This whole thing fell off my radar when I had a major problem with my computer. And then for some odd reason, I didn't get notified of the activity in the thread. But out of the blue, I just did (about a week ago) when I received the private message. I've been working crazy hours on a big project for the past two weeks, so I just saw that.
So I guess you all want to know the scoop.
Seems fair enough and I really do appreciate the time and effort you put into the thread. I hope you continue to share your expertise with others.
As many of you pointed out, it was alot of money in comparison to what you knew you could do on your own. The bigger concern on my part, was whether or not I was going to be left standing in the airport with nothing in my hand but my privates. I knew I was going to have a good trip one way or the other however, because you folks gave me a contingency plan. I knew which hotels I could get a last minute reservation at and I knew where to go looking, if I needed company. So thank you, once again, to everyone.
As it turns out, I did not get stranded at the airport. It is a real service, underneath it all, but there are layers. Layers cost money. More money than is necessary. Layers don't always provide additional value, they just make it easier for someone who's looking for something, to actually find it. In the end, as I've stated previously, I would not repeat the approach.
For me, I look for services that provide a certain degree of quality, which you can't necessarily find on your own. Sometimes you can. I think you folks know how to do that on your own. I think you've all built up alot of experience over time and from sharing with each other so that you really know how to play this game. I like a sure thing. These types of services are supposed to provide a degree of executive care. Some services are able to deliver on that, others aren't. They tried, but it wasn't what I expected nor required, so I won't repeat it.
Now for some of what you really wanted to hear about.
I showed up and was met at the airport by someone I had never heard of. He knew about me, so it wasn't a problem. He brought me to the local place I was staying at. Nice rooms, king size bed, big Jacuzzi and a private Sauna in the room. No complaints. This is the level of quality I expect. I know that I can get it on my own next time for half of what I paid to learn about it. OK, that's to be expected. The bottom line is that I was immediately relieved, because I finally knew things were legit.
I checked in under my own name and my reservation was ready and waiting for me. This immediately confirmed for me that certain aspects of the problems I had experienced in making it this far were exactly as funky as I had thought. In other words, since the reservation was in my name, I should have been able to confirm it any time, which I hadn't been able to do.
Very shortly after I arrived, I was contacted by the local operator, who really took the time to sit down and talk through the problems I had in making it this far. Suffice it to say, it ain't supposed to happen the way it did. (I got the feeling from our earlier notes that I'm not supposed to say the names of the service providers or folks think I'm promoting, so let me know if you want the details here.)
On to business.
I worked through the issues of mismatched expectations on what services were supposed to be included. He worked extra hard to try to do right by me, recognizing the problems up to this point. He introduced me to the girls (now that it was clear there were supposed to be two). They were not the ones I had requested.
I made it clear that they were not acceptable.
We spent (wasted) a few hours as I was introduced to various candidates. I systematically turned them down and began wondering how far it was to the Delray. Eventually, I settled for two who were very nice. But for clarity sake, while most people may have been satisfied, they were not up to the standards that I expected. For this kind of service at this level of cost, I expect models and that's what I usually get. I had a wonderful time, but the next day I had to go shopping again.
Finally, the next day, a young beauty who really made me look twice, showed up and I was all set in that department (she came complete with a pierced tongue, which was a new experience for me and I can assure you that I enjoyed it. She was 19 and had a wonderful tendency to shout in spanish when she wasn't moaning in delight - we had a good time !).
By the way, what does it mean, when she yells "Oh Papi" ?
The only problem was that she spoke very little english y yo hablo espanol un poco, which became the butt of many jokes and the source of alot of fun, because I really tried hard to speak broken spanish. In order to really make this work, I needed to keep two companions, because one spoke english better than the other and helped me with my spanish.
So I had to suffer with two girls. I endured.
I travelled all over CR, from Paos to Tabacon, which was really tough in only 5 days. I wanted to do everything and I did (Fine Dining, Canopy tours, Scuba Diving, Volcanos, Horseback riding, Night Jungle Tours, not to mention all of the extra-curricular activities). I learned alot about CR. I love the country and can't wait to go back some day.
And did I mention that satisfying two women for 5 days is a great way to diet and exercise ? I still chuckle when I think about the 19 year old turning to the other girl at 2am one morning as I beckoned her to roll over after having started with her, finished the other and returned to her - she didn't think I understood the spanish, but essentially it was: "Me ? Again ?". Lovin' life ! I lost almost 10 pounds in 5 days and I'm not fat.
So, in the end, I did not get what I paid for. But I wasn't left standing at the airport either. I did have an extraordinary time, but as you all knew before I started this adventure, I did not need to pay enough for a case of fine Mouton nor suffer through the problems I encountered.
When I return, IT WILL NOT BE the way I made this trip.
Some folks would say I took it up the ass. I only know that I had the time of my life once again, in a country that provides the ultimate fantasy environment for those like us who know how to live life.
Work hard. Play hard.
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The experience is all that matters in the end...
