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January 07, 2006
HOW TO SAY NO IN SPANISH - By Linda Thomas So, you're an independent woman who has dreams of traveling to Latin America? This is something you've always wanted to do, and you're not about to let the facts that you're female and alone stop you. Go for it! This could be the experience of your lifetime. As a single woman who was in the same situation, may I recommend Costa Rica. It is a beautiful country that is relatively safe and very easy to travel around - even if you don't want to rent a car. This small country has it all: active volcanoes, rainforests, raging rapids, incredible beaches, some of the nicest people you'll ever meet and yes, even plenty of English. Costa Rica is a country not lacking for much - unless it's MEN you are looking for. Before I went to Costa Rica, people warned me. "You won't like the men," my friend who had lived in Costa Rica for three years said. "I always knew I'd marry a foreigner," said another friend who was born and raised in Costa Rica. "If you're going for the men, DON'T," warned another. Even the travel books gave warnings. One book stated that it was customary for the men to stand outside store fronts and shout out at women as they passed. Although I listened to every warning I received, I was still distressed what I encountered. My first night out "on the town", was at a local dance bar in downtown San Jose. I was meeting a new friend and her boyfriend that evening. Sue was from England and her boyfriend , Victor, was from Costa Rica. Since I was meeting them for the firs time that night, Sue suggested that she and I meet beforehand so we could have a chance to get acquainted. Since we were both teachers, we had lots to talk about. She told me that in Costa Rica, I would be considered "exotic." I have an Irish background, and therefore have very light skin and freckles. I remember having a feeling of anticipation. I had never thought myself to be exotic, and I rather liked the idea - until I realized what it meant.
We had a great time dancing that night. I danced with many men, and I really enjoyed myself. At the end of the night as we were leaving, one of the men I had danced with was standing by the exit. As I walked out, I told him goodnight and attempted to keep on walking. He literally grabbed my arm and started pulling me down the sidewalk. I was trying to pull myself away from him. Then Victor grabbed my other arm and started pulling me the other way. This is truly no exaggeration. Victor said something in Spanish and the man let me go. I was somewhat shook up and was certainly glad my new friends had been around. That was an experience I did not want repeated. Sue was leaving the following week for a one-month vacation in the Caribbean. She knew how difficult it was to adapt to a foreign environment, having moved to Costa Rica only two years earlier. As a gesture of friendship, she suggested that Victor and I get together while she is gone so he can show me around the town. We both agreed and made plans to meet that following weekend. Victor and I met one afternoon in downtown San Jose and, as promised, he showed me some of the "need-to-know" places like common bus stops, the post office and famous souvenir shops. Just about the time I was beginning to feel comfortable with him, he started coming on to me. Apparently, his relationship with Sue was going to be ending in the near future because (he thought) she was heading back to England within six moths. I was beginning to understand my friends' warning about the men in Costa Rica. (NEXT PAGE)
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