El_Residente_2008_09

Editorial Note: Hola a Todos. This issue of the newsletter holds a few new articles, submitted by some new names in the membership, which I am quite happy to publish. In fact it is very nice to have some fresh viewpoints and new angles on life in Costa Rica.

We are also near the end of our focus on the indigenous, and will be changing direction come the new year, and I thought now the appropriate time to request input or articles from the members, after all, this is your newsletter.

If there is anyone who would like to publish an article, I am usually quite happy to do so (as long as it is related to the country.)

Articles are usually better for us if they are not time sensitive, but if space is available we can try to publish most items.

- Ryan Piercy

Call the office in advance if you just want to check for possible mail.

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.

El Residente

2

Presidents Re epor t

by The Board

would like more people to attend this meeting, as past years attendance has been very small.

Often we hear that we never notify you of this event, but this year I have now talked about this in several messages.

Here We Go Again???

I’m sure many of you know the source of this statement. It has been used by many people to express their beliefs and judgments about everything, but the expression is really tied to one individual. Since my term as President is almost over I choose this as my swan phrase. My past messages have stayed mainly on the services and events occurring at ARCR, and actually this message will not be too different, but I did want to get something off my chest. The “Here We Go Again” is part of my segue into the topic of why people move to Costa Rica and in part this months message. First the why question. This question is asked, by me, of people coming into ARCR or at our monthly seminar. It’s surprising how many say it’s because they hate George Bush and his policies on everything from economics to the war in Iraq. If this keeps up his popularity may increase in the American polls. At least his numbers are much better than those of the current United States Congress. What did the new congress say when they took office in 2006? Say what you like about this man he did take decisive actions and most of the opposition party voted with him until they decided it was not in their best political interest. They seem to put their political interest ahead of what is best for the Country and its citizenry. Good example is the current gas prices and how congress is blocking an up or down vote on this very important subject. Speaking of politicians, I just don’t understand what one of the presidential candidates is saying. All I hear is platitudes and hyperbole about what he will do, but looking at his record he hasn’t done anything. As a matter of fact often he doesn’t even vote yea or nea, but rather “present.” At least you can see the record of the other candidate, actually 26 years of voting, and not always in line with his party. Enough of this ranting except to say we will elect a new President of the United State in less than 90 days. Speaking of electing new Presidents “Here We Go Again!”

On the 15th of October ARCR will have its general meeting and elect a new president, vice-president and two vocals.

The place of this meeting will be announced latter, but we

The next time you are in ARCR say hello to Federico Schieltzeth and Sonia Araya. They are working alongside Anabelle, and I’m sure she doesn’t need any introduction. Also don’t forget to buy raffle tickets for our quarterly raffle. The next raffle will be held on the 29th of August. As you know, by now, all proceeds go into our Charity Fund. Speaking of this fund, thanks to Attilio Gilberti and his friends, we were able to raise enough funds to provide a teenager boy with a much-needed prosthetic leg. We also have another project in process. A local psychological counseling center has come to us and asked for our help. They are encountering many low to medium income families, where the breadwinner has lost his or her job, and they need groceries to survive. They are asking for bags or boxes of staple foods such as rice, beans, can goods or anything which is not perishable. If you are interested in helping, in this project, please bring your bags or boxes, of groceries, into ARCR and we will forward them to the agency. Bill Read, one of our board members, is in charge of this program. The organization is called Asociacion Para La Restauracion Integral De La Familia and its run by Melvin Montera a former psychologist who worked for the City of Boston’s special services before he retired.

One of our other services which seems to getting a lot of attention is the renewal of cedulas. This service is not free, but we can help you make appointments or even take you to Immigration for the trying event. The call is free, but the cost of a new plastic cedula must be borne by you.

We are very close initiating a program of monthly trips and other social events for ARCR members. The person has been identified and soon the project will come to fruition.

To help us in this project we would like all members to give us their current e-mail address. These can be sent to Eduardo or given to any member of the ARCR staff. If you would prefer contact us and we can set up a yahoo e-mail

Cover Painting

by Jude Maceren: When I was contacted by Jude to view her website for a possible cover art, I was quickly struck by the colours and imagery used. Though not easy, the one that caught my attention the most was this one, entitled “River of Life.”

You can view more beautiful works at www.JudeMaceren.com. Check out the 3 piece fine art there...

(Send us your painting for one of this years covers to ARCR at rpiercy@arcr.net)

September-October, 2008

3

address for you. Of course, the reason for this is to advise you of the dates and times of up-coming trips.

Well now you have an up date on happenings at ARCR. On one other note, for those of you who haven’t obtain residency and considered yourself perpetual tourist BEWARE!! We just had a friend detained, for this reason, and is being deported and cannot return to Costa Rica for 5 years.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I will say adios for now but hope to see you in ARCR, at our General Meeting or at one of our monthly seminars.

- Earl Tomlinson ********************* Association of Residents of Costa Rica Come GET TOGETHER Whether we call it social activities, opportunities for finding new friends or support activities for moving to a new country, it amounts to the same venture. ARCR is beginning a new program seeking to help connect our members with others for purely social interaction. We actually have started already with the monthly luncheons, which meet on the First Friday of each month at Las Mananitas Restaurant. We also are inviting members to join us after each monthly seminar for Happy Hour.

Ryan Piercy and new member, Ann Wildey, will be organizing a new committee whose sole purpose will be to assist our members’ meet each other. ARCR has long identified a need to connect with each other and how difficult that can be at times.

