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Have I got an AWESOME Dental Implant Specialist for you (& Dentist)!!!!!!
I have guests that finished Phase #1 of their implant surgery with Dr. Arnoldo Anglada & WOW!!
Pain Management was a big issue with Derek (my guest) & this was one of the big deciding factors in picking “Arnoldo” (what he asks you to call him – NO ego here!) over the other dentist they saw. He offers just about every form of pain management there is from the standard – local anesthetic, to the FUN nitrosoxide/laughing gas, also IV sedation (which was only $300) to total anesthesia in a hospital. Even when he had his teeth cleaning, they gave him special eye goggles to watch videos which diverted his energy away from thinking about any potential pain!!
Not only does Arnoldo speak GOOD English but when Derek was in surgery (he opted for IV sedation where he was kinda knocked out but you still seem to have your motor faculties about you he said), one of the assistants started to speak in Spanish & he said to her “English Please” – which sounds like he has a policy that when a client just speaks English – he asks his staff to respect that.
When they initially called, he was with a client & he personally called them back 30 minutes later & he was in for his initial visit at 8pm that night (he was literally a last minute job as he wasn’t overly thrilled with the initial doctor he came to see both in his not being as sensitive to his pain issues as well as too many complaints from patients waiting in his waiting room).
I sent Arnold an email & HE (not his assistants) emailed me back 40 minutes later on his lunch break. THAT’s IMPRESSIVE to me!!!
Surgery Day – Derek went in for his first surgery at 6pm & was out by 8:30pm. Arnoldo even helped them out to the taxi! My gang felt Arnoldo is such a GENUENLY compassionate person!
The EXCITING NEWS!!! Derek NEVER got ANY black & blue marks & hardly any swelling (I’m sure his mom staying up throughout the night changing his ice helped a LOT also [HINT – the good thick surgical gloves make AWESOME ice packs!])!!
They TOTALLY sang the phrases of Arnaldo & now Derek doesn’t have any issues about finishing off the other phases over the next year!
Arnoldo has people in his office to do Teeth Cleaning (Karin does it & she speaks GREAT English) & Bleaching with laser!
Another HUGE factor in selecting him was when we went searching/asking around – his name kept coming up again & again – ALL REALLY POSITIVE comments about him!
His rates were even better than the others (though that was NOT a factor in choosing him). You get the best rate paying cash or personal check but they take credit cards (+5%). I believe they can even work out some sort of payments.
I was told there are only THREE/3 dentists CERTIFIED to do implants in Costa Rica (does anyone know where to verify that? If you do go elsewhere – to me, that would be IMPORTANT to know!!).
I spoke to him on the phone & got a “Good Vibe” & I’m pretty darn right-on with my “vibes” (oh, & when I saw we share the same birthday – 6/9 – I KNEW it HAD to be him!!)!! Oh, & he’s a real hottie based on the pics (& the reports I got back from my guests mom & grandma!!).
He’s works in a Medical Office with Dr. Eduardo Castro (290-2121) who’s a General Dentist doing Teeth Cleaning, Bleaching (laser!!), Root Canals, Bridges, Crowns, other Cosmetic dental procedures, even amalgamate (those nasty metal/toxic filings) removal & just about everything else related to dental work (other than implants).
At the end of the day – from what NUMEROUS people have shared with their experiences – Dr. “Arnoldo” Anglada seems to be THE MAN for MANY (& the man for me when I get my $$ resources together!!)!!!
If you go to him – tell him Vicki with The Fountains Guesthouse in Escazu referred you & if you need a place to stay – keep us in mind!!!
Dr. Arnoldo Anglada
http://www.CostaRicaImplants.com
aanglada@ implants. co. cr aanglada@implants.co.crLOCATIONS: San Jose – La Sabana: The yellow building on the 2nd Fl. – 1 block South of McDonald’s in La Sabana 232-0105 / 232-1872
Pozos de Santa Ana: In Plaza Lindora (across from Banco San Jose – near AutoMercado – on the road heading towards the airport) (203-4747 203-4646) (Arnold’s in Pozos only Wed. & some Thurs. & Eduardo’s only there on Tues.)I second that about Josh!! He’s my man (& his precious little weenie dog Bunny who is a HOOT with BIG dogs!! She’s SOOOO NOT intimidated even by the meanest looking bad _ _ _ dog – they don’t know what to make of her at first but next thing you know, they’re asleep together with Bunny wrapped up in the middle [ask Josh for pics!!]) for watching my Guesthouse in Escazu when I do my 90-day Visa run.
