Almost Three Months

We are almost going on three months of living in Costa Rica and life here is very good. This is the dry season and every day is like summer reaching around 85 in the sun for a few hours. In the shade it is cooler; very lovely usually with a nice breeze. We wonder what we will feel about the rainy season. I have talked to many Norte Americanos and Costa Ricans who say their favorite time of the year is the rainy season. I will have to see for myself, can't imagine saying that.

We went back to Aldemar's boyhood swimming hole this week. It is a lovely place in the river with a waterfall, rock ledges and cool flowing water. Both John and I find we like it better than going to the ocean where it is hot, sandy and the waves turn the water murky. I know we aren't in the majority and “paradise” to many is sandy beaches and blue ocean waters but we like the cooler mountains; it is plenty warm enough here for us plus the water is clean. We can also swim in a smaller pool under the falls in the river right next to our rental house if we don't want to drive a mile to the larger swimming spot.

 

Swimming Hole. Bottom is all rock so it is very nice for walking.

 

Off to Panama!

We had to travel to Panama this week to renew our passports. Every 90 days visitors have to leave the country. Although we have applied for residency and been accepted by immigration we don't yet have our official cedulas. We expect to get our cedulas in the fall, takes about a year after acceptance. A cedula is Costa Rica's official certificate that you are now a resident, (not a citizen), but accepted as a resident. But immigration and motor vehicle departments don't operate by the same guidelines. So to keep our drivers licenses and auto insurance current we have to go out of the country and have our passports stamped. Even banks won't wait on you if your passport is overdue the 90 days. Once we have our cedulas we don't have to leave every 90 days.

Crossing the border to Panama was very laborious. It took about 3.5 hours to finally get over the boarder and on our way to the city of David. That was 3.5 hours at the boarder, on top of 2+ hours driving down there.  Our builder, Christian, came with us so we had an experienced Costa Rican help us. There were so many windows, applications and fees to pay. Get this stamped, pay an exit fee, fill out this form, go to this window, buy this stamp, talk to this person, get your picture taken, get your car fumigated, etc.! It is really crazy!

 

For those going to Panama, there is a new exit tax, $7.00.  They only had one person collecting for everyone wanting to cross, even babies.  Took 1.5 hours to get through that line. You can pay this tax ahead of time at Bancredito.  Not sure where you will find one but that would save you a long line if you can find one before you get to the boarder.  Maybe one in a city near you.  We will look beforehand next time for that bank. 

 

Panama Border Crossing

Not to worry my loved ones, but I got to feel my first earthquake while at the border. John and Christian didn't feel it because they were standing in another area. I was sitting on a very large heavy cement bench and was wondering why it was moving. I heard some people in CR felt the tremors also. To put your mind at ease, where we are living is not earthquake prone, hurricane prone or any volcanoes.

Once away from the border of Costa Rica & Panama, Panama was lovely; shopping was nice and we had lunch at TGIF. Yep! The franchise restaurant. Christian said they really don't care for many of Panama's independent eateries so we went safe.  Didn't care for the border, it seemed really dirty, noisy and too many trucks. 

Update on the House

Christian says he hopes to have our house done in 3 months from this point. It is exciting to anticipate moving in. We are getting to the point where a lot of decisions will have to be made. Won't have any trouble finding tile, (tile is a big thing in the tropics) but light fixtures aren't meeting my approval so far. Got to keep looking...

Christian's brothers are cabinet makers so will work with me on the look I want. Going for a more modern look this time. Our roof is more complete than this picture shows but this is what I have on my computer right now from a few days ago.