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Editorial Note: Welcome to the March edition of your newsletter, El Residente.

This issue has some topics that may be of special interest to those who own property (or intend to) in Costa Rica.

Also covered are more of the changes in migracion, which will begin to take effect on everyone who has or intends to process residency, in one way or another. Make sure you keep up to date with the changes that can affect you.

Alan weeks moved on to Panama some time ago, yet he continues to update us on ďŹ nancial matters around the globe, for which we are always grateful. Keep them coming Alan...

So enjoy, maybe in your spare time over the coming holidays, and we wish you all a Happy Easter!

- Ryan Piercy

Watch Out for the new Transit law, now effective March 1.

This magazine has been published every two months for 14 years as the official communications media of the ARCR. 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 ARCR 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 Hola Members, Not sure about the state of the economy and politics in the United States, but attendance at our monthly seminars has picked up. Of course, it’s tourist season time as well. We had a very good Happy Hour after the January seminar at restaurant Fogo Brasil. Plan on joining us there about 4:30 Thursday afternoon after the seminar.

Last magazine, I spoke of the weak U.S. dollar versus the Costa Rican colone and my expectation of the dollar strengthening if history held true. I was wrong. History has not prevailed, as in the past, and I, for one, do not understand.

Versus the Canadian dollar and/or the Euro, the U.S. dollar has been strong, but, versus the Costa Rican colone, it has been weak. Anybody out there able to enlighten me and many others??? Please don’t tell me there’s something mala going on here???

With the addition of two new Board of Director (BOD) members, Carolyn Reilly and Terry Wise, as well as a special advisor to the BOD, Ann Wildey, the Board meetings have been very active. For example, in the recent January meetings, a few of the items discussed were; a new Foundation is near completion to provide tax and other benefits for charity purposes, a Joint Charity Program encompassing many of the expat charity groups that will benefit all, possible other programs/services ARCR might offer its members, and some changes to the current library/computer/ mail room layout, etc. Thinking to make ARCR more and more valuable to members, both current and prospective. Any ideas you might have along these lines, let us know.

A few random thoughts for your consideration. The new transit law is due to become effective March 1st. Not sure of the exact details, but one thing for sure, every car needs an emergency kit - shop around! Gringos traveling to the U.S., with a Tico who has a U.S. visa, generally go through the U.S. citizen (U.S. passport) line rather quickly, then wait awhile for your Tico companion who is going through the foreign visitors line. I have spent some hours in several U.S. airports in this situation. I am told that you and your Tico companion can both

go through the U.S. citizen line as long as you say you are married!! Thus saving some time, if you are so concerned. I’d appreciate any actual confirmation of this from others. And lastly, the new 2010, $250 one-time-only largesse from Uncle Sam for many of us, I understand is to start by the end of March. Don’t spend it all in one restaurant!!

Terry Renfer

---------------------------------------Association of Residents of Costa Rica FIRST FRIDAY LUNCH The first Friday of each month finds a group of ARCR members and staff sharing lunch and good conversation at Hotel Parque del Lago. Beginning around 1:00 PM members gather in the restaurant. You will find it about 1 blocks North of the ARCR office. All are welcome!

COFFEE HOUR- VARIOUS GROUPS Tuesdays: Curridbat: Mannie & Nuntz at 10:30 AM in the soda. A lot of stock market talk Every Week Day San Jose Downtown: McDonalds and Wendys in the AM Escazu: Bagelmans and Cafe Artista in the AM

MONTHLY NEWCOMERS SEMINAR Join us on the LAST THURSDAY and FRIDAY of ANY MONTH (except December) to find out more about what it is like to live in Costa Rica, and how to go about getting things done here.

We invite professionals from each field to share their knowledge and expertise with you. Hear what they have to say and ask them the questions you have not found the answer to. Email seminar@casacanada.org for more details.

HAPPY HOUR The Happy Hour will now be held each month following the Seminar, set to be at Fogo Brasil located in Sabana Este. This is specifically 3 blocks North of the ARCR offices. All are welcome!

Bocas provided for by the ARCR will be available for everyone... (cash bar).

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Cover Shot Costa Rica has definately embraced the new era, full of cel phones, computers, ipods, Wii and other gadgets, however it is nice to see that the citizens, even the young people, still embrace their past as well.

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LIVING SPANISH Life’s fuller when there’s good communication Understanding more and being understood better makes all the difference in your new life.

That’s what we help you with!

Our non-intensive solution to your Spanish learning, LIVING SPANISH is designed with people’s needs in mind.

You develop your skills naturally and you find you can apply them right from the start.

Courses start in April 2010 at our premises in Centro Colón, San José For more information please call: Gabriela García on +(506) 2234 9054 Ext. 112 or visit us at www.ihcostarica.com

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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: Student C2,500, Adult: C5000, Family: C8000. Also, earn your Wings, become an LTG Angel. For more information Call the LTG Box Office 8858-1446 or www.littletheatregroup.org

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) 26544902, 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 10- Escazu Post 10 has been revitalized, and meetings are held at 12 noon, on the first Wednesday of each month, Bello Horizonte Country Club For information and map, please contact us: Chuck Turner at 2228-6014 or Mel Goldberg at 2288-0454 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.

Canadian owned or managed business? Contact us for information website: www.canadianclubcr.com Democrats Abroad Democrats Abroad meets on the last Saturday of every month at the Aurola Holiday Inn, San Jose. Contact Nelleke Bruyn, 2279-3553, e-mail cr.democratsabroad@yahoo.com. Join Democrats Abroad at www.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

March- April, 2010

Newcomer’s Club Newcomers Club of Costa Rica (for women) meets the first Tuesday of every month, September through May. September meeting will be an interest fair. Contact: 2416-1111 costaricaporo @yahoo.com or http://www.newcomersclubofcostarica.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 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 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 In 2010 The Women’s Club celebrates 70 years of philanthropy in Costa Rica. Current programs focus on education, primarily through scholarships and development of school libraries for children. It is one of the oldest, continuously operating service organizations in Costa Rica. WCCR membership numbers 250 English-speaking women, representing 25 countries of the world, drawn together by the motto: Friendship through Service. Monthly meetings with guest speakers are held the second Wednesday of each month, as well as regular luncheons, teas, and many interest groups. Guests are welcome and further information can be found at 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 12 noon, 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.

