A positive for every negative, right?

1. NEGATIVE: The infrastructure here SUCKS. The roads are SHITE. Potholes, poor quality, you name it. And consistent, even sidewalks to prevent you from having to walk on a busy street? Forget about it. And did I mention the streets (somewhat) have names but NO ONE uses them? The way you give directions (and addresses) is by your location in relation to a major landmark. The cafe I went to on Sunday is "120 meters west of the French Alliance." My apartments are "close to PriceSmart." Really? Think there might be a more efficient way to do things, kids?

2. POSITIVE: Salsa Lizano is really yummy and they put it on everything. And they came out with a "Suave" version with menus sal y menus grasa! Sorry for the Spanglish, but it's what I'm feeling.

3. NEGATIVE: Speaking of infrastructure, my apartment didn't have hot water for the first two weeks. Because they use old school water heaters. (Or, even better and with the added bonus of potential electrocution, is the electric heater PLUGGED IN to your shower head. All that stuff about water and electricity not mixing well? Yeah, just push that out of your mind.)

But wait, the apartment fun continues! It's a pretty awesome feeling to open your silverware drawer and see baby cockroaches just scurrying around. But apparently, no big deal. It's Costa Rica! We're tropical! So they fumigated my place today and, as an additional favor not to poison me, they put all of my silverware and dishes in the... fridge. Chilled glasses... I'm fancy like that.

4. POSITIVE: The Ticos LOVE themselves some 80's music. Maybe because it's perpetually 1995 here? Reasoning aside, I dig the 80's, so getting to hear the music AND watch the videos when I'm out can take the edge off the aforementioned negatives.

5. NEGATIVE: "Tico Time." You arrive promptly (my fault) for a 4:30 appointment and are not helped until 5:20.

6. POSITIVE: Nice people. After aforementioned tardy appointment, I was given a ride instead of walking because it wouldn't have been "safe" for me to walk alone. In retrospect, I'd have to agree. Tall, blonde, pretty, gringa, with an awesome new haircut and messenger bag with a MacBook and a designer bag with a smartphone and some dinero...

Back to grading. Hope tonight includes my first HOT shower in two weeks and NO cockroaches on my silverware.

A girl can dream,

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