Editorial Note: Down comes the rain, up goes the gasoline, and traffic, well, it goes nowhere. Oh well, its just another day, and this is just another edition. This time we have some important news updates, so please read up on Migracion and the new Traffic regulations. You may be glad you did! On the lighter side, we have a number of articles continuing our series on aboriginal Costa Rica and the cultural diversity to be found here, and I want to thank you all for the feedback we have received on these and the other articles. I have to say this is some of the more interesting stuff we have worked on in my personal opinion, and I truly hope you are all enjoying reading and learning as much as I myself am. - Ryan Piercy
Please email us the copy of any bank deposit you make to ARCR.
This magazine has been published every two months for 12 years as the official communications media of the Association of Residents of Costa Rica. Our organization provides service to thousands of foreigners who have chosen Costa Rica to reside for short periods or for permanent residence. Since 1984 the Association of Residents of Costa Rica has been offering reliable SERVICES, INFORMATION and ADVOCACY to Costa Rica’s foreign residents. We have the experience and ability to help you with your residency application, immigration, business and financial management, real estate purchases and rentals, property management, insurance, pet importation and much more. If you wish to place an ad in El Residente, please contact the ARCR main office. Goods & services offered are paid advertisments. Neither ARCR Administracion nor El Residente research the companies and take no responsibility for the quality of such goods or services.
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Presidents Re epor t by The Board So What Else Is New??? Well the close of ARCR Board’s fiscal year is drawing near. There will be four positions open. President, Vice President and two Vocal positions. The general meeting for this event is October 15 and the location for this event will be announced later. For the past several years ARCR has published this event, several weeks in advance, in the Tico Times, La Nacion, via e-mails and postings at ARCR, but I’m sure, like in past years, we will have complaints saying “we” were never informed of this meeting. Well, to correct this I tried a new approach this year. I sent information via International Google, hoping to catch some ARCR members ahead of the appointed date, but instead I received requests from some very interesting people such as: Evo Morales, Raul Castro, Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega and Luiz Inacio. Each offered to subsidized our organization and become members of ARCR, if I would consider their applications. I wrote back “thanks but no thanks”, and said I’m sure we have many ARCR members who would be interested in these positions. WHAT SAY YOU!!!! We just completed our May charity raffle, and thanks to our staff and ARCR members, we collected 145,000 thousand colones. The winner’s names have been posted in our office, and by the time you receive this message all winners will have received their prizes. The next raffle is under-way and the drawing will be held the end of August. Tickets are only 1,000 colones and 100% of the proceeds go into the charity fund. A poster in our office names all the prizes and if you wish to see how the funds are allocated come by the office. Life at ARCR is always interesting and changing. If you stop by you will notice that Ryan Piercy spends a lot of time at the front desk. Lourdes , our receptionist, has left and we attempting to acquire a new person. Our other new services are attracting members. The rental of cell phones seems to be the most attractive. Some have taken advantage of our credit card service, and our monthly meeting, at a local restaurant, always brings some new faces. Don’t forget
Thursday and Friday of the last full week of every month is our seminar at the Tennis Club which is walking distance, well almost, from ARCR. Also on Thursday, following the seminar, we have a “happy hour” at Mac’s just a few steps from the Tennis Club. All are invited to attend, meet new folks and enjoy the fellowship. Ray Hagist, owner of the Travel Store, provides the snacks and you pay for your drinks. The Christmas dinner/dance is moving along so keep the first week-end in December open for this event. Rumor has it the cost of libations will be reduced by 40%. This year we will also have some interesting prizes, and of course you will meet your new President hopefully with the proper surname!!!! More on this event will be forthcoming. I will leave you with some quotes from Will Roger so as to make life a little more plausible!! “Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco”, “There are 2 theories to arguing with a women…neither works”, “If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging” and finally “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” With that I will say good-by for now. - Earl Tomlinson ********************* Association of Residents of Costa Rica DONATIONS Many thanks to those who donated to help purchase the prostesis for the little boy mentioned in the last issue. We are now just a few hundred dollars short, and if just a few more donated $100 each we would reach our goal!! Please help us if you can. ARCR CHARITY RAFFLES Tickets for the next raffle are now on Sale! ¢1000 each.. Winners of the last raffle were Judith Flanagan (Gold necklace), Franklin Vargas (Biblica Medical Exam), Yvonne Greenbauer (Painting) and Alexander Hernandez (Wine). Many many thanks to all who bought tickets and who donated prizes.
Cover Painting by Jan Yatsko : The title of this painting is “A Small Voice Whispering the Truth”. He is a Maleku Indian boy. Participants in Jan’s Explore & Create in Costa Rica tour spend a day with the Maleku Indians. They sample medicinal plants and natural colorants during the rain forest walk, hear their spoken language, learn how chocolate is used in their rituals and witness their sacred fire dance of Nature, Man and God. http://www.janyatsko.com (Send us your painting for one of this years covers to ARCR at rpiercy@arcr.net)
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Alcoholics Anonymous Groups meet daily throughout the country; times and places change frequently. Call for up-to-date information. San José 2222-1880 (Anchor club, also serves Narcotics Anonymous) Av 6 Calle 1, 2nd floor Maryland Building. Heredia (Laura) 2267-7466, Puerto Viejo Limon 2750-0080, Zancudo 2776-0012, Tamarindo 2653-0897, Flamingo (Don) 2654-4902, Manuel Antonio (Jennifer) 2777-1548, Jacó (Nancy) 2637-8824, Zoo Group Escazu 2293-4322.
Send us your club news or activities for free publication in this column
Al-Anon Meetings Al-Anon Family Group is for all family and friends of Alcoholics. For information in English, please call Martha 2483-1275 or Sandy 2266-1061; For Spanish please call Christine 8840-4658
Republican’s Abroad The Republicans Abroad of Costa Rica meets the second Tuesday of each month. Contact Francis 2203-6131, or or fax 2282-2150.
American Legion Post 12- Golfito Meetings are held 4 pm 1st Tuesday every month at Banana Bay Marina. The Golfito GOVETS have been helping Southern Costa Rica for over 20 years. Contact Pat at walkergold@yahoo.com or 2775-2809.