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Immigration n Update

by Ryan Piercy

PT- the Perpetual Tourist There has been an abundance of discussion regarding the Perpetual Tourist since the new law was published, due to articles mentioning the process of renewing this status.

Perpetual Tourists are those who enter the country with a tourist visa, then leave the country for a few days in order to re-enter and obtain a new stamp.

It is true that the new law is providing for a method by which an extension can be obtained as was possible in the past, through a request a Migracion, without having to leave the country at all. Under the new law the cost to apply will be US$100.

necessity of the government needing to expel any resident if the need arises, and it is refunded only if the residency is formally cancelled, or the individual becomes a citizen, or is deceased.

Currently this amount has been around $300 for the past several years, however this could change. The new law has provisions to enable Migracion to evaluate these amounts (also as in the past) to be in accordance with the cost of a return ticket to the country of origin (in high season) of the individual in question. There exists every possibility that it is Migracion’s intention to return to this method of collecting this deposit on new applicants.

Price Increases The new law most definitely brings costs for services into a new realm, and many are laid out specifically in the new law. All residents should be aware of this, and know that they will be affected by some of these price increases. The most immediate for all will be new costs for cedulas, which at the very least will increase to $48 + $35 per year, taking into account a new $25 fee for a Social Fund set up under the law.

Another fee mentioned would affect some seeking to change their status at Migracion, with a fee of $200 in addition to any of the other usual application fees required. This will affect those who enter as tourists, as well as those under special categories, such as temporary workers, students, refugees, Some speculation exists that perhaps it will be possible to and so forth. then do this regularly and indefinitely. It is unlikely that this will be the case however. According to various sources, The exact increases, other than those specified in the law, while it will be possible to renew, there will likely be a limit of will be known once the new reglamento is published in La just 2 renewals before the individual would have to leave the Gaceta. country. Apparently they will then have to be out for at least 15 days before they can return.

In addition to the payment, proof will have to be shown regarding the financial ability to continue in the country as well. It is important to be aware that this is a request, and not necessarily an “automatic� renewal as some seem to believe.

Guarantee Deposits For several years now Migracion has been charging guarantee deposits on all types of residency, including Pensionados & Rentistas, who previously had not had to pay this. As we have explained, this is a deposit, held in the

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March- April, 2010

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Legal Updatte

by Allan Garro N.

SURPRISE! A Lien on Your Property.

NATIONAL CADASTRE OFFICE AND PROPERTY REGISTRY FINALLY ACTING AS ONE. When a person is interested in buying a property in Costa Rica, the two most important items to look at initially are the existence of a registered Plot Map (Plano Catastro) at the National Cadastre Office and to obtain a title certification from the Property Registry. This information is of major importance as the Plot Map represents the physical description of the property (location, size, shape) and the Title Certification disclosures the legal status (owners, mortgages, judicial and administrative liens). These will provide the information needed for an in depth study of the property to ensure a safe purchase.

Even with both offices located in the same building in Zapote, they’ve always worked separately from each other on the registration process. This lack of communication permitted surveyors to register plot maps that together represent about 140% of the national territory! This is one of the main reasons there are so many property conflicts in the country.

There are totally different properties registered with the same Plot Map number, or properties registered with overlapping Plot Maps and Plot Maps that are registered over properties that can’t be physically located.

It appears that the Authorities finally figured out that this lack of accuracy in property registration is an obstacle to Foreigner Investment and creates a number of conflicts.

Two major steps have been taken recently: The first: An amendment to the Law of Creation of the National Registry published on March 10th, 2009 merging the two offices into one named REGISTRO INMOBILIARIO or Real Estate Registry. The second is much more ambitious. It began with the approval of a loan from BID in favor of the Costa Rican Government that will create a national cadastre map using state of the art technology.

compiling this information in a central location. Studies have been completed on more than 60% of the territory.

When defects are detected, such as the property showing a location in one district when it is actually in another, or when there are significant differences in size between registry and reality, the Registry places a lien on the property described as “PREVENCION” or Prevention, that will remain there until the owner corrects the defect by first hiring a surveyor to correct the Plot Map, then later appearing in front of a Notary Public to submit the requested correction. A number landowners now have this lien registered against their properties and don’t even know it. More liens will be registered against properties as the creation of the national cadastre map advances.

As mentioned, a number of properties already have a PREVENCIÓN lien over the property that will stay there until corrections are registered.

However, from June 2009 the Registry decided to change the wording to AVISO CATASTRAL or Cadastre Advertisement, probably because the first one scared owners into showing up to see what was going on. In the case of bigger problems, such as wrong boundaries between properties or double titled properties, owners will be notified that they must solve the conflict by settlement or a judgment from Court.

The most recent decision in the organization of the REAL ESTATE REGISTRY, is to allow a term of only 1 year to register new plot maps for subdivided properties, according to article 71 of the Presidential Decree #34331-J. This means developers or landowners registering plot maps to subdivide property can’t wait years before finalizing these subdivisions.

Once the plot gets registered, the new title deeds must be prepared within a year or the registered plot maps can be voided.

It’s advisable to check the Registry frequently this year, as the PREVENCIÓN or AVISO CATASTRAL lien may suddenly appear on your property. In most cases it will be nothing to worry about, but it will be necessary to hire a qualified professional who understands the process to meet registry requirements. The National Registry has information about all Costa Rican properties on their website at www.registron acional.go.cr

In the first case, merging both registries makes it difficult to register inconsistent Plot Maps. There will now have to be a perfect fit between the plot maps and the properties they represent, so when problems such as overlapping or lack of agreement with the master map are encountered the new plot map would be rejected. To facilitate the second case, for more than 2 years the Cadastre Office has been performing Allan Garro N., Attorney at Law studies all over the country to determine which plot maps are law@licgarro.com correctly registered and which have inconsistencies, then

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Learning The Languag ge

by Christopher Howard

Real Estate Terms When moving to a new country it is inevitable that you will need to rent, and eventually maybe buy a home. However understanding what is available can be more difficult when you are dealing with another language. These Spanish words below may help you find your way through the information much easier.