First we intend to identify throughout the Central Valley the already established social groups. You may have one and not realize it. Do you meet other people at a regular place and time for breakfast, coffee or lunch? Are you willing to have others join you? If so, please contact us and let us know the details.

Breakfast and coffee times are an area that we would like to begin with as we build our committee. We hope to be able to establish such circles all over the city.

Next we would like to establish a committee of persons who will serve on an idea-generating basis. Help us plan and organize. If you would be willing to meet with us once a month and help out, please call or email Ryan or Ann at the numbers below.

There are, of course, many things we can do as a group as a whole or in smaller denominations such as: bowling teams, physical labor in public works, trips, calling on the infirm or shut ins, speakers bureaus etc. We want to hear any ideas you may have.

Please check the calendar on the web site and the El Residente for updates.

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Contact Alan Weeks by e- mail: imccr2002@yahoo.com

ARCR Member since 1992 4

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.

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 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.

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

September-October, 2008

Send us your club news or activities for free publication in this column

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.

Radio control Sailing Club Meets at Sabana Park Lake. For information contact Walter Bibb.

Wwbbsurf40@yahoo.com 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.

5

Learning The Language e

by Christopher Howard

Don’t Put Your Foot in your Mouth One of the greatest obstacles in learning any foreign language is to replace the language habits of English with those of the new language.

Many students learn to speak with comparative fluency and with a good accent, but what they say is simply not ‘Spanish’.

They have missed one of the most important features of the language – the Spanish point-of-view.

Your Spanish will never be natural until you have acquired the Spanish way of saying things. This article is intended to give you some hints on how this may be done, by indicating some common mistakes made by English speakers and can keep you from “putting your foot in your mouth”.

One of the most flagrant pitfalls for students is the literal translation of English constructions and idioms into Spanish. For example, you should not say, when smoking, “Déme luz” for “Give me a light.” This literal translation means to give birth. You should say “Déme lumbre” when you want someone to light your cigarette.

Another common mistake is to use the Spanish word ‘Embarazado’ to express that you are embarrassed. This actually means that you are pregnant, which will likely make you even more embarrassed. The correctly say you are embarrassed, you should state “Estoy apenado.”

Also, when in a restaurant, you should not ask the waitress is she has any milk by using “Tiene Usted leche?” This would actually be asking her if she personally has milk to nurse a child. You should ask her “Hay leche?” (Is there milk?).

Finally, also in a restaurant, never order eggs from a waiter by saying “Tiene Huevos?” Literally translated this means “Do you have eggs?” but, in Spanish, it would be referring to an egg-shaped part of a man’s anatomy. When ordering eggs you should use “Hay huevos?” (Are there eggs?)

As you can see from the examples above, it is quite easy to put your foot in your mouth and find yourself in an awkward situation if you don’t know how to see things from the Spanish point-of-view. There are many other words and expressions that cannot be translated from English to Spanish. Once you learn to think more in Spanish and have a chance to interact with Spanish speakers, you can learn to avoid some of these common pitfalls.

Here is your Costa Rican expression or tiquismo for this week: “Meter la pata” means to put your foot in your mouth.

El hombre metío la pata – the man put his foot in his mouth.

El Residente

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September-October, 2008

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Costa Rica Po oin nters

by Vincent di Fondi

Living On A Budget in the Central Valley Are you a pensionado (retiree)? Are you living on a fixed income of only $600 a month? Here are some money saving tips that I have discovered since I have moved to Costa Rica.

They really have helped to stretch my fixed income and it can be fun trying to find the best deals or ways to conserve your TIP NUMBER 3 Be an astute shopper precious money.

I do not try to reproduce American style grocery shopping here in San Jose. Everybody knows that the Mercado Central TIP NUMBER 1 Learn some Spanish (Central Market) downtown is the place to buy your food. The If you already know a little or a lot of Spanish, you know that prices can be very cheap there but sometimes the prices the world is your oyster here as far as maximizing the number there aren’t always the best. When the clerks are weighing of people you can communicate with and further enriching your produce, oatmeal, or whatever, I like to tell them what I your Costa Rican experience. If you are trying to learn, the want to spend rather than ½ kilo of this or that. Sometimes Ticos are most gracious in helping you learn Spanish, and it can be a bit of a pain paying for so many items separately many like to practice their English with you as well. A good and lugging them around while you shop, but this is how it economical way to learn a little Spanish is to find a Tico who has been done for thousands of years in many societies. wants to learn a little English and trade lessons. Language I shop also at Mas por Menos (owned by Walmart). I do this schools can be costly. if I can’t go downtown to the Mercado Central or if I can’t find something at the Mercado Central. Request a shopping TIP NUMBER 2 Avoid eating out too often card at customer service to help you save a little. I love going When you first arrive, chances are that you will be eating shopping at this chain and have the best time scouring the out everyday until you find a permanent place to live. If you aisles looking for the best deals. eat American fast food or in hotel restaurants they can cost quite a bit and you might wonder how can you save money Some things I buy randomly at other locations, just because here. The mom and pop restaurants called Sodas are a I have discovered the best deals. For example, I drink a lot a good option. Depending on where you go and if you order green tea. Mas por Menos in San Pedro charges about 950 the Plato del Dia (plate of the day) you can eat sometimes colones for a box of 20 tea bags of green tea, but I can walk for under $3 including a beverage. If you are not too hungry, just across the street to a health food store call Macrobiotica most bars and restaurants offer a Boca (an idiom for snack). and buy it for 650 colones. I’ve saved about 30%. I also The prices are really cheap for snacks. If you are living in buy many of my health related things there because their an aparthotel or hostel most offer a community kitchen to prices are really good. I can buy a 30 day supply of a herbal combination for arthritis there for under $4. Also, when I lived prepare your own meals. in the United States I took multivitamins religiously, but here Now that I am living in my own apartment I eat out only about they are quite costly. I now take just bee pollen which is rich twice a week. I can hear you saying this now, “I don’t know in most of the daily nutrients we need. It is really cheap at the how to cook.” Think of it this way: cooking is one of the most Mercado Central. basic skills of survival and is mainly common sense. If you say, “I can’t cook,” well, learn. Remember, your income is Most imports tend to be high especially from the United States. very meager. In my own case, I eat breakfast, lunch, and just I try to buy Latin American products for the best prices. For a snack for my evening meal unless I’m eating out. Actually household items such as desks, lamps, etc. I like to go to EPA cooking at home can be fun, creative, and give you more in San Pedro. It is like a Home Depot and cheaper. dietary variety plus you may eventually tire of the Plato del Dia everyday. I also like to invite neighbors over once in a I use the thrift stores for casual clothes. Why pay full price for just casual clothing? I like to go to a thrift store just across while.

