I have been preparing myself mentally.

For my trip to Immigration for my residency. I knew I wouldn’t get my ID for another 4 weeks and I knew I had a 9:00am appointment. I have heard and read horror stories about the lines and the time it takes. I could just see me playing the Costa Rican musical chairs for hours.

I got up at 5:00 and Jose was here at 6:00. I had put out clothes and packed my red bag last night. Showered too so I didn’t have a lot to do this morning. It was cold, cold, cold so I even had a jacket on and my coat in my bag. I had beverages and a container of Mango Almond bread for a snack. I had 8 slices cuz you never know when you need something to hand out.

We didn’t go far before we saw Glorianna’s sister and her son walking to the bus. Jose asked if it was OK we give them a ride. They live next to the bus terminal. The son is 7 and goes to school in Cartago and she runs a pharmacy in Cartago and works 6 long days a week. Turns out his school is the one  right at the Orosi bus station and she works nearby. Someone else will go get him and bring him home mid afternoon. Yes, 4 pieces of bread for this part of the trip.

Traffic was heavy as it was morning rush hour and we got there right on time. Ivy was the lady who helped me. She was very organized and she only needed to copy my new passport and get my deposit receipts. She had me write down my parents names and she wrote my telephone and address and the closest post office - Paraiso. She said there was another lady going with us and I invited them to all go with us. AND we were not going to immigration, we were going to the main post office in San Jose. Jose dropped us off and said to call him when we were finished as there is no parking there. Beautiful old building and it is the main post office of Costa Rica.  

First stop was to pay a fee and get a receipt. That done we went into a room with 2 agents at desks  and maybe 6 people waiting. Yup, musical chairs but as it was 2 or 3 people together it went very fast. We each got an agent, they checked over stuff, took a picture and got our signature and that was it. Now we were probably there early but by just after 9:00am we were done. My ID card will be available April 6. Then I go to CAJA to give them the number. Right now I am registered but under my passport number. I called Jose and he had me give the phone to Ivy. He was in a parking lot  nearby and told her how to get there. 

Back to Ivy’s office to get a few copies and off we go. Now we can play which includes a stop at PriceSmart to stock up a bit. I now have Spam and pork and beans again, frozen berries, ham, hot dogs and a big, big container of kitty litter. Since the girls are coming for their overnight tomorrow I wanted to make sure I had things for them to eat. They follow a gluten free diet so I can’t just feed them bread. Tomorrow morning I am making chocolate meringue cookies as Courtney asked for chocolate cookies and these don’t have flour. 

Next stop was a nursery Jose has been telling me about. We made a quick stop and I bought 2 things and I can’t wait to go back. It is very big with tons of things and things I haven’t seen other places.  We were going to have lunch at Nila’s which has wonderful food and Jose hasn’t eaten there but they were closed so we headed home. We were talking about other places and I said one day I wanted to eat at the Spa in Palomo. As we got near home, Jose turned the other way and said he was abducting me. I said no problem we were ahead of schedule. We ended up at the spa. What a nice place with tons of flowers and birds. An open air restaurant. In one area, the ceiling area is covered with a Guatemalan hanging flowering vine. Very unusual. I really wanted a cutting but she said it wasn’t possible because it is all one plant. I did offer to give her some of my new plant that is so unusual and I could see she didn’t have one like it. I agreed to give it to her anyway and Jose will hunt for some for me. I had a choice of the bigger piece or the small piece she planted in a neat pot. It’s ok, the little  one will grow.

Isn’t it pretty. In my new garden it will be a beautiful touch of color.

My new pot and little plant.

 

I found this in my garden. I love it.

Lunch was a platter for two with tortillas, chips, pico de Gallo, refried beans, onion rings, fried plantains, chunks of pork, beef and chicken. We both ate and there was still some left to take home. Very good. They also served ice cream to women because of Day of the Woman and I had a green beverage. A form of lemonade but stronger. I liked it.

Home, unload and that was my day. Very successful.