Editorial Note: Aaaahh, Guanacaste. It has changed over the years, but I still enjoy going for a visit. Maybe it is nostalgia, but I love the wildlife, the sound of the ocean, the views... I could even live there if I could stand the heat. Its likely I will stick to our mountain home, but I doubt I will get tired of visiting GTE anytime in the near future. Like the rest of the country, there is so much I have yet to see, especially some of the historical sites. Heck, I even like to just see the cowboys, and greet them with a friendly ‘adios’. And of course we can’t talk about the province without mentioning the numerous wonderful beaches! Ana Hernandez has again written us two wonderful articles on the province, which I am certain you will enjoy, so off you go, and I will see you next time around. - Ryan Piercy
Remember, cedula renewals begin again July 1st, 2007... page 6.
This magazine has been published every two months for 10 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.
El Residente
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Presidents Repor t by Earl Tomlinson
THE OLD 80/20 RULES AT WORK Welcome to this editions message from yours truly. As you all know, if you are reading your magazine, we had our fair on the 24th of March. We invited all who live in Costa Rica, especially those who live in the Valley area, to please attend. Well I have good news and bad news. We had more presenters than ARCR members in attendance. Why should this surprise anyone!! Our member-ship is over 2700 and to only have the support of maybe 10 members is a little under whelming. I felt l more sympathy for the presenters than the members. We marketed this event as an opportunity for they to meet our members and perhaps for our members to see what we are doing as a charitable organization. I will list all the presenters at the end of this message. Our Board is moving on to develop our ambitious programs. Fund raising is continuing with our quarterly raffle event. Tickets are only 1,000 colones and all the proceeds go into our charity fund account. The next time you are in our office please talk to our associates about helping out this worthy cause. The new brochure is almost complete. We are awaiting the formation of the Foundation so we can include this information in the document. Our program of accepting gifts is growing. This year we have receive clothing and other furnishings form the family of a deceased member and disseminated the proceeds, from the sale of said articles, to Peter Aborn’s Talamanca project. If you have anything to contribute contact me, or any member of our Board. We
are still developing our list of charitable organizations. If you have names of organizations, their addresses, phone numbers and Director’s name please send them to us. We will contact all. The object is to fit needs with the resources of the proper organization. Our contact of corporations is on hold until the Foundation is completed, but this should not preclude members from making donations of funds or other articles. By the way, returning to the March 24Th event, we raised approximately 1,000,000 colones and all the funds are going to Hospicio De Huerfanos De San Jose. We didn’t reach our goal, but we came close. On another note, we heard that Bob and Elsa Miller are surviving the Canadian winters but Bob is climbing the walls. Maybe he will consider writing a piece for the magazine. Aside from this I will send him a personal request. At ARCR faces and names have changed. Stephanie, Laura and Jose have left us for other opportunities and we have replaced them with Octavio, Jessica and Michelle. Octavio and Jessica are working with Annabelle and Michelle is the new Jose in residency documentation. Also INS is now in the hands of Juan at Casa Canada, and where is Ryan? We have a hard time keeping track of all his activities, but he is certainly the Continued on page 4...
Cover Collage Province 5-Guanacaste: The province of Guanacaste is definitely a favorite among foreigners, where people continue to flock year after year. A colorful culture of cowboys and landscapes, that we are fortunate to call a part of Costa Rica. It was on July 24th, 1824, that the residents decided to become annexed to the country. Guanacaste was also the name of the town from 1836, becoming the capitol in 1848, which finally in 1854 changed its name to Liberia. Guanacaste is of course named for the tree, which is found throughout the region, which is in fact the center point of its emblem. With a culture as unique as the tree, Guanacaste is a treasure much richer than Christopher Colon could have dreamed of.
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thread that keeps this entire going. Hey I’m a volunteer so this isn’t “you know what!” And now the thanks to all presenters and Board members who participated in the March event. First the Board. Thank Terry Renfer, Atillio Gilberti, and Charles Zeller. To Cindy Solono, who located and invited many of the presenters, and was a great assistance in putting together the event. I would be remiss in not mentioning Atillio’s name again. He was very instrumental in obtaining the site and soliciting a $1,000.00 donation from Banco Cuscatlan. Thanks to Ryan for his expertise in putting together this event and to the Board members who spent many hours on this event. Now to the name of all the presenters. ARCR Charitable organization, Women’s Club, Funda Vida, Hospicio Huerfinos, S.A.S.S.Y, Projecto Talamanca, CFCA, US Embassy, Embajada Panama, Shriners, Square Dancers, New Comer’s Club, Camara Comercio Italo Costarricense, Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano, Alfredo’s Sushi, Robin’s Pies, Banco National, ACNUR, Galeria Reproductions, Hoepker, Remol Caribe, Practico, Anna-panne e dolci, Maya Menon, Antoniette Esposita, Morella Giovanna Aufieri, Carmen Pozuelo, and ARCR Administración. To all thanks for the memories and I look forward to seeing all of you next year. Yes there will be a next year!!!
