Despite a US economy that seems to be headed downhill quite quickly, Costa Rica has managed to see an increase in tourism again so far this year. Tourist arrivals alone seem to be averaging between 13% and 15% between our two international airports, our main Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) outside of San Jose and the Daniel Oduber Quirós Airport (LIR) in Guanacaste.

Last year in 2007, Costa Rica saw an 11.5% increase in tourist arrivals over 2006, bringing in a total of 1.9 million international visitors.

As Costa Rica is so heavily dependent on tourism, all eyes have been on the United States and the economy there. So as we've been seeing our number of visitors increase, we've been sighing a breath of relief -- for now.

The Tropical Adventures Foundation isn't so worried about the big travel agencies as much as we worry about all the families and small communities who would suffer greatly at the loss of tourist traffic and the dollars they bring in with them. We're hoping things continue to go well.
 

I always thought my parents were exaggerating when they said that time goes by faster the older you get. But now that I'm nearing 40 I can tell you that it is certainly true.
And I have to admit, it's a bit frightening!

What time do I have left? What do I want to accomplish before I check out? It can be a lot to think about!

It's also mind boggling to think about the changes we've seen over the last 100 years. It leads me, of course, to wonder what the next few decades have in store for us.

Here is a copy of an email I received today. I haven't double-checked the facts, but it seems pretty accurate to me -- as well as fascinating. I hope you enjoy it. And know that I wish you and yours a healthy, prosperous and FUN new year!

                    *****************************************

                             The year is 1906.

                        One hundred years ago.

                  What a difference a century makes!

      Here are some of the U.S. statistics for the Year 1906:

                    *****************************************

The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.

There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S. , and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California!

With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union .

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower !

The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.

The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year .

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year (huh?).

More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at HOME.

Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!

Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

The five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.

Arizona, Oklahoma , New Mexico , Hawaii , and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.

The population of Las Vegas , Nevada , was only 30!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Two out of every 10 U.S. adults couldn't read or write.

Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine  were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health." ( Shocking, eh?)

Eighteen percent of households in the U.S. had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !

Now....try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years!

When I was in the military in the US and had the opportunity to live in many other states, I was shocked to learn how different some of the alcohol laws were in "dry" cities, counties and states. Very naively I thought the laws were the same all over.

People drink a lot in Costa Rica. That's my experience anyhow. I'm not judging that (I participate of course), but am making an observation. And it doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is that there are times of the year here when Ticos are prevented from drinking. This includes a portion of Easter Week and election time.

Today starts another "dry" weekend here because we're electing new mayors all around the country. From Friday night at Midnight until Noon on Monday, no alcohol will be sold in stores, restaurants or bars -- or anyplace.

It makes me wonder what happened many years ago to start this. I don't doubt the Catholic church had a hand in drying up Holy Week, but what about election time? Did someone lose the election and run around shooting people up?

In either case, if you haven't already stocked up on booze, you'll be out of luck for a few days!

The Costa Rican legislature has initiated an accelerated process with the objective of creating a law preventing gays and lesbians from adopting children in Costa Rica.

Gay adoption is nothing new. Gays and lesbians have been adopting for a long time, but only recently have gay adoptions been done openly. In the past, and perhaps in some areas of the country still today, gay couples have lied in order to adopt. Usually with one partner adopting and the other pretending to be a roommate or a friend.

When I look around at some heterosexual parents, I really have to question how they were "allowed" to care for innocent children. My heart really goes out to those kids who don't have a stable, loving home. And yet I know so many gay and lesbian individuals and couples who would make great parents. Some already do.

I hope Costa Rica doesn't fall into the same trap as the US, where hatred of gay and lesbian people gets in the way of allowing the creation of strong and loving families.

Please consider sending emails to the legislative representatives. Click here for instructions.

These are the instructions that follow from a blog entry I wrote about the Legislature of Costa Rica trying to create a law preventing gay and lesbian people from adopting children.

If you are interested in communicating to the legislative members your request for them to prevent this law from passing, please copy and paste the letter below and either email it or fax it to this list of legislators who are members of the  Commission of Children and Teens:

Dip. Andrea Morales Diaz: 
amorales@asamblea.go.cr;  fax: 243- 2951
Dip. José ManuelEchandi: 
jmechandi@asamblea.go.cr;  fax:  243- 2370
Dip. Oscar López Arias: 
olopez@asamblea.go.cr;  fax: 243-2597
Dip. Guyon Massey Mora: 
gmassey@asamblea.go.cr;  fax: 243-2855
Dip. Orlando Hernández Murillo:
ohernandezm@asamblea.go.cr;  fax: 243-2966
Dip.Mario Nuñez Arias:
mnuneza@asamblea.go.cr;  fax: 243- 2947
Dip.Francisco Antonio Pacheco, 
fpacheco@asamblea.go.cr;  fax: 243- 2725, 243-2137, or 243- 2955
CIPAC: cipacdh@racsa.co.cr;  280-7821

Letter to copy and paste begins below

San Jose 20 de noviembre de 2006

Sr. Sra.
Diputado(a).

