... At the Shoe Store ...
by Christopher Howard M.A.
Author of The New Golden Door Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica

Buying a pair of shoes can be a trying experience in a Spanish speaking country if you don't speak the language. Most shoe store's employees speak little or no English, so it is in your best interest to learn the appropriate Spainsh vocabulary and phrases if you expect to purchase a good fitting pair of shoes. To further complicate matters the shoe sizes are in centimeters.

By memorizing the material below, you wil bolster your Spanish survival skills and learn to survive a trip to the zapatería (shoe store).

un par de zapatos - a pair of shoes
¿Qué número? - What size?
¿Qué largo? - What length?
¿Qué ancho? - What width?
el arco, empiene - instep
el dedo del pie - toe
el talón - heel of foot
me quedan largos - too long
me quedan cortos - too short
Me aprietan, me lastiman - too tight
incómodos - uncomfortable
medir el pie - measure foot
el calzador - shoe horn
Me gustaría probarmelos - I want to try them on
punta - tip
tacón - heel of the shoe
las suelas - soles
cerrado - closed shoe
abierto - open shoe
las sandalias - sandals
las botas - boots
los mocasines - loafers
las pantuflas - slippers
cintas, cordones - laces
callos - corns
Quiero llevarmelos puestos - I want to leave the new shoes on.

Tiquismo of the week: carajada - means a 'thing" in Costa Rica. The correct Spainsh term is "cosa".

Christopher Howard M.A. is the author of "The New Golden Door Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica," He is also a paid consultant for National Geographic in Costa Rica. For more information call 800-365-2342, access: www.costaricabooks.com or www.publishingonline.com to directly download his books from the Internet. Mr. Howard also conducts monthly one-of-a-kind exploratory trips for those wanting to live in Costa Rica Please call toll-free 800-493-8426, e-mail: crbooks@racsa.co.cr or tico@gate.net. Contact them to see how your can win a FREE round-trip ticket to Costa Rica on one of their tours. Mr. Howard also works as a paid consultant for newcomers and those thinking of investing or going into business. For a listing of his services see: www. liveincostarica.com. Anyone needing assistance may contact him directly at: crbooks@racsa.co.cr.

OUR ADVENTURE IN PARADISE
by Carol Burch

"Oh that's far too beautiful to be real," I muttered to myself, while
examining the photographs in Christopher Howard's latest book. "These
photos can't be real, I'm sure," I commented cynically. It was October, a
comfortable autumn day. But the days
were getting shorter and the nights colder. Cold, windy, bleak, winter
days were just around the corner. Summer and fall are enjoyable seasons in
northeast Ohio. And then there's winter...my thoughts drifted to the ice
storm of 1991. Downed trees and
powerlines closed many roads. Driving was trecherous. Stores were closed,
schools too, and cable TV was out. "How would you like to see Costa Rica?"
my husband Jim's question interrupted my thoughts. "Christopher Howard is
leading a tour in January,"
Jim remarked. "Do you think you could get time off? "What are Costa Rica
winters like?" I asked. "January is their summer, and in the Central
Valley it's 72 degrees year round," he replied. "If you like it we could
live there comfortably on my pension. You
wouldn't have to work, it would be optional." "Even with the two
children," I asked.
"Yes," was his reply.

We departed from Cleveland and had an enjoyable, uneventful flight to San
José. Jim and I were weary of customs, but it proved to be easier than car
trips to Canada. Costa Rican warmth and hospitality were immediately
evident; we felt welcome. Someone from the tour company was expected to
meet us, but we were flattered and amazed this it was Christopher Howard!
Our Costa Rica adventure had begun. On the way to our hotel Chris helped
us get our bearings and was more than willing to answer our many questions.

I was immediately struck by the absolute beauty of the country. Such
contrasts! It is even more beautiful that the photographs. The Hotel
Presidente was convenient and comfortable. The location was perfect for
touring the city on our own. Meals were delicious and reasonable, and in
close proximity to numerous "sodas" (small cafés), souvenir shops, a
museum, the Central Market and casinos. Hotel security watched over us. We
were able to mail our postcards and exchange money at the hotel. They also
gave directions and called taxis for us. Imagine that at a Holiday Inn.
The streets felt safe too, unlike big cities in the States.

The Irazú Volcano Tour and trip afterwards around the lake in the
beautiful Orosi Valley had to be seen to be believed. The morning excusion
to the CoffeeBritt plantation in Heredia to see how coffee is grown and
processed was very educational. We were especially enthralled by our
catamaran boat ride to Tortuga Island. We lunched on the island with an
iguana, saw a school of playful dolphins jump next to our boat. and
marveled at Costa Rica's spectacular scenery.

We also loved the Banco de Mariscos restaurant in Heredia. It is touted
as the best seafood restaurant in the country. Their dishes are absolutely
delicious and a bargain. Tiny's American Sports bar was great fun. We had
a group luncheon there and enjoyed hamburgers and fries Costa Rica style.
The lectures and seminars were helpful and informative, especially the
representative from the Residents Association of Costa Rica. We have been
in touch with several speakers from the tour since our return to the
States.

Without Chris, we would have never met the realtors, movers, a C.P.A., a
business consultant and an attorney. The Clinica Bíblica Hospital offers
great medical care. Not wanting to miss any of the tour, I saw a doctor
there for a minor problem. The doctors and nurses spaek great English.
Bedside manner far exceeds what I'm accustomed to. The wait was short,
care great and fee minimal.

When we departed paradise, our flight from New Jersey was cancelled due to
the weather. The next flight was delayed for hours while all planes
de-iced. Both at the airport and at home we shoveled snow. Sniff, sniff,
good-bye for now, paradise.

Update : We are now in the process of selling our two homes in the States
and plan to move with the kids to Costa Rica before the new millennium. It
came down to a choice between Costa Rica and Florida and the former won out
easily. Florida's sweltering summers cannot compete with
Costa Rica's spring-like climate.