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El Residente

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the street from Mas por Menos on Avenida Central and 11th Street. Their prices are really good and many of the items appear to be almost new. I think they come from Miami.

You can also buy sheets, blankets, curtains, suitcases, and much more. I haven’t found any thrift stores for furniture, appliances, yet. There probably are a few, but I suspect that they are few and far between. The Ticos don’t waste too much.

TIP NUMBER 4 Scour the newspapers for cultural happenings Every Friday I buy a copy of The Tico Times and La Nacion.

La Nacion is in Spanish and it can give you many ideas about cultural events to attend, that is if you can read a little Spanish. If not then, The Tico Times has many good suggestions. There are many concerts, art galleries, and other special events that are free. Many others offer high quality culture at nominal prices. The prices at the Teatro Nacional are quite good and sometimes you can find someone in the lobby wanting to sell or give you a ticket they can’t use. Again, if you speak a little Spanish you can make these deals.

been somewhat toxic. You have probably already taken a taxi or two and if you know a little Spanish and you know where you need to go it can save your life financially. If the cab driver does not know the location you can tell him directo (straight ahead), derecha (right), or izquierda (left). If the cab driver is trying to take an out of the way route you can tell him about his error. By the way, if the cab driver doesn’t have a clue where your going, it might be cheaper to just pay him the base rate and catch another taxi. Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the driver and they do not expect a tip.

To be successful bus rider it is necessary to know the city bus system. This is a matter of trial and error and reading where the buses are going posted on the front window. Taking the buses can be fun and add a lot of spice to your life about the Costa Rican people. I speak Spanish and like to talk with the Ticos on the buses and they can be very helpful in letting you know where to get off if you don’t know where you’re going.

Buses will save you a ton of money.

If you want to get out of the city and go to the country, the regional Costa Rican bus system is also very inexpensive.

Taking a guided tour will cost you plenty.

I hope these suggestions will help you and happy saving!

TIP NUMBER 5 Take buses the majority of the time I take taxis less than 10% of the time. I don’t know what your experience with cab drivers is, but most of mine have

September-October, 2008

BIO: Vincent di Fondy is a writer and is currently working on a novel. He was born and raised in Texas, and holds of BA Degree from the University of Colorado in Spanish.

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Immigration n Update

need to travel, in order to prove they have an appointment, but this will still depend on the dates.

With luck, if the renewals ever do take place at the banks, some of these issues may correct themselves. We are also looking into the laws to see if there is something to stipulate August 2008 your right to have ‘valid’ documentation that is not left On August 25 we managed to obtain an appointment with ‘expired’ due to the government’s processes.

Migracion once again, and bring to their attention several new potential problems, primarily related to how they handle NEW APPLICATIONS procedures. We must now wait for a response and possible On a new front, it was also notified that, effective immediately, corrections.

Police letters would once again have a 6-month validity. This is good news, but the same circular also dictates that all RENEWALS documents must be in the hands of migracion within 6 months Several items are affecting people in renewals, that mostly of being issued. This may cause additional complications, have to do with timing. The fact that they are not issuing and is especially affecting those who had already gathered appointments until your month of expiry, and for 2-4 months their other documents in advance, as no warning time has later, is causing everyone to be with expired ID. This is been given by migracion. causing various problems at institutions, and especially for those who travel, as airlines may ask for ‘return’ tickets in We brought up these, and various other points in our discussion. In this point migracion checked with the legal order to enter the country. department, and informed us (verbally) that due to Juridical Also it is causing additional problems for those whose dates Logic, based on the fact that neither the birth certificates, nor do not coincide with their regular stay in Costa Rica, which the marriage license, is apt to change, they would not likely according to the law only needs to be 4 months. Migracion ask for another if expired. We of course asked why then is almost dictating that you must now be here when they say. does it say so in writing, and our concern is still in how future governments will interpret and act upon these issues.

This is of course not just.

Migracion will apparently issue a document now for those who We will see what, and when, they say once we receive an answer.

El Residente

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A Day In Th he Life

by Allen Dickinson

A (not-so definitive) Guide to Riding the Local Bus System and Decoding the Rear Light Signals.