Radio control Sailing Club Meets at Sabana Park Lake. For information contact Walter Bibb. Wwbbsurf40@yahoo.com
American Legion Post 16- Heredia All veterans are welcome. Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at Hotel America in Heredia at 12 noon. Contact Post Commander Jim Young or Post Adjutant Ken Johnson at 2591-1695. Bird Watching Club The Birding Club of Costa Rica sponsors monthly trips to observe local and migrant birds in various areas of the country. For more information contact us at 2282-5365 or at costaricabirding@hotmail.com Canadian Club (ACCR) Calling all Canadians Come join us at one of our events or monthly luncheons and connect with the local Canadian Community. website: www.canadianclubcr.com Democrats Abroad Democrats Abroad meets on the last Saturday of every month at the Aurola Holiday Inn, San Jose. Contact Paul Kloes, 2215-4254, e-mail cr.democratsabroad@yahoo.com or visit our website at cr.democratsabroad.org. Register to vote absentee at VoteFromAbroad.org! Little Theatre Group LTG is the oldest continuously running English-language theatre in Central or South America. The group currently puts on a minimum of four productions a year offering a choice of modern, classic, serious, and farcical plays. The group’s monthly social meetings are held in the theatre on the first Monday of the month from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. and everyone is welcome. Membership costs C 4,000 per person or C7, 000 per family. Also, earn your Wings, become an LTG Angel. For more information Call the LTG Box Office 8355-1623 or www.littletheatregroup.org Newcomer’s Club Newcomers Club of Costa Rica (for women) meets first Tuesday of every month, September through May. Call: Teresa Beck 2249-2673 or casafloradora1@yahoo.com PC Club of Costa Rica This computer Club meets on the third Saturday of each month at Pan American school, in Belen, 830 to 11:30 am 2 months Free Trial for newcomers. For information call Chuck Jennings. Phone 2266-0123 www.pcclub.net
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Tambor Gringos and Important Friends T.G.I.F. We have recently established a web site www.tamborclub.com and an e-mail for inquiries info@tamborclub.com. We meet at 9:00am on the First Friday of every month at various restaurants in the Tambor area. We socialize and share information to assist both new and old residents with issues facing those living in Costa Rica. Wine Club of Costa Rica Please mark your calendars The wine club usually meets at 1 P.M. on the last Sunday of each month. Join us to tantalize your taste buds and expand your education. For more information on upcoming events please contact us Phone 2279-8927, 2257-2223 Women’s Club of Costa Rica Founded in 1940. The Women’s Club of Costa Rica is one of the oldest, continuously operating service clubs in the country. The name has changed in 68 years, but our motto “friendship and service” has remained the same,. An English-speaking organization, our club has approximately 350 members, originating from over 30 countries. Please join and help us to continue to grow. Remember that you can contact us or keep in touch through our website www.wccr.org Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (open to men too) Bilingual group meets in Heredia on the first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. in the clinic of Mireya Gonzalez. We work on peace and human rights issues. Call Mitzi 2433-7078 or write peacewomen@gmail.com Young Expats of Costa Rica Some Expatriates under the age of 40, and currently living in Costa Rica, have formed a new social club to be coordinated through their website This club will help younger expatriates living in, or moving to, Costa Rica meet other expats in their age group for; friendship, romance, travel and activity partners, and professional networking. www.YoungExpatsOfCostaRica.org Veterans of Foreign Wars: Post 11207 Meetings are held at 11am, the first Tuesday of every month, at Club Colonial Casino on the second floor. All members are welcome and veterans who served overseas may join. For info please call 2750-0453 or 2228-2313. For 2 day conference speaker list call Mel at 8870-6756.
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Retreats Co osta a Rica by Rosemary Rein
Rosemary Rein is the author of “Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life” and a new book to be published in January 08 with Dr. Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard entitled “The Blueprint for Success and Survival” Her website can be found at www.retreatscostarica.com
Romancing the Stone: Hot Stone Massage Therapy & Benefits for Women During the past several weeks, in preparation for our Go Wild! Go GREAT! Women’s Retreats, I have been working with a Native American Teacher here in Costa Rica, known for her gifts in Animal Medicine, Reiki and Hot Stone Massage Therapy. Alida, Costa Rica’s own Mother Earth has been my guide as I have taken a medicine walk, learned the elements of primal screaming and yesterday enjoyed my first “Hot Stone Massage Therapy Session”. Nature has always provided lessons to me in life and is key to my Personal Growth Retreats, (Hosted in Costa Rica and Atlanta, Georgia January 26th and 27th); However I am aghast that it took me so long to discover such an incredible therapy inspired by Mother Earth, that has been around since the early 1990’s (Origin: 1993 by Mary Hannigan, a native of Tucson, Arizona.)