Easement: Servidumbre Encumbrance: Gravamen Equity: El activo neto Extension of credit: Concesión de crédito Extension Time: Prórroga Family Name: Apellido Fair Market Value El valor de mercado justo Fault: Defecto Fee Simple: Dominio Absoluto Estate: Finca Fixed term: Plaza fijo For sale: Se vende or en venta Free and Clear Title: Título Libre de Gravamen Hectare (2.5 acres): Hectárea High season: Temporada alta Horizontal Property: Propiedad Horizontal Horizontal Condominiums: Condominio horizontal Escrow: Depósito Escrow Account: Cuenta para Depósitos en Garantía.

Identification: Interest rate: Investment: Land: Landlord: Lawyer: Lease: Leases: Lender: Lessee: Lessor: Legal Entity: Line of credit: Lien: Loan: Lock box or safe: Lot: Low season:

Cédula Tasa de interés Inversión Tierra Casero Abogado Arrendamiento or Contrato de arrendamiento Arrendamientos Prestamista Arrendatario Arrendador Personas Jurídicas Línea de crédito Gravamen Préstamo Caja fuerte Lote Temporada baja

Here is your Costa Rican expression Here is your Costa Rican expression (tiquismo) for this week: “Adventarse de la casa.” means ‘To move to another house quickly.’

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Children Are e Our Future

by Martha Rollins

Technology and Peace Perhaps the Spanish failed to find gold in Costa Rica, but here in Costa Rica I have found educational ideas that are worth their weight in gold! In November at the annual Edunov@ conference held by the Omar Dengo Foundation to keep local educators up to date on the latest technologies and their educational application, I saw videos of teams of children 13-15 years old using cell phones to conduct scientific studies in urban and rural environments. Teams used global positioning devices and video recorders to measure temperature changes in cities and to record the effect of noises on the feeding habits of birds. They communicated with team members in other countries to share results and collaborate on presentations.

(CRUSA) have formed a partnership to pilot a project using this new technology, in conjunction with creative classroom design, to increase digital literacy, promote global citizenship and promote meaningful relationships through collaboration on projects with middle school students in Costa Rica and the United States. The project is called PeaceRooms.

UPEACE/US is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C. founded in 2006 with the mission to promote and advance the United Nations-mandated University for Peace (the parent organization located in Costa Rica) and the practice of education for peace in the United States and beyond. See www.upeaceus.org for additional information.

At a Costa Rican university, I saw small animal robots made by children from Lego速 building blocks. At a rural middle school, I saw a collaborative project on recycling and organic fertilizers shared with a school in South America, as well as a living history project, a play soon to be video taped, produced, and directed by middle school students, staged at a historic site with their classmates playing the roles of figures in Costa Rican history. At another meeting with Costa Rican educators, I viewed (and played) socially conscious, web-based computer games such as Darfur is Dying1, Ayiti: The Cost of Life2, and Free Grains of Rice3.

The Omar Dengo Foundation (ODF) of Costa Rica is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate the educational, social, and economic development of people through research, learning, entrepreneurship, and the productive use of technology. Since 1987, ODF has been managing and carrying out national and regional projects in the fields of human development and educational innovation.

There are currently around 950 computer rooms established by the National Program for Educational Informatics MEPFOD, a national program executed jointly by ODF and the The U.S. Association for the University for Peace (UPEACE/ Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education. See www.fod.cr.cr US), the Omar Dengo Foundation (ODF) and the Costa for more information.

Continued on page 11...

Rica-United States of America Foundation for Cooperation

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13-14 and targets underprivileged, underserved communities in both countries. Staff members from UPEACE/US and ODF will work directly with teachers to develop the curricula as well as to train teachers, monitor site content, and lead activities. Orientation for parents is included as part of the program and technology needs will be fully supported. Care is being taken with timing since school schedules differ between countries.

As part of its Challenge Funding Process, CRUSA will be covering 50% of the project cost. With the assistance of CRUSA, we currently are looking for matching donations from individuals, corporations and charitable organizations.

We will be happy to make a presentation to any interested group. For additional information, please contact either: CRUSA is a 501 (c) (3) private, independent, non-political, non-profit organization, which promotes, encourages and develops the broadest possible cooperation between the peoples and governments of Costa Rica and the United States of America. CRUSA has received numerous awards, and was named an “organization of public interest” by the Costa Rican government in 2005. See www.crusa.cr for more information.

As many of us are aware, social networking technology has dramatically reshaped the way we interact with each other. Just look at Facebook, Linked In, and all the other networks we use today. We believe that this technology has not yet been effectively used in our classrooms to promote peace education, mutual respect and global citizenship.

PeaceRooms leverages this new technology to bring middle school students from Costa Rica and the United States together in a safe, controlled and participatory manner using ning.com, a social network that can be customized around particular interests to facilitate collaboration. Translation technology also will be utilized as needed. Through this platform we also are able to integrate additional technologies such as video games for social change, Smartphone technology, and HD handheld video recorders.

Martha Rollins martha_rollins@yahoo.com Phone # 8373-3558 Or Nick Martin, Executive Director UPEACE/US nmartin@upeaceus.org 1

“Darfur is Dying” can be found at http://www.darfurisdying.com/ “Ayiti: The Cost of Life can be found at http://www.unicef.org/voy/ explore/rights/explore_3142.html 3 “Free Rice” can be found at http://www.freerice.com 2

The initial pilot will involve four classrooms of students (two in Costa Rica and two in the United States) with students’ age

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Wild Side

XX XXX X X IV

by Ryan Piercy

Leatherback It is truly an impressive sight. Watching a creature of near 1000 pounds haul itself up slowly onto the sands in a display of natural survival that has spanned millions of years. A female makes her way onshore to dig a new nesting hole for another clutch of eggs, as the cycle of life continues. This is the Leatherback Turtle, or Dermochelys coriacea. It is the largest of the sea turtles still living, and the only extant species of its own genus.