I originally met him when he was a guest for 1 1/2 months & he was PERFECT & Considerate!!
Either way, he’s always helping (you can have him do some work like painting, etc. [he does GRINGO QUALITY work!!]).
My only complaint is he NEVER leaves the place!! He’s SOOOO CONSCIOUS & takes his job SOOOOOO seriously that he doesn’t even go out to the market or anything (one needs SOME life!!).
Selling your house but can’t be there? Let Josh housesit as you’ll have someone there to let potential buyers in & he’ll keep your house in tip/top shape!!! (know anyone in that boat? Please forward his info to them).
I trust Josh 101% with my home AND my guests (& they LOVE HIM also!!)!!!
Vicki
To me REAL freedom is taking Taxi’s!!
TAXI’s to me represent TRUE FREEDOM!!I like to look at the REALLY BIG picture!!
What NOT having a car (& taking taxi’s) represents to me is
Freedom:
From worrying about open manholes (& swinging into the next lane/oncoming traffic to avoid going down 10 or so feet),
potholes (& they’re even in “Good” areas),
From killing some fool that ran out in the middle of the street between 2 suv type cars (I know TWO people that’s happened to. Imagine the nightmares they’re STILL having!!!),
From worrying about if it’s ANOTHER unmarked one-way street &/or if it’s changed this week,
From worrying about someone slashing my tire at a light & then robbing me when they’re trying to “help me”,
From worrying about where I’m going to park,
From paying someone to “watch” the car (which isn’t always an honest person),
From worrying about walking from my parking space to where I’m going &/or back,
From BAD/incomplete directions/descriptions (which they seem to be 95+% of the time),
From Insurance,
From Registering the car (& getting it passed which surprising can be a bit challenging)
From Road Rage (from either side [normally pretty much a pacifist & a VERY considerate driver, it’s amazing how much this side CAN come out when IDIOT/FOOL drivers get in my way!!!]),
From accidents & car dings (especially not unusual in rainy season),
From getting lost in the “wrong” part of town,
From hardly any signs (including the entrance to the pista/highway that takes you to the airport & even other MAJOR places – to say nothing if you’re going back roads!!),
From NO addresses & VERY few street names,
From having to speak good Spanish (I’m learning but luckily I have numerous English Speaking Taxi drivers),
From needing to know where I’m going!! I just get in the taxi & tell the driver where to take me & 95% of the time they know!
From Traffic (being from Calif. I have ZERO tolerance for traffic & there is a LOT here in CR!!),
From Time – taxi’s tend to know the backroads, etc. & can often get there faster. Flying is MEGA fast!!!To say nothing of how EXPENSIVE cars are in CR, gas (isn’t something like $4-$4.50/GALLON??), repairs (IF you can find the parts), taxes if you’re shipping (REALLY HIGH!!).
When I want to go explore some place in CR I either hire a LEGAL driver/guide that can REALLY show me the ins/outs – things I’d NEVER see driving myself! I also get to REALLY ENJOY/take in the scenery (something people with cars RARELY get to do since they’re tooo busy worrying about all above). Or I take http://www.NatureAir.com which often has AWESOME last minute airfares throughout CR!! (I just checked & if I wanted to go to Arenal Fri. & come back on Mon. – just $75 round trip & it’s just 30 minutes of my time [my time is worth $$$ so this IS an issue for me often] vs. 3 1/2 hours & it’s a BEAUTIFUL FLIGHT!!).
Of course it also depends on where you live (I live in Escazu so I have taxi’s available to me 24/7 & 98% of the time they come within 5-10 min.) & your lifestyle (I”m still working from home with an internet based biz).
