Back to the Real (?) World - But Not For Long!
Well, I had to come back for a couple of weeks to tie up some loose ends. Doctor's appointments, prescription renewal, car inspections, etc. - all that mundane stuff one takes for granted when the pharmacy is right down the street and you are running errands today anyway. Also gives me a chance to bring some stuff that I took down to Costa Rica and put it back in my storage unit – long pants, long sleeve shirts etc. I haven't had on a pair of shoes since sometime in late January – and I am going to do what with three pair of shoes?? Plus, did you know, that in the heat and humidity of a tropical climate, shoes in your closet end up with a fine growth of moss (mildew and mold) all over them? Yuk!
Interesting Note (Local Color Variety)
There is a gentleman that wanders the streets of Golfito everyday with his camera draped around his neck. His camera is an elaborate polaroid instant camera circa 1960s – about the size of a toaster. As it turns out, for years he made a living taking 'our vacation' pictures of tourists. However, in this day and age of digital cameras, he now just wanders up and down the streets every day socializing. Shades of the buggy whip artisans!
Food for Thought!
According to the Census Bureau - One out of three U.S. women owns a gun!
You supply your own comment on this one. I'm in enough trouble already!
Well, My Buds Had to Have A Going Away Party When I Left Golfito.
Here's the whole 'Motley Crew'
My friend Mattie explaining 'Einstein's Theory' to me.
And Zack with his new girl friend
Here I am with ..uh..er .. "Your Honor, I do not know what the charges are - but, I plead not guilty!
Bizarre Coincidence?
The mother of one of the boys that Michael Jackson is accused of abusing is named 'Janet Jackson'.
Oh God, let's talk about someone less boring than Michael – say, .... Paris Hilton, maybe.
Tico Ingenuity Revisited
When you check in at the international departure wing of the airport in San Jose, you see yet another example of Tico ingenuity. You know how you can't help but have concerns about the security of your checked baggage? Of particular concern are the exterior zippered compartments that are common on most of the modern suitcases. Well, as you approach the area where the serpentine check-in line starts (that works its way up to the counter where you check in and hand over your baggage), there are small stands with a unrecognizable machine. Turns out that for about $2, they set your bag on this machine and in about a minute your bag is shrink wrapped. The attendant then takes a razor knife and makes a cut-out for the handle and a couple more to free-up the wheels. You end up at the baggage check-in with your bag totally cocoon-ed! It also comes off the baggage carousel at your arrival point still wrapped. Clever!
Made it to Charlotte Unscathed.
Thursday evening my flight was about an hour late getting into Charlotte – was almost 10:30PM before I cleared customs. As I came out of the gate from the customs area, I realized my son had been anxiously awaiting my arrival. I knew that because, I could hear him hollering from the bar. Yahoo! By the time I left Charlotte Monday morning for Wilmington, I had figured out that the seemingly endless 'welcome home' parties – attended largely by people you have never met – tends to be taxing on 'old bones'. Oh well, live and learn. Not!
Did You Know?
One in five of the world's people live in China.
At least for now they live in China! Why do I get the feeling that in a few years there will be three Chop Suey restaurants in every U.S. strip mall?
Interesting Note
I was only out of the country for three months, yet I am having an adjustment problem back here in the U.S. And, you couldn't guess what my problem is. It is the changes in the daylight hours. In Costa Rica we are so close to the equator (Golfito is at latitude 8 degrees north) that the daylight hours vary hardly at all from season to season. And there is no daylight savings time. So daylight is pretty much 5:30AM to 5:30PM. Here I keep getting surprised to find that it is 8PM and it's still not dark.
Till next time. Pura Vida! And, I must admit, man do I miss this!
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