However, this amazing sight is just the beginning, and 9 weeks later begins the real struggle. Hundreds of baby hatchlings, miniscule in comparison to their parents, dig to the surface to begin a life or death struggle into the sea, and beyond. That is if the first predators had not already dug up their eggs. Birds and small mammals that reach the eggs, which had been carefully buried by their mother, are a feast awaiting. Other opportunistic predators also include humans, who dig up and steal eggs by the thousands, which are sold as a delicacy in many countries arounds the globe.

Fortunatley education has helped in some areas, by showing communities how to live off of controlled tourism, rather than selling the aggs for a living.

So now this young turtle emmerges, extremely fortunate to have even been given the opportunity of birth, and now it must make its way through a landmine of dangers on its way to the ocean. Both shorebirds and crustaceans lay in waiting to feast upon the little ones heading to the sea, where even more dangers await in the form of fish and other predators.

Very few make it to adulthood.

Those that do survive are fortunate, and even more so due to the fact that the adult of the species have very few predators.

They do however have to deal with pollution, and the dangers of manmade plastic bags, nets, and other problems.

The Leatherback has existed in some form since the true sea turtles evolved over 110 million years ago. That is something to keep in mind when watching them, as we are but a flash in the pan compared to their story.

The large Leatherback can easily be differentiated from other sea turtles, apart from its size, by the lack of any bony shell. Instead its carapace is covered by an oily flesh and skin. Otherwise they look similar with a large body, small head, two large flippers, and a tail. They are normally 1-2 metres long, weighing from 250 to 700 kilos. Their flippers can be as long as 2.7 metres in big specimens, large even in comparison to their own bodies. They have some other very interesting characteristics, which may have something to do with their endurability. Their body temperature is about 4 times higher than predicted for a reptile of its size. They are the deepest divers of the reptiles, having been encountered

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up to 1200 metres down, and they are the fastest moving, reaching speeds up to nearly 22 mph in the water. They are much slower on land.

Those that survive the trials early on in life tend to remain primarily in the open ocean, and have been tracked traveling as much as 20,000 km in a journey of foraging. They prefer deep water, but are most often spotted when near land. Most of their feeding is in shallower waters, and females must come to shore to lay. For this they prefer mainland beaches facing deep waters, and avoid those with coral reefs.

Leatherback Turtles survive on a diet almost entirely of jellyfish, and it has been hypothesized that this habit helps to control the jellyfish population. They also eat other certain soft-bodied organisms.

Adults are prone to large migrations, between where they feed in colder waters, to where they hatch in tropical and subtropical regions. Mating takes place at sea, as the males never leave the water one they reach it. They mate annually, while the females do so each 2 to 3 years. Multiple males usually mate with a receptive female. While most sea turtles return to the same beach, Leatherback females may pick a beach in the same region to lay their eggs. They choose beaches with soft sand, which can erode over time.

It is here that the female makes her way slowly up above the high tide line, and begins to dig. They painstakingly dig a deep hole a few feet down with their flippers, then moves ahead to drop the eggs. Later they fill they hole by throwing sand backwards, and then head back to the ocean after hours of tiring work. A single female may lay as many as 9 clutches, each with around 110 eggs, during the mating season. The cycle of life begins again, and some 60 to 70 days later a new generation awakes in their struggle to survive.

Unfortunately the Leatherback is on the critically endangered list, especially in the Pacific. The Leatherback Trust (www.leatherback.org) states that President Oscar Arias has proposed to downgrade Parque Las Baulas, which is considered one of the most critical locations in the world for nesting activity. This would be a shame for Costa Rica, and further endanger the species. If you do get a chance to see them, nesting season is generally October through March, if the developers don’t get there first. (nb. If you are interested in writing to congress regarding this proposal, refer to the website www.leatherback.org)

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A Day In Th he Life

by Allen Dickinson

Some Things You Might Not Want to Think About (but Probably Should.)

Before permanently moving to Costa Rica there were some things I maybe should have, but didn’t, think about. After being here a little while, however, they became painfully evident and had to be considered and dealt with. I’m not talking about social or cultural differences. No, what I am referring to are some very personal physiological events and changes I experienced as a result of my relocation.

A WARNING: Not all the subjects related herein are pleasant. If you are squeamish about reading about personal hygiene topics, you might want to skip this.

a cold at all, maybe once every seven to ten years, and I hadn’t had a one in at least five years. Now, living here in the wonderful warmth of the Central Valley, I found I was contracting one every five or six-months or so - even somewhat more frequently in the first year. Thankfully, over this past year, my third here, I’ve noticed that my bouts with the Gripe are becoming much fewer and farther between. I assume that’s because my body is building a resistance to the local version of the responsible micro-bugs, viruses, or whatever, like I enjoyed up north.

I also discovered that I now have allergies I never had before. They are mostly confined to short bouts of sneezing and a brief runny nose. But since I was five and outgrew a reaction to chocolate (thank the gods I got for that!) I’ve had no hay-fever type problems.

Now sneezing episodes are an almost daily event.

