to help him.

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"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Pops took me and another person on his tour, before he turned it into a business and he started to charge for it.

Pops was very accommodating by asking us what we wanted to see and how we wanted to get there. That is what we did.
The best part for me was it did not involve any mongering spots but was more the real CR. I hung out with Pops and he knows both aspects of CR very well.

As MG stated to each his/her own.

IMveryHO any newbie, or for that matter any seasoned monger, should take Pops tour. It is a great deal and well worth the money you pay.

Costa Rica is a wonderful place in, or especially out of the gulch.

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Patriot: Ice Road Trucking through the Bearing Sea to recovery

I also took the tour with Pops and did benefit from the other CRT members as well. However, both experiences were different and I would do it all again without hesitation. Pops provides a unique insight during his tour and in the end it is catered to your specific needs. I honestly feel that every newbie should at least give it a try.

=xp=

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--==xpatriot==--

MG & PAC55 have it on the nose. Pops is a different way to see CR.
Might not be for everyone but, for the newbies it just might be there best spent $$.
Yes you can very easy find a wingman ( I never had a problem, on my first 2 trips ) .
One time I went with a couple of guys who were in much better shape than I was in. Not a fun time. Man was I sore from all the walking the next couple of days.
As always YM W V
Tampa