Reciban un cordial saludo.

La presente es para manifestarles nuestra oposición a la aprobación del proyecto de ley expediente 16258 “ Reforma a el articulo  107 del Código de Familia, Impedimento para que personas de la misma orientación sexual adopten menores de edad”

Nuestra oposición radica en que el texto es discriminatorio tanto para las personas homosexuales como para los niños y niñas que podrían perder una oportunidad de ser adoptados y recibir el amor y la seguridad que se les puedan brindar.

Las argumentaciones presentadas por el proponente del proyecto distan de toda realidad social y científica.  Definiendo a las personas homosexuales como incapaces de poder ser padres y madres. Se sobrepone a la Declaración Universal de Derechos de los niños y niñas mal interpretando el bienestar superior del niño.  Pues al argumentar que “pro del interés superior del niño/a” se prohibe a personas homosexuales adoptar se presume que la homosexualidad como tal es enfermiza, perniciosa y mal per se. Argumentos lejos de toda realidad social y científica.

Las mismas mujeres y hombres homosexuales que ya son padres y madres han demostrado que tienen los valores morales y la cualidades para ser padres y madres de familia, pues ser padre/madre de familia no es un asunto de orientación sexual sino de responsabilidad y amor.

El proyecto como tal no pretende atender el interés superior del niño/a como se argumenta, muy por el contrario, lo que pretende es limitar los derechos de las personas homosexuales e imponer un antecedente jurídico en nuestra democracia, defensora de los derechos humanos, discriminatorio y contraproducente.

Decimos NO al proyecto 16258.

Firma:__________________________

Organización: _____________________________

País: ___________________________

Last month I renewed my residency here in Costa Rica. I'd been reading all about the experiences of other people. Even the Tico Times ran an article a few weeks ago talking about how messed up the Immigration folks are. They said the average wait time for an appointment was 10 months.

I decided to try a different approach. I'd read on an online forum that this guy hired a lawyer, only waited a couple of weeks and got everything taken care of smoothly -- and for only $60. It did sound too good to be true, I have to admit.

But I was willing to try anything out, as I couldn't imagine going several times, waiting in line all day and just frustrating myself. So I called the lawyer he referred me to and had the same experience he did. The whole thing was super easy. Other than a quick phone call to the lawyer's office, dropping off my documents and waiting about 1 hour the morning of my appointment, it was super easy.

In case you're looking for help with your renewal, I'd suggest calling these folks. The lawyer is Fabian Vilchez, and his mother (who coordinates everything leading up to the day) is Flora. You can reach them at 253-1786.

A friend of mine called me yesterday to tell me that his beach community here in Costa Rica is experiencing a big increase in crime. This, of course, if not unique to just his area. Crime is increasing at an alarming rate, but most especially in beach areas.

His community responded by holding a meeting. They have set up neighborhood teams. They all decided they would work together to fight the crime. They will do their best to work with the police and prosecutors. Experience has shown that neither the police nor the prosecutors are able to effectively deal with the crime. Most frustrating is that those on the receiving end of the crime usually know who the perpetrator was, yet still nothing happens.

The community further decided that they would take matters into their own hands should the authorities not control the problem. An example from this week is that a well-known criminal who has gone unpunished by the authorities was shot twice and is now in the ICU of the Limon hospital.

I like the fact that the community is pulling together, but I’m not sure how I feel about combating the crime in the area by committing more crime. Yet at the same time, I sure can’t blame them.

I heard an interesting statistic this week from a friend who has a contact in OIJ (Costa Rica’s version of the FBI). Supposedly there is an internal document that reports the percentage of gay men in Costa Rica is 46%, of which 25% are men who are married, many of whom have kids. When I’ve mentioned this to people I know here, they don’t seem at all surprised. I guess their experiences support these numbers.

More interesting was that I was told the report “blames” the United States for these high numbers, saying they are a bad influence on the people here. Hello? Are they that stupid to think that people “choose” to be gay, and aren’t born that way? I guess what disturbed me most was wondering why they had to put money into researching this anyhow. 

Back again with more police talk. Today it's about the way they take things into their own hands. I'll give you two examples:

First. In Puerto Viejo de Talamanca there was a bar on the beach owned by a husband and wife who were known to be heavily involved in the sale of illegal drugs. The police were finally able to get the husband thrown in jail, but the wife remained in control of the bar and allegedly continued selling drugs.

Because the bar was within the 50-meter-zone of the ocean the police knew that the owners would be unable to re-build should anything happen to their property. (Unless grandfathered in, no buildings are allowed in the 50-meter-zone.) So, unofficially, the police set fire to the bar, permanently eliminating their problem.

