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Ive always heard the term bodega refer to a safe room, mostly constructed of concrete or steel, which makes it very difficult for a burgular to access. Lets say for example that you are going to SanJose for the day to shop or what ever, if there is not going to be anyone in your home and you have several laptops or expensive things you wish to protect, it would be a good idea to lock them up in the bodega. Going shopping isnt like running down to walmart and back in 30 mins. If you leave golfito to go to san jose, thats an all day trip, possibly an overnighter. Even if you have a hired caretaker, its still a good idea to have a bodega. Its also a good idea to know your neighbors.
I’ll tell you some other things I miss are Busch and Natural light beer. In CR, all you have is 2 kinds- yellow can and red can. My freinds call it Ruger Beer, because the emblem looks like the Sturm Ruger firearms emblem, but to myself its pretty bitter and always gives me a stomach ache, but that never stops me from drinking it. Seems like with all the mountains and volcanoes in CR, there should be a beer with a mountain scene, or some tree frogs, or a volcano on it. (Just a marketing idea) The potato chips arent that great either, they remind me of the old “Wise” potato chips that were popular back in the 70s- they had an owl on the bag- they were super greasy too. Theres no fat on the beef in the markets I go to, like back in the states- How am I supposed to make my gravy to go with my mashed potatoes? And lets not forget the ever important- Grits, eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast. Im sorry, but the blackbeans and rice for breakfast- It just doesnt work for me. Mostly when I shop, I use the local stores, because I want to see whats available in that small town. (Golfito, Jaco, Purto Viejo, Etc.) In Florida, there are plenty of these latin stores that carry hundreds, if not thousands of central and south american products for the fine people
who have decided to immigrate here, it would be nice to see a little reciprocity. One thing I will admit though- a lot of the mexicans and other immigrants have got fat kids- its that Kraft macaroni and cheese. They just love it!Well, I dont live there, but Ive visited a few times, and I miss: Cold milk, (by the gallon- gots to have my cereal for breakfast), Meat that tastes like beef instead of tacomeat, oscar mayer products(salami, hotsdogs, bacon, etc) Ketchup that tastes like ketchup and not the salsa ketchup they use, Seeing my mailbox on a post besides the road, street lights, being able to make long trips at night( road conditions are not the best). Seeing heavily armed guards in the stores. Goods and services are not like what were accustomed to in the US. Those are the things that keep me from moving there. The climate is what makes me come back, the slower pace of life also.
The security guards are more of a concern to me than the actual police officers. One of the fun things myself and my freinds like to do when traveling down there is see who can spot the security guard with the MOST guns. Highest count so far has been 7 guns on one security person. Im thinking they must have a rambo/chuck norris type complex.
I would suggest having someone from your family live there and keep up the place. Hiring a caretaker can have its own set of legal problems, make sure you have a contract with the caretaker, or they could squat the property. Ticos seem to have this habit of not wanting to tell you when things are not right, and they also like to agree to meet or make plans and never show up- or even call- which is something I take into account when dealing with them. Golfito is a beatiful and peaceful place with lots of potential. The fact that there is a hospital there is a big plus also. I like shopping and eating in the duty free zone myself, it seems like the best food is there. Constructing a bodega inside your home is not a bad idea either, if there isnt one there already. Im hoping to go back this summer for a week or two.
This is for Denise, I was in Golfito last year during a soccer game, (dont remember who was playing who) and later in the evening a group of trucks began parading up and down the main road with red and black flags, horns blaring, firecrackers and pistols going off. “whats going on?” I asked one of the locals, whom Id been hanging out with. “oh, its just the longistas(?)” he said. I thought he said sandanistas, and I told my girlfreind we shoud hide in our hotel for the evening. a few hours later, my freind came back. Why arent you hanging outside? he asked. Are the sandanistas gone? we asked? EVERYBODY got a good laugh out of that, including us.
