Where We Put Our Money!!

Another very common question we get here in Grecia is about where we deposit our income, and this is a simple one for us. We use Banco Nacional, which is right in the heart of downtown Grecia, and the biggest reason we use Banco Nacional is that it is a government bank with deposit guarantees similar to those we have in the States by the FDIC. We do not keep large amounts there, but rather a monthly amount to cover a month’s living expenses in Grecia. Certainly we wired some fairly large amounts while we were building the house and to purchase the car and for a few other large purchases, but for the most part, especially now that we are done, we rarely have more than a few thousand in the bank. And that is dollars by the way.

You might ask why we transfer dollars and maintain a U.S. dollar account, and the answer is simple. The residency requirements state that since we are Rentistas, we must convert $1,000 dollars per month to cover both our requirements for residency. Those who are Pensionados and their Social Security checks are less than that amount can qualify on amounts as low as $600 dollars per couple (see Residency Requirements and Classifications in Costa Rica for more details).

We have many more reasons for using Banco Nacional, and certainly one is that it is a nationwide bank, not just here in Grecia. And finding a branch or ATM is a very easy thing to do.

It is also a fairly large bank with full-range services, including payment of utility bills and user-friendly electronic transfers. Cheryl handles all our bank stuff and if she has a problem, she can call the customer service and get all the help she needs and in English.

As we have taken quite a few folks there and helped them open personal and corporate accounts (for purchase of property), we are well-known at the bank and get very friendly service, and Mariela, pictured here, is VERY friendly and yes, she speaks enough English to help non-Spanish speakers through any transaction.

I tried to take a picture of the inside of the bank, but they asked me to focus on Mariela and the outside of the bank for security reasons. So unfortunately, I could not illustrate that all the conveniences you are used to in the States are right here in Banco Nacional in downtown Grecia!!

The White House

No, this has nothing to do with George W. Bush or Pennsylvania Avenue, not even the election!

The White House, as it is known today, was built at the behest of the Shah of Iran, back in the times when he was allowed to be the Shah of Iran. Sad part of the story is that the shah never saw his completed villa. Fast forward to today, and we find that that this White House eerily looks like the White House as you drive onto the grounds, with pillars and posts, but therein is pretty much the end of the similarities.

I’ve only been there 3-4 times, once paid for by my mother to celebrate my birthday and the other two times paid by others in celebration of something requiring someone else again to pay the check.

I did recently take Cheryl, my supporting wife, to thank her for all she does for me and while the check was big, the payment was small. She undoubtedly helps me for way more than I give her credit.

Anyway, the White House has an exit off the Pista (main highway) and after meandering up through Escazu, you find yourself at a wonderful restaurant, hotel, casino, spa, Harley rental, and who knows what else and, as mentioned, in the architecture and abiding service found at a place known as the White House.

White House Costa Rica is only 15 minutes from downtown San Jose and 25 minutes from the Juan Santamaría International Airport. If you find an excuse to treat yourself or just want to do it anyway, I highly recommend the White House restaurant as a $13 hamburger has to be something special, and it is. Cheryl and I usually split the salad and burger, but not the bread pudding dessert, and we leave quite content. The chef is from Alaska, and without fail he will personally make your acquaintance and learn who you are and how you enjoyed your meal. And trust me, the menu goes nothing but up from the burger end.

The White House has an absolutely breathtaking view of San Jose and the Central Valley, and the views from the restaurant are nothing short of spectacular. And if you sense you might arrive late, simply have James warm up the helicopter and you can be in a matter of minutes right outside the restaurant.

Pura Vida!

A Guy Named Fred

On one of my exploratory trips to Costa Rica, I was shown an old house that was in a semi-demolished condition, at least on the inside, and was told that a 77 year-old single man had bought the property and was in the midst of doing a remodel. While the property that the house was on was in a quite beautiful location, I was immediately struck by the massive amount of reconstruction it was going to take to bring this place into a livable condition. And I wondered at the time if this poor old man had been taken advantage of since I just couldn’t get the vision of what it would look like when finished. And the location, BTW, is in Santa Rosa de Poas, which is two mountains over from us in El Cajon de Grecia, which is about a 20-minute drive.