One of the more bothersome issues I have had to deal with, and I The main thing that had not apologize for mentioning this, is foot odor. In the first few occurred to me before moving here months after arriving I developed some of the worst foot odor was fairly obvious - and maybe a human being has ever experienced. I had never had the that’s why I overlooked it. It’s simply slightest hint of this problem before, and when it reared it’s that because Costa Rica is located ugly scent here I soon realized that it was due to some germ in a tropical zone and the climate or bacteria thriving on the virgin territory of my tender Gringo and weather here is different than feet. And, to add misery to insult, at about the same time I what I had adapted to up north. also developed an under arm odor issue. I knew what it was Simply put, it boils down to the fact that in Costa Rica it’s - a case of some opportunistic tropical bacteria that could always, to some degree, summer. (Well Duh! That was, one never survive winter up north was, in this warm climate, of the prime motivating reasons for my choosing to move thriving on me. here.) The result of that is that because of the lack of any freezing or near-freezing temperatures here, some of those I thought the elimination of these noxious problems would pesky little bacteriological thingys that don’t live through the be easy, but I soon found out that was not to be. Virtually northern winters thrive in Costa Rica year round. nothing, from swabbing my feet with pure alcohol, to submerging them in a bleach solution, to soaking them in Over my life up north, my body had acquired a certain level an Epsom salt solution, to adding multiple daily showers of resistance to those biological and bacterial organisms that followed by lots and lots of foot powder, to wearing nothing did make it through the colder parts of the year. But living in but sandals, would cure the foot odor issue. For my armpits Costa Rica is different - here my body is exposed to things I tried all the same treatments (except soaking) I was using that survive year-round - and to which I had built no immunity. on my feet, plus I spent a fortune on different brands of In retrospect, it was pretty obvious; there are bacterial and deodorants, some of which I even applied to my feet, was all micro-biological organisms living here in the warm, tropical to no avail. After several months of trying all these remedies, and somewhat humid Central American climate that were not and others, my feet and underarms still, well. . . . stunk. an issue up north - and with which I now had to contend.

Within a few hours of applying any kind of treatment, even multiple types concurrently, the smells would be back - full One of those life forms quickly became an issue for me. My force. And believe me, as some of my friends will attest, they first realization of the fact that I was now living in a land of were forces to be reckoned with! different ‘bugs’ occurred when I came down with the Gripe shortly after arriving. While living in the USA I rarely caught Continued on page 15...

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frequently as my body builds immunity to the local biology.

Over my time here I have learned that I can pretty effectively control the infections with an antibiotic when they rear their ugly heads. I can even knock out the Gripe that way, if I catch it in an early stage.

Next, and I am reluctant to mention this item, but in the interest of full disclosure I must; I have also experienced a problem with flatulence. When living in North America I had the normal amount of intestinal gas - it usually occurred only occasionally as a reaction to some specific thing I had eaten.

It was a surprise then, when I realized that the characteristic Continued on page 16...

After nearly a year of suffering with these problems, it took a visit to a stateside dermatologist to find the solution - an uncommon, but readily available, topical antiseptic: Clindamycin Phosphate (Cleocin.) Thankfully it’s available OTC here in Costa Rica because, to this day, I still have to use it occasionally when the problem resurfaces.

Another problem I have had here is minor infections. In a little over three years I have had five sinus infections, one ear infection, two urinary tract infections, a toe-nail infection (unrelated the odor problem), and numerous other minor infections. Thankfully I am experiencing them less and less

March- April, 2010

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On a more positive note, there are several benefits I have received as a result of living in this tropical paradise, which I never would have expected, even if I had thought about them. Before moving I HAD to have my teeth cleaned a minimum of every four months, preferably every three months. I developed calculus deposits very rapidly and going any longer caused me serious periodontal problems.

I am pleased to report that I recently had a periodic check-up with a dentist and happily learned that after two years, I have virtually no buildup, exactly the same condition I discovered when I went to see him after my first year here. Apparently the more natural diet I have been eating doesn’t promote the build up of tarter I had experienced up north. virtually ceased to exist after moving here. I figured it was I also have seen a reduction of a skin problem I had before moving. At age 66, pimples have (finally!) become a thing of because of my more natural diet. the past. An odd fact, considering the other minor infections But that phenomena ended after about two-years. Things I have had, but I suppose it has to do with reduced oiliness reversed and I have gone through a bout of an abnormal of my skin. And related to that, the conflict I had between a amount of morning flatus. Although my diet hadn’t changed, oily scalp and dry hair has been resolved in favor of my hair. something inside me had. I’m guessing that it’s due to some Now, at least I can treat it without creating a negative reaction tropical microbe that I had ingested which was happily living with my scalp. it’s life in my intestinal tract. The ‘up’ side to that, if there can be said to be such a thing, is that it was only infrequently that I know these are unsavory subjects and I relate them here was there any noxious smells that accompanied the noise. only as an aid to others - they are all things that new arrivals Curious, but until I eliminated that problem, I took whatever I need to be aware might affect them. (Or, if you’ve been here could get. Fortunately, I discovered that the same antibiotic I a while and experienced some of the same problems, you use to combat the Gripe and minor infections seems to have might like to know you are not alone.) And, as distasteful as they are to read about, they are even less pleasant to live resolved the issue. with. They are, however, a possible fact of life if you choose There is one other item that needs to be addressed here, even to live in the tropics where old man winter doesn’t roll in and though I have no personal experience, and that is intentional kill off a lot of our little friends. If you already live here the parasites. I have been fortunate to not have experienced this chances are you may have met some of these guys. And if you don’t yet live here, but are planning problem personally, but I have a friend to, then forewarned is fore armed who did. These kinds of infestations - bring your antibiotic meds, creams, are usually cleared up with only a etc. with you. couple of doses of the appropriate drug. His was, however, a difficult What I have related here are, of and unusual case and it took him six course, largely personal experiences months and uncounted trips to the and may not apply to you. As the ads doctor to get rid of them. According say: “Individual results may vary.” to him, a half a year of diarrhea is not fun a fun thing to go through. I hope Allen Dickinson is a member of ARCR. my ignorance of this subject continues After serving 23 years in the US Navy indefinitely. he settled in Pensacola, Florida, where he resided for 24 years. In 2006 he FYI, for those who don’t know, retired from operating his own licensed intentional parasites are not airborne mortgage brokerage business and but are largely acquired by eating relocated to Costa Rica. He holds a uncooked, unwashed, or improperly prepared foods. And since the government control for Bachelors Degree from the University of New York and a producing and distribution of fresh foodstuffs is somewhat Masters Degree from the University of West Florida. He lesser in Costa Rica, good hygiene with foods that are is not a doctor but had played “doctor” with a neighbor prepared at home using raw fruits and vegetables is much girl when he was little. He can be reached via email at: humphree@bellsouth.net more important here.