El Residente
Please Help Us Help Others. ******** New Foundation As a result of investigating our various charity activities, and to help increase our ability to work in various charitable areas, it was decided to form a new Foundation to carry on our work. The benefit of a foundation lies primarily in its tax-free status, and the ability to import donations without duty. Due to the offers we receive of goods from overseas, we feel the foundation will help vastly in this aspect to be able to receive them more easily and advantageously. The founding members include Grace Woodman (past President) Attilio Gilberti (ARCR Board and Charity Committee) and Ryan Piercy (ARCR Manager). However the reality is this is the result of the work of many many individuals who have helped us over the past decade, and thanks is due to all of them, too many to number here. Additionally we are looking for Founding Sponsors. A significant one-time donation will bring everlasting attention to the generosity of a few sponsors who help us launch our new beginning.
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Association of Residents of Costa Rica ARCR CHARITY RAFFLES We are continuing to raise funds with our ongoing charity raffles, and need your collaboration. Tickets are just ¢1000 offering prizes worth hundreds of dollars. Please assist by purchasing one, or if you can help us sell, we are always in need of assistance. website: www.arcr.net Alcoholics Anonymous Groups meet daily throughout the country; times and places change frequently. Call for up-to-date information. San José 222-1880 (Anchor club, also serves Narcotics Anonymous) Av 6 Calle 1, 2nd floor Maryland Building. Heredia (Laura) 267-7466, Puerto Viejo Limon 750-0080, Zancudo 776-0012, Tamarindo 653-0897, Flamingo (Don) 654-4902, Manuel Antonio (Jennifer) 777-1548, Jacó (Nancy) 637-8824, Zoo Group Escazu 293-4322. Al-Anon Meetings Al-Anon Family Group is for all family and friends of Alcoholics. For information in English, please call Martha 483-1275 or Sandy 266-1061; For Spanish please call Christine 840-4658 American Legion Post 16 All veterans are welcome. Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at Hotel America in Heredia. Contact Post Commander Jim Young or Post Adjutant Ken Johnson at 591-1695. 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 282-5365 or at costaricabird ing@hotmail.com Canadian Club (ACCR) A group open to all Canadians and thier families. Check out our website to find out more. 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, 2288260, 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. Continuing in the tradition of its founders, LTG regularly donates to charity, sponsors school drama festivals, trains new directors, and takes productions on the road to the more remote areas of the country. 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 355-1623 or www.littletheatregroup.org
May-June, 2007
Send us your club news or activities for free publication in this column
Newcomer’s Club A women’s social organization that meets the 1st Tuesday of each month. We welcome English speaking women who reside in Costa Rica. New and long term residents-contact Nancy 416-6165 or newcomerscr@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 266-0123 www.pcclub.net Republican’s Abroad The Republicans Abroad of Costa Rica meets the second Tuesday of each month. Contact Francis 203-6131, or or fax 282-2150. 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 279-8927, 257-2223 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 63 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 433-7078 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
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Learning The Language e by Christopher Howard
How To Improve Your Spanish Pronunciation. Correct Spanish Pronunciation is very important. If you cannot pronounce a word correctly, how can you expect for people to understand you when you are speaking Spanish. Also, not being familiar with the correct forms of pronunciation can keep you from understanding words when someone is talking to you. There is nothing worse than hearing some foreigner butcher a language by mispronouncing words. Instead of saying “I want to order tacos” you might hear ‘tacos’ pronounced as ‘take-ohs’. With a little work and awareness most of these gross errors in pronunciation can be easily avoided. All you have to do is follow the rules below and you can improve your Spanish accent. The first and most important step is to master the five vowel sounds, which are relatively easy. When you have done this, you are on your way to sounding like a native speaker. Here are the five vowel sounds: 1. The ‘a’ in Spanish is pronounced like the vowel in the English word ‘tap’. Try to pronounce the ‘a’ like this with these words; Ana, la, banana, cantar. 2. In Spanish the ‘e’ sound is similar to the e in the word ‘they’ or the first letter of the alphabet ‘a’. Try saying these words; le, Elena, Pepe, me. 3. The ‘i’ in Spanish and the word ‘y’ (and) are pronounced like the i in the word ‘Lisa’. Pronounce the words; si, y, risco, Maria. 4. In Spanish the ‘o’ is similar to the vowel in the word ‘no’. Try keeping this in mind while pronouncing the following words; rojo, motor, Toni, lote, ojo. 5. The ‘u’ in Spanish is pronounced like the letters o in the word ‘root’. Try to pronounce these words; duna, una, Lupe, gusto. Practice he five vowel sounds over and over and you will be surprised how much better your Spanish will sound. Here is your Costa Rican expression or tiquismo for this week: “Hueco” literally means ‘hollow’, but is used to denote any type of opening, like a hole or a pothole.
Immigration Advisory by Ryan Piercy This July 1st will begin the processing of renewals in Migracion for those with residency of all types. We feel it imporatnt to advise that this backlog is likely to have potentially serious effects on many areas of Migracion. In July all residents who expired prior to July 2006, and likely thos for July & August as well, will begin to request their appointments in order to renew. In other words, some 8 months of renewals will hit Migracion at once, and this may be difficult for the institution to manage. For those who already have an appointment July 1st or later, we have been informed that these appointments will be maintained. All others will have to request an appointment, and lineups are possibly going to be extensive. Anyone not certain when they need to renew based on the Governmental Decree of December 20 may contact the ARCR for assistance. It is advisable that you take all information (regarding exchange requirements etc) since your last date of renewal.