Second. This one happened this week in Manuel Antonio. Another bar was in the 50-meter-zone. It was the most popular hang-out for young people. They had a great dance floor and quite an operation going. But, again, the police torched it, knowing it couldn’t be re-built. Such a shame. It was a lot of fun and the bar had been there a long time. It was also a restaurant. Hanging out at sunset and having a really inexpensive dinner was a part of my regular routine there. I never heard of drugs being an issue there, but I honestly don’t know.

I guess what I’m saying is that the police do what they want to do, when it’s in their favor. God knows we couldn’t get them to do anything about the theft of the wallet (and cell phone and many other things) of a client who was here…even though there were witnesses and they knew who the thief was!

I've been wanting to create a post for a long time about the police here in Costa Rica. To begin with, I do understand, or have some idea, of how difficult it must be for them to do their jobs here. They have had the exact same amount of police officers for the last 20 years. That means there are the same amount of officers trying to serve the needs of over 2 million more people!

That being said, they still drive me crazy. I've been stopped with other drivers before who had to pay "chorizo" (bribes) to the police officers to not be in trouble for something they didn't do. Let me explain. Say you have had one beer with dinner an hour ago. Then you get stopped. The police make you get out of the car and blow your breath across the front of your driver's license into their nose. If they smell (or say they smell) any alcohol on you, they will threaten to arrest you and tow your car. You will automatically lose your license for 6 months.

But if you tell them you need your car for work and ask if there is any way to solve this problem with them directly, they will gladly accept your $20 and let you on your merry way.

When I first moved here, I always said that I would not participate in the corruption. But in situations such as these, how can you not? You are literally being entrapped. Your word against their word. It's a tough one. And the only ones who win are the police. Because you then have 2 sets of "losers." One are the other drivers and pedestrians on the street who are in danger because a potentially drunk driver was let loose. The second are the innocent drivers who have to pay bribes to not be in trouble for something they didn't do wrong!

As you already know, there is no separation of Church and State in Costa Rica. The Catholic Church has a lot of say in what happens in this country. This is from the level of school children having to pray in school and being surrounded by religious icons and statues to the hand the Church plays in approving what is taught in schools.

Back in 1993 the Church rejected the sex education textbook that was to be used in the schools here, forcing the removal of photos, diagrams, and info about birth control. God forbid we actually talk about something to help these sexually active kids prevent some of the 19,000 annual teenage pregnancies!

I’ve hear that current president, Oscar Arias criticized the Church’s position on birth control during a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI back in June. Not that it’ll do any good, but I’m glad he was willing to speak his mind anyhow.

To me it’s sad to see any church have such a strong influence over politics and general education. I wonder what Jewish and Muslim parents think about having to follow such guidelines for their children in schools here?

I remember my first couple of flights. Rules and security were lax – if not non-existent. Even on my last flight before 9/11 (on 9/10), everyone was up-and-about in first class and having a good time. Much has changed, of course since then and I just hate the crap I have to go through at the airport. The worst of it being that I have to arrive so darn early just to ensure I’ll get through the mile-long security lines.

Now as of this morning, at least in England, passengers are not able to take on any hand luggage. Not even a purse or a book! And especially not a soda. Just as the attempted shoe bombing a few years ago ensured that we all take our shoes off going through security, the planned attack in London (or so we’re told) that was broken up this morning will likely effect greatly what passengers will be able to take on board the planes. Already in the US passengers are banned from bringing hair gel, beverages and lotions.

If only I were rich and could afford my own plane! Alas, now I’ll just have to decide how much I really need to take that flight before I put myself through all this. Sadly, I think this is still the beginning of the changes we’ll see in the next few years.

I've already seen these crazy machines being used in some airports. As you can see from the photo, these machines actually see everything. Supposedly, the machines were inspired by bats and are able to detect non-metals (and anything else) a person might be carrying on their body or underneath their clothes. Good thing I'm not shy!

Just a quick update. Not much to say. I have been in such an awful mood since Saturday when the thieves killed our dogs and stole our stuff. Kind of like a zombie walking around. I’ve been trying to get the millions of things done that I’m supposed to do, but it’s tough keeping it all together.

Of course, nobody knows anything and the police won't be ever getting back to us. Period. Just the way it works here. And people are so numb to this kind of thing around here that nobody seems to care. I was telling a friend what happened yesterday. He said, "Gosh, that's too bad. Hey, have you got your tickets to the party for Saturday night yet?" I guess I have to keep reminding myself that dogs here for the most part are not pets.

Isaac was in the US the whole time and just got back a few minutes ago. He’s just walking around in a daze too. It’s certainly strange to come back to your home where everything is now different.