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March- April, 2010

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Connection n by the Women’s Club of CR

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

Now came the era of annual Fashion Shows with the members and their daughters as models, and even a Beautiful Baby Contest! Beauty contestwinners flown in from Florida enhanced the stage for a triumphant All-Florida Fashion Show Tour sponsored by WCCR. Women’s Club meetings and events filled the newspapers in both languages. Club activities were central to San José’s expatriate society. Who needed cable TV or English movies? They had the WCCR!

Turbulent times followed the club’s 1940 founding by Elizabeth Oreamuno, an American teacher who followed her doctor husband to his home in Costa Rica. Charles Dickens’ opening words from A Tale of Two Cities are fitting of the decade.

Concerts at the Cultural Center, the popular annual Christmas bazaar, five different bilingual cookbooks, a Christmas card contest, fancy hat contests. Oh, so many fund-raising activities benefited so many causes, all generously wrought by women who had but one mission: Friendship Through Through WW II and the Civil Revolution, society still kept a Service. stiff upper lip. There was a great turnover of membership in the 40’s and monthly meetings were not always held. By the 90’s, a grand Bingo night, offering as many as five However, bridge and canasta parties effectively kept the different airline passes as prizes, replaced canasta and society glued together and the club still met its charitable bridge parties as the annual fund-raising activity for the goals. scholarship program. in 1947 interesting speakers and musicals drew an average attendance of only 20 to monthly meetings. Yet, the club’s popular Halloween Dance at the Costa Rica Country Club drew a crowd of over 500! It was society at its best.

Then came all of the themed galas and musical extravaganzas: a Las Vegas Night, Roaring 20’s, Last Tango in Paris, Viva Las Vegas, Old Havana, Carnaval, and Fiesta Brasileña. Good times always with song and dance.

Then came the 50’s & 60’s and the beginning of Costa Rica’s golden age. The population rose from 800,000 to almost 2,000,000 between 1950 and 1978, life expectancy rose to age 70, and a 90% literacy rate was achieved.

But, I almost forgot the story promised in the last issue of this magazine. It happened way back in 1960 when the Women’s Club hosted an extravaganza called Come Fly With Me at the National Theater – sort of a trip around the world.

So, too, began the golden times for Women’s Club activities. All the embassies participated with acts featuring their home In 1951 they held the first Independence Day countries. The flame-throwing talent of a resident Picnic with over 300 attending at the Estadio de US Army Major represented Coney Island in the Béisbol – a tradition now carried on by others and USA. looked forward to annually by thousands.

Well, the Major apparently inhaled rather too much Incredibly, more than 900 revelers attended the lighter fluid through his straw. When lit, flames 7th annual Halloween Dance! The 1951 event gushed over his face and down his chest. He tried raised a bountiful 15,500 ($2,795) for Women’s to beat out the flames, rushing over to the old, dry Club charities – equivalent to the price of a brand velvet curtains and setting them alight! new Oldsmobile 98 convertible in the US, would you believe?

Thanks to another quick-thinking member of the cast, the curtains were extinguished, the Major The club expanded to include Interest Groups rushed to hospital and the show went on – mercifully avoiding in the 50’s: a Book Club, Costa Rica History, Cooking, and newspaper headlines that could have shouted “Women’s even a Couturier group to design dresses and patterns – so Club burns down national treasure!” hard sought in a time when most every woman sewed for herself and her children.

It has been the best of times…

A 1960 House Tour included the home of Costa Rican President Mario Echandi Jiménez – in the good old days when security wasn’t an issue!

March- April, 2010

For more information about the library or scholarship programs and the Women’s Club of Costa Rica, please refer to the Club Corner of El Residente magazine or check out our website at www.wccr.org

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Members Outtin ng

by Sara E. Madison

Tree of Life

The creatures are housed in comfortable surroundings and appear very well fed and happy. Placards in front of the habitats tell the stories of the occupant’s unfortunate pasts and their rescue. Many animals were trapped in cramped quarters in cities. Now they live in this beautiful refuge. Todd and Patricia have many plans for the future -- they will soon have an island for the monkeys, currently in cages, to roam free.

The gardens are truly exquisite -- Todd has planted with an artistic eye and many of the plants are labeled with their The concept of a tree of scientific and popular names. Tall palm trees shadow the life as a many-branched ferns below and one section is planted especially as a replica tree illustrating the idea of the local Talamanca region. that all life on earth is interconnected has been At the entrance of the Center, which faces the beautiful used in science, religion, beach of the Playa Grande, are tables and chairs for visitors philosophy, mythology, to relax and sip water and soda. Peppercorns dry in the sun and other areas . . . -- on the floor. There is a Gift Shop with wood carvings and Wikipedia Caribbean-designed photo albums. Patricia has plans to sell

The Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center Botanical Garden, a new refuge in the Caribbean region, is devoted to the protection and rehabilitation of displaced wildlife. The Center officially opened in November but has been in the making for a number of years. The couple who developed the Center, Todd Scotland and Patricia Vermeulen, are committed to offering a peaceful sanctuary for their wildlife and their human visitors.

the art of local artists in the shop soon.

Todd has lived in Costa Rica for over thirty years, exporting plants to Europe while his wife, Patricia, who is from Holland, has devoted herself to the preservation of wild animals for years. She had worked in Africa, rehabilitating native chimpanzee and is now attending to the wildlife on the Volunteers, locally and internationally, will be encouraged Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. to visit and care for the wildlife. Marine turtles will be rehabilitated back to the ocean and they are currently working The Center is located on 12 acres of voluptuously designed on a release program for iguanas, turtles and raccoons. Local gardens. The animal residents of the Center include white- students say that the experience of releasing their iguanas is faced capuchin monkeys, coatis, peccary, peacocks, turtles, a memory they will not soon forget. white-tailed deer, koi fish, iguanas, and raccoons. Tilapia is raised as food for the turtles and swim mates for the koi. The sanctuary must be experienced firsthand to be appreciated. Prepare to be educated and surprised. By all means, do not miss this new addition to the wildlife theater of Costa Rica.