There is a wonderful system of public buses in Costa Rica and you can go just about anywhere on one of the many different lines available. And I mean anywhere. I have been on some very remote, single lane back roads where one would never expect to see a bus and rounded a corner only to come face to face with one of the big things. (Guess which one of us has to back up to a spot wide enough to pass?)

There are many different bus lines and they are all cheap - $0.50 will take you a long ways. But, which one to take? If you are not well versed in which buses ply a particular route, you can, sometimes, tell their approximate destinations by the color of the buses. That’s as in: From downtown San Jose the yellow buses with orange trim (or maybe it’s the green ones) are pretty likely to go to Heredia. Boarding the two- (or three-) tone blue ones will usually get you to Escazu, Santa Ana. And so on.

There is, however, a problem to deciding which bus you want to take, based on color. Many of the buses are the standard city bus type we are used to seeing up north and are painted in the lines’ colors. But some buses of the same line (colors) have different routes and may not go where you think they will, just judging by their paint scheme. I once spent an hour or so riding a circuitous route around the Sabana area, ending up back downtown, and never getting to where I thought I was going. The bus had the same colors as the one I wanted, just a different route.

“Converted” however, often amounts to little more than repainting them - and that can take a bit of time. It’s very common to see buses plying the roads in their original yellow school bus paint with big black letters saying “School Bus” still on them.

I have seen one for over a year now that has the words “Central Bucks County School District” still painted on the side.

So, reading the window sign can be even more important.

But there is a different “system” involving the buses that I want to write about here, and that’s the use of the rear brake and turn signal lights. If you drive a car it can be very important to know what the driver of the bus ahead MAY be “telling” the following vehicles via these rear light systems.

Every one of these buses, converted school-type or regular, has at least two sets of lights on the rear - one pair is red for stoplights, the other two are yellow turn signals. Because most buses are slow and stop frequently, there is commonly a long line of cars stacked up behind them waiting for the chance to pass. As a result, the bus drivers SEEM to have devised a system of using their hazard and/or turn signals to tell the following vehicles what they intend to do. The use of these lights is the focus of this article.

A Caveat: A car driver following one of these buses must assume one or more of the lights is not burned out or otherwise inoperative, which isn’t uncommon, before trying to understand their signaled intentions. Caution is imperative here.

Disclaimer 1: The following information is intended to apply to buses operating outside the main urbane areas.

Personally, I try to drive in downtown San Jose as little as possible.

Continued on page 12...

So, maybe you should forget relying on the color to know where they will take you - it can be a bad assumption. The wise traveler will read the signs in the window (or ask the driver) where they are going.

And besides, some of the buses aren’t painted the Line colors, yet.

Have you ever wondered what happens to those old yellow, public school buses in the US when it’s time for the school districts to replace them? It seems that one of the “elephants graveyards” for old school buses is Costa Rica. - they are shipped here and converted to public transportation.

September-October, 2008

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after the last time he started up.

- Or, it could be the hazard flashers are on and that the right hand bulb is inoperative.

4. This last one is a special rule which is in effect when the bus is moving and doesn’t intend to stop soon: If the bus driver sees the road ahead is clear for passing by one or more of the line of vehicles stacked up behind him, he MAY (or may not) turn on the left turn signal telling those following that it’s clear to pass.

- Or, he may be intending to make a left turn. (See Rule 3, above.)

Disclaimer 2: The signal system I describe here is one I have deciphered from observation and is not represented to be official. Therefore, I make the following statement: I may not know what the hell I am talking about!

That being said, I herein offer my version of what MIGHT be four simple rules for interpreting the rear light signals bus drivers use to communicate their intentions to the following vehicles. I’ll let the reader decide which one(s) applies to their situation - and if and when.

1. A pair of flashing yellow hazard lights means the bus MAY be preparing to stop. The amount of distance between where they begin the flashing begins and where they plan to stop can vary widely and is for the following drivers to determine.

- Then again, they may just have forgotten to turn the hazard lights off at the last stop. (Illuminated brake lights - one or more - can be a key secondary signal here.)

2. Sometimes the bus driver foregoes the nicety of turning on the flashing hazard lights and the first thing the following car driver is aware of is a flashing right hand turn signal.

That SOMETIMES indicates the bus is preparing to stop, or have stopped, for a pick-up and/or drop off. (Don’t assume that means they will pull over out of the traffic lane, even if there is room - they will probably just stop in the road to load/unload passengers.)

Only daring to pull out to pass will determine the bus drivers’ intent. (Maybe this explains why one rarely sees a bus, of any type, that doesn’t have some sign of having been in a minor collision, usually on the left rear or side.)

And there you have it. A simple four rules explaining how bus drivers will use their rear lights to let the following drivers know exactly what they MAY (or may not) do. Knowing these codes will help you drive more safely - or at least be no more frightened by the buses than you were before reading this.

Or maybe not.

In fact, maybe it’s best to forget everything I have written here and remember: This is Costa Rica. Maybe you should just ride the bus.

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.

- Or, it might mean they are going to make a right turn.

- Or maybe it means the driver forgot to turn the signal off from the previous stop.

- Or it could mean it’s the hazard lights and the left bulb is burned out.

3. If the bus is stopped, a flashing left turn signal CAN indicate they are going to ‘pull out’ and start moving again.

- Or it might mean they are going to make a left turn.