I guess, though we knew theft was a possibility, it wasn’t “real” to us until it happened. Neither of us can stop thinking about the dogs. Our hearts are broken.

The only good thing that has come of this is that the neighborhood has rallied together and we’re meeting tonight to talk about hiring a security guard, installing a communication system and maybe fixing the road.

Sorry I haven’t posted anything else this week. Every time I’ve thought about it, I couldn’t think of a thing to write.

I don’t even know where to begin with this entry. Words cannot describe the feelings and emotions I’m going through. As we all know, crime is a way of life here in Costa Rica. It’s one thing to be surrounded by it and hear about it all the time – and obviously another thing to experience it.

I had been thanking God every day that I not only felt safe here, but also had not experienced too much crime here. Other than the guy who broke onto the farm last year and cut down all my fruit trees, I’d avoided being hit.

Yesterday I was working in Puerto Viejo and got a call at 5:30 in the morning. One of my employees had been watching the house for me, but was sleeping in a second house we have on the property. During the night, some people killed my dogs (click on picture above to see full size photo), broke into my house and stole lots of stuff.

It took me 6 hours to get home. The whole time I was driving, I was nauseous and my mind was racing. I was distraught over the loss of my dogs, angry with the people who did it and pretty much in a daze. But the worst part of it was wondering how and if I could prevent something like this from happening again.

Once I arrived I had to deal with the police, OIJ (investigatory department sort of like the FBI), the insurance people, repair people, friends, etc. It was such a long and painful day. I also had to sleep with a window wide open as the repair people couldn’t take care of it until today. Let’s just say it was pretty hard to fall asleep wondering if they were coming back.

I can’t say that I have any answers yet about what – if anything – I’m going to do. Will I install an alarm system, put bars on my windows like a prisoner, get more dogs or built a fortress? At this point it doesn’t feel like any of that will make me feel safe leaving the house again. But they say time heals all wounds. I hope there is some truth to that!

Thank God I had hidden my credit cards, passport, and my main computer well. They did not find them. Everything else can be replaced, except my poor, sweet Paco and Oprah (the dogs). The best advice I could give to anyone is to build a small, cement room with a metal door and some super-duper locks. It wouldn’t be fool-proof, but it would be a lot tougher to get into it. Yes, they might steal your TV and microwave, but hopefully your most important things would be safer.

I received an email the other day from a friend of mine, Andrew, about a study revealing the happiest countries on Earth. The study was released recently by the British think-tank New Economics Foundation (NEF). The tiny South Pacific Ocean archipelago of Vanuatu came out on top as the happiest country on Earth, with Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica and Panama completing the top five.

The study measures people's wellbeing and their impact on the environment, and the index combines life satisfaction, life expectancy and environmental footprint -- the amount of land required to sustain the population and absorb its energy consumption.

I’m really not surprised to see Costa Rica amongst the top five. Though life is far from perfect here, people in general appear very happy, friendly and kind. Interestingly, of the many people I’ve met here over the last few years, not a one has ever indicated they would rather live somewhere else. And all the Costarricans I’ve met who have moved to the US or Europe to work and earn more money all have told me they want to return to Costa Rica because they love it here so much.

I hesitate to tell too many people about this. I’m not sure how “happy” we all would be if the word gets out!

Some other rankings are: Germany (81), Japan (95), Britain (108), Canada (111), Australia (154), Kuwait (159), China (32), France (129), the United States (150) and Russia, in lowly 172nd place.

Among the bottom five, I guess the “least happiest” places are: Zimbabwe on the bottom at 178, second-worst performer Swaziland, then Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Ukraine.

Good news for expats! The implementation of the new immigration law that was to take effect in August has officially been delayed until at least December of 2007. Who really knows what changes to the law will remain after the Arias administration gets done evaluating and changing it?

But at least for now, there is no increase in the financial obligations for those applying for residency here. My advice to expats: Get your paperwork in as soon as possible to take advantage of the current situation!

The law was also set up to punish those involved with human trafficking and those who hire illegal immigrants. But the truth of the matter is, the country was no where near capable of implementing these changes. Basically, a lack of funds exist to enforce the law. According to Fernando Berrocal, the security minister, the amount of money that would be needed topped $14 million.

Seems pretty typical for Latin America. Grand ideas, no organization and no money!

President Arias is planning on sending a bill to the Legislative Assembly that would prevent the new Immigration Law from taking effect in August. Parts of the new law have been criticized by the administration. But in addition to that, there are many parts of the new law that the government hasn't found the funds to handle. For instance, one part of the law required increasing the Immigration Police force from 35 to 600. This new bill, if passed, would allow at least another year before we would see any of the new changes we expected to see in August.

I've met many people who were scrambling to get their residency applications in before changes too effect. Now it looks like those who were running late might be pretty lucky!

