www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Yeah, we could watch each others backs. Only thing is I'd never spend 3-4 days in the Mercado, too hard to give the people there that wide berth I speak of. I take it you were never pickpocketed there in all that time which I'm glad. I think that THAT may have been tempting fate, although it might also show that some commonly held security concerns are sometimes overblown.

I agree that there is much to see in SJ, that would be missed rushing by in taxi, but you're not going to see much of that at night anyway and those "regular" chicas don't hang out in those parks after dark unless they're with their novios or unless they're not so "regular".

I also agree that it is ridiculous to take a cab the 1 block from the DR to Chelles. I think nearly everyone here would agree with that. But I'd NEVER say it is silly to take a cab from the DR to the SL as you have. As I said before, different strokes for different folks. I understand their concerns, which have at least some merit, and it is after all only a buck. Its really a matter of personal choice and there are certainly times when I make the same choice and opt for the cab.

Instead of using a money belt I wear a flat wallet on a string necklace. Slip it over your head and under your arm. Somewhat resembles a shoulder holster. Wear a t-shirt or regular shirt outside your pants for easy access. I just keep chump change in my pocket for small purchases. It works great for me anywhere I go.

The Mercado Central walks were all early morning walks. Usually about the time the fish, vegetables, and ice deliveries arrive. How you say "I ain't no fool". I would never, never think of walking there at night.

To clear one other point up, my walking tours were all done before 9pm.

Well, the odds are that nothing will happen to you....

But my point is that when you choose to walk that area, the end-result is no longer your decision anymore.

I work out up here 6x/week....don't need any exercise down there except what I get in the room, and go down there to relax....mentally & physically.

But like you said, to each his own....keep us posted on your walks.

I hope so!

But for those who are really looking for a "regular tica" how else can they meet one without walking thru the "regular" CR?

As far as your working out 6x times a week. I did see a pic of you in the gallery and you are a massive guy. You would be a good wing man, but you would be scared to go to the places I would venture to.

First of all, I don't consider Morazan Park at night "regular Costa Rica"....

Secondly, I have walked extensively in Costa Rica, but do it during the day, that's all. I enjoy walking around and getting in the flow of Tico life, fun stuff.

Scared? I don't know about that. But like I said, I just don't take unecessary risks anymore. I am quite lucky to have lived through some of the dumb shit I have done, particularly in Colombia. These days I choose to get my adrenaline rushes in different ways.

Please, please, please I am not trying to advocate walking thru any park at night. I am just attempting to say, take a walk thru CR before 9pm.

The "regular" ticas can be found on Avenida Central at 6am!!!!!!!! You just have to walk fast to keep in pace with them rushing to catch their bus.

Herbf, you keep confusing one thing with another. I don't think Junfan or anyone else is even talking about walking anywhere before dark or perhaps early evening, so why keep bringing it up? It doesn't have anything to do with the real issue at hand here.

Junfan, I work out regularly too, though perhaps not as often as you. When I said I did it for the exercise, I didn't mean exercise in that sense (even as a cardio workout it would take more than a 5 minute walk). I go to relax too and I find stretching my legs, getting my blood flowing a little and getting some cool fresh air relaxes me. Yes, I said fresh air! SJ is definitely choked with diesel exhaust during the day but at night when the cool breezes sweep down form the mountains a lot of that is cleared out. Its certainly better than those nasty cigars some of you guys smoke in the DR. And despite what you say, I don't walk for any sort of thrill or adrenaline rush either, since I don't perceive the same risk that you do. Fianlly, I'm glad that you agree that the odds are that nothing will happen to me, but I disagree that the end result is ever really completely our decision anyway and I can always still choose to run if I have to.

So lets all (including herbf) agree to disagree, do whatever we choose for ourselves, assume the level of risk that we feel comfortable with and not fall into the trap of regarding others as scaredy cats, fools or dumbasses if they don't happen to see things the same way.

Pro, could you clarify my confusion, por favor. Since you responded to the real issue at hand, what do you think is the real issue at hand?

With brotherly love at CRT please respond with helpful answers.

Diversity is the way of life!