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CALL TODAY! (506)
672-1181
www.FirstRealtyCR.com
May-June, 2007
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Provincial Par ks by Ana Hernandez
After forming his banana empire, Mr. Keith continued investing his capital in newer ventures. At the time, the gold rush fever was rousing in Abangares, Guanacaste, and Las Juntas, at the time, just a quiet little hamlet, quickly saw immigrants from various nationalities join the excitement for gold.
María Cristina, The Little Engine that Could A Gold Mining Park in Abangares, Guanacaste Driving on the Pan-American Highway from the airport on the way to Guanacaste, about 12 kilometers north from Río Lagarto before going through Cañas, the entrance to the little town of Las Juntas de Abangares, a town still unknown by many, can be seen if paying enough attention. The right turn off the Pan-Am Hwy towards the town is wide, with tall billboards on the side announcing everything from municipal political candidates to soft drinks. Amidst all of this advertising, one can still see the turnoff sign that takes you to the picturesque town of Las Juntas with its prettily painted houses, adorned with colorful gardens and cobblestone streets. After an enjoyable drive of about 6 kilometers among green meadows and just before entering the town, the traveler is greeted by the sight of a tiny train engine, sitting all alone in a small park. Looking more like an antique oversized toy that a real locomotive, the visitor to Las Juntas quickly finds out that this little engine named María Cristina, was actually used to haul ore from the Abangares Gold Fields Company in the late 1800s.
The physical proximity of the Abangares gold mines to the Port of Puntarenas made the transportation of gold bullion by mule and oxcart to waiting cargo ships to overseas destinations, easier. Mr. Keith quickly poured money into the first large-scale mining operation in Costa Rica, known as the Abangares Gold Fields Company. With fresh capital, the mining industry progressed and steam locomotives for the transportation of ore were imported from Europe along with petite María Cristina.
The steam locomotive was named after Minor Keith’s wife, the daughter of a former Costa Rican president. Keith, a U.S. citizen, came to Costa Rica in 1871 at the age of 23 to work on the construction of the Atlantic Railroad. Several years of hard labor and good negotiating skills, left him with large personal profits free of taxes, a concession of 800,000 acres of lands along railroad tracks and a 90-year lease on his completed railroad project. Success and enough capital gave him the incentive to try his luck with another enterprise in this country. With so much land in his hands, Keith decided to plant it with bananas, a fruit that had come originally from Asia. Costa Rica was in fact the first country in Central America to cultivate bananas. The fruit adapted so well to our climate that pretty soon turned our country in a leading banana producer and companies such as the United Fruit Company were born in partnership with Minor Keith.
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May-June, 2007
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Business Brie efs Immigration Detects More Than 100 Marriages of Convenience An unknown number of foreigners contract a marriage of convenience to obtain their legal residence and citizenship in Costa Rica. Immigration officials know this practice exists, however, have their hands tied and can only act when there is overwhelming evidence. The case in point is the detention of 110 foreigners detained in last weeks raid on a downtown hotel and casino who worked in the sex trade. 105 of the detained were later released when they are able to provide documents showing their marriage to a Costa Rican, though in the majority of the cases the women did not know the name of their spouse without having to check the document.
A ticket is then returned which must be inserted into a machine at the exit. If all works well, the gate lifts permitting a car to leave. If it does not work, as has sometimes been the case, it is necessary to extract your car from the others trying to leave and return to the pay office at the main entrance to try again. Keep your receipt in case it is necessary to prove you paid.
us$250 Million Invested In Free Trade Area Costa Rica has invested us$250 million dollars in establishing the Zona Franca Coyol (Free Trade Area), the head of the area’s governing board said on Tuesday. Andre Garnier said the industrial park, located in Alajuela, will accommodate more than 60 domestic and foreign companies and create 20,000 direct jobs.
Only five of the detained were found to be illegal in the Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Minister, Marco Vinicio Ruiz, said country, who will be deported to their country of origin this the body has already attracted medical equipment companies, week, according to immigration director, Mario Zamora. high-tech manufacturers and value-added services providers. According to immigration were from the Dominican Nicaragua. Immigration officials national was among the group
records the foreigners Republic, Colombia and say that one American detained during the raid.
“We have to find a mechanism to close this opening. The problem is that the problem keeps growing”, said director Zamora. This is not the first time that a large number of foreigners have been detained in a raid and later released because can prove their legal status by way of marriage. During the last six months immigration officials have raided a number of locales in Jacó and in San José, including the area around the bar known as Tierra Dominican, in downtown San José, where a large number of Dominicans gather.
President Oscar Arias, who participated in a ceremony to lay the first stone at the project, said that his country had attracted high value-added companies to invest in its markets by offering preferential tax rates. He called on the private sector to support a free trade agreement with the United States in a referendum to be held in a few months.