Hot Stone Massage is a style of massage in which watertreated stones are placed at specific sites on the client’s body to promote relaxation and to help open up the meridians (energy pathways). Muscles are pretreated with the heated stones to allow the therapist to more easily perform deep tissue manipulations. Cool stones Imagine Flat Palm, Size Stones gathered from Costa Rica’s are sometimes used alternately with hot stones. Massage Rivers and Volcanic Areas, purified and then soaked in 150- oils are usually incorporated into the massage treatment. degree warm lavender water. Then imagine these stones working magic on your body to release tension, release Benefits of Hot Stone Massage toxins and revitalize your spirit. Alida is an experienced • Promotes deep muscle and tissue relaxation practitioner.... She spent hours purifying and heating the • Alleviates stress stones before my arrival and then met with me to discuss the • Releases toxins healing power of the stones that would be helping me in my quest to release tension and alleviate body aches, caused by • Relieves pain too much holiday lifting. She moved the hot stones down • Improves circulation my shoulders and back, resting them in strategic areas of my lower back, palms and feet. • Calms the psyche Move over heating pads and microwavable bean bags!...... Health Conditions Treated With Hot Stone Massage Nothing beats the power of the Stone! The heat combined • Muscular aches and pains with the strength of the stones provided by Mother Earth is truly magnificent. • Back Pain So Hot Tip: Romance the Stone! Run, don’t walk and • MS experience Hot Stone Massage Therapy be it in Costa Rica or your hometown. If you’re visiting or residing In Costa • Arthritis Rica, contact Alida for your own “Medicine Walk” or “Hot • Fibromylagia Stone Massage Session” • Stress, Anxiety 506 848 56 66 (CR Cell) • Circulatory problems wildwoman4good (Skype ID) • Insomnia alida@healingmeincostarica.com •
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Immigration n Update June 2008 Migracion de Costa Rica seems to be heading in the right direction it seems, or at least we hope so. Renewals of the cedulas began on time as of May 1st, with the new Call Center up & functioning for the purpose of making your appointment. Later, almost within a month of that, the brand new Residency Cards have found their way to he light, lets hope they don’t fade like their predecessors. call is ¢105 per minute.) The new cards are another step along the way to making Migracion in Costa Rica a transparent and friendlier place to Next, if you are able to get through, you may find that if you visit. Unfortunately not everything is going as smoothly as have an older cedula, either paper or a booklet, instead of the 2006 plastic cedulas, then they won’t issue you an hoped for. appointment by phone and you must go get it in person at One example is the new Call Center, designed to issue Migracion… appointments for those needing to renew. By simply calling the new number, 900-1234567, and giving your cedula Or, for some in the worst cases, you may have been issued an appointment, only to show up at Migracion to find you number, BANG, you get an appointment… or maybe not. don’t have one… please try try again…. Firstly, be aware that this is a 900 number. Some of you may find you just can’t connect. That might be because But, oh well, this last issue has hopefully been overcome, your phone is blocked for calling these pay-per-call numbers and eventually the other bugs should work they way out of much as is available in other countries, which would require the system as well. We just urge you all once again to please you make a trip to your neighborhood ICE. (This particular have a little patience, and keep smiling ☺
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Learning The Language e by Christopher Howard
Improve Your Vocabulary Having a good vocabulary is one of the principal keys to understanding and speaking Spanish. If someone asks you a question in Spanish and there is a word that you don’t know, there is a good chance that you won’t be able to understand the question. Conversely, if you are asked a question and there is a word or words that you do recognize, you just might understand what is being asked. Furthermore, when a native speaker is talking to you at full speed, you don’t have time to think about the meaning of the words or you will be lost. Having an ample vocabulary will help you to avoid this situation. It is surprisingly easy to build your Spanish vocabulary, because all that is involved is memorizing nouns and verbs and learning how to put them into use in sentences. With a little self-discipline and motivation anyone can build a Spanish Survival vocabulary of between 200 and 3000 words in a relatively short period of time. Even if you are lazy you can learn a minimum of one new word per day. At the end of a year you will know over 300 words. If you are relatively ambitious and eager to learn, try memorizing five or more words a day. By using this method you will be able to become your own teacher after a while. An excellent way to build your vocabulary is to carry a pocket sized notebook around with you wherever you go, and play a vocabulary game by asking yourself how to say the names of the different objects you see on the street and in your home. Use a dictionary to look up the meaning and start to make lists in your notebook. Visualizing the new work and associating it with the object it represents can help you to learn easier. Next, review your vocabulary a few minutes every day. Then, assuming you know a little Spanish, practice using your vocabulary in simple sentences. Let’s say you just learned the word casa (house). You can say “La casa es grande.” - The house is big. If it is too difficult for you to form simple sentences, you can make yourself understood by using your vocabulary in a form of ‘pigeon Spanish’. If you find yourself in a jam, you can try this method of communication. For example, by using a series of nouns you can describe a whole days activity; Ayer (yesterday) mi familia (my family) coche (car) la playa (the beach) agua (water) sol (sun) calor (heat) tarde (afternoon) la casa (home) la cena (dinner) siete (seven) etc… As you can see, just by using this method you can make yourself understood. Once you have built up your vocabulary and developed your listening skills you should be able to form more complex sentences. Don’t forget that vocabulary is the building block or your sentences, and if you ever intend to communicate well in Spanish you need to have a large vocabulary.
Here is your Costa Rican expression or tiquismo for this week: “Curtir” means to dirty something. The correct word in Spanish is ensuciar.
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Restricted Access Stay Out of Dodge.... ...Or at least San Jose Center. For those who are not already aware, the restricted access for vehicles coming into San Jose now covers a much wider area. At present time the entire area enclosed within the Circunvalacion, the highway system that surrounds the capitol, now falls within the restricted area. This new area that has a 15 km diameter will restrict vehicles based on their license plate number for s pecific day of the week. Those who break the law face a fine of ¢6500 for entering on a day that your vehicle shouldn’t, and now the zone even afects the area of the ARCR offices by Sabana, which it didn’t before.
Restricted times are from Monday to Friday between the hours of 6am and 9am, and from 4pm until 7pm
Plates Restricted are: Please take into account that the restricted area is only during weeekdays at specific hours (rush hour times) as shown on the chart. One benefit is that it appears they will also finally be restricting the use of transport vehicles during some of the peak hours, which of course have added to the mayhem on the streets here.