Fast forward a year and I finally met this old man, Fred, and ultimately saw his house as a finished product. I could not and cannot place enough descriptive adjectives that convey the dream property he has created. He literally turned the house construction over to his engineer and the interior decoration to the engineer’s wife. I don’t recommend this to people in the States, much less here in Costa Rica, but his experience is a testament to his trust in the locals and that all people are not bad people, no matter where you are. I have often called his home the most beautiful in Costa Rica and while it is only a 2-BR, 2-Bath home, there is indescribable warmth to the house, and the property is literally a botanical garden with 3 spring-fed Koi ponds, every kind of fruit tree you can imagine, and orchids (his hobby) all over the place. You can barely see his house with pictures from the outside because of all the flora, but trust me, it is warm and comfy, and he frequently entertains us and others with some fish recipes that are absolutely the best.  Do NOT turn down an invitation to eat at his house!

I try not to talk about dogs other than our own, but his dog, Susie, deserves an honorable mention, as she is the hostess with the mostess and an absolutely perfect dog for my stubborn friend.

And now to the Fred man himself. He is stubborn, of the wrong political persuasion, opinionated, cantankerous, single-minded, and I could go on and on. But I love him as my buddy, and he would probably erroneously use the same adjectives to describe me. He is now 81, still in the hospital for stint surgery to prevent an aneurysm and when he is recovered, he will go back in to have his stomach removed to prevent his cancer. He has stood up to his health issues with bravery that I am not sure I have, and he has come out of the surgery still sharp enough to finish my sentences because I can’t pull out the word I am looking for. Can you imagine the nerve of that man finishing MY sentences when he is almost 30 years my senior? I do frequently call him a “sh%$the#d” because it just ain’t right that he can remember some of the stuff he remembers.

We go to lunch every other week to the secret shrimp place just to catch up and solve the problems of the world. And don’t think he is a feeble old man who can’t get around. He is formerly an Iron Man participant and he loves to take off on long walks up and down mountains, and I must use my inhaler just to watch him.

He used the CAJA system (socialized medicine in Costa Rica) to pay for this recent surgery and the next one as well, and got it all paid for completely with his monthly premium of $20, with nary a cent out of pocket. He saved a LOT of money with the CAJA, and there will be a forthcoming article to describe its benefits.

Until next post…

Bring Local Dough!

Many folks have asked about bringing $100 bills to Costa Rica and with the recent asking by Megan from Pennsylvania, I feel this now deserves an article to cover the question. My answer to you is to bring colones with you, which is the local currency here in Costa Rica. If you fly American from the western half of the States, you will stop through Dallas and there is an international currency exchange place in the airport. If you fly Continental from the western half of the States, you will stop in Houston before flying to Costa Rica and there is another international currency exchange place there. From the right-hand half of the States, the entry point wherever you embark for the final leg to Costa Rica is where you will have an international currency exchange window.

Out of courtesy to the locals and to reduce your confusion, you will want to have the local currency. Few places, even banks unless you have an account with them, will want to deal with your $100 bills. The more exclusive hotels will probably be able to deal with your big bills, but you will not receive a favorable exchange rate. And outside the nicer hotels, they will be hard to break. The people of Costa Rica are very paranoid of counterfeiters, and many stores won’t take anything over a $20 bill if they accept dollars at all. It is very confusing for the locals to take foreign currency as the exchange rate is constantly in flux, and they will probably charge a premium to cover the exchange to make sure they get their just due.

If you forget or can’t find an exchange place, there is one at the airport here in Costa Rica and I wouldn’t guess the exchange rate to be favorable there either, and more importantly, you will be wanting to get to your baggage and customs, etc. If you forget altogether, we can take you to our bank here in Grecia and get the exchange thing done for you. If you use the international exchange places at the airports, they will guarantee your exchange rate back to bucks when you return. So, if you bring extra $100 bills, please know you will probably need and want to break them to colones when you get here. Current exchange rate is about 550+ colones to one dollar, so you will feel rich and your pockets will be full!

Until next post…

Gimme a Cut Please!

Just another one of those “services” that we don’t think about much until we’re here in Costa Rica and then we seek the input of others or we just experiment around until we find what we want, and that can be trying as we want more than the army type of haircut with an electric razor, which means a scissor cut from a salon, not a barber.

