COSTA RICA BLOG – I like very much to read the comment sections of the online news publications. They reveal the thoughts and mind set of both nationals as well as expats living in Costa Rica. While the government is hell bent to make Costa Rica a member of the developed world country club, perhaps 25% or even 35% of the comments want to, “go back to the good old days.”
I like that “go back” group because there was a strong sense of pride then, corruption was low and did not permeate the population like it does now, I got along pretty well with limited television and a phone that some times worked. My neighbors were my friends and I had the much needed car to drive their kids to school, the store and to the closest Ebais. In turn, they gave me, without me ever asking, property protection, (No bars on the windows) wood for my fireplace in San Jose de la Montaña, fresh bread, eggs and some times even flowers. I also received cows who acted as gardeners and a super friendly Doberman who scared hell out of everyone but really only wanted to be petted, play hard and have a warm place to sleep at night. His name was Yogi.
But that was all about 35 years ago when the colon was 8.50 TO us$1.
At the time Costa Rica was surrounded by fire and war that never really touched us except for a lot of weekly protesting, mostly by university students who planned the marches for Fridays and Monday offering a long weekend. We had this improvised rural guard responsible for protecting the borders. The guards were actually charged for the use of their bullets which gave them second thoughts before firing at someone.
But then came modernization, and with it the idea that CR must become part of the global community! We grew exponentially and with it we lost the desire to say, “Adios,” to the person in the street and have now just about completely extinguished that nice little greeting for fear of being mugged.
We sold our souls for 50″ HD television, the latest in computers that zero in on the world with the flick of a switch, many are addicted to social media like Facebook, kids spend endless hours playing computer games, the Hummer became the number one status symbol, not one but three or more cellular phones for each household, a plethora of credit cards that translates to a plethora of debt. We now have paved “wanna be” roads full of dangerous holes, miles of backed up traffic, the largest of large SUVs and tractor trailers lining both coasts making sure the exports and imports get to their destination.
From my home in San Jose de la Montaña to teach in San Pedro the drive was 25 to 30 minutes depending upon the weather. Now it takes 1 ½ hours on a good day.
Government is another issue. Once simple where I could see the president walking to work, now it takes a caravan and the president can do very little to effect change in our massive bureaucracy. As U.S. President Harry Truman once said, “About the only God damn thing I can do is drop the atomic bomb!”
To be hip, up to date, a global player Costa Rica has signed on to a multitude of international agreements of which some make no sense at all for the good of the country.
So far this year, we have lost 50% of our direct foreign investments, we have some of the highest electric bills in the world, our water is running short, the average home is now us$120,000 and we have jumped in bed with China, a society, a nation we know almost nothing about except it has a lot of money and is willing to buy its way into Costa Rica among other countries.
It always amazed me how we fondle China and traded our values of democracy, freedom and justice only to cash a check. It became a major issue to allow the U.S. Coast Guard to dock in Costa Rica after chasing down drug runners. (It gives the wrong image.) However, China and its check book is welcome, without so much as a whimper.
Once the development train left the station there is no turning back. Costa Rica has outgrown its ability to be managed. I would like to go back in time, but “you cannot un-rob the bank.”
well said. and the future doesn’t seem that bright either. We the people need to start taking back this country, at the cost of isolation & limitation on resources. Greed must be purged fromt he bowel of the city hall, no more 5.7 milliones colones salary. NO more tenure, no more waiting 15 yrs for a surgery. This country needs to get back to work in holding up the principle’s it once stood for. Enough with the chorizeros!!
All those past values and lifestyle were admirable qualities of Tiquicia, the old Costa Rica of 35-40 years ago. However, as the writer states, there is no going back. The evolution of countries from Third World to First World status has been set as clearly as Darwin’s theory of “The Origin of the Species”. A realistic view of dealing with the Global Community as it currently exists is what is required to move Costa Rica forward.
Looks like someone is listening – finally… Yes you can go back, Look at Cuba. They went back. They also have the most well adjusted social values. Why Cuba? Because they are happy people – and they are broke. Yes they complain. But if you travel there you will see that they are a lively and healthy people. Its a strange illustration of what its like to go back and although its an imbalanced choice – it makes the point dramatically. Am I suggesting communism? No. What I am suggesting is a return to Tico traditional values and rejecting government participation like Ticos used to do. Don’t fund the federal government to a large extent. Don’t grow the central government. Instead grow local government only. When we can drive by the mayors house and know him face to face, the money in the muni and the potential thieves are no longer faceless. It makes a big difference. When we decentralize federal government and put the money in the hands of the locals – we have a better chance of controlling thievery.
Culturally we have to stop adopting gringo values.