What an interesting day.

Jose picked me up at 8:00am for my 11:00am appointment because he was concerned about traffic. It is Monday morning after all. The stars were aligned with us and we arrived at 10:00am. The attorney is associated with ARCR, Association of Residents of Costa Rica. The attorney arrived a little later and Jose explained we were there early so we could hopefully get everything done and get out of town before rush hour. First my picture was taken, then my passport copied, then we were taken into a conference room with the attorney and he asked to see my documentation. I had my letter from Social Security, my letter from the Hutchinson police department and my birth certificate. The first two things were acceptable. The last I will need to get a new one, which I knew. It has to have been issued within 6 months. With that and the other documents, I will go to the Secretaryof State in Minnesota and get it all apostilled (stamped or certified or something like that.) I will put it all in an envelope and drop it off at his office when I return on the 11th. Next was copies of everything for them as everything needs to be translated into Spanish and it will save time later to do that now. Next the contract, pay the fee, fill out the form for fingerprinting and have the application form explained to me as it is all in Spanish.

When I return and everything is filed, it will take up to a year to become a temporary resident. When the application is approved I must register for the national healthcare which he figured would cost about $60.00 a month.

Off we went, across town, to be fingerprinted. San Jose is not a city you want to have to go across town. Thank heavens I am old, or maybe that Jose has connections in the police department. I was sat in a special area and called quite quickly and taken to another waiting line. I was 4th in line and it went very quickly. Jose said he has waited 4-5 hours. 

Back to the attorney's office to drop off the receipt and then lunch nearby at a place called Tuna's. It was very good and very attentive service.

We got out of San Jose before rush hour. Our only stop was the nursery and I have some more flowers to plant. Jose will bring more dirt on Wednesday for the planter project.

Now I have time before Otto comes at 6:00pm.