When I told everyon that I was coming to Costa Rica, a lot of people told me, "Oh be careful of the crime, and pickpockets" and so on and so on. While that element is here, it's my belief that crime is actually lower here than most first world countries. Despite the barred windows and concertina wire, Ticos (Costa Rican's name for themselves) are very friendly, and very intolerant of crime. The deal with pickpockets and small theft like that is simply proximity to other people. Since we Americans go everywhere in our cars, the criminals have to move to other methods to rob us, viz a vi identity theft or whathave you. It would be just the same, and is, in big cities.
Ticos are typically very friendly and helpful. Case in point, on Monday some friends and I went out for dinner after class. We stopped and asked some guy in a store where a good restaurant was. Not only did he give us directions (there are no road signs or addresses in Costa Rica, and all directions are given by landmarks, let that sink in for a bit), but he later found us on his way home, because we were still hopelessly lost, and helped us get to our restaurant.
Then, at the restaurant, I caught this one woman in a big group of very drunk women watching our table. I raised my glass to her and said "Pura Vida", to which her whole table responded with a loud "PURA VIDA!" right back. This went on almost all night until, as we were leaving, they called us over and got some group photos with us. Good times, good times.
More later. Off to dance class (yeah, me dancing, that mental image should haunt you for a few days)
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