- Then again, it could be the driver forgot to cancel the signal

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September-October, 2008

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Tribes of th he Land

by Ana Hernandez

The Brunkas The Masked Peaceful Warriors The first inhabitants of the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica were an interesting mix of native groups such as the Bribris, the Borucas also known as Brunkas, the Cabécars, Térrabas and the Guaymi tribe, who dwelled on both sides of the Costa Rican-Panamanian border. Blessed with an abundance of natural resources, all of these groups lived, traded and worked without the need for conquering additional territories. of Costa Rica witnessed the arrival of agricultural workers from the Central Valley; poor migrants from neighboring Their peaceful co-existence was drastically changed with countries such as Nicaragua, Salvador and Panama. Italian the arrival of the Spanish. The Spaniards soon started the immigrants and religious groups such as the Mennonites process of colonization of all the groups they encountered also came to the vicinity looking for better opportunities. and the tranquil way of life of the natives was quickly The real massive influx of non-indigenous people to the annihilated when forced to work for their new rulers and region however, took place between 1945 and 1963 with the reassigned into colonial social units or missions. building of the Pan American Highway.

In the case of the Boruca-Brunka, their population was considered “pacified” around the year of 1608 and by 1629 the Spanish were sufficiently rooted there to establish an official settlement in Brunka territory, which they called Boruca. The site had begun as a stop for the mule trains traveling from the colonial Costa Rican capital of Cartago to Portobelo in Panama. The Village of Boruca quickly grew and by the early 1800s had a township and a community hall, twenty-five huts placed around a central square and about 250 people living there.

The Borucas or Brunkas are located in the slopes of the Brunqueña Mountain Range and along the lands bordered by the Grande de Terraba River. Most Brunka hamlets including the Village of Boruca lie near this important river.

Their main reservations are found in Puntarenas in the township of Buenos Aires and Osa, such as Rey Curré, Maíz, Bijagual, Cajón, Mano de Tigre, Lagarto, Chánguina, and Puerto Nuevo. Just like their cousins the Bribris and Cabécars, the Brunkas, spoke a language derived from the Chibchan Language, but unfortunately very few of them can speak it now.

Independence from Spain in 1821 brought abrupt changes to the region. As early as 1848 and throughout many decades The Pan-Am Hwy passes through some of the hamlets after that, the first inhabitants of the southern pacific region but most other roads branching off from the main Hwy are unpaved and not easy to traverse, particularly on the rainy season. The Brunkas used to build their houses on hilly areas separated by grassy savannas and the tall grasses were used in the construction of roofs for their huts, but the practice came to an end with the disappearance of those large areas.

Nowadays, the Brunkas build frames houses with metal roofs just like the houses where non-indigenous people live.

Most public buildings such as churches, community centers, schools, medical facilities, and dance halls are now built in cement or wood with metal roofs and the villages that enjoy these services also have running water, electricity and telephone booths.

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Borucas or Brunkas are small-scale agriculturists who grow corn and beans for their own consumption and whatever is left they sell. They complement their incomes with the sale of oranges, heart of palms, peach-palm fruit and others from trees that grow well on their lots. Some families own cattle and pigs but many work for non-indigenous land owners as manual laborers. Some of their reserve members hold professional jobs as teachers, clerks, policemen and guards on their own towns without having to look for work in the city. At the time of the 1990 census, the Borucas living in reserved land numbered 2,660 although this number has largely increased in the last decades.

Most hospitals and community health clinics are far from their villages and access to them is not easy. Traditional Brunkas still rely on female herb healers and resort to herbal treatments for specific purposes from snakebites to finding love and marriage or prevention of pregnancy in the case of women with too many children.

As proof of the acculturation and conversion to the Spanish religion, many Brunkas today practice Catholicism, go to mass and attend church services on regular basis. Some of them are elected in their communities as “mayordomos or delegados de la palabra,� and in the absent of priests they will carry out the normal duties of the church. They do maintenance of religious buildings, lead prayers, teach the faith and ring the bells of the church when someone in their village dies.

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Many Brunka households officiate a Catholic wake for a dead relative, which was also common among non-indigenous families at the turn of the century. The corpse, covered with a white sheet, lies on a platform in the center of a room in the home of the deceased or that of a close relative with enough space for people to sit around and view the body. Candles are placed at the head and feet of the deceased with pictures or sculptures of saints nearby. Food is shared with the mourners, while the mayordomos recite prayers during the wake. The people from the village in many cases contribute with money to pay for the burial and funeral expenses. They Continued on page 16...

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bring candles, coffee, sugar and other items that can be used by the surviving relatives. A Catholic mass is held if a priest is available and Rosary prayers are attended for the next nine days after the person has passed away. A last Rosary is said on the ninth day and food and coffee is served to everyone who came to pray.

Many tribe members are also trying to revive their own Boruca-Brunka religious rituals, legends and myths but unfortunately, much of this has been lost.

The Brunkas are known for their fine weaving of textiles in soft pastel hues dyed with natural inks. Some women still know how to weave using pre-Columbian back-strap looms.

Their famous masks made of a light balsa wood, are carved and either left natural or painted with the most exquisite colors and patterns. They are used on two very important traditional celebrations observed every December.

