Planning Ahead Living in Costa Rica
Posted September 3rd, 2007 by Christopher Howardby Jo Stuart
When setting off to accomplish something in San Jose, I find it a good idea to have a plan B at the ready, and when depending upon buses, having a Plan C in the wings is not a bad idea.
This week I had a 7:00 a.m. appointment with my doctor at Hospital Mexico. I got there on time, but through a mix-up (probably a breakdown in communication), I didn’t see Dr. Ugalde until nearly ten a.m. but he is a sweet man and since he had some student interns in his office, I smiled when I told him I was annoyed. He apologized for the delay. I took the opportunity to give him my book “Butterfly in the City” and he was so pleased, I couldn’t be annoyed anymore.
I had had only a cup of coffee and my hot lemonade for breakfast so by the time I left I was really hungry. I decided I would take a taxi to the MasXMenos on the autopista and kill two birds with one stone, or rather feed this bird twice with one visit. Cate and Bill had told me that MasXMenos had really good gallo pinto, and it is a supermarket, so I would have breakfast and then shop. That was my plan. Only the biusa that I took from the Hospital didn’t stop across from the MasXMenos (they used to.) So, quickly, I decided I would breakfast at Quiznos on Paseo Colon and shop later. The biusa doesn’t stop there anymore either.
Shifting to Plan C I decided, if one MasXMenos has good gallo pinto perhaps the one downtown does, too. Lately I have been inundated with advice about the foods that are good for aging bones and lagging energy. There must be some reason I see so many older women in San Jose walking tall and straight and I have decided it must be the daily intake of rice and beans. No other food that I can think of is as universal here, although fruits and vegetables help. I got on another bus at the Church de la Merced – where the biusa does stop – and went to the Caja.
During my ride I took notice of the buildings along the way. My friend Dos has been commenting to me about the newly painted, brightly colored buildings of late. She wants me to find out why people are painting them such bright colors. The only recent paint job I noticed on my route was the Teatro Melico Salazar’s new yellow façade. It is quite beautiful. I had asked a friendly Tico architect why the new colors and he said it was “the Mexican influence.” I wasn’t sure if he was kidding.
I had a four block walk to the store and on the way I passed The News Café, a Kentucky Fried Chicken, Spoons, a hotel restaurant, four pizza places, several sodas, two panaderias and one paint store. It crossed my mind that maybe there has been a big sale on blue, orange and lime paints. I was tempted by the different fare in the various restaurants but rejected going to Plan D; afraid if I did I would forget to shop.
The MasXMenos on Avenida Central has a complete cafeteria now. I stuck to gallo pinto and a couple of fried platanos, which I love but seldom eat. For a mountain of rice and beans, two pieces of platanos and 12 ounces of Cas juice, the cost was 605 colones (under $1.20)
On my way home I realized I should have gone into that paint store and asked them about the new décor of San Jose. (That is, instead of dropping into that corner shoe store.) But since I didn’t, I am putting out the call. If anyone has another answer besides the Mexican influence, please let me know so Dos can go on to some other fascinating cultural question.
Jo Stuart is the author of the popular book about life in Costa Rica entitled, “Butterfly in the City.” To order a copy of her wonderful book please contact her at: jostuart@amcostarica.com