The Tree of Life is located approximately 30 kilometers south of Limon. Signs along the road are well placed. The phone number is (506) 2755-0014. Their email addresses are patric iavermeule@hotmail.com and scottlandtodd@live.com The Center is open from 9:00am to 3:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday. The entrance fee is $10 per person, $5 for nationals.

Guided tours are $15. The entrance fees help feed the animals, upgrade the habitats, and maintain the gardens.

(Photos by Jorge Hoepker)

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March- April, 2010

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Dollars & $en nse

How then can the GCM climate forecasts for 50 to 100 years in the future be trusted?

(c) Changing Sun, Changing Climate Variability in Solar activity and sunspots have attracted the

by Alan Weeks attention of scientists for centuries. As recently as March 2009, a paper published in the Geophysical Research Letters concluded that a secular increase in the sun’s energy output Some Real Pollution Issues may actually be responsible for a substantial part of the Some Environmental groups and independent scientists global temperature increase now blamed on GreenHouse are calling the Alberta Oil-sands an ecological disaster and Gases (GHGs). suggest that its development has turned Canada into a To illustrate this point, GHGs have not varied nearly enough “corrupt petro-state.” to explain the significant weather variations over the last 2 A counterclaim is that dirty Coal power plants in the U.S. decades. However, major changes in solar activity over this pollute 250 times as much. The picture below illustrates period do correlate well with these variations. And, evidence that U.S. Coal plants do have a far greater carbon footprint. that the sun is the chief ‘driver’ of natural climate change is In fact, although Americans make up just 4 percent of the quite strong. world’s population, the U.S. produces 25 percent of the carbon dioxide ‘pollution’ from fossil-fuel burning -- by far the The most recent correlation is that during the same period we have been experiencing a real global cooling trend, with 2008 largest share of any country. being the coolest winter in many decades, there has been a ARE THEY COOKING THE CLIMATE BOOKS? record barren spell of sunspots. Conversely, throughout the 1990’s and early into this decade, during which global warming reached its peak, the sun was more active than at (a) Climate-Gate The trick used by the UK Climate Research Unit to hide anytime in the previous 1,000 years. the “inconvenient truth” that the world was not continuously warming, appeared in London’s Daily Mail, with these This same rapid warming trend coincided with the very graphs. Note how artfully the Green line, showing a decline visible melting of arctic ice. Most will remember the picture of the bewildered-looking Polar Bear seemingly trapped on in temperatures, was hidden in the final graph on the left. a small ice flow.

Emails were also ‘hacked’ recently from the computers at this Climate Research Unit (CRU). The most frequently cited email so far released is from CRU head Phil Jones ...saying that, for an article in Nature magazine, “I’ve just completed Mike’s ... trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years .... to hide the decline” in late-20th Century temperatures.

The huge polar ice melt was used to raise the global warming alarm to panic levels. And somehow, the cause of the warming trend got tied to increased man-made carbon dioxide levels as the major GHG villain. Then, not only were we made responsible for destroying the arctic habitat, the melting ice would also raise sea levels and flood the many major coastal cities around the globe.

But this is not the only highly damaging one. Just last month, Kevin Trenberth, an IPCC lead author, wrote ... admitting “the fact is that we can’t account for the lack of warming at the moment and it is a travesty that we can’t. ...

Our observing system is inadequate.”

But, predictions that the North Pole would be ice-free were debunked in 2009, when it was determined arctic ice had actually just increased by 30%, an area the size of Germany.

(b) The GCM Credibility Gap Global Climatic Model (GCM) predictions are used to determine the impact of climate change on ecosystems, agriculture, and water resources. But, there are many challenges involved. While skilful short-range predictions are possible, accurate weather forecasts cannot yet be made for more than two weeks ahead. Users of GCMs still do not make official seasonal or annual forecasts. This is because they would quickly lose credibility if they gave realtime forecasts that could actually be verified.

These observable facts strongly support a direct relationship between global temperature changes and the significant changes in sun activity over the last 2 decades. The real shame is that these same very real-time facts have been presented to the U.S. Senate and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, they seem to have been too conveniently ignored, even by the Mass Media.

Perhaps it is because these ‘inconvenient’ facts do not fit the officially adopted ‘truths’. And, of course, it would also weaken the widespread support so carefully nurtured for ‘big Continued on page 23...

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money’ causes, such as the proposed lucrative carbon tax To improve this appalling situation, Californians should take the lead, with full Federal Government support, in the national (to spend). conversion to much cleaner-burning Natural gas fuelledvehicles. A lot of new infrastructure would be required, but OTHER ‘INCONVENIENT TRUTHS’ California could use these job-creating projects.

The U.S. EPA predicted that by 2010, even with the benefit of current and anticipated pollution control programs, As mentioned in my previous article, the real ‘gamemore than 93 million people will live in areas that violate changer’ has been the U.S. technological breakthroughs health standards for urban smog, and more than 55 million that dramatically increased the availability of huge domestic Americans will suffer from unhealthy levels of fine-particle sources of Natural gas and significantly lowered its cost. pollution, which is especially harmful to children and senior Now, let us review some issues regarding the Oil-sands that citizens. ‘environmentalists’ in California are among the strongest Air pollution from US power plants contributes to an opponents of developing. We believe the following should estimated 30,000 premature deaths a year according to the be considered: EPA. However, cars and SUVs are still the largest single * About 75% of the pollution from Oil-sands production is source of air pollution in most U.S. urban areas, accounting generated south of the Canadian border. * What other secure Oil source is being counted on for their for one quarter of emissions of smog-forming pollutants. gasoline-fuelled cars?

