More pics from the Cloudforest

Trip Start Oct 08, 2008
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Trip End Oct 28, 2008


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Flag of Costa Rica  ,
Thursday, October 23, 2008

Monteverde/St. Helena, the zipline canopy tour, and the cloud forest reserve was a great experience.  I have always wanted to engage in such an experience and it is tempting to save up a few k and move down here for 3 months.   The zipline guides have a job that many guys would do for free.  There are numerous opportunities throughout CR that enable people to do conservation work and live for cheap.  I met some folks that had spent a month in Tortuguera for a month or more helping spot turtles at night, building shelters, cleaning up the beach, etc. for $15 a day (cost), meals and lodging included.  It usually required a minimum 30 day commitment and 4 hours a day of work.  Not a bad stint in paradise if you need a break and want to do something positive.   

I've been hanging out in San Jose for more dental work.  The Dr ground down a couple molars that had chipped too badly for permanent fillings
zip class
zip class
.  He has also delayed placing the crowns on the implants for as long as possible, likely due to the benefit of better bone adhesion to the titanium.  However, I leave back to Seattle in just 4 days now, and he is obviously cranked up to get this work done... which relieves me.  I have talked to several other Americans who will have to return to CR and have their acrylic temporary teeth replaced when they have more time.  The clinic is VERY busy, and there are plans to expand it.  With the amount of foreigners waiting in the waiting room, I can see an investor moving into town and really blowing up this entire "medical/dental tourism business" with a state of the art medical plaza.  If I had a million or two, I would already be buying real estate and making plans.  American health care is in crisis and if more people knew about the potential for quality work at these prices, there would be a huge mass exodus to CR and other latin american countries.

I have been staying at Gaudy's backpacker hostel, which is pretty decent.  They even cook you breakfast in the morning.   There is a great supermercado just two blocks away, and it is about the same distance to the dental office as Hostel Sol Y Luna.  JC's place is nearby and is closed to general occupancy.  If you are young and looking for the most fun, I still feel Pangea Hostel would be a great place to hang out, especially in a private room.  Plan on waking up to loud staff and slamming doors at 4:45 to 5:30 am if you are in a dorm.

This weekend I am heading to the Pacific Coast... thru Jaco and down to a highly recommended park named Manuel Antonio.  Monday we will tune up dental details and get ready to head home. 

Here are a few more pictures of this last weekend.
St. Helena hotels Slideshow

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