Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Neighbors robbed

A couple of nights ago, our neighbors' house was robbed. They are currently on vacation and the person watching the house returned late at night to find a gaping hole made in the wall and lots of electronics and other items missing. This is nothing new (a bike was stolen from the front of their house a few months back) and robbery around here is very common. It takes something like this to remind you that this is still a third world country. The police came over and took statements, but they will never catch the person or recover any of the stolen items...it's just the standard bureaucracy.

Carlos and I are very careful about our safety here, but the houses are built so shoddily that all it takes is a crowbar or hammer to get in through the wall or window at an opportune moment. We never tell anyone when we leave our house for a few days (you can't really trust anyone here -- even neighbors) and we leave lights on. We also have no items of value in our house whereas our neighbors have every luxury imaginable and live like well-off gringos. I am a little worried that the robbers will come back for more, but we will be very vigilant and careful as usual. Although Costa Rica is a fairly advanced country, there are constant reminders even here in the little town of Puerto Viejo Sarapiqui that crime is rampant and you must be vigilant with your valuables and general safety.

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