Today I am talking about a good place to get a haircut, one comparable to the one I used to go to in Dallas for a haircut that I was paying way too much for. You will be pleased to know that this quality of haircut can be obtained right here in Grecia, and more importantly, I can get my hair cut 4 times for what I paid in the States! That is a huge difference, and I am very happy to tell you about it! Cheryl and I both go there, and the people in the salon are all very nice and with all their hearts, they aim to please. They have all the hair and body products you could want, most of which are imports from the States. Andrea, the proprietor, is quite fashionable and also carries a wide variety of purses and costume jewelry.

She is learning English at an impressive rate, and it is quite comical to watch her speaking English to me whilst I practice my Spanish on her.

They provide a full range of services that include:

• Haircuts (with scissors and layering just like in the States).
• Manicures and pedicures (I’ve seen quite decorative fingernail painting too!).
• Hair coloring and frosting.
• Massages and nutritional information.

Andrea and team are located just up the street from the Red Metal Church in downtown Grecia in the same building as our recommended attorney Sylvia Eastwood. Stay tuned to this very channel for an upcoming article on Sylvia, as one of the most important contacts you can have in Costa Rica is a meticulous attorney who speaks English!

Dr. Who?

No, this is not the beginning of a James Bond thriller, but merely a brief introduction to our family physician, Dr. Jose Francisco Jimenez Q., who is young enough, I think, for me to call him Jose, but he still commands my respect of his skills as a doctor, so I intersperse calling him Jose and Doctor. I feel like he is a friend, and yet I certainly respect his abilities and I want to convey both to him.

He has been our GP, family doctor for over a year, and I trust him with my own health and that of my family’s. I even involved him recently in a prescription for Truman, who has a difficult time with the lightening and thunder here during the rainy season, and I want to say he went to extra lengths to call a close-by vet to validate the appropriate medicine and proper amount by weight.

While I joke with him way more than I have a right to, I can get away with it since my mother cannot see my disrespect of the good doctor from where she is, and for reasons unknown he tolerates me. He oftentimes speaks Spanish to me to help me learn more, but when it comes to health issues that might be over my Spanish head, he breaks out into very good English to ensure his practice of medicine is clearly communicated.

I have his home phone number and yes, I have called him there, and he answers and he talks to you just like an ordinary person does. I recently asked him if he would make house calls and he responded, “Of course, it is very customary in Costa Rica because many of my clients do not have transportation.” Being the shy and introverted person that I am, I then asked if this would hurt his ego or his reputation to be seen outside his office on a house call. He replied, “…there is no ego thing involved as it is customary for doctors to make house calls.” Please compare this to how many doctors you know in the States who will visit you at your home and you have their home phone number. It is really refreshing. It is one of those things that make me say we are living in the “United States of the 1950s.”

I respect him highly (please don’t tell him I said that), and if I trust him with my family and dogs (no, he is not a vet), then it is very easy for me to recommend him to you and your family for the general practice of medicine. His office is in downtown Grecia, and he coincidentally lives among us in El Cajon de Grecia. Please contact me at CostaRicaLandToday if you want his number, office or home.

His father, also Dr. Jimenez, conveniently runs the laboratory downstairs, and he performs all my blood tests (and there are many) and I have threatened his father, Dr. Jimenez, jokingly that if I ever have pain in his clinic, I will demand kisses from his staff, all of whom are pretty young girls, and nary even one kiss have I gotten! I think I am going to have to start learning how to fake the pain! Until next post……….

How Safe Is Costa Rica?

A question often asked is, “Is Costa Rica safe?” The answer, to a great extent, is yes.

The crime rate in Costa Rica is the lowest in Latin America, and Costa Rica is, without a doubt, the safest country in Central America. Over one and a half million tourists, most of them Americans, visit Costa Rica every year, and they feel as safe as ever exploring the country. The Ticos on the whole are very friendly and warm people by nature, and they live a simple life devoid of all its excesses. There are no acts of terrorism in Costa Rica, and recreational drugs, other than tobacco and alcohol, are illegal. And, as mentioned in Costa Rica: a Land of Peace, Costa Rica has no standing army, and unlike all other countries in Latin America, the country has not experienced any political strife since 1949.

With the single exception of robbery, the crime rate in Costa Rica is very low compared to other countries. For the purpose of comparison, according to the United Nations’ Seventh Annual Survey on Crime, crimes recorded in police statistics show that the crime rate for all index crimes (murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft) in Costa Rica was 1208.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1999, comparing very well with 1529.75 for Japan (country with a low crime rate) and 4184.24 for the U.S. (country with a high crime rate).