I'm re-printing this article exactly as it appeared in AM Costa Rica. It was written by Jo Stuart. I'd have asked her permission, but she doesn't answer my emails. But I think it has good, acurate information about the safey of being here in Costa Rica.

Many people planning a vacation in Costa Rica, or thinking about living here are worried about safety.  Some of them write to me about their concerns.  Perhaps it is time for a column discussing how safe is Costa Rica.

Recently in the news it was reported that violent crime in the U.S. has gone up some 4 percent — most notably in the Midwest.  I have seen no statistics about Costa Rica recently, but my own observation is that violent crime has gone up here, too.  I do see more stores that sell firearms than I saw when I moved here.  Violent and non-violent crimes that involve foreigners, of course, are the concern of those who write to me.

Pickpockets, thieves and robbers concentrate on tourists and foreigners for the same reason Willy Sutton robbed banks — because they think that is where the money is.  Most thieves are opportunists, and so you just don’t give them the opportunity to steal from you.  If I am an example to anyone, the message would be, double lock your doors when you go out, stow your money in your shoe and keep track of your belongings at all times.  Pay attention as well to your surroundings and don’t wear expensive jewelry on the street. I have been pick pocketed three times and had a gold necklace ripped from my neck. My laptop and passport were stolen from my apartment.

John writes that he can’t seem to get a realistic appraisal from tourist agencies because they want the business and thus paint a rosy picture.   In fact, you are probably safer being part of an arranged tour with a group than going it alone.  People renting cars at the airport (a logical thing to do) might find themselves with a flat tire, and the friendly people who stop to help, instead taking everything they have. If you do rent a car, do so in the city and get one with a trunk rather than a hatchback.  Park only in parking lots with guards, and put your valuables in hotel safes.

If you have brought your laptop, camouflage it if you take it out on the street.  Carry it in a basket rather than its smart case.  My editor tells me that in the past year 1,000 U.S. passports have been reported lost or stolen to the American Embassy  It is one big nuisance and expense to lose your passport.

Kidnapping and murder are usually not random, but rather business or revenge related.  Car jacking, as in other countries is aimed at the most desirable cars – usually four by fours here.

In my opinion Costa Rica is one of the safest places to be at this time in history.  It certainly is less stressful than much of the rest of the world.  I never think about terrorists attacking here.  I don’t worry about food poisoning or dysentery from polluted water.  But I don’t take chances.  I drink the tap water where I am told it is safe. I don’t in places where the sanitation is not up to par.

Most of the dangers that visitors and those new to Costa Rica face are those brought on by their own attitude and behavior.  They are in a safety bubble of their own naivete or ignorance. (Most of the crimes of which I was a victim occurred in my first years here.) It is an attitude that many tourists have world over, that, hey they are on vacation, ready to enjoy themselves and the world is going to cooperate.

Just recently there was the story of the sad, sad avoidable tragedy of the students and their brave teacher killed in the undertow of a dangerous beach.  Neither rain and impending darkness, nor lack of knowledge about tide conditions deterred their desire to go into the ocean as soon as possible.  On a less serious note, I recall the visitor who was trying to get change from a fellow in a newspaper stall.  He waved his 5,000 colon note in the air over the people in front of him.

Someone snatched it out of his hand and made off with it.  If you are young and having a good time in a local bar, you still don’t go off with someone who seems so friendly to another place.  You keep your wits about you.  And if you engage in questionable or downright illegal activities, you have a greater chance of getting into trouble — just like every place else in the world.

Costa Ricans are among the kindest most considerate people I have ever known, but they are not here to make my life, as a tourist or a resident, safe and wonderful.  Not even Costa Ricans have your best interests at heart — especially when they are behind the wheel of a car.  Traffic accidents are probably the greatest danger here whether you are a pedestrian, driver, or rider.  That is one reason I take the bus as often as possible.  Buses are big.  But even they have accidents on these dangerous roads.

I hope I have not frightened away people.  The vast majority of visitors leave Costa Rica having experienced only a wonderful time.  Those of us who live here wouldn’t be anywhere else.

The legal system in the United States is hard enough (okay, impossible) for me to understand.  But then try to figure this all out in Costa Rica! More than overwhelming.

Many of you already know about our existing problem with the property we bought last year. In short, someone sold us property that  includes a parcel of property sold by the same seller to another buyer 10 years ago.

Two weeks after moving in, the “other guy” broke onto our property by cutting through the fence and then continued to cut down all of our 40 fruit trees claiming the land was his and he was going to build a house for his daughter.

The seller, Karen Belyea, has been hiding out in Canada while we have been sued three different ways by this other guy. He is claiming, of course, that we stole his property and that we stole his tools, not to mention a further claim that we threatened him and two other big guys with a rifle and a machete. (Need I even say we don’t own a gun or a machete? Not to mention that by time we arrived back at the property the police were already here.)