This also allows me to go out with Purpose – not just to run up for a thing of paper towel which helps me do my part for the Environment/BIG PICTURE beyond me! I go & do a bunch of things at one time & at $8 or so an hour for a taxi when they’re waiting – it’s STILL WAYYYY CHEAPER than when you add up ALL the costs/expenses involved with owning a car in CR! At least for ME!
MOST IMPORTANTLY – NO ulcers!!! CALM – Peace of mind (I drive like Mario Andretti – looking all over – NOT in CR!!! [& I’ve NEVER had/been involved in an accident!!) & I get to ALWAYS ENJOY the ride!! That’s what I’m working towards in my life – EASE, CALM, ENJOYMENT & TRUE FREEDOM!!!
At the end of the day it’s still WAYYYY more cost effective for me – again – when I’m looking at the BIG picture!!
As usual – here’s a DIFFERENT way of looking at life (the BIG picture!!).
APPLIANCES & ELECTRICAL THINGS
This is a list I’ve started. It is by NO means complete so if you can enhance any of the listings (websites, phone #s, directions, hours, etc.) – PLEASE forward them to CostaRicaResourceList@gmail.com(in the phone book under “Electrodomesticos”.
MOST of these places you can wheel & deal – ESPECIALLY if you’re buying a LOT &/or paying by cash. Just ask! Note that IF a large appliance comes with a Power Cord [MANY do NOT] – MOST do NOT match the outlets here but you can usually find them at a Ferreteria/Hardware store)
USED APPLIANCES, ETC.
Used major appliances for sale with a 6 month warranty for parts and service Delivered to your home in the Central Valley Washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves Top brands: Maytag, GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore , more. Also sofas, beds, microwaves, room air conditioning units, Tvs+ – Margie at 282-4205 / retire2cr@yahoo.com
Santa Ana – about 50 mts towards Santa Ana from Pollo Loco, just on your right before getting to the corner where you have to turn right, this place sells appliances in great prices – Hotpoint Dishwasher – $145+, Kitchens – $262+, Fridges with ice maker – $301+, grease extractors – $20+, stackable washer and dryers – $465+, also A/C – $390+There’s a place in San Jose along 2nd Avenue near the CAJA building. actually it’s right across the street from the east side of the CAJA same side of 2nd Avenue still) next door to a chicken restaurant. Second Avenue is the wide one way street that runs west to east through downtown San Jose. The CAJA building is on the south side of 2nd Avenue a block or two past the Gran Hotel Costa Rica. The name of the store is Importadores Miami or Import something Miami. They sell used appliances and usually have a few large TV’s for sale. Each time I’ve been in, the large TV’s have been marked as sold. They get a shipment from the US about once a month and they go quickly.
Bodega de ElectronicoDomesticos (or something like that) – near Carriarri Mall – Refurbished applicances with guarantees of about 2 to 3 months.
Compra y Ventas – Santa Domingo – Used items with NO guarantee.RICARDO CESPEDES – SANTA ANA (Frank says he’s found them to have some of the best prices for this area)
HIPERMAS (www.hipermas.co.cr)
PRICESMART (www.pricesmart.com/Local/Shop/Category.aspx?DepartmentID=10000&CategoryID=10294) (interesting how MUCH prices on many items have JUMPED up from when I looked before – especially the stackable washer/dryer which WAS around $850 & now is $1100).
El GALLO MAS GALLO – in MANY cities. Alajuela – Las Casas – 442-4200 • Heredia (Santo Domingo) – 244-0000 (also own Importadora Monge)
IMPORTADORA MONGE – in MANY cities. Alajuela 442-8686 (also own el Gallo Mas Gallo)
GE – Escazu (San Rafael) where KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) (228-1767 / 223-5281) – Many things lower than GE’s website prices. Ask for a discount (the more you get – the more you’ll get off). These products have some of the best warranty’s around. Harold speaks great English & Sandy says he’s VERY Customer Service oriented. (thanx Sandy)
GOLLO TIENDA – http://www.GolloTienda.com 800-00-46556 – MANY locations throughout San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Puntarenas, Limon & Guanacaste (though I wasn’t seeing one listed in Escazu but they have one in Santa Ana)
HOGAR FELIZ – http://www.HogarFeliz.com Headquarters – 256-3321. San Jose – Avenida Central – 221-3310 & 222-4514, Avenida Segunda 222-9218 & 258-4525, Avenida Quinta Calle 2y4 248-2363, MultiPlaza-Oeste 201-6321. Alajuela 440-3642 & 431-3447. Escazu 228-1972. San Pedro/Curridabat 234-9000. Heredia Ft.e Banco Nacional 261-7664 & Ave. 2y4, Central 263-3525.