The crime in Costa Rica is generally much lower and less violent than that in the States, and the crime here tends to be opportunistic as opposed to violent. In other words, rapes and murders in Costa Rica are very few, almost unheard of, compared to those in the States, but petty theft, car theft, and pick-pocketing are not uncommon here, especially in downtown San Jose and on the beach. In smaller towns, the crime rate is much lower.

It’s always best to exercise caution at all times, not only when visiting Costa Rica, but also when visiting any other foreign country. Traveling to any country is not without some risk. The good news is that you can very much enjoy a safe and wonderful stay in Costa Rica by following the simple common-sense safety tips outlined below, which also apply to any other foreign country you may want to visit.

• Be careful when stepping into the wild, going off a beaten path, or roaming national parks. Pay attention to warning signs, and always check with your guide if there’s any danger ahead.
• Be very wary of dangerous trails, volcanic areas, riptides, and waves.
• Do not swim into the ocean. There are few lifeguards, so always stay near other bathers.
• Do not walk alone in secluded areas or go into public parks late at night.
• Steer clear of deserted side streets, properties, or undeveloped land.
• Watch your luggage, never leave it unattended, and write your name on it.
• Do not hand your luggage to any stranger except the airport porters who carry an official identification.
• Lock your doors and your luggage when staying at a hotel.
• Do not carry a lot of money or flash big wads of money, and remember to keep your wallet in a safe place. It is also recommended to wear a money belt.
• Make sure that your personal belongings (keys, laptop, cell phone, credit card(s), etc.) are within reach, in a secure place, and never out in the open.
• As a foreigner, your passport is your ID. Keep your passport in a secure place, and always keep several photocopies of your passport as well as your Costa Rica airline ticket and insurance policy.
• Do not make yourself a target for thieves and pickpockets – do not wear flashy jewelry or expensive watches.
• Do not hold expensive equipment, such as cameras, all the time while walking.
• Guard yourself against car theft – always lock your car, and do not leave your keys or anything of value in your car even if you run into a store or supermarket for a few seconds to buy something.
• Do not park your car on the street – use secured private parking lots whenever possible.
• Use your common sense, do not trust anyone who approaches you and wants to act like your tour guide, and do not get separated from your tour group.

If you fall victim to any crime, please report the incident to the local police and contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

Be not afraid! Remember that traveling to any country in the world is not without some risk, and you should follow these safety precautions anywhere you go. With some common sense, no crime will ever happen to you and you will find Costa Rica a safe and wonderful country to visit or stay. Most of this advice is well taken in the States.

We have not suffered any crime that we are aware of in the last two years (knock on wood), but that can happen in just about any community in the world. Remember, the crime rate in the U.S. is about 4 times as high as it is here in Grecia. And in Dallas, TX, I had my Chevy Blazer stolen twice (only to steal the radio) and had the house burglarized once, so things like these can happen here, in the U.S., or anywhere else.

If you want to talk to us about any of the safety tips above or want to share some of your own, please contact us at CostaRicaLandToday.com. Your comments and feedback are much appreciated. Till next post!

Pura Vida!

Job Opportunities in Costa Rica

Even though we came to Grecia to retire and we had no inclinations to get into real estate, it evolved that way through requests, opportunities of listings, and our continued observations of Americans being taken advantage of by other Americans. Cheryl and I could find plenty to occupy ourselves with in full retirement, even at our youthful retirement ages of the mid 50s. There are many of you who feel the need to subsidize your retirement, or you just have the need to work. Remembering that you cannot just go to a company and apply for a job because of Costa Rican law, so what are your options and opportunities?

Finding jobs in Costa Rica for foreigners can be a little tricky, and foreigners must either get a work permit, which is granted on an occupational priority basis and must be renewed every year, through their employer or apply for residency through a lawyer if they want to start their own business. The paperwork can take months, but the process can be a lot easier if you visit our recommended specialist at http://www.residencycr.com/residency.html. On the other hand, scientists, artists, sports figures, clergymen of any religion, spouses of Costa Rican citizens (Ticos or Ticas), and those who own or hold stocks in registered Costa Rican companies can get their work permit quite easily. The Director of Immigration may also grant a few exceptions to doctors and nurses, especially those who come to Costa Rica for humanitarian service, as well as bilingual professors.

