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!

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.

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."

(I stole this entry off my friend, Colin's, blog.)

So, I end up getting invited to a social evening one night with people I know and some people who are visiting area.  From what I can see, everyone looks like a progressive liberal bunch.  I think... great.  Sane people, sane conversations.

Well, the evening was progressing nicely and I got talking with this one guy who was traveling with his wife around the world.  I thought WOW!!  How neat.  Here they are in their 50's and traveling the world via back packing.  I found it really inspiring. (and yes they were from California!).

Then we get on this conversation about growing number of expats in Costa Rica and I mentioned what I thought that was in part fueling that growth and that was the current government, policies and problems in the United States.  He looked very confused and said "What problems?".  I was shocked.  I did not know what to say, and just said well from what I can read and the many people I talk to, people are not very happy with what is going on.  He said, "Well, it's obvious we don't agree on this subject and maybe we shouldn't go down this road."  And then after agreeing this was not a good topic he proceeded to make clear his point of view on the current state of affairs in the US.

He stated quite frankly, that his big problem with the Democrats was taxes. I said, "well then you should have a big problem with the invasion of Iraq as you will be paying for that for generations to come." (Maybe why that is why he is considering a move to Costa Rica to avoid future taxes and virtually free health care)  He could not see that how he would be paying for that.  He said "well we pay for the military anyway, they might as well be doing something." (Sure... why not go invade a sovereign nation around the globe).  I agreed that much of the military might be sitting idle at the time, but there are many "added costs" to launching a war and occupying a country.  (How about "smart bombs").  I asked him how many times did he see Bush go to congress to ask for more money for the war (or was that too deep of a subject for CNN?).  It did not seem to clue with him that he would be paying for that.

He choose quickly to leave that subject and asked me "Where would Iraq be in the US had not intervened?"  He was now suggesting that they were now on a humanitarian mission.  My jaw dropped. What happened to WMD? I pointed out that there were countries in much worse situations with it's citizens than Iraq, but they do not have oil or allow the US to set up a military base in the Middle East.   I also asked him if he felt it was the US position to be the "world police" and unilaterally decides what governments should be toppled in other countries.  He felt they had no choice as the UN was corrupt.

Now, how does a middle age couple with what looks like a decent education be that ignorant about the economic realities of war?  Or am I totally wrong?  Maybe "the Coalition of The Willing" foots all the bills (I never knew Poland had that kind of cash).  What does most the rest of the developed world see that many Americans don't?

It has been my experience that many of the conservative types don't like the Caribbean and especially with all the Bohemian types (hippies).  They also seem somewhat alarmed with so many African Caribbeans that are roaming free and not behind a Wendy's counter.  Here Well I thought by moving to East Coast of Costa Rica I could avoid the gun-totin' Republican Texan types, but alas, that myth has been shattered.

So, a few days later this nice local gringa women (yes... from California) comes over to chat with us about building a house since it is known around town that we have so much experience in that area.  She is quite nice (not a Republican) and we are enjoying conversation with each other.  A little while later, she lights up a joint and Roberto and I do not imbibe.  After the joint settles in she informs us that she is gifted with the ability to speak with animals and proceeds to tell us about the conversation she had this morning with her cat.  Roberto and I dared not look at each other and listened intently.  I always wondered what my dogs would say to me if they could talk.

I guess this is all what makes this place so special.  It's just one huge soup pot of all types of people from many different places all doing their own thing. 

I received a comment today about my post, "Exercise in Frustration." I knew someone was going to call me on complaining. That's okay! I appreciate it. I do want to keep a careful balance between expressing my love for Costa Rica -- and being realistic about some of the things that are hard to get used to here.

In Terry's comment today he said, "What I see is arrogance and a blind assumption of superiority running around constantly looking for something to complain about. In those long lines, The only people I ever hear grumbling are gringos."

I hear you Terry! I admit I get irritated by the complaining Gringos too. And I certainly don't want to become one of them. I really do LOVE it here. In general, my quality of life is 100 times better and I only regret not having moved here earlier. I, too, left the US so I wouldn't be in that mindset and have to deal with all the "spoiled" people.

But that being said......Costa Rica is less than perfect. For instance, I got a call today from DHL. There is a package of espresso waiting for me at their office, but they are holding it at the airport location because I have to go and pay FIFTY PERCENT taxes on the purchase price.