During the Celebration of Diablitos at the end of year, feisty players dressed as devils, wear masks and gunnysack like dresses while drums and flutes are played to set the mood for the festivities. The master of ceremonies is the main devil while another tribe member plays the part of the Spaniard and chases the devils around the village wearing a carved bullhead. He goes from house to house stealing things and doing mischief to the neighbors. The bull manages to kill all the devils beginning with the most important in rank and then kills the remaining players, even those dressed as women, recreating the injustices committed against them when the Spanish arrived to the New World.

The difference this time is that the Diablitos revive, recover all their missing objects and look for the bull that is hiding; once found, he is dragged to the center of the village and symbolically burned, representing the destruction of the enemy and ensuring a prosperous continuation of their race.

DĂ­a de los Negritos, December 6th through 8th, commemorates the coming of the Spaniards and their repulse by the Boruca people and Danza de los Diablitos, is celebrated December 31st through January 2nd.

On the DĂ­a de los Negritos, several dancers confront a player wearing a carved horse head impersonating the Spanish.

The horse pretends to run away from the players but is finally caught and symbolically burned while the festivities continue with dance and much merrymaking.

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September-October, 2008

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First Nation n s Ar t

by Ana Hernandez

Ancient Native TonguesEndangered forms of artistic expression The form in which oral communication has taken place in any given society is known in some linguistics fields as “a channel”. People have utilized this sophisticated channel since a slow evolutionary process permitted the human larynx to descend into the throat, and all of a sudden we discovered we had vocal cords and learned to make sounds.

Speech became from that time on an art form.

Many aboriginal groups have communicated messages to members of their group through many forms of artistic expression as varied and unique as the environment in which they lived. The natural landscape surrounding them, their rituals, and the animals they considered sacred or sacrificed for sustenance, all of this, played an important role when interacting with others. When they drew murals on the walls of caves, the things that they depicted were other people, large animals, arrows, hunting expeditions and the things that had the closest connection with their natural environment.

Sample Boruca Words English One Two Three Four Five Man Woman

Boruca E’tse Bú’k Mang Ba’kang I’kang Kongróhk Ramróhk

English Dog Tree Sun Moon Water Stone

Boruca Auh Krang Kak Tebe Dí’ Káng

important was the Chibchan Language.

Language This widespread language was spoken in the northwest corner of South America (Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela) and southern part of Central America: Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama.

A subdivision of the Chibchan Language spoken in the southern region of Costa Rica was the Paya-Chibcha, divided into Paya, Votic and Magdalenic. The ethnic groups who communicated in this Chibchan subdivision were the Teribe, the Viceitic (Bribris and Cabecars,) Boruca, Guaymic, Coracic and the Kuna of Panama. Unfortunately very few of these languages have been able to survive to present times.

Many Indigenous rituals performed today among surviving Indigenous groups feature songs, chants, mantras, prayers and some tergiversate phrases in a unusual tongue twisting manner. In both Día de los Negritos and Fiesta de los Diablitos celebrated by the Brunkas every December, their voice and language is disguised as part of their festivities.

The players make a game of slurring their words or change In a similar manner, our ancestors learned from very early phonetic emphasis and the order of sentences, which is times to pass different messages to others related to their cause of much laugh and celebration. daily experience through plays, tales, fables, skits, poetry, songs, lullabies, by whistling, humming, laughing and In northern Costa Rica in the Guatuso region, traditional Malekus still maintain a close connection with their Creator, crying. their land, the trees and forest animals. During their rituals, Communication among some North American tribes was they give thanks for all of this in their own Chibchan-Maleku possible through the use of a drum that made other tribes language. The Malekus lived in isolated territories in the aware of the arrival of unwanted intruders. When the enemy great Guatuso savannas during the period of the Spanish approached their camps, native men and women howled in colony and because of this reason; they were not as unison their native cries in a savage, mournful manner with subjugated as easily as other groups were. Thanks to this the purpose of frightening and chasing their nemesis away. as well, their language was able to survive and the people in the three Maleku communities in northern Costa Rica can In all of Mesoamerica and the Central American region, communicate in the same way their ancestors did. several sophisticated languages were spoken millions of Tacá níni ilhá maráma tafá aca years before the arrival of the Europeans to the New World.

Chí chí ilhá maráma purú The Mayan Pueblos in Mexico and Guatemala continue to cha có purú cha có tafá riyíe communicate today in their native languages. The Aztecs and Mayas along with the use of speech, were also fine “And the tiger arrived artists, illustrators, writers, and scientists who invented a among all of the people present there very elaborate calendar with which they observed important from the ashes, from the ashes planetary movements and told them the best times for the tiger rose”. planting and harvesting their crops.

The native groups that lived in the Central American Isthmus Dedicated in memory of Wilson Morera Elizondo, spoke many different languages as well; one of the most Maleku Leader Tonjibe Community

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September-October, 2008

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Legends Compiled by ARCR Sta aff

Sibo, the Creator The Bri Bri and the Brunka are two tribes, which are among very few Indigenous tribes in Central America who have kept their religious myths intact, having transmitted them through the tales of their elders to the younger generations.

It is interesting as well that the traditional homes they still construct, which are high round huts, are in fact a symbolic representation of their principal god’s home.

As we mentioned previously, Sibo, also refered to as Sibu, is the creator of the universe in their religion. In fact the Universe is the house of Sibo, and the planets, and all living things, reside in his house. In his universe, the Sun spends all the day on the earth, until the dusk comes and it falls off, to turn around and go behind the roof of Sibo’s great house.

The roof of his house is supposed to be fill of tiny holes, where at night the sun shines through, and this is what makes the stars and the constellations. This vision of the universe, which was elaborated long before the time of Copernicus, is extremely rare in the evocation of a system of planetary rotation.