Obviously the tourist trade has the most opportunity, but that could represent my own closed mind. Opportunities exist everywhere if someone has the imagination and bold tenacity to pursue it. The most common jobs for Americans are the ones that are hard to fill by Costa Ricans: teaching English as a foreign language or working as English-speaking tour guides, receptionists or front desk agents in tourist hotels, or real estate agents. Most of these jobs require fluency in both English and Spanish. Remember that you should always search for a job while in Costa Rica, as not many schools and hotels will hire you from overseas. Some Americans might also be able to find jobs in multinational companies operating in Costa Rica like Intel, Motorola, etc. You can always find other jobs by simply looking in the local English-language newspaper The Tico Times, the main Spanish-language newspapers, or the yellow pages.

Foreigners may also choose to start their own business in Costa Rica, something which I strongly recommend since there are few restrictions on self-employed foreign residents. As self-employed, you don’t need any work permit, and all you have to do is apply for residency in Costa Rica. Foreigners do not face any restrictions on owning and operating a business in Costa Rica, and there are no restrictions on capital or profit repatriation and foreign currency management. Business taxation rates are very low, and forming a company or opening up a new business in Costa Rica is easy and very inexpensive. Forming a corporation generally costs between $300 and $600 and takes between two and three months. Plus, no Costa Rican partner is required for you to start your own business. Just remember that the name of the company should always be in Spanish. You will generally find that Costa Rica is an ideal environment for business, and business opportunities here are indeed endless, some of which are real estate, hotel and tourism, and the food franchise. You can open up your own dive shop, restaurant, or bed and breakfast inn. All of these are great business ideas, and the earnings they will generate are definitely much greater than the income of salaried jobs.

Many Americans visit Costa Rica once a year, and quite a few even decide to stay here for good. The investment-friendly nature of the land, the business opportunities, and the wealth of activities available encourage many to settle down in Costa Rica and start their own business or look for jobs.

You should always open your mind to the opportunities you see that avail themselves to you when you are here. I know a former executive who buys beautiful wood carvings from artisans and travels Costa Rica’s finest hotels Tuesday through Friday and resells these wood carvings, and he does quite well. I have another friend who imports all the touristy gadgets such as key rings, refrigerator magnets, shot glasses, and on and on from China and sells them all over Costa Rica, and she also does quite well. I know two different couples who own and operate B&Bs quite successfully.

We have pet relocation specialists, and we have transition specialists to help people, who don’t know whom to trust here, adjust and find the services they had in the States. You will need doctors, dentists, hairdressers, lawyers, TV repair guys, computer guys, and on and on. Hopefully you will also need a good real estate company in Grecia. May I shamelessly suggest CostaRicaLandToday.Com?

Remember that there are legal and cultural implications to be considered with regard to working in Costa Rica, so it’s always best to visit Costa Rica in person and connect with and learn from your fellow expats before you decide to settle down in Costa Rica and start your own business or look for a job. At CostaRicaLandToday, we are happy to help ease your transition to Costa Rica and address any concerns you might have. So if you have any questions about working in Costa Rica that we haven’t covered in this post, please let us know at CostaRicaLandToday, and we will do our best to answer your questions and bring you closer to the Costa Rican “Pura Vida” lifestyle. Till next post!

Costa Rica: a Land of Peace

Whether you want to live, retire, invest, or just relax in Costa Rica, it is a comforting thought for you to live in a safe and peaceful demilitarized country that has been commended by the Dalai Lama, a country that enjoys the greatest political, social, and economic stability in all of Latin America.

Costa Rica enjoys a rich indigenous history, and Costa Rica’s civilization dates back to thousands and thousands of years. Historically, Costa Rica (means rich coast) has enjoyed greater peace and more political stability compared to other Latin American countries. However, back in 1948, Costa Rica endured what was dubbed the bloodiest, most brutal civil war in its history. The 44-day civil war resulted in more than 2000 casualties and was described as the bloodiest event in 20^th century Costa Rican history.