The first two lawsuits were dropped, thank God. The third came before a judge in a preliminary audience this morning. I’m happy to say that, though we won’t have her decision for 10 to 45 days, things went well for us.

The hearing (audience) was surprisingly informal. We met in the judges “chambers” in private. Each lawyer was given the chance to present their case – or in our situation a defense.

Supposedly if the judge throws the case out, this guy can't come back on us for "usurpacion" (stealing someone's property) or "assault with a weapon." But he can (and will be) directed to file a civil lawsuit. The judge already suggested he might think about such a thing -- but against the seller. We'll see. This guy doesn't give up easily. (Did I fail to mention that he didn't actually pay for the property, but isntead stole it from this woman in Canada who didn't know what she was signing when she filed the original paperwork on the sale?)

One would assume (very dangerous) that since we bought the land in good faith, we would have some sort of recourse. As it turns out, unless we spend a fortune in legal fees and sue all parties (which supposedly would take up to 10 years), we have nobody to turn to for support in this country. What about people with even less money than us? Do they just lose everything?

These kinds of land games are famous here in Costa Rica and number in the thousands. The legal fees for JUST TODAY’S hearing were $11,000. Can you imagine a 10-year process and what that would cost?

I can already hear you saying, “Why didn’t you research the property before buying?” Well we spent a ton of money on that too. But it turns out most of the documents in the Registro (town hall record department) were filed (and accepted mind you) illegally. Bottom line is we had no way to further verify what appeared to be perfectly free & clear property documents.

I’m still searching for the greater lesson in all of this. The only advice I can give to other people who are buying land in Costa Rica is to beware of these kinds of problems. Spend all the money you want researching, planning, preparing and “protecting” yourselves, but in the end it’s still a crap shoot.

As most of you know, I don’t usually use this blog as a political soap box. But sometimes something crosses my desk that moves me to say something. The evil empire, Halliburton, won another US contract (surprise, surprise).

According to their website, their “Government and Infrastructure division has been awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to support the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in the event of an emergency.”

Furthermore, they say “the contract, which is effective immediately, provides for establishing temporary detention and processing capabilities to augment existing ICE Detention and Removal Operations (DRO) Program facilities in the event of an emergency influx of immigrants into the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs.”

How interesting. The US is preparing themselves for an “emergency influx of immigrants.” More surprising to me than that is the possibility (or is it already a reality?) that they will rapidly develop new programs? What kind of “new programs” require a “Detention and Removal” facility?

Who are they going to detain and remove from the US now? Gays, lesbians, Muslims? Read the entire press release here.

I had to share this picture with you. It's a picture of Sophie, the daughter of two friends of ours, Rob and Kirk in Los Angeles. She's adorable, eh? Also in the picture are Kirk's parents. Kirk and Rob are among the growing number of gay / lesbian parents in the US. I don't know what the exact numbers are, but they are getting big!

I still have no idea what it takes to become a gay dad here in Costa Rica, but maybe we'll find out one of these days soon!

I do have to say that it makes me laugh when I think of these guys making anti-gay proclamations. Do they look in the mirror? Check out the colorful costumes ---- especially the adorable red shoes!

The church teaches that persons with a homosexual orientation "are called, like other Christians, to live the virtue of chastity," and a life of loneliness and lack of sexual intimacy. But I guess they didn't say anything about a life free of fashion!

Some of you will remember me speaking about my friend, Colin, who owns a gay guest house in Puerto Viejo. Well this week we were chatting and he told me about an email he received this week from an organization in the United States. It's a home for children.

They were looking for Colin to donate a few nights -- or a week -- for free so the organization could auction it off on eBay.

Colin's response was kind of surprising to me. He told the guy:

I am very surprised that you would be marketing to "developing countries" for donations to your charities.  I can assure you that if you have travelled to one, you'll realize that our first priority here is to help our own communities here rather than donate our meager resources to the richest country in the world that refuses to pay enough taxes to finace education and heath care for it's citizens that are most in need.

If you have any extra funds, there is a project here called The Bridge is in desperate need for the native children of this area.  This is where I currently direct my resources.  I hope you understand my position.

I do realize that this is a charity trying their hardest to raise funds for their own group. Certainly the shortcomings of the US government aren't their fault (directly). But Colin does have a good point. Any thoughts out there on other possible responses? Do you think Colin was right?