Monkey Population Decreasing Four monkey species have drastically decreased during the last five years in Costa Rica due to deforestation, agrochemical use, global warming and their capture to use them as pets, denounced Costa Rican academicians Monday.
“Spider Monkeys” for example decreased from 25,000 to 7,000 since 2000 and the “congos” decreased in almost a 50 percent, from 70,000 to 36,800, according to biologists from In total 540 foreigners have been detained in the raid, of which only Costa Rican University and UCR and National University UNA. three were deported. A total of 340 were married to Costa Ricans. Ronald Sanchez, UCR specialist, admitted that there is no “The majority of those entered the country illegally and the precise information on the decrease of the “titi” and “whitelegalized their status by way of contracting marriage”, said Zamora. face monkeys”, but he coincided with other experts on the great difficulties they confront due to primary forests reduction. The immigration director said that they only action the immigration service can take is to closely look at each document and in the Costa Rican scientists discovered during the last several years event they detect any irregularities in the document or errors in the several health problems that affect monkeys like: eye cataracts, process to obtain their legal residence by way of marriage, their loss of melanin (responsible for the skin color) and diseases like residence will be annulled. malaria and Venezuelan tropical encephalitis, the last one caused
A New Kind Of Parking Problem
the death of dozens of monkeys in the national park Corcovado in 2003.
Hospital CIMA, in their wisdom, have introduced a new system for pay parking affecting not only the main hospital, but all parking areas including emergency and the two medical office buildings. It is no longer possible to pay for parking at the exit. It is necessary to go from all areas of the complex to the main Hospital entrance just before leaving. Inside the first entrance door on the left hand side is a cashier where it is necessary to pay for parking.
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Consumer’s s Calls s Auto Service Problems Mr. Mario Lachner General Manager Lachner & Saenz S.A. San José Dear Mr. Lachner: In business it is sometimes difficult for management to establish exactly why a customer will not deal with their company. This is why I will not deal with Lachner & Saenz again. In April 1999 I purchased an Isuzu Trooper from your company with the intention of trading to a new car every 2 years. Regular servicing required for the warrantee was handled efficiently by your service department in Barrio Mexico. In April 2001 I went to trade in the car. My car was valued, the colour and equipment for the new car were selected, and the sales representative said he would call with the net price. A dozen phone calls were not returned by the representative, so I assumed your company had no interest in selling me a new vehicle. I still have the same vehicle and you lost 4 sales over 8 years. In May 2006 the first serious problem occurred with the car. After sputtering a bit, it quit in front of Sabana Park. My five year old grandson was with me, on his way to kinder, so I called a platform truck to take the car to your service centre in La Uruca while I looked after my grandson. The car was refused by your employees. The truck driver took it to his lot in Moravia, where it was unloaded. Your service department finally agreed to accept the vehicle in the afternoon. Instead of a towing charge from La Sabana to La Uruca, it was for La Sabana to La Uruca to Moravia, unloading, reloading then Moravia to La Uruca again. Geovanny Eduarte, service manager, explained cars are not accepted without an owner present in case they are stolen. Perhaps thieves are stealing cars and hiring platform trucks to send them to your service department on a regular basis! After a week and ¢355,448 ($701) I received my car back. In January 2007 I damaged a front shock absorber and steering rods on a back road. I received an appointment for March 13, a week and a half after it was requested, to get an estimate. After many phone calls asking where it was, it was sent by Oscar Altamirano on March 27 - ¢681,193.38 ($1,320.14). The other two estimates I received were ¢103,105 ($199.82) and ¢113,800 ($220.54). L&S did not do the job!
May-June, 2007
On Tuesday, March 27 the car sputtered, then quit again, this time only a few blocks from L&S service in La Uruca. After letting it sit for awhile it would run a couple of blocks, so eventually I got the car to L&S service. Arriving without an appointment caused a bit of a crisis, and I was told they would get at it when they could, so after the standard, agonizing, 30-45 minute check in process I went and rented a car at $47 per day. Friday, March 30 L&S called to say all that was needed was a tune up. I was told they would call when it was ready. It was not ready that day, and calling on Monday confirmed that like government offices, L&S had closed for the entire week of Semana Santa. I finally received my car on Tuesday, April 10. The cost - ¢152,539.33 ($295.62) plus car rental $705 for a total of $1,000.62 for a tune up. A requested oil and filter change had not been done, the car had newspapers spread over the floors, wrapping on the steering wheel and garbage piled on the passenger’s seat when I received it. In spite of liking the Trooper very much, Mr. Lachner, your inefficient, bureaucratic, overpriced service department is the reason that this time next year I will be driving a new car from another dealer. Yours very truly, William D. Walker Mr. Lachner was invited to respond to the above letter, but at the time for printing had not done so. We invite all members to submit a letter on any company they wish to report, either good or bad experiences.
