Living in Costa Rica . . .Where the living is good By Jo Stuart jostuart@amcostarica.com

down.  He instructed me to get an x-ray and return to his office.   

Standing at the door to the x-ray department with another crowd of people, I noticed that, although people are extremely considerate on buses about giving up seats to older or handicapped people, in a hospital waiting room, forget it.  A perfectly able, pretty young woman sat for the half-hour wait in one of the two available chairs, while her patient boyfriend, two older people, a man on crutches — and I — stood.  I tried sighing heavily a couple of times, but it did me no good.

By 11, I was on my way out, making my way through the labyrinth of hallways to the cheerful “Salida” sign.  Once on the broad street in front of the hospital, I rejoiced in the sunshine and breathed the fume-filled air in relief and, yes, joy.  I don’t know what it is, but just being in the hustle and bustle of the city makes me happy and gives me energy.

I decided to walk a bit, enjoying my freedom, stopping in a pasteleria to look at the pastries, and going on to the Central Market.  My arm in a cast and sling has changed my center of balance, so I didn’t venture into the crowded market.  The doctor said to come back in three weeks, and they would remove the cast and take another x-ray.   That means it will be three weeks before I can venture onto a bus. But only three more weeks.  I have plenty to be thankful for.  I sighed, but not heavily, and hailed a taxi.