If this is your first time in Costa Rica, or you are like my Friend A and require aesthetically pleasing surroundings to feel comfortable or look at things only on face value you will totally misunderstand this country and its people. Costa Rica IS NOT and I repeat IS NOT a third world country. You could classify it as a second tier developed country. They have a good dependable public transportation system which is actually run by several privately owned bus companies ([url]www.tuasa.com[/url]) based in Spain. The Government regulates development and purposely makes development difficult to protect the environment. The country gets 100% of its electricity from Hydro power. Costa Rican culture is not really concerned with aesthetics and it shows. Other than old government buildings built by the Spanish, Churches, and homes built by the wealthy building are designed to be functional and efficient. Cosmetics are not very important. Even to dressing and appearance, comfortable and casual is the norm. When going to work, out on the town, or special occasions Costa Rican are casually dressed. Unless their job requires a uniform to clearly identify their position or function. Since most of you will be at the HDR the casino dealer have their uniform, the casino servers wear black, security wears all black suits and management wears blue or white shirts (most do not wear ties). Even at the banks, other than the Manager most employees dress business casual everyday. The reason I get into this is to get readers to understand that the chicas here are NOT backwards uneducated people. This country has a literacy rate higher than USA. Costa Rican Government places a high value on education and it is reflected in their budget and the fact that most Costa Ricans are college educated. In RTFF I notice many comments in regards to the level of income the average Tico would have in relation to what tourist would have. DO NOT think this way. Tourist are budget conscience but are also on time constraint and want to avoid the hassles of getting lost especially if they do not speak Spanish, Travel the route of least resistance. A local simply would not spend at the level we would because it does not make sense for them. Just like you do not spend as much on meals at home as you do when you travel. About 2% of the population is considered wealthy by American and European standards and about 6% are extreme poor or homeless (less than in the USA) the rest of Costa Rican would be considered working class they are by no means poor, Some of the chicas I spoke to make between $100 - $175 on a slow night and $300 to $500 on a good night. I only made $600 a week working at a bank in the US for 40 -55 hours a week and was told win to come in and when to leave and had to ask permission for a day off. These chicas work when they want for how long the want and do not have to worry about FICA. The next time any of you guys are in the HDR. KL, HLH or SL do not just look at how pretty or ugly the girls are. Actually watch the girls. Check out their body language. Try to imagine what they are talking about. Well I can tell you, other than their kids, monthly visitor and boyfriend/baby daddy they talk about us MONGERS! About a quarter of the chicas, especially the Ticas and Colombianas speak very good English and go back and tell their friends about how much they got paid, scams they ran, and how to judge if a guy is going to be an easy payday or if she is going to get worked over. Ever wonder why some of the hottest chicas run over to the old, fat bald guy? Also, some of you guy have informed the chicas about the forum (besides its media exposure back in 2003 2004) so they have gotten on and keep up to date just like we do. They know what we know, “knowledge is power.”
I have a friend that used to work at the consulate office here in town. He now works for Costa Rican Immigration. I always let him know when I am going to be in country and he gives me a heads up of what’s going on if he can. I have RTFF especially recently in planning this trip. I can tell you that a few of the measures in the new immigration law are aimed at perpetual tourist to encourage them to become residents since they spend so much time in country. The raids and crack downs are similar to what is happening in Arizona. Illegal immigrants, mostly Nicos, are the primary target. The Nico street gangs in San Jose are blamed by the Government to be the largest contributor of crimes against tourist and citizens. They are also heavily scrutinized as drug traffickers and distributors. Dominicans get work and school visas. The Colombians can easily get refugee visas or they live in Panama for a while first then come to Costa Rica. The lower number of Nicas IMHO is part of the reason why service has gone down and prices have gone up to ridiculous levels and negotiations have become much more difficult. In Jaco we were offered access to whatever herbs and enhancements we want to engage in. I could not say either way if the offers came from Nicos, Ticos or any other Nationality. When my friend A was arranging his TLN and needed to borrow some colones (negotiating tactic) the chica I was talking to got upset and yelled at her because she lowered “the price.”