Other Letters to the Editor Laura, Your suggestion worked. My membership is renewed. Thanks for you quick response. The Moving Tips by Allen Dickenson in the recent El Residente was one of the most informative that you’ve run. When I call the 888 number today I found out today that registering for the Opt In/Opt Out program can also be done over the Opt In/OptOut website, www.optoutprescre en.com. Besides a five year registration you can register for life. This requires a form that you fill out on the website, print and mail the Opt Out Department. The individual will automatically be registered for the five year program pending receipt of the form. If you just select the five year registration it can be accomplished on-line without having to print and mail the form back. This might be something you would want to pass on to other members in a future edition of El Residente or add to the arcr website. Regards, Frank Walker
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beaches, where the sun, surf and excellent fishing waters await the avid traveler.
Guanacaste e by Ana Hernandez
Land Of Cowboys And Dreams
Not everyone in the country has welcomed the rapid influx of tourism and land development. The fast construction of expensive hotels and leisure resorts has alarmed many locals and environmental groups who see this building boom as a threat to the vulnerable natural resources of the area.
If not for the annexation to our country of the area known today as Guanacaste, Costa Rican territory would have been the smallest in all of Central America. But instead, the Partido de Nicoya, a strong autonomous party representing the majority, favored our nation and voted in the year of 1824 -on their own free will- through a plebiscite to annex to Costa Rica and not to Nicaragua. Because of easy access to the port of Puntarenas, located in the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and a bustling gateway of commercial activity in those years, the transportation of goods from the former independent province to markets overseas, was made a lot easier and more practical through Puntarenas. It was possibly that thanks to these international exporting routes by land and sea in our Pacific Coast that Costa Rica was able to win over the Province of Guanacaste. The name Guanacaste comes from the indigenous word “quahnacaztlan” which means the place near the ear trees, in reference to the Guanacaste tree, which seedpods are like ear pods, a tree very common in the region with a tall, broad canopy that often provides welcoming shade to farmers and cattle ranchers in the midst of scorching temperatures.
It is easy to see why the proud local inhabitants of Guanacaste want to protect their quiet rural way of life. Many Guanacasteco families, even today, live simple lives dedicated to cattle ranching and agriculture. The men are the local cowboys or “sabaneros,” who sport wide brimmed sombreros, lassoes and machetes fastened to their waists. They round up cattle and take care of them. The women and children help with the arduous chores of farm life. Guanacastecos enjoy traditional festivities with events such as bullfights rodeos and horse parades. Generally of a quiet disposition, they may seemed aloof up to the moment when the fancy footwork of a fine horse or the happy chords of the marimba and in some cases the strong taste of moonshine spirits lets them express their true
Despite the heat and the arid topography of Guanacaste during the dry season, the area has become a favorite among tourists and real estate investors in Costa Rica. Well known for its beautiful beaches and picturesque towns, a recent boom of luxurious resorts and private homes with all the amenities for the rich and wealthy can be seen along the sea shores and secluded hilly areas with great ocean views. With the opening of the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, (named after a former president of Costa Rica,) tourism has increased at a fast going rate, bypassing layovers in the country’s main International Airport Juan Santamaría in Alajuela and landing closer to pristine
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idiosyncrasy through poetic exclamations and songs filled with heart-felt lyrics. A great part of the cultural heritage that we Costa Ricans are so proud of such as the beautiful costumes worn by folkloric dancers, marimba music, our official dance “The Punto Guanacasteco” and even the national tree-the Guanacasteare all contributions of this immensely blessed region. Guanacaste is reached by driving the Pan-American Highway in an almost straight-line north from San José. The trip to Liberia, the provincial capital of Guanacaste takes about 3 to 4 hours by car. Before reaching Liberia, the road passes through the towns of Bagaces and Cañas, with pretty old-fashioned houses. The locals here are also known for their environmental consciousness and protection of nearby swamps areas, forests and natural reserves.
other. The tallest of them, the Miravalles, with its bubbling mud pits and geysers, is being used by ICE, the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity to obtain electric power from geothermal energy. Continuing on north of Liberia in the Santa Elena Peninsula there is The Santa Rosa National Park, founded in 1972 as the country’s first national park. Hacienda Santa Rosa, known as La Casona, an important historic landmark turned museum, is located here. It was at this site where U.S. filibuster William Walker was expelled from national territory and chased into Rivas, Nicaragua, by a small barefoot army of Costa Rican volunteers in 1856. Juan Santamaría, the country’s national hero was killed in the battle of Rivas after burning the place where the mercenary army had retreated to.
A visit to Palo Verde National Park, Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve and several other wildlife refuges such as Barra Honda National Park located near the magnificent Tempisque River Basin, are worth the time and effort. The rest of the trip to Peñas Blancas, the border with Nicaragua leads to the quiet town of La Cruz and it is packed with spectacular views. The Tenorio, Miravalles, and Rincón de la Vieja volcanoes, rise from the Mountain Range of Guanacaste like three giants standing close one to the
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The Santa Rosa Park is also known for its different kinds of habitats that attract hundreds of insects, birds and mammals such as white-tailed dear, monkeys and rarely seen jaguars and pumas. About 13 kilometers from La Casona is Playa Nancite, a deserted white-sand beach, important in the ecological chain because vulnerable turtle species such as the Olive Ridleys use it as a mass-nesting site. The whole Guanacaste region is experiencing a building boom but nowhere this is more evident that along the paradisiacal northwest stretch of Pacific Coast in the Nicoya Peninsula. Typical of this fast luxury build up for high class tourism is the Gulf of Papagayo project, a giant resort complex complete with its own marina and golf club and hundred of available hotel rooms for the vacationer who can afford them.
