Move Over, Walmart! Costa Rica's Pulperías are Alive & Well!

Everyone here in Costa Rica was so surprised when Walmart purchased HiperMas, Palí, Más x Menos, Maxibodega and who knows what other stores! They certainly have a stronghold in many Central American countries now. The good news is that all of the items that we used to have to ask our traveling friends to bring back to us here in Costa Rica from the USA and Canada can be purchased here now.

There is still a need for our little neighborhood walk-up stores. Many of those who live in the countryside and who do not have a car count on these friendly shops to supply them and their families with milk, cheese, butter, candy. . perhaps soap, toothpaste and other household goods as well.

These friendly and popular places also serve as a meeting spot for neighbors. They stop in to buy something, hoping to see a neighbor or two to catch up on all of the local gossip. You wouldn't think that there would be too much gossip in a small town in the back areas of Costa Rica. . not like the gossip in New York City or Chicago. . but, there is indeed. I overheard one lady tell another lady that she thinks her cousin's brother's best friend is getting married. Now that is not 'breaking news' in my book. But when I found out that this guy is 91 years old, then THAT is something to gossip about! And, to top that little juicy gossip nugget off, his wife-to-be is only 43! That probably won't make it to "Page Six" in the New York Post, but it is indeed newsworthy in that little town.

I know a couple of families who live way out in the country close to San Isidro. Once a month, they will go into the San Jose area to purchase in bulk most everything that they need. But they still count on their corner "pulpe", sometimes twice a day, for those little things that we all seem to run out of.

In the little town that I go to once in a while to visit some friends of mine, there is a pulpe that is always busy. They even set up a little coffee area just to the right of the front counter. They added a few tables and have a separate glass cabinet where they display so many little tarts and pastries that the 'abuela' prepares every day. They sell out by noon, so you have to get there early! I once sat there for about an hour, people watching. I remember the coffee being SO GOOD! It was so interesting to see the town's families stroll in and out of the store. It was indeed a life that many of us respect and maybe even want as our own. In the lives of these families, there is no daily traffic with which to contend. There seems to be no 'keeping up with the Joneses". And the hardest decision that some of these kind people seem to have is whether to buy the guava pastry or the strawberry one. No wonder many live to see their 90th birthday and beyond!

I noticed that when a few of the town's people left with their purchases, there was no money that exchanged hands. Instead, the man in back of the counter took out a little book and wrote down what they purchased and how much they owed. I assume some of them didn't have the money that day to pay for their items, so the owner allowed them to purchase 'al fiado' or 'on credit'. Try doing THAT at Walmart, Max x Menos or Pali!

There's something to say about this simple life here in Costa Rica. These neighborhood pulperías symbolize to me a life that is available here for those of us who would like to, and NEED TO, slow down a little. When one's mind is filled with useless garbage. . things that make us stressed and uneasy. . then there is no room for what is important. Being able to visit the less-traveled areas of Costa Rica does me more good than a bottle of pills from the pharmacy.

With that said, I have noticed recently that more and more of the individuals and families that we assist in acquiring their legal status here in Costa Rica are moving to the smaller towns. These quiet areas serve as a safe haven and a much-needed 'landing zone' for many stressed-out expats. I assume that after a year like we've had THIS year, I will be seeing more and more expats at that little pulpe that I visit most every month. They'll probably have to expand the 'coffee and pastry' area.

Knowing that Costa Rica and our 'Pura Vida' Lifestyle has a positive effect on most everyone who visits makes me feel blessed that all of us who are here already has found true paradise. Things tend to make more sense when you have a clear mind. Why not make it a point to see if all of this works for you in 2021! I betcha it will!

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Also, please enjoy our over 800 episodes of our "Costa Rica Minute / Costa Rica Pura Vida Lifestyle Podcast Series". We are found on all major podcast venues, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Radio FM, Anchor and many more. Here's our link: www.anchor.fm/costa-rica-pura-vida