Call Me!

Now you can give me a call on our new Costa Rican cell phone.  It was easy as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 .....

Cell phones, rocket sticks, land lines (if you can get them) as well as all things electrical are handled by ICE - the government run utility and telecommunication agency.

The nearest ICE agency is in Cortes, about 15km south.  We set out at 10:30 am - arriving at the ICE office at 11.  Cortes is pretty much at sea level, and during the November rains experienced significant flooding.  The ICE office was damaged, and the building in not usable, so work continues in a tractor trailer parked in front.

We join the queue - mostly Ticos coming to get their ICE bill, go to the bank and pay it and bring back the receipt as proof of payment - yes, that's the process if you don't have an internet connection.  30 minutes later we are in front a very nice man who with limited english asks where the phone is.  Huh?  We want to get one from you!  No no, you need to go to Palmar Norte and buy the phone and then come back (we understood ICE offices had phones, so presumably this is due to the temporary location).

Palmar Norte is only about 15 minutes away, and the cell phone purchase was straightforward.  Back to ICE.  Another 30 minute wait.  Back to the same guy (his partners speaks no english).  Now for the real process.

This actually started back in November.  You see, you need to be a resident, or a corporation to get a cell phone.  So, we needed to provide ICE with notarized papers confirming our corporation.  We requested these from our legal service, and they were issued on December 6 - they are only valid for one month, so we needed to wrap this all up by January 6 - or start again - January 3 is cutting it close.

So, the ICE guy wants the corporate document, Lisle's Passport - copies are taken.  Next, an interesting question - what is your address?  We explain that there aren't street names or numbers and he nods knowingly, but still needs something - we settle on Ojochal, Fase 9, Lote 19, Casa Amarilla.

Next - a reference - someone with an ICE account, we offer the names of our neighbours, but don't have phone numbers on hand, and he is unimpressed. Do you know anyone in Ojochal? he asks.  Lisle says, How about Kumari - she runs Mystic Dive?  Oh yes, I know Kumari, that is fine.   Another hurdle cleared.

He continued to type away on his computer, problem solve for his co-worker and served two other customers who wanted direction before waiting in the line.

Chip in the phone, a few buttons pushed, another printout, and we are done - well not quite.

The printout, among other things was a bill for the security deposit on the account.  We had to go to the bank (BNCR is 3 blocks down the road) and pay it and return.  It was almost 1:00 - we asked if he was going to lunch - and he replied that all the difficult stuff was done and that his partner could complete this without problem (in other words we wouldn't need to speak to him).

The bank is always interesting - the security door that lets one person in or out at a time, the armed guard inside and the long line for the single teller seated in suit at the counter.  Bill paid with ease and we are on our way back to ICE.

Join the line, wait, next ... we hand over the receipt and the printout, he types, he types, he looks, he clears the screen, he types - he picks up his cell phone and dials - the phone rings - - success!!  And it is just 2:30

Time for a beer!