People can learn of the Wessbergs’ valiant efforts to save the land from devastation while visiting the ranger station at Cabo Blanco and reading the plaques dedicated in their honor. They were only a team of two people, foreign citizens who adopted a tiny part of the Nicoya Peninsula as home and managed through grass root efforts to transform former brown patches of land into the paradise we know of today. Olof Wessberg was killed in 1975 in Osa Peninsula while attempting to have this area also declared a national park. Dedication like this to the land live on in the efforts of many other groups, individuals and organizations committed to preserving this culturally and biologically rich corner of the world, “the Guanacaste” that belong to all of us, for posterity.
Some of the nation’s finest beaches can be found on this beautiful coastal stretch such as Playa del Coco, Ocotal, Potrero, Flamingo, Brasilito, Conchal, Playa Grande and Tamarindo, to mention just the ones most visited year round by foreigners and locals alike. Playa Grande, not far from Tamarindo, is home to the Las Baulas Marine Turtle National Park, a 445 hectare refuge dedicated to the protection of mangrove estuaries and one of the world’s most important nesting sites for the leatherback turtles. Continuing southward along the coast, there are many other important beach towns such as Nosara and Sámara, both favorite among Europeans and North Americans. In Nosara, the beach and maritime zone are protected by the Forest Service and wildlife is still abundant, yet threatened by new sprawling, while the Sámara community is rallying up efforts to protect their area from over development. The Nicoya Peninsula curves around until it reaches its southernmost point, the site of the remote and oldest protected area in the country, Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve. The Cabo Blanco Reserve was founded in 1963, thanks to Nils Olof Wessberg, and his wife Karen, Swedish citizens who fought tirelessly for the protection of the area’s natural resources.
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Wild Side
XX XXVII
by Ryan Piercy
Pájaro Bobo. Bobo may sound like a clown, but though as colourful, this bird is more beautiful than funny. The Motmot makes me think of Guanacaste, perhaps because that is where I first encountered one. But in fact several species do seem to be more common there than in other parts of the country.
a stream or road. These are well concealed, probably in order to protect their young from predators. They appear to lay some 3-5 eggs between March and June, which are incubated, then the young fed, by both sexes until leaving the nest, at some 24-31 days old. This is definitely a bird to watch for, not uncommon, and quite easy to spot with their vivid colours. They are usually easy to observe as they can sit for long periods, giving the opportunity to position yourself for a good picture.
Motmots are the family Momotidae, consisting of 9 small to medium arboreal birds confined to the American tropics, mainly from Mexico to the Central America. They are beautifully garbed in multiple colours. Rufous, green, blue, black, in various shades, and a most interesting tail. Though originally completely covered, as the birds grow the central feathers fall, leaving a tuft at the end of the long tail. I find these birds both interesting and striking. The local name, pájaro bobo, really only refers to three of the six species found in Costa Rica. The Rufous (Baryphthengus martii), the Turquoise-browed (Eumomota superciliosa), and the Blue-crowned (Momotus momota). This nickname is apparently due to the fact they are considered “tontos” or dumb. Though most birds take flight at the approach of humans or other dangers, this bird will sit quietly, possibly trying to hide by staying motionless in their vivid colours. I guess this makes them the Dodo bird of the Americas. Hopefully they won’y be led to the same fate in the near future due to their lack of reaction. The other three found here are the Tody (Hylomanes momotula), the Broad-billed (Electron platyrhynchum), and the Keel-billed Motmot (Electron carinatum). Though many have the same colours, they are easy to distinguish due to the variations of where the colours are. The calls and notes of the Motmots are varied, and though some are very melodious, others are flat, and some even hoot something like an owl would. The Motmot seems to like humid forests and woodlands, especially evergreens. Solitary or in pairs, they like shade, and will sit in the branches, quietly swinging their pendulumlike tails from side to side, before darting out to catch a bite. Between the species they eat insects of all orders, including beetles, spiders butterflies, bees, dragonflies, ants, frogs, lizards, snakes, and also fruits. Each of the Motmots nests in burrows to suit their size, some 1-4 meters deep, often in the earthen bank beside
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Dollars & $en nse by Alan Weeks
Sleepwalking Into The Future This is a subtitle in a book (1) in which the author spells out the far-reaching ramifications resulting from the end of cheap oil and energy.