California ranks at the top of the 2009 list of the most Particle * There is a need to appreciate that about 80 per cent of the & Ozone-polluted Metropolitan Areas in the U.S. with 5 of the Oil-sands will be mined in-situ, often by injecting steam to 6 worst cities. The California Air Resources Board recently liquefy the bitumen underground so that it can be pumped tripled the estimate of premature deaths in California from up. This will require much smaller surface ‘footprints’ in the particle pollution. Furthermore, official estimates show vast region. that over 11.5% of the population in all 5 of these major California cities suffer from chronic Asthma, Bronchitis, or * And many people, including Canadians, may not realize Emphysema.

Continued on page 24...

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that Canada is one of the world leaders in producing electricity from clean, non fossil-fuel sources.

CANADA, THE CLEANER-ENERGY COUNTRY Canada has an abundance of water and uses its vast hydroelectric sources to generate 60% of the country’s electrical power. Another 12% of Canada’s electricity is generated by Nuclear power.

Canada is also a major supplier of hydro-electricity to New England, New York, the Upper Midwest, the Pacific Northwest and California.

By sharp contrast, the U.S. produces 70% of its electricity by burning fossil-fuels. About 49% of its power generation is from burning Coal and another 21% is produced by burning Natural gas.

INVESTING IN REAL LIFE SOLUTIONS At the recent Global Warming Summit in Copenhagen, almost all the delegates, politicians, and NGOs engaged in negotiating a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, seemed to be “singing from the same hymn-book”. That is: Nations around the world must commit themselves to drastic, immediate carbon cuts if we are to avoid the worst of global warming.

“The tune may be seductive, but the lyrics don’t make any sense,” for the very good reasons already mentioned, as well as others about to be reviewed.

The fact is that even if every major government was to slap huge taxes on carbon fuels - which is not likely to happen - it wouldn’t do much to halt climate change any time soon.

What it would do is cost all the people, hundreds of billions - if not trillions - of dollars, because alternative energy technologies are not yet even close to being ready to replace fossil-fuels.

planning to “cannibalize” existing development aid budgets and repackage them as climate-change assistance.

According to Oxfam, if rich nations even diverted only $50 billion to climate change, at least 4.5 million children could die and 8.6 million fewer people would have access to HIV/ AIDS treatment.

And what would we get for that $50 billion? According to Bjorn Lomborg, Director of the Copenhagen Consensus Center; “spending this money on Kyoto-style carbonemissions cuts is estimated would only reduce temperatures by one-thousandth of one degree Fahrenheit over the next hundred years.” Thus, spending these Dollars makes no Sense.

Of course, we would like our politicians to realize this and abandon the Kyoto approach. And then, instead of making far-fetched promises about greenhouse gases, how about making concrete commitments to green energy research and development (R&D)? Specifically, the major nations should radically increase spending on R&D for green energy to 0.2% of global GDP, or $100 billion. That’s 50 times more than the world spends now; but still very much cheaper than Kyoto. Not only would this be both affordable and politically achievable, it would also have a real chance of doing more good.

In order to make this kind of shift, however, leaders will have to “stop papering over” a consistent record of failure, insist on full unbiased reviews into the ‘real’ causes of global warming, and then recognize that the Kyoto approach is quite pointless and is going nowhere. In this regard, the minimal achievement of the Copenhagen Summit could end up being a blessing in disguise.

If we, the people of the developed nations, are serious about helping the world’s worst-off inhabitants, there is a real need to start focusing on practical, achievable steps to do so.

Another sad fact of climate change - and a key reason to be concerned about finding a proper response - is that the countries it will hit hardest are already among the poorest and longest-suffering.

A possible first step to help the poorest people in thirdworld countries could be to provide them with the means to produce clean water, a lack of which affects almost one billion people globally.

As examples, in a camp for stateless Biharis in Bangladesh, 45-year-old Momota Begum said, “When my kids haven’t got enough to eat, I don’t think global warming will be an issue I will be thinking about.” And, on the southeast slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, 45-year-old widow and HIV/AIDS sufferer Mary Thomas said she had noticed changes in the mountain’s glaciers, but declared: “There is no need for ice on the mountain if there are no people around because of AIDS.”

As one possibility, the Tata Group in India has just developed a low-cost water purifier reported to be able to provide clean, germ-free, water from polluted sources that cause serious diseases, like diarrhea, cholera and typhoid.

Meanwhile from Copenhagen, the international aid agency Oxfam reported evidence that European countries were

El Residente

These and other completely new approaches would seem to make more Common Sense.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer. For more information and reference details please contact Alan Weeks at (507) 209-3136 or by E-mail: imccr2002@yahoo.com

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Exchange rate of the Costa Rican ¢ to the US Dollar August 579.91 September

590.94

October

585.94

November

559.27

December

571.81

January

565.11

Basic Interest Rate August 11.00 % September

12.00 %

October

9.00 %

November

9.25 %

December

8.25 %

January

8.00 %

Exchange rate of other currencies to the US Dollar Japanese Yen 90.360 Swiss Franc

1.0498

Canadian $

1.0681

Giro (DEG)

1.5542

ÂŁ Sterling

1.6110

Euro

1.3963

Mexican Peso

13.024

Korean Won

1,161.7

Danish Krone Norwegian Krone Argentine Peso

5.3312 5.8800 3.8193

Colombian Peso 1,989.6 Brasilian Real

1.8619

Libor Rate 1 month 0.2291 % 3 month

0.2491 %

6 month

0.3844 %

12 month

0.8463 %

Prime Rate

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3.25 %

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Holidays of Costa Rica March 19th ‘Saint Joseph’s Day’ April 1 & 2- (ARCR closed for the week) ‘Easter Week’ April 11th- ARCR closed ‘Battle of Rivas’ May 1st- ARCR closed ‘Labour Day’ ******************** A Touch of Wisdom “History repeats itself.”

George Eliot (1858) “Imitation is the sincerest flattery.”

C.C. Colton (c.1780-1832) “‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” unknown ******************** Amazingly Simple Home Remedies for the Simple 6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.

7. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn’t move and does, use the duct tape.

8. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

Daily Thought: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKYS. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

March- April, 2010

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