Here are some interesting facts about the changes that have taken place in the last 20 years in Costa Rica:

• Population increased from 2,746,223 to 4,325,808
• The % of poor decreased from 27.4 to 21.2
• The % of extreme poor decreased from 9 to 5.6
• The % rate of births per 1,000 persons decreased from 30.3 to 16.5
• The % rate of infant deaths per 1,000 decreased from 17.8 to 9.8
• The % rate of employment increased form 6.20 to 6.60
• The % rate of inflation decreased from 27.3 to 11.63
• The per capital income increased from $1,897.80 to $4,580.10
• The % of public debt with respect to GNP decreased  from 82 to 57.5
• The % rate for home loans from government banks decreased from 38.6 to 20.09
• Quantity of automobiles increased from 318,642 to 795,000

Source: La Nacion, 9 May 06

Yesterday our new president, Oscar Arias, was sworn in. Nobel Peace Prize winner Arias , 65, vowed work to stabilise the Central American country's economy and to govern with a commitment to democracy and human rights. My experience in talking to "the people" is that there is much hope that he can make some changes for the better here in Costa Rica.

Yet despite the numbers of people supporting Arias, several thousand protesters marched outside to demand Costa Rica not ratify the Cafta free-trade agreement.

The protesters - among them union members, students and academics - argue that the Central American Free Trade Agreement will only benefit big business.

Mr Arias believes the deal will help to create jobs and strengthen the economy in Costa Rica.

Mr Arias, of the National Liberation Party, narrowly defeated 51-year-old Otton Solis, of the Citizens Action Party, in a poll in February.

He is best known for winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 after helping to broker an end to civil wars in Nicaragua and El Salvador.

"From today on, we will have a defined path regarding honesty and ethics in public office," Mr Arias promised in a half-hour inauguration speech.

"I haven't arrived at this post to please any particular group, but to defend the interest of Costa Rican society as a whole."

In this podcast you'll learn all about the different types of residency you can apply for in Costa Rica. You'll learn what requirements they each have, whether or not you even need to apply for residency, how much it costs, what the process is like and some hot tips!

I did forget to mention in the episode that you can work in Costa Rica as a tourist through a loop-hole. You can also, of course, work here once your residency is approved. I won't spoil the surprise and will wait until a future podcast to tell you how to get around the residency requirement to work.

I hope you enjoy the episode and hope you'll give me some feedback. You can subscribe to the podcasts, or listen to this episode below by clicking the play button.




MP3 File

Costa Rica has long held a reputation as a hide-out for criminals. Supposedly that has changed, but I still hear plenty of stories. I imagine when CAFTA (the Central American Free Trade Agreement) is finally and inevitably passed, the US government will have more say and control over things here.

One big problem has been Costa Rica’s way of handling pedophiles. To date, they are still allowed to be teachers after getting out of jail. The latest ridiculous thing to happen is the release of a guy named Calvert Bleasdale.

Bleasdale is the former San Cristobal sales manager who was apprehended in Panama and extradited to Costa Rica not long ago. He was wanted here on charges of fraud. As the story goes, he swindled investors out of millions of dollars selling them fake sugarbonds and other non existing investment vehicles. He then kept the money himself and eventually fled the country to Mexico and Brazil.

He somehow ended up later in Panama, where he worked as a sales manager for the land and investment scam San Cristobal, which has since seized to exist with its principal Tom McMurrain in jail in Atlanta, Georgia. Two defrauded investors from Costa Rica had tracked him down, and handed him to the Panamanian police which in its turn shipped him onwards to Costa Rica.

Bleasdale has an impressive and well documented history of child sex abuse. In Panama he became a client of infamous Madam Tonya, who ran a child prostitution ring which was basically being protected by the authorities.

Costa Rican prosecutors have now dropped all charges against Bleasdale and even let him keep his residency. The reason stated is that not enough victims came forward to file criminal complaints and/or came to Costa Rica to give evidence in court. However, it looks more like a case of lazy or even corrupt prosecutors.

"The problem I have with this is that there is overwhealming evidence of everything he did, a very large fraud," says one of Bleasdale's victims. "Maybe Costa Rica can give Bleasdale a job in a kindergarten considering they have that information on his criminal sexual abuse of children," he added.

Finally, the Department of Migracion in Costa Rica has started issuing a license-style permanent residency card instead of the old passport-style card. They've been issuing this new card for a couple of months now making it easier for them to increase national security. The bad news is that they are so completely disorganized and under-staffed that it takes several visits to the department to obtain this new card.

Those seeking residency (or a renewal or replacement card) must wait in line (usually for many, many hours) just to schedule an appointment for often months later. Right now they are running about four months behind. Supposedly they have computerized the appointment system, but it's not helping anyone. Appointments are needed to submit documents, check on files, to submit changes and to pick up your card. Get ready to stand in line!

The best advice I can give you is to start the process a few months in advance before you need a renewal -- or your initial card. And hire a lawyer. I only had to go once. All the other waiting time was done by my lawyer. Well worth the small amount of money I was charged!

I guess I won't get my new card until it's time to renew, but that's okay. I'd rather hold onto this passport-looking, bulky thing than to have to go through that process again!

A recent New York Times article declares that beards are now 'in." Guess I'm going to have to shave mine. I'd hate to be "in fashion!"