DWINDLING OIL SUPPLIES In recent articles, readers were advised that global oil production was forecast to be about to peak, and should soon be in permanent decline according to credible sources, such as the International Energy Agency (IEA). The fact is that most of the world’s largest oilfields are old. And, threequarters of the major oil producing countries themselves confirm their fields are past peak production. For example, the 2nd largest oilfield in the world in Kuwait is starting to run dry. And production from the 3rd largest, Mexico’s Cantarell oilfield, is also declining rapidly. Last year, production from that field fell by at least half a million barrels per day. Then there is the “crude reality” of the oil squeeze in Iran. Iran’s domestic consumption has been, and is expected to continue to rise quite rapidly. But, many of Iran’s producing oil fields are also old and overall, have been declining in production by more than 300,000 barrels per day each year. The net result is a projected decline in export capacity from 2.5 million to 1.5 million barrels per day by 2009. The rapid decline in conventional global oil production should: 1. Keep continuing upward pressure on oil prices. 2. Become a serious threat to the financial stability of nations that are now far too dependent on oil revenues, such as Mexico and Iran. 3. Cause a “rude awakening” for nations, corporations, and individuals, that are inadequately prepared.
INNOVATIONS PUMP NEW LIFE Some experts correctly point out that new innovations, such as 3-D imaging of oil fields, and injecting high-pressure steam into old wells, will unlock much more oil from these fields. Pressurized water & inert gas injection methods are also being used routinely to “lift” more oil from existing fields. In addition, it is estimated there are about a trillion barrels of heavy oil, tar-sands, and shale oil deposits in the Americas that can be turned into liquid fuel by enhanced recovery methods like high pressure steam-flooding. Higher oil prices have now made it economical for companies to go after the reserves that are much harder to reach, or to extract and upgrade. But, a serious problem with the high volume extraction from these widespread non-conventional fields is that it requires much additional infrastructure and an enormous amount of new energy to mine, to extract using
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high-pressure steam, and to upgrade. And of course, the oil produced from these new sources will be much more expensive than that of conventional oil. Please note that it also requires a large amount of additional new energy to produce the needed volumes of alternative fuels, such as ethanol and bio-diesel. Thus, it is technically possible to produce a continuing supply of automotive fuels for the US market. However, it is far from obvious where vast surpluses of energy are in the US today that will be required to support the extraction of heavy oils, and/or the production of alternative fuels in sufficient volumes. If not available, the ability to produce much more energy easily will be further complicated by the fact that supplies of natural gas, the preferred fuel for new power plants today, are also tightening up from North American sources. All the above issues seem to reinforce the assertion that the days of cheap oil and energy are likely over.
THE WORLD’S BIGGEST GUZZLER Everyone’s favourite scapegoat, China, is not yet the prime culprit as consumers of oil. China has 21% of the world’s population but now consumes only 8% of the world’s annual production of crude oil. By comparison, the US has only about 5% of the world’s population but consumes 25% of the world’s annual oil production. And, the world’s undisputed “gas guzzling” champion is the US automobile. Collectively, US autos consume 45% of all US oil supplies, and public transportation systems consume an additional 25%. In addition, almost half of the US trade deficit today is the result of the need to import energy. Canada is a close, stable, trusted, and reliable supplier. In fact, it is the largest supplier of energy to the US today. This is why Canada is so critical to the current and long-term future US energy supply. That is also why investments in Canadian energy resources continue to be recommended.
“OVER A BARREL” Production from the Alberta tar-sands, new deepsea exploration finds, and the Russian oilfields should yield substantial new supplies of oil eventually. However, knowledgeable professionals do not believe these can possibly be brought to market fast enough to sustain current consumption levels in developed countries, and still meet the exploding demand growth in the developing world. For example, the expected increases in oil consumption by China and India alone should be five-fold. Current global oil production is projected to decline 25% by 2015. This annual supply shortfall is equivalent to 11 times the expected production increase from all known Alberta tar-sands projects. Where are all the other massive projects to recover oil, from all sources needed reasonably soon, just to sustain current consumption levels? Unfortunately, it is understood that all the commercial alternative fuel projects known to date to replace conventional oil, still appear to fall far short of that needed to prevent serious US gasoline shortages in future years, unless consumption is decreased dramatically. Continued on page 20...
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These days, even people who ought to know better, are wishing ardently for a smooth, seamless transition from fossil fuels to their possible replacements. In the book THE LONG EMERGENCY (1), the author does a commendable job of illustrating that this is probably a delusional fantasy.
WHY THE COLLECTIVE IGNORANCE? One key reason is that businesses, politicians, and individuals, each seems to be motivated by their own immediate self-interests. Few people on their own, or even in business appear to be thinking very far ahead. The second is that from an outsider’s perspective, it has seemed that the big US Oil Companies and big Auto Manufacturers and their Unions, have had a powerful influence over the US political agenda for as long as most of us can remember. And among this group, there seems to have been a failure to accept the need to change. Most politicians also may either be oblivious to the problem issues, or unwilling to take on the powerful lobby groups. Therefore, the situation appears to have evolved into ‘going with the flow’, providing some incentives particularly on the supply side, and otherwise, leaving the oil and auto issues substantially to the marketplace. To my knowledge, only one American President even tried, in 1979, to warn Americans of a future oil dilemma. Because the information that global oil production was projected to peak in this decade was so widely known in the oil industry, the US Department of Energy should also have had access to these projections in the 1980s. Furthermore, the DOE should have had enough competent people on staff to recognize the enormity of the problems with providing sufficient alternative fuels to replace enough oil for gasoline. Was this not then considered to be a serious enough domestic issue to warrant alerting the succession of past US leaders? Instead, during the 1990s, the last period when urgent action would have made a huge difference, we got the SUV craze and easy money policies to encourage the development of “McMansions” way off in the outer suburbs. Both should prove to be massive ‘misinvestments’. The net result of these developments was to maximize the waste of energy for more than a decade. In addition, this contributed to further environmental damage, including global warming.