Pura Vida

I walk through there all the time in the daytime, but avoid it at night. I know several people who have been robbed there at night. It's worth a buck to take a cab.

I found if you roll up a cien worth of money.Dollars or colones either one.Look down at the jeans you have on now.See that little pocket on your right side.Roll it up and stash it there.Put around $40 in your regular pocket to drink on.I dont care how good a picpocket is.He better have small fingers to get into that pocket.
Also I have stayed at the Sportsman.I have walked at night before with a wingman.Nothing happened.Now I look back,whats a buck to your safety.We do spend a large amount to go down there to party.So whats another buck.
And when I stay at the Prez. I always walk.But this last time the bums and such are getting more brave.One guy touched me and my Chica on the arms.I almost BITCH SLAPPED him.But I held back and yelled at him.The guard at the Prez saw what was going on.He ran the guy off.So Hell I may even take a cab to the Prez from now on.I just was able to say no! No! NO! before.D C

Its just a matter of not being hassled for a dollar every few steps. to take a cab for the same price. Save your walking for the daytime!

But my hats off to Nucknfuts. He must have been listening to to much LOU REED as he says" Take a walk on the wild side"

You go BoYYYYYYYYY!!!!

Okay, here we go again. I don't think anyone would disagree that it is generally desirable to meet some "regular" chicas. I don't think anyone would disagree that it is generally a good idea to get out and walk around in the light of day to see a little of SJ. Those are not at issue. What there appears to be some friendly disagreement about is whether it is generally a good idea to walk in, near or through certain parks after dark. That is the issue as I understand it. Walking through a dark deserted (except for trannies, muggers and other lowlifes or perhaps occasional strolling couples) park will not enable you to see much of SJ and will not enable you to meet "regular" chicas like it might during the day. So why keep bringing that up as a reason to walk through those parks after dark if that is really what we're talking about?

That's all I have to say on that and I won't repeat it again. I will however address a few new points raised by the last 3 posters as well as something mentioned earlier by herbf.

1) Veelee said its worth a buck to take a cab. I agree it can be. If the ONLY reason you choose to walk is to save a buck when there are so many valid reasons to take the cab, then you're just being cheap.

2) Doc mentioned the little pocket thing and I do the same thing very often (though with less cash). Herbf mentioned the money belt worn holster style and wearing your shirt untucked for easy access. I don't do that exactly but I do like to wear shirts untucked that come down long. It may look sloppy and mark me as a tourist, but it makes it just a little harder for pickpockets to get into my pockets undetected.

3) Doc and Joe raised some interesting rationales for taking a cab over even a shorter distance such as between the DR and the Prez. The problem I have with that argument is that, if you're being hassled right near the entrances and exits of the DR and the Prez, the same thing can still happen to you when you step out to catch the cab and get out of the cab at the other end.

I've may have said this before, but for all the talk about the terrors of the parks after dark, the only place I've ever really been hassled and the place where I've always felt the most defensive is at the entrance to the DR where even for just a moment I'm forced to be in close proximity to some highly questionable characters. Sure they can follow you if you're walking, but I've found a strong "NO!" or even a "FUCK-OFF"and then looking away and walking on determinedly nearly always does the trick if you give it a few seconds or so. By the time I get up to the corner with the DelMar and the park, those guys are always gone and I usually look over my shoulder to make sure there is no one else following. The problem that I had last time is when a member of my group engaged one of the beggars in polite conversation ("please go away, I'm not interested, etc.) or continued to pay them any attention when they didn't immediately desist. Why be polite to these little fuckers? Sure, they're people too and just trying to get by. But they've chosen to do it by making pests of themselves AND, unfortunately, they know from experience that if they make enough of a pest of themselves SOME of us (ahem, any of you out there?) will eventually pay to make them go away. I think any attention or politeness just encourages them and those that pay to make them go away are the worst of all. If you show anger, they'll realize that you're not going to be one of those saps and move on to someone else.

If one of those characters actually grabbed me, I wouldn't hesitate to shove them off strongly and raise my fist menacingly (one should be very careful about actual getting into actual fights with CR citizens though). I expect there will always be beggars, but there are certain lines they shouldn't be allowed to cross.