Sometimes “experience” can be a bit overrated. I mean life is full of them, that’s for sure. Living as a stranger in a strange land can sometimes makes those experiences all the more “experiential.” Recently I had the experience of having my car repossessed. Never had that one in the U.S. Now all my readers are probably thinking, you mean Costa Rica Guy is a “deadbeat?” Well, listen I am in the tourism business and you saps in the states just ain’t buying these days. So, hey, I fell a little behind on my payments. The thing that made the experience so rich was the way in which it was carried out….as if I were on Costa Rica’s “ten most wanted” list or something. I was working out in the gym when I noticed a police car pull up outside. Thought nothing of it really. Then they came inside. Still didn’t seem too unusual. But then they called out “my” name. “Señor Davíd?” I don’t know if anything like that has ever happened to you, but when it does you tend to remember in a flash all the things you have done over the course of your life that you could potentially get locked up for. I was a little relieved when I found out it was “just about the car.” Anyway, they decided to pull this stunt on Independence Day, so there was no way I could do anything about it that day. La Poderosa ended up spending the night in the impoundment lot. The next day I met with the attorney at Agencia Datsun and fixed the problem, which left a gaping whole in my wallet, but at least I had my car back. Then I discovered that someone had rummaged through the car and stole my speakers and a pair of jumper cables (I had removed everything else of value, thank God). Well, I guess you just gotta “chalk it up to experience.” Ain’t it funny how “experience” seems to always get in the way of enjoying life? I once heard a saying about success that goes something like this….Success is the result of good judgment. Good judgment is the result of experience. And experience is the result of bad judgment. My question is, what is “bad judgment” the result of? Stupidity, I guess. Well, if that’s the case God obviously graced me with a double dose. Costa Rica is a wonderful place full of enchantment, mystery and adventure…..until the cops come to take away your car. Then all of a sudden it is no different than being in, say, Aynor, South Carolina, and with a language barrier to boot. So if you are thinking of relocating here, just remember you won’t be exempt from experience, both enjoyable and not so much. Moral of the story is….make your car payments.
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