THERESA10

Instead of hauling 50 lbs of donations, I'd like to buy things to give to Children right there in San Jose. Is Max Bodega like a Walmart's? Is there a Sam's Club/Costco/Walmart there in San Jose and if so where Exactly is it.

I leave next Sun (3/25)and any info would really help ASAP. I already have over 35 lb. suitcase filled with donations, and I don't think I can fit much more to take. It would make my trip much easier If I can buy things while I'm there.

Thanks Theresa in Detroit.

Suzie2

Wal-Mart controls some 9,000 jobs in Costa Rica through its Mas X Menos, Pali, Hipermas and Maxibodega stores there. Maxibodega and Hipermas are more and more like department stores with groceries. There are several Costcos. One in Heredia (between the airport and San Jose) and one in Escazu. I am sure there are more. Any taxi driver can get you there.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

It's PriceSmart, not Costco, that's here in Costa Rica. As with Sam's, you have to have a membership card to shop there.

THERESA10

Thank You very much for that priceless info. It will make my job much easier.

Jeff, I'm glad you reminded my about the sam's club card.

one more? Do those stores accept US dollars? Thanks.

Suzie2

Thanks Jeff. I guess I knew that but I have been doing a lot of reading up on CAFTA and Costco is mentioned a lot but mostly in Mexico. I am planning on getting a membership as soon as we start building down in Perez Zeledon.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Theresa, you said:

"Jeff, I'm glad you reminded my about the sam's club card."

I hope I'm not giving you the impression that PriceSmart will accept your Sam's Club card. They will not. They have their own cards.

Suzie, I suppose if Costa Rica ever ratifies CAFTA that Costco might come in. Who knows when (and if) that might be?

THERESA10

is CAFTA something like NAFTA?

Suzie2

Yes it is Theresa. I am still torn as to whether it will really be a good thing for Central America. With President Bush's visit and more talk about it I was looking into it a little more.

There are actually little local department stores where you can buy things like school supplies for the kids, umbrellas, and other small items for a fairly reasonable price. I am sure diapers would be a huge help. Thank you for your interest and help. This is something that has been near to my heart for several years now. My spanish teacher in CR told me a lot about what is going on down there. If I could I would buy a huge property and build little houses for them to live in while they learn to be more self reliant.

THERESA10

Thanks Suzie2

This project is very close to my heart too. At our meeting last night we got more insight of what our trip entails and the jist of how awful the conditions are in the area we'll be in. According to the leader of our group the place we'll be working has approx. 100,000 people in a square mile. I thought maybe she misquoted herself, but I haven't found any info disgarding it either.

I just got home from a fund raiser regarding Dafar. Talk about horrible condtions and the sheer disregard for human life. Anyways, one of the teachers and I were talking and one of the things the feeding center needs is milk. I know when in Cancun you can buy milk at walmarts that doesn't need to be refrigerated until it's open. I'm assuming that I will be able to find the same there in San Jose. I have school supplies, matchbox cars,beanine babies, make up kits, shampoo and soap packed already. I'm hoping that a guy I was trying to hustle backpacks from comes through this week. Even better would be diapers and outfits for babies. I'm hoping a doctor I been buggin' will give me children's asprian and bandaids. I just got a load of tooth brushes and tooth paste. But I don't think I can carry any more weight in my suitcase. You know most teenage boys will take one duffel bag or suitcase(they are low maintanice)so I'm hoping one of them can check one of my bags as theirs. We do that alot on Missions trips.

Can't believe we leave in 7 days. Another group is heading to China. 13 hour flight. No Thanks. I gave some of my stuff to a teacher to take with her. They will be going to a Children's Home and Foster Care center for disable Children, so that worked out great.

Thanks for all your info, and anything else you can think of, I'd love to hear about it.

Theresa in Detroit.

sorry about any typo's I've been up since 3:30 am, and I'm starting to feel it.