Some background

I wanted to talk a little about the little details of life in Costa Rica. Because it is just above the equator, I had some expectations. The first is the temperature. Being in the tropical latitudes, I expected to have hot humid days. Actually, the temps are in the 70's and 80's and the humidity is only high right after a rain storm. It rains just about every day, and it rains hard. We look out over a valley, and can watch the storms move in. But most of the time, we have a nice breeze that is almost too cool for short sleeves.
We don't have many bugs and no mosquitoes. Most of the windows don't have screens. They simply through open a window when they want to let in some breezes. We've seen some big beetles that are like June bugs back home. They are clumsy fliers that settle on one spot and stay there.
Most of the animals we see are either birds, which seem to be everywhere, or common dogs and cats. The birds are different from home but not that different. We have seen an occasional bright green parrot, but mostly swallows, black birds and so on.
Most of the plants we see are tropical. Deb is constantly amazed at what is growing around here. We have palm trees, and big flowering shrubs. Every table has a delicate orchid that would cost ten times as much at home. Here they are inexpensive, elegant decorations.
We don't speak Spanish, except for a very few words. But we understand quite a bit more than we can speak. So far we have managed to communicate although we have gotten volunteer translators, occasionally. People in San Jose are used to foreigners mangling Spanish, and they mostly take it in good humor. We have been working on learning but it takes time and practice.
The buildings are all very Spanish, built with brick and tile. Just a couple of houses down the hill, workers have been building a second story addition out of concrete blocks. When they got ready to put on the roof, it was a metal roof, corrugated to look like roofing tile. Buildings are often white, or painted bright colors.
All of the homes have gates, and many businesses have armed guards because the police don't come right away. Crime is a problem and criminals target businesses that don't have guards and gates. You need to be aware of your surroundings, just like any large large city in the states.
Traffic is amazing. Don't drive in San Jose.
We travel everywhere in taxis. Many of the drivers do not speak English, but they are willing to try and understand you. Real taxis are red with a triangular sign on the side. They are driven by professional drivers who are all courteous. You need to know that gypsy taxis don't have meters and can over-charge you. We have heard of people getting beaten and robbed when they took a gypsy taxi.
Getting directions in San Jose is confusing. Our dentist's office is "300 meters south of the Pizza Hut on Passeo Colon." Houses don't have numbers and the mail only gets delivered to post office boxes, if someone has a box. Otherwise, well you have to figure it out.
You don't get mustard with your meals. The seasoning is good but not spicy. After a week and a half here, we finally got a jalapeno relish, on the side, with nachos. Do not worry about fiery surprises. You can get ketchup with your fries, if you ask. But you get little packets of it, or maybe a small dish with a spoon and it is sweeter than at home.
Seafood is fresh and excellent. They have shrimp, calamari, and fish. Beef, pork and chicken are also good. Black beans and rice seasoned with a special sauce, called gallo pinto, are like potatoes. Fresh fruit is always available.
The deserts that are available are all sweet. I am fond of 'tres leches' which means three milks. It is sponge cake, soaked in sweetened condensed milk with whipped cream on top. For some odd historical reasons, apple strudel is commonly available.
Coffee is excellent and is mostly drunk "con leche" which means with a generous dose of hot milk.