I really wish it were that simple. But in reality, I have to:

• Go to the DHL office almost 2 hours away from my home.
• Find someone to review the contents of the package with me.
• Wait for them to fill out a mountain of paperwork.
• Stop by a copy center and make a copy so I can give one to the auduana office.
• Drive to the aduana office.
• Fill out more forms.
• Pay a tax.
• Wait for someone else to enter the data into the computer.
• Go buy a "timbre".
• Have my paperwork reviewed and approved.
• Drive back to DHL and get another signature.
• Go pay the "rent" for the few days the box was there.
• Head back to the original person and pick up my box.
• Drive back home almost 2 hours.

The last time I did this it took 4 hours (plus driving), during which time I had to see 19 different people.

It's not that I'm not appreciative of life and can't "let go" a bit. I just would love to see some basic things improved....AND am willing to help with the process, not just complain. But it's tough to find avenues to do so when I am the "extranjero." Though I've been here a couple of years and I consider this "my" country now, it will take many more years (if ever) that I'm accepted as a resident. And it'll take longer before Costa Rica streamlines some of these processes.

So I just try to remind myself that I live in "paradise" and move on. But I do think it's my duty to be realistic on my blog about what people can expect when they are considering moving here. It may be a hell of a lot better than the US, but it isn't all roses!

Admit it. How many times have you thought Costa Rica was backwards in the way they do things and wished they would automate things a bit more?

I found a website today, Gobierno Digital (Digital Government) that is a portal to more than 300 online services from more than 60 government and local institutions. The one downside is it’s only in Spanish. (But hello. It is a country whose language is Spanish. What did you expect?)

The amount of information and services on this site can be overwhelming. Among the many are:

• List of occupations and minimum salaries
• Information about obtaining residency
• Check your utility bills online
• Link to the Yellow Pages online directory
• Check for parking tickets
• Find out how much your marchamo (car registration) is
• Information about conservation and environment issues
• Links to local municipality sites
• School and University information
• List of government jobs available
• Maps and bus schedules
• Legal information
• Financing information

And the list goes on. Having this kind of a central portal for services and information is a huge start for the country. I really hope that we’ll see more online services coming in the near future. But in the meantime, you’ll be amazed at how much data is on this site and how well organized it is.
Check it out!

What is going on in the world? Why do we have so much hatred? At times, I really feel like I’m missing something.

Can you explain to me please why it is that all these people have to resort to violence? That goes for people upset because a cartoon is published, as well as George Bush and the Evil Empire.

I’ve been trying to find actual pictures of these published cartoons for a while. But they’ve been hard to track down. I finally got them from the Brussels Journal here.

I’m not one for making fun of anyone’s beliefs – or religion. But I know if someone offended me by publishing a cartoon I didn’t agree with or like, I wouldn’t burn down a building or kill someone.

WHO CARES! So you think it’s offensive? Don’t look at it.

For instance, I received a homophobic e-mail today from the AFA (American Family Association) trying to warn people about an upcoming Senate vote on the Marriage Protection Amendment. I don’t like their hatred one bit, but all I did was to delete the e-mail. It really never occurred to me I could go and burn their building down.

I think if people worried more about what they were doing themselves instead of always worrying about who they imagine is offending them, we’d be experiencing a lot more love and peace.

Election Day in Costa Rica is quite the event. Not long ago, Costa Rica was proud to claim that nearly 100% of their citizens (Ticos) voted on election day. Not so anymore. Ticos are disillusioned by the fact they haven’t had a good president in a while. Not to mention the last two (before the current president, Pacheco) spent time in jail this year on corruption charges.

Still, people find a way to make a celebration out of the day. A bit of a glitch in the system, people are required to travel to their place of birth in order to vote. So the roads are crowded and many free buses (paid for by the political parties) deliver voters cross-country. Kids vote in mock elections, vendors are selling food on the streets, and parades of cars with flags honking their horns can be found on every street.

This year the polls suggest Oscar Arias will be the winner. We’ll find out soon! Arias 65, a free market moderate, has held the lead in polls for months. Formerly president of Costa Rica during 1986-1990, Arias won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in bringing an end to the fighting and wars in the region (especially Nicaragua).

It seems people held a lot of respect for Arias back when he was in office. Now that their has been a long history of lousy presidents, they long to see someone in office for whom they can be proud.

Arias is strongly in favor of CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) and, no doubt, make that his first priority in office. Such a shame too. It's going to make a mess out of this country.