PRODUCTOS LG (Life’s Good!!) – 522-3500
CASA BLANCA – Alajuela – 443-1011
EL VERDUGO – San Jose – 222-7979
LA ARTISTICA – Pavas (near the U.S. Embassy) (http://LaArtistica.net/main.php?producto=productos&id=16&subfamilia=100&pagina=1) – Maytag dealers.
BOSCH / MADISA – German technology/efficiency – Carretera a La Uruca 233-6255 / 256-3750 / madisa@racsa.co.cr
BLACK & DECKER – San Jose – Paseo de los Estudiantes – 221-6100
GOLFITO – Golfito is a Duty-Free Port where you don’t pay Duty/taxes on new goods & can often save 30-40% (even better savings if you wheel & deal them &/or are paying with cash!!), often saving you as much as 1/2 what you would pay in San Jose (let alone in smaller cities though I’m hearing there are MANY places IN the Central Valley that are pretty cheap also & when you add the costs of getting down there, staying overnight, etc. – it might not be worth it unless you’re buying a LOT!!!)!!!!! FYI – it’s at LEAST a hard 7 hour drive on the Southern Pacific side of CR!! They have many private stores that are normally open from around 7:30am till around 6pm. GREAT if you need a BUNCH of things!! HOW IT WORKS: To get the discount you MUST STAY in Golfito for a MINIMUM of 24 hours!! This means arriving at least a day before to get a “Boleto” (proof of when you’ve arrived). You do your shopping, spend your $$ in Golfito, stay the night & the next morning, you retrieve your goodies to get them tax free (showing your Boleto & passport or cedula) & have/hire someone to trolley it out to however you’re getting it back. Anyone can buy up to $500 per person per “semester”? (I believe a “semestre” means Jan.-June or July-Dec. [I’m not clear on if that means just within any 6 month period or within this specific timeframe]. If my perception of this is accúrate – the smartest time of the year to go if you need LOTS of goodies would be to arrive on June 29, shop on June 30, then, on July 1 get a NEW Boleto [staying for another 24 hours] & purchase on July 2 – that way you can get $1,000 per person).
I’ve heard from some people in the past that some local local Indiginous people would sell them their certicate for a greatly discounted rate (I believe they get extra ones). WELL . . . the day after I learned of that AM Costa Rica e- news letter said that the cops are REALLY CRACKING DOWN on that!! Chances are GOOD that the transporter WILL get stopped by the cops along the drive these days & the cops are REALLY checking the serial numbers & comparing them with the numbers specified on the facturas & the items carried by the driver
along the way asking to see your documentation [so make sure to have them handy]). IMPORTANT NOTE: Some local Indiginous folk have made it a business to “sell” their Boleto at a greatly discounted price. The BIG problem with this is now the police are BIG TIME cracking down on this & if you’re stopped, they’re checking. To bring things back – either contract in advance a Cargo Company (that on average is 2-3% of the total cost of what you’re buying)or hire a driver with a BIG van (trailer) or truck.
http://www.golfito-costarica.com/golfito-english.htm
http://depositodegolfito.com/index.htmlTo get your purchase from to to from – I’ve known quite a few people that have hired Frank Chicas is a GOOD option (he has a BIG Tourism Van & can take the seats out to make room for MANY appliances. He’s also AMAZINGLY helpful!! FrankChicasTours@yahoo.com 871-2900. Either way – it ain’t going to be cheap to get it to/fro! (I have not done this myself – I’m just passing on