"You know, it's funny," said Lola Phonpadith, a public relations manager for the fashion company BCBG. "I've been talking about this with my friends for weeks. I'm kind of into guys with beards today, and I'm embarrassed to say that. But the pretty-boy look can only last for so long."

  And how I agree!

I see so many estimates of the real cost of living floating around. I find many of them to be inaccurate, so I decided to come up with my own list. I found it floating around the internet somewhere and updated it based upon my real numbers and research. I hope this is helpful.

This is based on a family with 2 kids in private school living in the central valley on a monthly budget. Though some things can cost less than what is listed, such as rent which can be had for as little as $200 a month, I’m assuming the reader wants to maintain a bit of comfort creatures and live in a modern place in a good neighborhood.

Rent                                            $700 - $1400

School (no bus, no meals)             $590 - $700

Supermarket                                $400 - $600

Medical Insurance
(INS plan $12,000 coverage)           $115

Maid service                                  $230 - $320
This number based on the assumption you’re doing things legally and are paying all taxe, etc.       

Electric                                        $40 - $60         

Phone, basic                                $13

Long distance                              $20 -  $40

Cellular                                      $14 - $24

Internet (DSL and Cable)              $25 - $50 - $100 plans

Televisión                                   $13 -  $27

Water & Trash                             $5 - $20

Gasoline                                      $150 - $300

Car Insurance                              $50 -  $350

Excise taxes                                $8 - $25

Maintenance                                $50 - $1241

TOTAL Monthly                          Between $2423 and $4094

The thing about truth is that everyone has a different version of it. And though it’s possible that some of us know some of the truth some of the time, it’s pretty unlikely that we’ll know much of the truth most of the time.

I grew up thinking that I could trust at least a few people: parents, church, government, police officers and teachers. One-by-one my illusions shattered.

When I was in junior high school I had a teacher literally push me into the girls room during gym class. Then he lied to the dean of discipline (yes, it was a Catholic school) and told her I entered on my own accord. I was duly punished and I came to hate and mistrust authority.

Next came church. Not only my own parish priest was accused by more than one kid of inappropriate sexual acts, but it seemed the entire church ran amok with problems. Then my own boss at the time, a military priest, made a move on me – as did my vocational director when I was in the seminary.

That’s when the lights turned on for me I believe. I realized if I could be so easily duped by the church I had been so faithful to, it was possible that there were crazy things going on in other arenas.

On three occasions I’ve been purposely mistreated by the police when I was completely innocent. For instance when I was on 42nd Street in New York City (before it was cleaned up a bit) and showing something from my wallet to one of my military buddies (who just happened to be black) a cop tried to arrest me for buying drugs! Then he threatened to take me into the subway and “beat the shit” out of me. (Serve and protect? My tax money at work.)

As if these types of experiences were not bad enough, we have events like the Kennedy assassination and 9/11. At one time I would have been naive enough to believe the government wouldn’t lie to her citizens. I know better now.

But I’ve learned that I can’t put any energy into trying to find the answers – or “truth” from much in the world. I’m learning to embrace mystery. There is something magical about getting to the point where one can stop asking “why” and instead ask, “how am I going to treat myself and others as I move forward in unknowing.”

It’s awfully easy to get caught up in right and wrong. After all, we are conditioned from the time we are born into believing in such dichotomy. In the long run I really think that there is no such thing as “right” or “wrong.”

Where I really get stuck though is in knowing how much responsibility I have in holding others to truth. For instance, if I really thought the government was involved in a conspiracy (or many), do I have an obligation to do anything about it?

How about discrimination or others, human rights, hunger, pollution? Where does the line begin and end for personal responsibility? I guess it comes down to each individual deciding what kind of world he or she wants to live in and trying to take small steps to create that for themselves.

I’ve seen individuals who could change the world, so I know it’s possible. Do I need to follow in their footsteps? Or can I just affect a change in my own life and environment? In the end for me personally, I seek to respect myself and others and to take small steps toward change. Because when it comes to the “big picture,” it’s all a bit too overwhelming for me.

I recently posted something about the traffic in Costa Rica. Well today I just read a statistic from the Tico Times newspaper that claims over 1 Million people enter San Jose daily. Supposedly 80% of them come by public transportation, leaving just 20% driving. And according to Johnny Araya (Mayor of San Jose), the driversr take up 70% of the space. This I can believe!

In the short 2 years I have been living here I have noticed a dramatic change for the worse in traffic congestion. Yet the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) has made many changes, such as limiting by license plate 20% of those who could potentially drive into the city. Now they have added exclusive, reversible lanes and new traffic lights in western San Jose. And parking is being eliminated in various neighborhood to increase flow.

I'm glad to see the changes being made, but just can't help but think we are in trouble if the government doesn't do something (more) soon to improve the infrastructure.