Costa Rican road safety

As I recently wrote in part one of this lengthy post, I have just returned from my third trip to Costa Rica. Of the many impressions of this beautiful country that have stayed with me, perhaps the most deeply entrenched, is the notion of transportation, primarily driving. Many people who travel to Britain from just

A Gringo in Costa Rica Part 1

Having just returned from my third visit to Costa Rica, I am even more impressed with this great nation and its people. The reason for my repeated visits is not just the wonderful country, but to visit my in-laws. One of my wife’s sisters married a Tico (the term used proudly by Costa Ricans to

I’m a Gecko saver

(San Isidro, Costa Rica) A few years ago I wrote a post explaining one of the inspirations I have to donate blood. The components of my blood make me a baby saver. The fact that I am both CMV Negative and O Negative puts me in a very small group; about 1.4% of the world’s

A landlubber rides the ferry

(San Isidro, Costa Rica) If you read this blog with any regularity, you may well be aware of the fact that I cannot swim. On the list of the many things that I am capable of doing, swimming is not included. Interestingly, over the years when I have mentioned this simple fact, people don’t want

Hiking: Thick Canadian blood meets Costa Rican hills and humidity

(San Isidro, Costa Rica) My wife and I arrived in this beautiful country just over a week ago. It’s our third visit together, although my wife has been here a few times without me. The reason for our numerous visits is to meet up with family members; my wife’s mother lives here, as does one

How Do Costa Rican Motorcyclists Survive?

During my second trip to Costa Rica to visit in-laws over the holidays, I could not help but consider yet again how it can be possible that any motorcycle riders survive the roads and traffic. Those of us who are used to more recent urbanization, including streets set out in a grid formation, are at

Roosters Need Snooze Buttons

When your rooster crows at the break of dawnLook out your window and I’ll be goneYou’re the reason I’m a-travelin’ on But don’t think twice, it’s all right -BOB DYLAN, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right While in Costa Rica recently we stayed in a semi-rural area called San Josecito de San Isidro de Heredia.

Robbed by a Canadian Bank at ATM Point in Costa Rica

UPDATE: On February 25, 2022, the missing amount was deposited into my account as a correction. Sometimes things work as they should! My wife and I spent the holiday season in Costa Rica visiting her family. It was my second time there and it is a beautiful country at the best of times, and even

Costa Rican Civility

After three weeks in Costa Rica it has occurred to me that, aside from the physical beauty, the concept of civility is what has struck me most. This should not come as a surprise, considering this country celebrates the disbanding of its military in favour of education. I’ll provide more about this in a future

Ash Day vs. Snow Day

When I was a kid in school every year on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, right after Mardi Gras, they would troop us across the street to the parish church for the distribution of ashes. A solemn occasion that called for us to wear our Catholic hearts on our foreheads, if not our