Where we last left off - things with our house were rocky to say the least! Thankfully, things are looking up - but we’ve definitely had a few more challenges in the past few days.

 

After sitting down with the family that owns our duplex, they were so furious with the realtor - they offered to return our deposit, but told us they’d prefer to help us stay - by getting us everything we need.

 

We explained that wasn’t fair to them - so after a sleepless night, we decided to meet them halfway - we asked only for items that they’d want to have for the next renters, and we are making due or buying everything else. So, they’re bringing a fridge, mirrors and a few pots and pans, maybe a few more pieces of furniture.  In addition, the owners of our place keep bringing us food or inviting us to meals...they feel so bad we don’t have the fridge yet. Lunch here is at around 3 pm and dinner is at 9 pm  - a custom we may or may not adapt to.

 

Aside from the house, we had another mishap this week - which led us to see just how truly wonderful Costa Ricans can be. We have had this incredibly expensive rental car (don’t believe the prices on Expedia, car rental companies here charge you all kinds of tax and insurance and rip you off) and as we walked around the city this morning, planning to hunt for our own car to buy, Ryan dropped the rental car key out of his pocket on the street. Long story short, a few folks helped us for hours to try to find the key, and they they called the rental car agency for us, and had coffee with us until the company could bring us a new car (the spare they had didn’t work). A nice gentleman, in his 50’s, Ricardo, stayed with us the entire time, and offered his help to make sure we got the “Tico” rate when buying our car, instead of the “gringo” rate.

 

We are constantly amazed at how complete strangers, will drop everything to help you.  Until you need directions of course. As Ryan explained in a previous entry, directions are IMPOSSIBLE. So, it’s come time to car hunt - as we’re hoping to have a car soon so when Kathy and Terry come we don’t have to rent.

 

Car shopping is proving to be harder than we expected. You pay a lot more for a lot less. The up side is that generally Costa Ricans take care of their cars. They pay so much for them, they really know how to make them last. AND, repairs are CHEAP. About $20 for labor and a new clutch.

 

So, locals have helped us realize if we’re shopping for a car to take us to places far away on the weekends, we definitely need a 4 x 4.  And we know all we can afford is going to be a 1993 or later.

 

But, gas is so expensive here, they don’t recommend a Pathfinder, Jeep or anything else that may come to mind when buying an older 4 x 4. What 4 x 4s do the entire country embrace? Suzuki Sidekicks and Geo Trackers. Yup, you heard me right. So Ryan and I go searching high and low for one of these two cars that we can afford.  BUT here’s the kicker, we can’t afford any Sidekicks or Trackers that don’t sound like they’re on their last legs. We can’t believe what they go for down here - mostly because they’re easy to repair and cheap on gas.

 

So, we’re still hunting - and asking everyone we know here for car-buying advice. Ryan is determined to get a “Micro-Micro” one of those micro-buses you see on the front of our blog. He’s obsessed.

 

We pick up Kathy in two days from the airport - looks like we’ll be picking her up in a rental car.