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Monday- plates ending with a 1 or 2 Tuesday-plates ending with a 3 or 4 Wednesday-plates ending with a 5 or 6 Thursday-plates ending with a 7 or 8 Friday-plates ending with a 9 or 0
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Contact Alan Weeks by e- mail: imccr2002@yahoo.com
ARCR Member since 1992
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Wild Side
XX XXX X IV
by Ryan Piercy
Iguana Know... In looking at the artwork of the pre-Columbian era, it is clear that animals played an important part of the culture, especially frogs and lizards based on the number of effigies produced. And even today they continue to play an important role in the life of the BriBri, as is mentioned in Ana’s article, in excellent colour vision and can see into the ultraviolet. An regards to the iguana farm and iguana souvenirs. interesting evolutionary benefit is also a ‘third eye’, which Now, human existence in the area goes back thousands of is actually another photo sensory organ on the top of the years, it is evident that iguanas go back much further. Now heads, allowing them to watch for predatory hawks or other for over 7000 years thy have been a subject of art, and also birds. However their habit of freezing at the sound of a hawks call also can make them an easy catch for hunters, a food source in the Americas. who use whistles to simulate the call, making the iguana The Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) is one of actually only 2 easier to catch. real species, and is the kind found throughout Costa Rica, actuall extending from Mexico to central Brazil, and also While visiting Costa Rica, you will be hard pressed not to see having been introduced to areas like Texas, Hawaii & Florida. an Iguana, which is great as they are fun to observe, at least It is very interesting that it is only one species, regardless of when they are on the move. In some locations they even eat the wide variety of colours that are found, from green to reds them, though I would imagine that most tourists will pass on and even blue. (How it all comes down to Green I am not sampling ‘Chicken of the Tree’. certain…) The name Iguana actually derives from the Spanish form of the Taino name ‘Iwana’, and first officially described in 1758 by botanist Carolus Linnaeus from Sweden. They can live a long time, with a large Blue iguana holding the record at 69 years of age. Iguanas are a large arboreal herbivore, though they do eat some protein (usually in error) and it seems it is not healthy for them. They feed of fruits, leaves, flowers and shoots (sounds like a book I know) of upwards of 100 different species, and thus are very adaptable. In fact they are considered an invasive species, as their diet and appetite has had a negative effect on other more delicate species in areas where it has been introduced. They usually live near water, and are very agile, also being able to fall quite a distance without being injured. Due to the Iguanas being a source of food and also trade as pets, they are on the watch list of CITES for observation of numbers to prevent future harm. As pets, apparently 800,000 iguanas were imported into the USA in 1995 alone. Of course this has led to issues, as people get bored with them, and release them into the local habitat where they can cause great damage. In fact Hawaii has strict regulations, which include a $200,000 fine and imprisonment for violators. Green iguanas cannot see well in low light, but have
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First Nation n s Ar t by Ana Hernandez
The Art of the Enterprising Bribris The Province of Limón and nearby communities of Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Manzanillo, are some of the Caribbean coastal towns inhabited by very lucky people who lead unhurried, laid-back lives while enjoying their natural surroundings and a placid breeze spiced with the happy accords of Reggae and Calypso. Intrigued with this world of possibilities, more and more non-indigenous newcomers from the Central Valley and heliconias and heliotrope. foreigners from all over the world, keep coming to the Caribbean towns of Costa Rica seeking a more relaxed life In several indigenous communites, several women have formed organizations that promote tourism to their area such style and a refuge from the rat race. as the Association of Craftswomen of Yorkin. As part of their On this very paradisiacal region, indigenous communities work, they show visitors the traditional way of harvesting and such as the Bribri continue to live their lives in accordance processing their sacred crop, the cacao, the fruit chocolate with their own time-honored tradition, the way they have is made from and they serve a delicious freshly-brewed done it for a great number of centuries. This is not to say cup of chocolate to visitors after each cocoa tour. They also that life has been easy for them. On the contrary, economic show outsiders how they use the leaves of a large palm tree survival has been one of the major challenges for each one from the jungle called suita to make the thatched roofs they use in their houses for protection from the natural elements. of their members. The process is very intricate and the weaving technique is a Taking advantage of the new vogue of community-based unique art form that has been passed from their ancestors to tourism, several Bribri families have become organized each new generation. around a large array of activities that are paying off in terms of economic gain and self-sustainability. Many of these The Bribri are good hunters. The jungle taught them the skills and the stealth they needed to hunt forest animals. The projects have turned into newer kinds of art expression. beautiful bows and arrows sets they produced with woods Although, the Bribris traditional art form has been basket from the jungle are very much in demand as souvenirs weaving and the production of musical instruments, modern The art of producing bows and arrows in different sizes Bribris are trying to expand their artistic talents. Thanks and for different uses, dates back to the times when entire to the observation of the natural world that surrounds communities depended on their skills as hunters for their them, they have realized that they have more and better survival. opportunities to create art and wealth. Bribris also carve beautiful design on gourds from the trees In the Keköldi Community for example, the Bribris have a that grow in their backyard and transform them into elegant successful iguana farm, which they raise to release back kitchen utensils such as bowls, colanders, napkin holders, in the wild once the animals are old enough to fend for water containers, etc. Carving and making containers out of themselves. Iguanas had almost disappeared from their gourds before it became an art, was the traditional way of natural habitat because they were hunted and killed for producing eating utensils for their households. food indiscriminately. Indigenous Bribri women from these communities have learned to hand-sew souvenir iguanas Even though indigenous people have suffered economic from beautiful green cloth. Most tourists visiting their shop hardships for a long time, they have also been able to come find the stuffed iguanas very difficult to resist. They also up recently with ways to create new artistic expressions and make other cute critters such as turtles, humpback whales, much needed income for their families, while continuing to beautiful hummingbirds and the colorful cloth blossoms of live in harmony with the planet and the creatures living in it.
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Tribes of th he Land by Ana Hernandez
The Bribris, the people of Sibu The Caribbean region, blessed by nature with its exuberant tropical vegetation and scenic views of mountains and ocean is the home of many indigenous groups that have lived harmoniously through long centuries, trying hard to maintain their own identity and language. The natives that inhabited these Caribbean lands were the original Bribri, Cabécars and Boruca or Brunka. Their ancestors were the first indigenous people to witness the arrival of New World navigator however, they realized that these tribes were fiercer than they thought. The colonizers suffered a major revolt against Christopher Columbus during his fourth voyage in 1502. them in 1610 followed by another uprising in 1709, forcing the Spanish to abandon their missions and new settlements until 1882. On the other side of the Talamanca Mountain Range where Bribris and Cabécars lived, some of the important traits of their social organization, including their chiefdoms, managed to survive without direct government intervention until about the third decade of the twentieth century. Around that time however, the Costa Rican government began dictating school curriculums that tried to uniform teaching methods in all schools across the nation. The official language taught was Spanish with the catastrophic result of almost obliterating the indigenous languages in most of their communities. Then, the exodus of farmers from the cities to indigenous areas and the creation of the Pan American Highway in 1945, brought even more newcomers with their different life styles to Talamanca, which put in jeopardy the traditional way of living of the Bribris and Cabécars. Other Spanish expeditions took place from 1519 to 1560, incursions that taught Spaniards that the indigenous groups from the region were not easy to conquer. The native people of the Caribbean at the time of the arrival of the Spanish were organized into chiefdoms and led by a powerful political figure called the Cacique, or ruler. When Spanish colonizer Juan Vázquez de Coronado established contact with representatives of these tribes in 1563 he tried negotiating with them in order to win their submission. From this point on, the traditional way of life of most of these indigenous groups was destroyed or changed forever in a very short time. Under Spanish rule any natives and their proud leaders were slaved and forced to pay an encomienda, or “duty” for the privilege to work a small parcel of land.
