Differences in Daily Living

Costa Rica is different.  No surprise – we knew it would be.  We have been in the country for a week now and have noticed plenty of differences.  Here is an incomplete list of things that are different in our home and daily life.

• We have no clothes dryer in the home so everything is hung on a line in our empty carport.  However, we are told we should be careful about leaving things on the line because there is the possibility of thieves using poles to snatch things through the gate.
• We do not have air-conditioning so windows and doors are constantly open.  Temperatures generally range from 85-65 so it is usually quite comfortable.
•  Many people have asked about the water.  It is potable and safe for us here in Costa Rica.  In Honduras this will not be the case.  We will have to drink bottled water there.

 

• There is no dishwasher in our home so all dishes are washed by hand.  Michelle loves the dish soap here (really)!  In Honduras, we will have to add a bleach solution rinse at the end of our dish washing because of the water.
• There is no water heater in our home.  The only hot water in the house is from the “widow maker” in the shower.
• Power isn’t as reliable.  We have had 2 power outages already.
• Sugar ants.  They sit and wait.  If you leave ANY food item on the counter for longer than 15 seconds, they attack in the hundreds.
• Holidays.  Costa Rican Labor Day was May 1^st of this year.  The US’s is today.  We missed both.  But Costa Rica celebrates their Independence Day on September 15^th while the US’s is July 4^th.  We’ll catch both this year! 

• There is a large gate across the front of our home.  As one staff woman at our school explained it, “We (Costa Ricans) don’t have large salaries for property insurance.  We simply try to make our homes appear more secure than the one next door.  The fences and bars are to dissuade potential thieves.” 
•  We do not own a car.  We walk just under a mile each way to school.  And yes, it IS uphill both ways!  But so far there is no snow.  The grocery store is also just under a mile away.  For longer distances we use the bus and taxis. 
•  They speak Spanish here.  This is an obvious but significant difference.  It is amazing how much time and effort it takes for us to do simple things around town because of our limited language.  People have been very gracious and patient with us as we murder their language. 
•  Costs: some things are cheaper here; restaurants=$3-4 per person, public transportation – bus=50cents, cab=$3+, movies theater=$4 per person.  Some are more expensive and difficult to find (groceries, clothing, household items, toys, electronics). 
•  Culture:  This deserves a dozen blog posts all by itself.  Just know that every time we are offended by something different or we offend the locals with our American ways, we learn more about this beautiful culture.

-Adam