Sibo also created the Indians. By create, it is understood

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that the god’s thoughts produced the Bri Bri out of seeds, like maize is created. From seeds they grew into people, then learned to reproduce. According to this legend, the creation took place at the source of the Lari River in Surayum, where Sibo organized great festivities, handing out lavish quantities of cacao to each person who had helped him. When they were over, he brought forward young Iriria, the Earth, so that she could cover the rock with her fertile bridal train, and the world began to turn green. Then Sibu fell asleep after asking the cuyeo bird to sing for him that night.

The Brunka were also created by Sibo, at the same time and place as the Bri Bri. However they were created out of the wild pigs. The Indian people left Amari with mountain pigs, intending to take them to Brunca to kill them, but the pigs got lost. When the Indians returned to Brunca the next day, they found people, not pigs. Many indigenous people are said to have started this way; after pigs there were monkeys, the Teribe people came from them. People like telling these stories, but in reality all indigenous people came from the same place.

It is in great part due to this one god that the Spaniards also believed the Indians seemingly converted easily to become Christians. They went to church, and easily followed the ‘one god’ because they knew that outsiders often were mixed up, and think that there are many different gods. But the Indians always knew that though each person had his own idea of god, and how they represent him, it is in fact the same ‘one god’. Thus Christ was simply the Spanish name for Talamanca’s own god, Sibo.

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Dollars & $en nse

by Alan Weeks

THE GREAT UNWINDING THE CREDIT CRISIS “The credit crisis is broad, deep, and global, and is far from over for financial companies”, according to Richard Bernstein(1). “Investors are significantly underestimating both the scope and extent of the global credit bubble and the consequences of its subsequent deflation”, he said.

It used to be said in the old days that bankers would only give you a loan if you did not need the money. However, for more than two decades, banks and other financial institutions took ever more foolish risks in the mortgage and other lending businesses. The massive amount of credit provided throughout this long period “has been what made our world go ‘around’. However, it clearly fuelled the fabulous bubbles and booms in the recent past”, said Alan Abelson(2)

Banks have finally been forced to act rationally again, and tighten standards because they need to preserve capital.

Banks are now cutting back savagely on credit to individuals, making mortgages and consumer loans tougher to get, and more expensive. But when all these reasonable things are done – which should have been done years ago – they deepen the crisis for homeowners, and for themselves.

An increasing number of borrowers are becoming unwilling or unable to service their debt, prompting ever more write-downs and leaving the banks with even less to lend.

Because these and other factors are magnifying one another, it looks like it will put the financial world into a “self-reinforcing downward credit spiral”, Saft opined.

History holds some lessons on what happens when the banking system is badly impaired as the US financial system clearly is now. If the Great Depression is too ‘idiosyncratic’ for you, look at Japan’s lost decade of the 1990’s. Throughout that decade and more, Japanese banks suffered from capital inadequacy, and the Japanese economy suffered from bank credit inadequacy.

Now, as described by James Saft(3), “The lights are on, but banks are increasingly closed”.

THE BITE OF INFLATION Since the 1970’s, globalization has exerted enormous competitive pressure on the North American working class.

As a result, wages and salaries have not kept up with ‘real’ inflation for most of this decade to date. Inflation is defined as: “a persistent increase in the level of consumer prices or a persistent decline in the purchasing power of money, caused by an increase in available currency and credit beyond the proportion of goods and services”.

It is safe to assume that most of us, at least those silly enough to insist on eating, driving, or having health issues, are feeling the increasing ‘bite’ that inflation is taking from our disposable incomes.

As the US Federal Reserve Chairman was just quoted as saying: “The financial storm that started last year has not yet subsided.” “Financial turmoil and inflation triggered by higher commodity prices have resulted in one of the most challenging economic environments in memory”.

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A phase Dee Keesler thinks, “will see the emerging markets The inflationary surge now hitting the US, is being felt ‘in transformed into submerging markets, an unwelcome change that will encompass the so-called BRIC quartet spades’ overseas.

– Brazil, Russia, India, China – as well as a full complement of the smaller fry.”

SHAKEOUT IN THE EQUITY MARKETS Dee Keesler,(4) a seasoned pro with an excellent track record, sees a global shakeout in the equity markets. His reasoning is as follows: The very long period of easy money fuelled a whole series of asset ‘bubbles’, including the rapid escalation in stock market valuations around the world. The Shanghai and Bombay stock markets, for example, had increased almost 300% in 2 years or less, until last Fall.

Stock market participants should soon be waking up to the fact the fervently hoped for US recovery later this year, isn’t going to happen.

“Emerging markets are an accident no longer waiting to happen but very much in progress”, he says. “And while the severity of the further declines will vary (Shanghai, for example, already down 50% from its peak, still has a long way down to go), they’re all vulnerable”.

In the months ahead, he warns “the concept of global economic decoupling will be thoroughly exposed as a naïve fantasy”.

And, governments around the globe in futile efforts to calm the masses in the face of rapidly rising food and energy There is much more bad news to come on the credit side: the prices, implemented ad-hoc changes that have proven costly mortgage mess has much further to go, as the defaults work and counterproductive. their way into home-equity loans and even prime mortgages; then there are the credit cards, car loans and commercial “There is no way out for developing nations, but to adopt more stringent monetary policies, which means higher and leveraged business loans.