Continued on page 15...
As the colony became more entrenched in the sixteenth century, the Spaniard recognized the differences between the Bribri and Cabécars but opted to treat them as one group because their similarity in language and government. Soon,
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The Bribris are the most numerous ethnic group in the country nowadays. They have their own language that comes from the family of Chibchan languages; very few can only speak Bribri and many speak both Bribri and Spanish, although the new generations are choosing Spanish over Bribri. About 10.000 Bribris live in two different parts of the country in four different indigenous reservations. Some live in Talamanca in southeastern Costa Rica near the border with Panama, while others who immigrated to the Pacific at the turn of the century, live in the indigenous reserves of Salitre and Cabagra in the township of Buenos Aires in the Province of Puntarenas. The Bribris are farmers who grow plantains and cocoathe fruit where chocolate comes from, deriving a small income from these crops; they also grow corn, beans and some tubers. To complement their diet, they raise pigs and chickens in their backyards for personal consumption and they fish in nearby rivers and hunt wild game. The communities of Yorkin, Keköldi and Shiroles in Talamanca, are some of the familiar names of Bribri towns. Visiting this sparsely populated area can be a unique experience for first time visitors; the birds and forest animals can be observed from the wild shores of the Sixaola and
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Yorkin Rivers with jungle on both sides, near the Panamanian border. While this close contact with nature in its most pure form might mean an exciting adventure to outsiders, for the indigenous communities leading their daily existence here, life is full of hardships. The Bribris build their homes as far apart as one hour from each other, often times having to walk through narrow jungle paths to reach their dwellings. During Continued on page 16...
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the rainy season, these roads become more dangerous to negotiate. Creeks and rivers with strong currents flood during heavy rains, leaving families isolated and unable to help each other. Some Bribri houses are made out of wood with thatched roofs of dried leaves and built on wooden stilts. When the ground gets covered with water from the persistent rains, the stilts protect them and their living quarters. Most Bribris in present times have been converted to Christianity and many go to Christian churches, although the majority continues to believe in Sibu, their creator, a supreme and omnipresent God that created them from grains of maize. Ancestral tradition tells that Sibu brought from the land of Sula Kaska or Destiny Place, grains of corn in different colors: black, white and purple to make His people and this explains such racial diversity on Earth. Oral tradition also tells that Sibu was careful to bring the grains of maize during the night and in modern times the Awá, the tribe’s doctor, honors this and only heals at night. Most hospitals and clinics are quite far from Bribri villages, sometimes as far as eight hours away. Shamans are consulted for many illnesses and patients are treated with herbs, fasts and esoteric chants. When someone in the Bribri and Cabécar reservation dies, a shaman or trained burier officiates at the ceremony and handles the body. Anyone who comes in contact with the deceased must be ritually cleansed by the shaman or main burier. It is believed that the Bribri race have existed for more than 2,500 years because of research done on pre-Columbian
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pieces in their possession. Some of them have tried hard to maintain their ancestral tradition of clan hierarchy. The clans were passed onto their children from their mothers; Bribri fathers could not pass clans to their children. Under the clan structure, every member of the tribe had a very specific role to fulfill in their society. In order to become a king of a clan (an executive chief,) it was necessary to belong to the Clan of Salwak, and in order to become an Awá, the tribe’s doctor, it was necessary to be part of the Clan Eyeyewak. The masters of ceremonies such as the ones used in funerals also came from clans, as were hunters, artisans, messengers, etc. The most powerful clan was the Clan of the USECLÄS, invested with magical qualities. They possessed a very potent energy, which set them apart from all others. They could only communicate with members of the clan of the messengers. If anybody else tried, he or she became ill or die. The Usecläs dwelled deep in the jungle and not among ordinary people. The messengers knew where they lived and they carried important information from people in the hamlets. The Usecläs defended all of the other clans from the enemy. They took on the form of animals and they could tell when a natural disaster was about to occur and when angered they could provoke plagues and severe catastrophes as punishment to their nemesis.
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A Day In Th he Life by Allen Dickinson
Visit Your Local Volcano One of the fascinating things about living in Costa Rica is that it has many active volcanoes. Some, in fact, have currently active fumaroles and other minor volcanic activity in and around their craters. You needn’t worry about being consumed by boiling lava if you visit one, however, as none are of immediate threat - it’s been several years since any of them erupted. There are only a few places in the world where viewing a volcano up close and personal is possible, and Costa Rica is one. Many of the volcanoes are located along the mountains on the northern side of the Central Valley, so they are within an easy, one-day driving trip from San Jose and the surrounding area. This fascinating geological feature deserves to be taken advantage of, so on a recent weekend, my family and I took a trip to visit one of the closer ones, Volcan Poas. Volcan Poas is not the tallest of the country’s volcanoes, it is only about 8,000 feet above sea level at its highest point, but it is easily accessible because it has the advantage of having a good quality, paved road all the way to the top - a fourwheel-drive is not necessary as it is with some of the others. We set out about 10 AM for our first destination, Alajuela, which is located on the lower slopes of the northern side of the valley and near the base of Poas. Once in Alajuela, after we began to see signs directing us along the route to the park, we knew the trip up the mountain had really begun.
There are two types of signs - the standard black and white direction-arrow signs (Volcan Poas 30 km >) and the more tourist oriented brown and white signs with a volcano symbol giving the same information. Keep a sharp eye out for either of these signs, as they are not always placed in highly visible or logical spots. Once out of the city of Alajuela, the road begins climbing through the foothills. The typical, narrow Costa Rican road is in good condition and leads windingly through several small villages and the scenic countryside. Take your time because the route is replete with many pleasant views of small valleys, rushing streams, and at least one spectacular waterfall, along the way. As you travel up the mountains foothills, the elevation begins to reveal itself through the increasing number of coffee plantations. Since coffee grows best in the higher, cooler altitudes, the large farms become more and more frequent sights. Before long, ascending the mountain itself has begun and the views become more spectacular as you begin to get glimpses out over the Central Valley. The closer to the top you get the more evident that the frequent moisture from the clouds cause the tropical growth to flourish. Soon you cant help but notice a spectacular roadside vista of huge ferns and giant leaves - often up to four feet in width (and some rumored larger) - among the trees and ferns lining the roadway. Proudly, Costa Rica has set aside more of its total land area for National Parks and Preserves than any other country in the world, and the park at Poas summit is a fine example. The entrance is well marked and there is a very US Park Service-like gate/building where a small charge is levied for the vehicle and each of its occupants entering. A short distance inside there is adequate and safe parking, guarded Continued on page 19...
