The Five Most Gringo Things We Brought With Us When We Moved To Costa Rica.
Gringos – that’s what we are and, despite our best efforts, it shows. Through the things we use on a day to day basis and in the clothes we wear, we can’t hide the fact that we are non-Ticos, we are North Americans – Gringos.
In preparing to move here, we tried really hard to sell the majority of our stuff before we came; in fact, all that was left of 18 married years of accumulating “stuff” was 9 suitcases, packed to the gills, that traveled with us to Costa Rica.
Not surprising, a few of the things we brought accentuates our Gringo-ness.
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The Executioner.
This is not your everyday tennis racket — no, this one is electrified – ELECTRIFIED, and useful on those pesky bugs that the wife is mortified of, and it has a name – it is The Executioner.
One might think that such a “hands off” bug killing device would preclude one (me) from having to be the bug murderer; one would be wrong. I am learning to live with with the guilt.
We purchased on Amazon.com but I am sure it is available anywhere quality bug killing devices or “As Seen On TV” products are sold.
By the way – this thing works extremely well, runs on 2 AA batteries and has a nice, crisp, report when it zaps a bug. Only $19.99 but you must buy it within the next 10 minutes…
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Shorts
Really clothes in general but Shorts in particular. The most telling feature of the Gringo species is the clothing.
You may see a Tico with an Aéropostale shirt on, ok, you will see many Ticos with Aéropostale shirts on, but it is more than a graphic T-shirt that gives us away. It’s the whole package; the fabric choice, the colors, and it is the shorts.
It would be one thing if we lived near the beach and wearing shorts would be the norm, but we live up in the hills, in coffee-farm land, and nobody, except Gringos wear shorts.
[custom_script adID=151] Some Gringos wear long pants; not me — never, ever, ever… I spent most of my life living in Texas and having to endure its endless summers, and now that I get to enjoy endless spring, here in Grecia, I just can’t imagine defiling myself by wearing pants.
If it’s not clear, by my 6’3″ height and shade-of-ghost whiteness, that I am not a Tico, then by God let the shorts give me away…, and the sports sunglasses, and the headband (yes, a headband, OK), and the watch and …, you get the picture!
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Ginsu Knife Set.
I already know what you’re thinking; “They still make Ginsu knives?”
The short answer is yes and the advertising dollars Ginsu Knives spent decades ago are still paying off.
Call it a testament to TV marketing, we bought the knife-set that never needs sharpening, that was from an infomercial 30 years ago, that can shave metal off of a hammer.
We wanted a knife set that we didn’t have to worry about and would be sharp enough to slice a tomato into nice, uniform, slices without creating salsa, a knife that would allow me to julienne fries like a chef and the infomercial showed me how it could all be done with the Ginsu.
All I can say is – I am a sucker, whether in Dallas, TX or Grecia, Costa Rica – I am a Gringo Sucker. It’s a good thing that everything Jen cooks, meat wise, is very tender because the Ginsu knife is perfect for a sucker, it sucks.
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The i’s Have it
We brought with us from the States the entire iEverything suite of products from Apple; (2) iPhones, iPad, iPod — touch and classic, a MacBook Pro and MacBook Air – enough electronic gadgetry for a small town, and we had downsized.
It all started with the iPod years ago as I found that iTunes was great for helping enable my music addiction.
Then my PC laptop contracted swine flu and I bought another and another.
Finally, reading that MACs’ operating system contracted fewer viruses than PC’s, and that we would have no problem with usage in Costa Rica, we took the proceeds from the sale of our home and used the money as a downpayment on the MacBooks.
We already had iPhones and luckily they were the variety that had a SIM card and could be used here.
Adding to our list of iProduct was the iPad, for our reading pleasure and for words with friends, of course and the iPod Touch….I am still not sure why we have that.
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The Weighted Hula Hoop.
I know, I know…I KNOW. “A WHAT?” Well, to be frank, it is what the name implies – a Hula Hoop that has weight added to it.
You remember the Hula Hoop, the children’s toy from the 70’s – well this is it, but modified with added weight. You gyrate your hips to Hip Hop music and because you bought a Hula Hoop with ADDED weight, you get a better workout.
You may be thinking, “How the hell did you get that on the plane?”
Well, we bought within the ten minute time frame that was left on the infomercial, because of this we were awarded the upgraded, tear-down, model.
That’s right – we now own, and have in Costa Rica, a weighted, travel, Hula Hoop.
Actually, we bought it at Dick’s Sporting Goods – I just didn’t want to admit that we bought a travel, weighted, Hula Hoop on purpose and the upgrade angle somehow made it less sad – I know it doesn’t.
As I assimilate into the culture of our new home, I am not sure I will ever completely shed my Gringo-ness, nor whether it is completely necessary to do so.
Maybe I can tone it down just a bit though. As I was writing this I couldn’t help but think that there just may be a correlation between “As Seen on TV” products and iProducts, with those things that make us stand out as Gringos. Hmmm! Ya think?
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About The Author – Greg Seymour.
At the ripe old age of 41 Greg Seymour quit his job and retired with his wife to Costa Rica, trading his business suit for a bathing suit. In addition to writing about his experiences in Costa Rica on his CostaRicaCurious blog, Greg enjoys hiking, photography and getting to know his new home.
The Five Most Gringo Things We Brought With Us When We Moved To Costa Rica.
For more information about homes and land for sale in Grecia please contact our Recommended Realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras using the simple form below:
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Andrew Makarik
to@welovecostarica.comAndrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.
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