The Costa Rican Civil War was triggered by the Costa Rican government’s decision to annul the results of the presidential election of 1948, declaring the election of Otilio Ulate as president a fraud. A rebel army under Commander José Figueres Ferrer rose up against the government of President Teodoro Picado and defeated it. After the victory in the civil war, Costa Rica’s path toward democracy remained unchanged, and José Figueres ruled Costa Rica for eighteen months as head of a military junta before overseeing the new election and stepping aside to whom the Costa Ricans chose as a leader – Otilio Ulate. On December 1^st, 1948, José Figueres Ferrer abolished Costa Rica’s army, and 38 years later, in 1986, President Oscar Arias Sánchez declared December 1^st the Día de la Abolición del Ejército (Military Abolition Day). Costa Rica was the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army, and as a result, Costa Rica, unlike all other countries in Latin America, has not experienced any political violence or civil war since then.

Costa Rica has taken leaps and bounds from being described as “the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in all Americas” by a Spanish governor in 1719 to a country that declared its independence from Spain in 1821, endured a brutal civil war in 1948, and currently enjoys a great economic stability and ranks 4^th among Latin American countries and 48th worldwide in terms of the 2007 Human Development Index, an index that measures human development – including life expectancy, literacy and education, and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita – for countries worldwide.

Costa Rica also ranks 5^th worldwide in terms of the 2008 Environmental Performance Index, an index that measures the environmental performance of countries’ policies worldwide, up from the 15^th place of two years before. Demonstrating broad and deep environmental awareness, the Costa Rican government unveiled in 2007 a plan that will make Costa Rica the first country in the world to become carbon neutral by 2021.

Costa Rica is a safe and peaceful haven that enjoys a lengthy, uninterrupted democracy that dates back to 1949. During that same year, the abolition of the military was introduced in Article 12 of the Costa Rican Constitution. Costa Rica has no standing army since then, and the budget that was previously dedicated to the military is now dedicated to Costa Rica’s security, education, and culture. In a time of war and political uncertainty in the States and many other European countries, it is very comforting for millions of people all over the world to know they are able to live in a country so peaceful that it doesn’t even need an army.

Costa Rica is now a democratic republic that enjoys a strong system of constitutional checks and balances and an independent judicial system. Since 1949, Costa Rica has held 12 presidential elections, the latest being in 2006, and all of them have been regarded as peaceful and transparent by the international community. The presidential election is held once every four years, on the first Sunday in February, and anybody over eighteen can vote.

Who wouldn’t dream of living in a country so peaceful it takes pride in having more teachers than policemen? In today’s war-torn world, it is very reassuring and comforting to know that we can all retreat to the beautiful, safe sanctuary of Costa Rica. As always, at CostaRicaLandToday, we can make your dream of living in Costa Rica a reality. Feel free to contact us at CostaRicaLandToday, and we will help you find your dream house, property, or land for building in the Central Valley, specifically Grecia, San Isidro, San Miguel, San Ramon, San Luis, El Cajon, San Pedro, Santa Rosa de Poas, and adjacent areas. Our wish for you is Pura Vida (The Good Life)!

We Just Got “Cityfied”

Grecia is about a fifteen minute drive from El Cajon, where we live, and in the center of Grecia is a fairly large park on a beautiful piece of land that backs up to the famous Red Metal Church. I say famous because it actually is made entirely of metal and it is actually red and it has been there over a hundred years and it is actually the tourist high point for Grecia. The tourist buses stop there each day and all the tourists disembark to take photos of the church. It really is a very beautiful church and the church’s other claim to fame was that it was a stopping point for the American television show, “The Amazing Race”.

There’s a lot of words I just used to draw the mental picture of what I am about to introduce in this article, but you must have the vision of this beautiful church, with this beautiful piece of land in front of it with fountains and walkways for the central park of Grecia. Lots of people gather in this park day and night and practically fill all the benches as it is a place of social gathering.

There are businesses all around this beautiful area, as it is, after all, our downtown and there is so much traffic that it has two of our three stoplights opposite the park. Are you getting the quaint mental picture of our “downtown” area? Up until last week, I would have told you that you would not find any American owned businesses in the entire city of Grecia, but alas, it is this week and I cannot say that anymore. We now have a Burger King and a Church’s Chicken in Grecia!

A lot will be said about this in the coming months for sure, but they exist everywhere else in the world, even in Iraq, so I guess our turn has come. Don’t get me wrong here, because we have McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Subway, Taco Bell, Friday’s, and the list goes on and on, but all those are not in Grecia—yet!! And once every couple months, we go and have our junk feast when we are out and about. It looks like when that couple of months comes up from now on, we can do it “over there”. I think the song goes, “…this land is your land………”

Pura Vida! (The Good Life)