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by park employees. At the upper end of the parking area is the entrance into the walking portion of the park. Costa Rican pride in their natural heritage is obvious in the maintenance of the facilities. The park is clean, neat, well maintained, with large, informative signs, which show the visitor where they are and where they are going (or have been.) A short walk up a paved, easy grade leads to a clean, neat museum and rest center. Kept in good repair, the museum offers interesting information on the area history and geology, plus a display on the some of the indigenous animals, plants, and history and of the peoples of the area. (The explanation plaques are, naturally, in Spanish.) Restrooms and a snack bar, where various refreshments are sold, are also part of the facility.
for the ride and enjoy the scenery. Besides, it might be a while before you have the opportunity to visit another active volcano. Allen Dickinson is a member of ARCR. After serving 23 years in the US Navy he settled in Pensacola, Florida, where he resided for 24 years. In 2006 he retired from operating his own licensed mortgage brokerage business and relocated to Costa Rica. He holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of New York and a Masters Degree from the University of West Florida. He can be reached via email at: humphree@bellsouth.net
A further easy walk leads to an overlook that gives a view out over Poas nearly mile wide caldera which is noted for containing a large, scenic lake. The day we were there the view wasn’t as spectacular as one would like because the clouds were down inside the crater, unfortunately obscuring most of the view of the lake. The restricted view, however, didn’t stop the distinctive smells from wafting their way up from the fumaroles below, with the odor of sulphur being the strongest. These gases have resulted in acid rain that has caused past damage to some of the local flora. Frequent and well-prepared signs provide a good source of information for the visitor telling them about additional side trails for hiking and nature viewing that lead off the main trail. If you are a bird watcher there have been nearly eighty types of birds identified in the park. I also noticed several picnic areas that were complete with tables, for family gatherings. A note: If you find the warm climate and temperature of the lower Central Valley ideal, you might want to take a light jacket or sweater along. The mountains altitude results in an ambient temperature you might find a little cool, even on a clear, sunny day. The trip down the mountain is possibly more spectacular than the trip up. That’s because the clear views out over the valley for miles and miles are easier to see. There are several souvenir stands and restaurants along the route where one can stop and enjoy the vista. We stopped at one and had an excellent meal with great service at a reasonable price. An added attraction is hummingbird viewing. These little aviators are prolific in the area and the restaurant where we stopped had placed feeders outside to attract the fascinating little flyers for the entertainment of the diners. Naturally the return trip doesn’t have any guide signs and one is left to guess their route back. We only got lost once and were back home approximately 6 hours after we left. Our day was unhurried and relaxing. Surely one could “do” the trip in less time if they were determined but I would recommend taking your time. Allow the better part of a day
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Legends Compiled by ARCR Sta aff
Legend of the Motmot In the beginning, the god Sibo created the universe, which is his house, and all the living creatures within it. Sibo later called on all the creatures to help him create the world. All the creatures came to help, each one bringing their own touches, except for the MotMot, or Bobo, who was lazy, and instead hid in a hole so that none of the others noticed he wasn’t helping. While the Motmot hid, he slept the time away, and didn’t realize that his long beautiful tail was still hanging out of the hole in which he hid. As the other animals worked, a few suddenly stumbled across his tail, and realized that he was hiding in the hole to avoid helping them. In retribution they each plucked a feather from the Motmot’s long tail, leaving it bare except for the tip. Later, when the world was complete and marvelously adorned, Sibo reviewed the world and was very pleased, and so gave the poor tired creatures a well deserved rest.
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It was a short time later that the Motmot awoke, and in coming out of the hole saw all that had been created. He appeared before the God, and began to boast to him and the others of all the things he had done, and how hard he had worked, which was why he just arrived. However as he told his story, and turned around to address his audience, Sibo saw his long tail which had had the feathers plucked out, and he very quickly guessed what had occurred. So it was the lazy birds tail, which gave him away, and the great god, who always made sure justice was done, banished the Motmot to living in a hole in the ground for all time, instead of living high in the trees like the other birds, who are able to observe the handiwork of all the animals. That is why to this day the Motmot has a long barren tail, and can be found living near rivers in a deep dark hole in the ground.
