Learning about where you live #2

Hola,

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This morning started out with a light shower. The falling drops were so peaceful on the tin roof. Yes, most of the houses here and a lot of the businesses have tin roofs. There is something very soothing about the pitter patter of rain on a tin roof. Maybe that is why almost everyone here is so relaxed.

One of the exciting things for us living here is the new grocery store opening in the area. There is currently a Super Cocles. But next door (like 20 feet next door) they are building a larger and more modern looking grocery store. It is Super Negra which I am sure the Super Cocles is not happy about. This new one should be open at the end of the month. Both stores are going after those tourist dollars! I just hope the prices remain reasonable. There is also a Super Negra in Hone Creek about 7-8 kilometers north of Puerto Viejo. Hmm… I see the start of a chain.

See the greenish yellow on the left of the picture, that is the new Super Negra.

Here you have the new and up-to-date, Super Negra. (Still a work in progress.)

The new Super Negra opens at the end of this month (Jan 2019).

By the way, there are also mom-and-pop stores all up and down the street. Think of them like 7/11 stores that are packed with a little of everything. It is amazing how much they can get in a very tiny place.

Speaking of mom-and-pop places, you can find a place to eat about every 10 yards in populated areas. This includes road side stands, where you can purchase at snack for 500 colones (Costa Rica money), larger meals for 5,000 to 6,000 colones a plate.

If you find a nice touristy restaurant it will cost $25-30 U. S. dollars a plate. Most of the high-end restaurants are managed by Europeans, Canadian or Americans. I met some Italian restaurant owners (young husband and wife – say, in their late 20’s ). They sell pizza and vegetarian burgers, etc. These  are more like the food sold by locals – the prices range from, 5,000 to 6,000 colones.

You can find good food for a reasonable price here. Plus, don’t forget about the fruit stands and fruit trucks, I picked up bananas yesterday for 100 colones (that is about .17 cents each).

Across the street from the Jaguar Rescue Center is Porteno’s. It is touristy, but the prices are more in the 6,000 to 10,000 colones range. Plus you can see the beach from your table.

You can walk, ride your bike, or drive your car right up to the front to read the special menu. Or, just walk in and read the regular menu and have a nice meal.

My neighbors and I went out to an Italian restaurant (to celebrate their anniversary). You will know it by the black
sheep on the sign.

It is a very beautifully laid out restaurant. It offers a nice mix of Costa Rica Caribbean charm with traditional Italian cuisine.

The waiter took us into their wine cellar to make our wine selection. That was the coldest TT I have been since arriving in Costa Rica.

Next, the chief came out to our table (he was delightful), to talk about the He  helped us decide from the wonderful selections featured on the menu.

I selected the vegetable soup to start. Sorry I ate most of it before I thought about taking a pic. It was wonderful!

I selected ravioli, but it was the best I have ever tasted – and that includes when I was in Milan, Italy.

As you can see from the information above, there is something for everyone here. You CAN live on a budget of as little as $1,000 a month. Not like in the U.S., you may or may not have screens on your windows. Most likely you will not have WIFI. But if you budget carefully, you can pay for what you need; food, housing and clothing. This would include eating out a few times a month.

“Pura vida”

Until the next post.