Simple Things I Took For Granted in the U.S.

Some people would say I think too much. That might be true.

Today I've been thinking about how different life is without a few simple things -- luxuries, really -- that I never fully appreciated when they were part of the fabric of my everyday life. Things like...

Bathtubs. In a little more than a week, it will be a full five months since I’ve had a bath. True, I’ve taken lots and lots of deliciously hot showers here in Costa Rica. It is also true that before coming here I was far more likely to choose a quick shower over a long soak in my fancy jetted tub. All that is about to change – at least for the three or four months we’ll be back in Arizona, at any rate.

Comfy Sofas. For reasons I don’t understand, upholstered furniture here is hard. Really hard. While that firmness may be better for one’s musculoskeletal system, it’s impossible to kick back and relax on it.

Touchy-feely Shopping. It's a fact. U.S. gringos have learned the joys of self-service shopping. We like to walk down the aisle and browse at features, color, texture, price, unbothered by helpful employees, because, let's face it, they're usually not even there when you need them. While there are plenty of stores in Costa Rica where you can touch and feel at your own leisure - grocery, clothing and fabric stores, for example - forget that kind of shopping in pharmacies and hardware stores, where the products are typically maintained on shelves behind a service counter. Want aspirin? Just ask. Want #10 wood screws. Just ask. That takes a bit of getting used to.

A local pulperia (corner store)

Broad Product Choices (and at Competitive Prices). Another fact is that U.S. gringos have learned to expect choices. Lots and lots of choices. And truth be told, I'm not sure that touchy-feely shopping is all that important here because product choices are very limited compared to the U.S. About that aspirin? Your choice is probably limited to one or two brands, and it’s likely that the store you’re at may only offer one of them. Same with certain specialty products, like a dehumidifier. We looked for one when our granddaughter was visiting and found only two stores offering them – both in San Jose. The price was twice the cost of what it sells for in the U.S. because, in addition to shipping and import duties, which can add from 30% to 75% to the price of imported goods, they simply don't sell as many here. And here, like anywhere else, sales volume has a direct correlation to price.

The ferretería (hardware store) we pass on the way to el centro.

Big Box Stores. The simple truth is I miss Costco, Home Depot, Lowes -- and even Walmart. 'nough said.


I could go on, but the point is clear. I have no choice but to plead guilty to taking for granted many basic elements of life in the U.S. -- elements that I now know are not widespread beyond our borders. Fortunately, it's only a matter of time before the new ways will become second-nature and the old will seem as foreign as these things feel right now.

For the short term, though, I'm focused on my homecoming plan. Right after a long, leisurely bath, I plan to stretch out on the sofa while I watch the 10 o'clock news. Then in the morning, I’ll be off to Costco, Home Depot, Lowes -- and dare I say it? -- Walmart!

Pura Vida