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Dollars & $en nse by Alan Weeks
THE SLIPPERY SLOPE AHEAD Inflation is rising and it seems major central banks have critically misjudged the situation for too long. Monetary policy has been excessively loose for more than a decade, allowing inflationary pressures to build up in the global economy. This was accommodated initially by a series of asset price bubbles. Then, when too much money finally stopped chasing too few assets; it starting chasing too many goods. To some respected professionals, the big move up in crude oil and gasoline prices is symptomatic of a “bill that has come due” for many years of reckless US consumption and dollar devaluation. In fact, the dollar’s long decline may actually present a greater inflationary risk than the effect of high oil prices. The US dollar has fallen from its 2002 peak some 93% against the Euro, 61% against the Canadian dollar and even around 16% against the carefully managed Japanese Yen and Chinese Yuan. The end result of the sharp decline has been a significant loss in US purchasing power. Talk by top US officials about a strong dollar policy, or as one US pundit put it “an open-mouth policy”, has also been described as statements of weakness. US CONSUMER DISTRESS With home prices still 20% to 30% overvalued, there does not seem to be any realistic solution to preventing realestate prices from ultimately finding their true underlying value. As for recent Washington proposals, one respected economist described these as “a lot of spaghetti being thrown against the wall” In the opinion of David Rosenberg (1), this is not only going to be the worst US consumer recession in over 30 years. But even worse, given the parabolic nature and magnitude of the housing price and credit surges that got us to this point, it is going to take a long time to unwind before the business cycle and the bull market can rebound. The likely end result is that, when the economy eventually starts to grow again and people finally learn to live within their means, the US will be a much more frugal nation. GLOBAL INFLATION Consumer prices, particularly for food and fuel, have risen dramatically all over the world. The significant price surges in many countries recently have been the cause of widespread massive protests, and even riots in some of them. The much higher cost of living in China, India, and other
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emerging nations has also been the basis for igniting wage demands. This is pushing up the price of exported goods. Added to this has been the significant increase in fuel costs for long-distance transport. The end result is Asia’s new export: rampant inflation. As Milton Friedman pointed out years ago, inflation is a monetary phenomenon, and that it is “a two-way street”. Just as it was very difficult to keep inflation from falling over the past 15 years while globalized markets were cutting prices on products imported into the US, it is very difficult to stop inflation when globalized markets are increasing them. In addition, when you increase the amount of money in circulation, it debases the relative value of the currency, and costs will eventually have to go up. This should also have been anticipated, CHANGING BEHAVIOUR Most governments around the world seem to have neglected to do anything to encourage more production of food supplies in order to satisfy their own increasing domestic consumption, or to help supply the growing food needs of nations in the emerging world. It has taken widespread and often ugly demonstrations against the food shortages and surging prices to finally get the attention of most governments. Quite a few have started to make changes. Unfortunately however, it could take years to overcome decades of neglect. With regard to the current oil price spike, most governments and people around the globe also neglected to prepare themselves for the consequences of increasing global demand for oil without increasing sources of supply. As reported last year in an article called “Sleepwalking Into the Future” (2), the world’s undisputed ‘gas guzzling’ (and oil consuming) champion has been the US automobile. Obviously no thought was given by the people, the benefiting companies, or a succession of US governments, to the ultimate consequences of a supply/demand tipping point. This happened in spite of many major ‘red flag” warnings. Who then is really to blame? Only surging prices caused a start to widespread change in the behaviour of the American people to conserve fuel. As Paul DeRosa (3) put it; “The thought of conservation without higher prices is ridiculous and logically inconsistent”. Another investment professional, Matthew Lynn (4), contends we should leave the speculators alone. He recognizes that prices of oil, commodities, and food have raced ahead of anything justified by the fundamentals of supply and demand. However, he also believes that the world needs to make massive changes in the way raw materials are used. And, he contends that politicians have been too timid, or otherwise, to bring about changes. Therefore, he concludes, “It is always a big shock to the system that changes behaviour”. “That is what the speculative bubble in commodity prices is delivering”. “It may not be pretty, or comfortable, but it is the market that is doing the job” of changing behaviours. Continued on page 23...
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Even today, it does not appear that US government representatives have really grasped the absolute need to have secure, non-food, domestic sources of fuel supply. How else will the US ever achieve stable fuel supplies and overcome its huge chronic trade deficit, almost half of which is the result of importing foreign supplies of energy? OIL PRICES CAN’T RISE FOREVER An old saying in the commodity pits is that it takes high prices to cure high prices! There is no question that too much money starting chasing too few goods over the recent period. There is now some $260 billon allocated to commodity index trading strategies, up from $13 billion at the end of 2003. This is a good indication of huge speculative inflows. There is no doubt that, at some point, the commodities bubble will burst, and will enter a “bear market”. DRAMATIC CHANGES POSSIBLE IN TRADE & TRANSPORT As indicated earlier, increasing wage demands and strengthening Asian currencies are increasing the costs of imported goods to the US. In addition, high energy costs have started to increase long distance shipping costs noticeably. If fuel prices continue to rise, the soaring cost of global transport should act as a major tariff barrier to long distance trade. This combination of factors causing escalating prices of Asian goods, should cool American demand significantly. As another example of a new trend; soaring raw material and transport costs of exporting heavy products, such as finished steel, from China to the US has suddenly rendered them uncompetitive. This huge change in circumstances could even lead to the revival of North American manufacturing. One caveat to this however, could be the continuing high wage demands of our workers compared to the workers in Mexico willing to accept even lower wages to get steady work. Many more trends that have developed over recent decades are reversible. Persistently high fuel prices could cause many commuters to consider moving to the city, reversing the allure of the suburbs. Others could increase the demand for better public commuter services, such as high-speed monorails. Another change that is likely to evolve as foreign foods become too expensive to ship long distances, is a change in eating habits, increasing the demand for more locally grown foods. Long haul transport by truck should also be replaced over time by the much more fuel efficient transport by freight trains. There have also been huge changes in air travel. Flying used to be a relatively fast, economical way to travel between major cities. However, this is changing rapidly. The soaring cost of aviation fuel has required numerous price increases and significant flight cutbacks. And, when all the additional time and hassles are taken into account,
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air travel has become very unattractive, except for long distance travel. This could spur the demand to develop modern, comfortable ultra-high-speed train services between the major US centers. However, actual projects, huge infrastructure costs, and rightof-way issues among others, should delay any progress until there is government resolve to make it happen. INCREASING OIL SUPPLY What is now unfolding is another oil shock. One would think this would spur an increasing supply of oil (5). However, there are now many factors impeding this: 1. Time The high prices have not been around long enough and the development of significant new supplies takes many years. 2. Access to New Resources. Major new supplies are either in politically or geographically difficult places and/or are technologically challenging deposits to develop and bring in high volumes to markets any time soon. 3. Escalating Costs Costs of developing a new oil or natural gas field have at least doubled in the last four years. And, some costs, such as for a deep-water drill ship, has quadrupled, if you can even find one. 4. Shortage of Supply There are serious shortages of skilled labor, equipment, as well as petroleum professionals. Because of the contractions that came with the price collapses of 1968 and 1998, there is a missing generation of petroleum engineers. 5. Uncertainty Created by Governments Uncertainties have again been introduced by many governments that are causing significant delays or postponements of major projects. One does not need to blame only Venezuela, Russia, Mexico, and other foreign countries for stopping or messing with the development of major new oilfields. Increasing royalties in Alberta, and the threat of ‘windfall profit’ taxes in the US have already had the unintended consequences of diverting or delaying the development of major projects for at least 2 years. And, as mentioned earlier, it seems to be the net result of a lack of US leadership for decades to implement policies to encourage energy self-sufficiency as well as serious conservation that are also significant factors in where we find ourselves today. The failure to open key places in the US for the development of domestic supplies is another key issue. Never mind Anwar! The Chinese are reported to have started to develop the Cuban oil reserves between Florida and Cuba for themselves, while the US Governments continue to ban development on the American side of that international boundary. On a broader basis, it would appear that the world is evolving into two types of markets: countries that have lots Continued on page 24...