Unemployment has been steadily increasing and spreading interest rates and stronger currencies, and inevitably, a sharp throughout the US and other Western nations across the economic slowdown.” broad range of sectors. And, even more US unemployment is very likely to be created by the significant cutbacks in State “Investors, who have been counting on more of the vigorous and local government spending. earnings growth that attracted them to emerging markets in In addition, the average US consumer is reported to have the first place, are in for a big disappointment”, Dee said. record high debt levels and negligible savings.

“The great unwinding of emerging markets has just begun Some consequences of the US slowdown have already with much carnage still forthcoming”. become apparent as hotels, mall operators, tourist related businesses, and the like, are finding themselves with too For financial markets in developing countries, the vicious much capacity and too little demand. This will likely get cycle he sees unfolding will bring forth much lower valuations much worse over the next period. However, this leads us to from lower multiples and lower earnings. wonder: And finally, because a big chunk of US corporate profits flows With high debts, very tight credit, and no savings: “Where is in from the rest of the world, the prospect of a global stock market shakeout no longer seems farfetched. the ‘juice’ for future growth”?

“The global bear market in equities, triggered by our very (1) Richard Bernstein, Merrill Lynch, chief investment own subprime credit mess, is now entering its next phase.” strategist, in recent note to clients (2) Alan Abelson, author of Barron’s Up & Down Wall Street article, No Place to Hide 23/06/08 (3) Lights Are On, But Banks Increasingly Closed, by James Saft, Reuters, 16/08/08 (4) S. Dewey (Dee) Keesler, quoted extensively in Barron’s article No Place to Hide The opinions expressed in this article are consistent with those of the writer.

Detailed information is available for affluent investors seeking various offshore alternatives.

This can be requested by contacting Alan Weeks at: (507) 209-3136 or e-mail: imccr2002@yahoo.com

September-October, 2008

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Wild Side

XX XXXV

by Ryan Piercy

Jungle Jewel Ranking among the most beautiful birds that frequent Costa Rica, a jewel of the forest, is the small Red-legged Honeycreeper. Cyanerpes cyaneus is a member of the tanager family, found from Southern Mexico to Peru and central Brazil. What makes this bird so eye-catching is the males’ colours of a striking violet-blue and black, and its short red legs. The crown of its head is turquoise, while the under part of its wings, visible only in flight, is a lemon yellow colour. For this reason the bird is also known in places as the Yellow-winged Sugarbird. Females and immatures are mainly greenish with black wings.

After the breeding season from February to June, the male will moult into a greenish colour for a few months until the regular colour returns. The females will build a small cupshaped nest in a tree in order to lay its two brown-blotched white eggs. These will normally be found in the mid-level of the forest canopy, where many insects live. The eggs incubate for about 12 days before hatching, and the chicks will then spend about another 14 days in the nest before learning to fly.

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The rest of the year this species wanders in small flocks, ranging widely through forests and semi open areas, including on the edges of gardens, often in the company of other small bird species.

The Red-legged Honeycreeper is just 12.2 cm long, weighing about 14g. It has a soft slightly curving black bill, which requires a special diet in captivity. In the wild they eat insects, berries and nectar from fruits, sipping through their long beaks. They have a tendency to live in small groups at the edge of forests, in open woodland, and near cocoa and citrus plantations.

The call of Red-legged Honeycreeper is a thin, high-pitched tsip. To catch a glimpse of this species in Costa Rica they are fairly common in the Northern dry lowlands and mountain areas, and especially abundant in the NW of the Caribbean side around Rio Frio, though they can be seen, less frequently, in many other areas. They are also abundant on Isla de Coco.

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Exchange rate of the Costa Rican ¢ to the US Dollar February 499.00 March

497.67

April

497.21

May

522.88

June

522.76

July

556.64

Basic Interest Rate February 5.50 % March

5.25 %

April

4.25 %

May

5.00 %

June

5.50 %

July

7.00 %

Exchange rate of other currencies to the US Dollar Japanese Yen 107.65 Swiss Franc

1.0414

Canadian $

1.0252

Giro (DEG)

1.6209

ÂŁ Sterling

1.9905

Euro

1.5686

Mexican Peso

10.038

Korean Won

1,012.2

Danish Krone Norwegian Krone Argentine Peso

4.7565 5.1163 3.0260

Colombian Peso 1,811.8 Brasilian Real

1.5671

Libor Rate 1 month 2.4613 % 3 month

2.7913 %

6 month

3.0838 %

12 month

3.2525 %

Prime Rate

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5.00 %

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Holidays Of Costa Rica September 15th- ARCR closed ‘Independence Day’ October 12th- ARCR closed ‘Columbus Day’ ‘Dia de la raza’ ******************** A Touch of Wisdom “Hasty climbers have sudden falls.”

R. Greene (1592) “It is wise not to seek a secret and honest not to reveal it.”

Ben Franklin (1706-1790) “One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.”

English proverb ******************** Quick Ones “I was born in California.”

“Which part?”

“All of me.”

“Excuse me. Do you know the way to the zoo?”

“No, I’m sorry I don’t.”

“Well, it’s two blocks this way, then one block to the left.”

Teacher: Do you have trouble making decisions?

Student: Well...yes and no.

Three mice are being chased by a cat. The mice were cornered when one of the mice turned around and barked, “Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!” The surprised cat ran away scared. Later when the mice told their mother what happened, she smiled and said, “You see, it pays to be bilingual!”

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