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of oil, and the other countries that are being hobbled by the relatively high prices of oil. SO MANY UNCERTAINTIES! We have entered a new era filled with uncertainties, having reached peaks very recently in so many key things. Even trying to predict the future price of oil is fraught with uncertainty. For example, the most serious US consumer recession in many decades and the ongoing US financial crisis should have a significant impact on US asset values, as well as on the American way of life. How much will that affect domestic oil consumption? Also, how seriously will a prolonged US recession impact the global economy and thus on the future global demand for oil? In addition, so much of the future price levels of oil will depend on the future actions of the major governments. For example: Will future US governments finally take the very major actions necessary to encourage maximum conservation of fuel, and remove the barriers to investment that stop many of the routes to energy self-sufficiency? Will India, China, and other large nations be able to reduce fuel subsidies sufficiently to cause any significant slowdown in the, heretofore, escalating demand for fuel? One can only guess at the probabilities and consequences of various issues mentioned. However, we think the World Bank’s forecast that oil prices should stay elevated for many years is a realistic one. It is also believed that ongoing supply disruptions will keep oil prices volatile. SOME POSITIVES So, how are we to secure the energy needs of the world in the 21st century? The evidence shows that where markets are allowed to operate, they do work. Consumers in Europe and North America are already responding to high prices by moderating demand. They are also beginning to embrace energy efficiency. And, where investment is allowed to take place, energy production responds positively. The conclusion is that producers, consumers, and governments should be encouraged to respond positively and act together. Much more needs to be invested in the many ways to improve energy efficiency, including new systems for public transport. In addition, there is a real need for new production, new technologies, and new energy sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear. The governments’ role should be to remove the many barriers to the wide range of needed investments. There are also some positives being shown in the stock markets. While it is sizing up to be a “bloody year” for world stocks, Canada and Brazil have been two countries that have stayed above the fray to date. It is no coincidence
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that their markets are heavily resource-based. Brazil’s energy self-sufficiency policies since 1980, including the push to replace a sizeable portion of oil with ethanol produced from excess sugar cane, should qualify this country as a visionary world leader. The solid state of Canada’s economy and financial system also emerged this week as one of the few positives at an international economic conference “kicked off” amid growing concerns about the global financial crisis and inflationary pressures from rising oil and other commodity prices. At this same conference, former US FED Chairman Paul Volcker followed an enthusiastic speech about Canada’s economy by its federal finance minister, by saying it left him “shrinking” in his seat. “Budget surpluses as far as the eye can see. He’s got balance of payment surpluses. He’s a huge energy producer, … He has a growing economy. I can’t describe our economy that way”. Canada has yet another positive. The relatively steady Canadian dollar should continue to allow foreign investors to park money in Canadian energy and resources stocks without worrying about taking a hit on foreign exchange. And, conventional thinking is that countries producing the hottest commodities are unlikely to see a decline in the value of their currencies. Any discussion of investments weaknesses today, or other types of investments that might do reasonably well in these very uncertain times, is beyond the scope of this article. References: 1. “Get Set for a More Frugal America”, by Tiernan Ray, BARRON’S New York, May 20, 2008 Interview with Merrill Lynch’s Chief Economist, David Rosenberg. 2, “Sleepwalking into the Future”, by Alan Weeks, DOLLARS & SENSE May-June 2007, Costa Rica, ARCR “El Residente” magazine. 3. “Congress, Regulators Target ‘Bad’ Speculations”, by Caroline Baum, Bloomberg, New York, June 3, 2008. 4 “Commodities, Oil Bubbles Are Reason to Celebrate”, by Matthew Lynn, Bloomberg, New York, May 28, 2008. 5. “Oil Has Reached a Turning Point”, by Daniel Yergin, Chairman Cambridge Research Associates, The Financial Times, London, May 27, 2008. 6. “Distance Costs Money”, by Jacqueline Thorpe quoting Jeff Rubin Chief Economist, CIBC World Markets. Financial Post, Toronto, May 27, 2008.
For more information and reference details please contact Alan Weeks at (507) 209-3136 or e-mail: imccr2002@yahoo.com
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Exchange rate of the Costa Rican ¢ to the US Dollar December 500.97 January
499.74
February
499.00
March
497.67
April
497.21
May
522.88
Basic Interest Rate December 7.00 % January
7.25 %
February
5.50 %
March
5.25 %
April
4.25 %
May
5.00 %
Exchange rate of other currencies to the US Dollar Japanese Yen 105.71 Swiss Franc
1.0497
Canadian $
0.9962
Giro (DEG)
1.6207
ÂŁ Sterling
1.9693
Euro
1.5503
Mexican Peso
10.317
Korean Won
1,028.5
Danish Krone Norwegian Krone Argentine Peso
4.8112 5.1057 3.1056
Colombian Peso 1,735.0 Brasilian Real
1.6309
Libor Rate 1 month 2.4594 % 3 month
2.6819 %
6 month
2.9275 %
12 month
3.2050 %
Prime Rate
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5.00 %
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Holidays Of Costa Rica July 25th- ARCR closed ‘Guanacaste Day’ July 26th- ARCR closed ‘National Day’ August 2nd ‘Virgin of the Angels Day’ August 15th- ARCR closed ‘Mothers Day’ ‘Assumption Day’ ******************** A Touch of Wisdom “A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.” Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) “Dogs bark but the caravan moves on.” Arab proverb “Everybody deserves to be loved.” unknown ******************** Quick Ones Bank Teller: How do you like the money? English Student: I like it very much. “Why do you take baths in milk?” “I can’t find a cow tall enough for a shower.” Customer in a restaurant: I would like to have a plate of rice and a piece of fried chicken and a cup of coffee Waitress : Is it enough Sir? Customer : What? Do you think I can’t buy more? “You look very funny wearing that belt.” “I would look even funnier if I didn’t wear it.”
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