WHO IS TO BLAME? In spite of the wishful thinking of many, oil companies are not in business to guarantee the supply of cheap oil to the American public. They are in the business of making money. With higher oil prices, of course, the companies have been making much more money. To their credit, oil companies have also been investing to develop much more expensive oilfields. Because oil companies and the related service industries should continue to make good returns for many years to come, I continue to be very bullish about good oil and gas industry investments as core holdings. The State and Federal governments do not appear to have done enough to date except to talk, and to collect more money in taxes on gasoline at higher prices, leaving the energy dilemma substantially to the marketplace to resolve. In future years, Americans will have to keep reminding
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themselves that no one forced them to buy the “gas guzzlers” or the “McMansions” far out of the cities.
THE CHALLENGE AHEAD After helping to nurture the “bigger is better” mentality and a basic unconcern about oil supplies all these years, it is expected to be much more difficult now for industry and governments to get across to the American public, even when oil scarcity becomes more obvious, that it will take a huge amount of energy, time, and money, to even produce sufficient volumes of replacement fuels from non-conventional sources. And, the “not in my backyard” attitude of too many individuals could be the greatest obstacle to bringing new sources of energy on-stream. Even getting bipartisan energy policy consensus, and a barrage of educational messages to “wake up” the public, would seem to be an unlikely possibility in this era, even though this should not be a political issue.
SOME WASTED INVESTMENTS A. CORN-BASED ETHANOL’S A FLAWED CONCEPT The latest American craze is to grow massive amounts more corn to use for the production of ethanol as a partial fuel substitute for gasoline. Many new ethanol plants are being built. There is also a rush to buy up vast amounts of more farmland, and farmers are gearing up to plant much more corn this season. These efforts are probably being encouraged by misplaced incentives. The reasons to why corn-based ethanol is a flawed concept include: (i) Corn is extremely valuable and much more beneficial as a staple food for humans and feed for animals. The diversion of corn to produce ethanol is pushing up prices on all corn-dependent foods from tortillas to meat a n d poultry. (ii) Compared to corn as a raw material for the production of ethanol, (a) sugar cane can yield almost twice the volume per acre and, (b) when the energy used to produce and refine each is subtracted from the yield, sugar cane is more than 5 times as efficient. Brazil is the current world leader both in the conversion of sugar cane into ethanol for fuelling vehicles and in the amount of oil replaced.
B. HYDROGEN ALTERNATIVE
…
THE
TOTALLY
IMPRACTICAL
Providing the amount of hydrogen needed to power the US vehicle fleet is not even close to being either practical, or economical. First, it would take more energy, which the US does not have, to manufacture hydrogen than the hydrogen itself produces. The second obstacle concerns the widespread distribution of hydrogen to service stations across America, which would all need to be equipped with high-pressure tanks and pumping systems. Continued on page 21...
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Then, the physical problems arise because liquid hydrogen is so light, and needs to be stored under very high pressure. This means that it would take 21 loaded tankers equipped with highpressure tanks, to carry the equivalent of one gasoline tanker. This would clog the highways and shut down the average highway service station 21 times daily rather than once, and for longer periods each time, in order to supply the volume of hydrogen required. All this is so totally impractical it makes one wonder why it has even been considered.
SEEMINGLY SENSIBLE ROUTES The most sensible route to try to avert future oil and energy shortages is through strong, mandated, conservation efforts. This is certainly feasible technologically. Going this route would not only slash fuel consumption, it would drastically reduce pollution that is contributing both to health risks and environmental damage. Other developed nations, cities, and foreign auto manufacturers, seem to be well ahead of the US in conservation efforts and the development of fuel-efficient technologies. Perhaps, “where there is the will, there is a way”. However, the leadership shown in California to this end is very commendable and should be strongly supported for the future well being of America.
A. SOME POSSIBILITIES TO REDUCE OIL FOR FUEL
wind speeds, and capital costs. Also, there is currently a turbine shortage. However, this should be a strong growth market.
(2) BIOMASS Biomass is the biggest renewable source for the production of electricity in the US today. Biomass refers to the conversion of plant matter into transportation fuel (biofuel) or electricity (bio-power), by incinerating waste material; by creating combustible gas through chemical processes; or by gathering and burning landfill gas. More cities have become eager to convert their garbage to something useful, and to cut down the volume destined for landfill sites. And some cities are starting to burn much of the solid waste to capture the resultant energy. The biggest biomass power producers today in the US are the forest-products companies. They make electricity by reusing waste heat and by burning as much of their waste materials as possible. Costs are expected to come down as technologies improve; as more waste material is redirected to provide a continuous, cheap, fuel source; and as larger generating plants are built to capture greater efficiencies. Finally, as California and other US states require their utilities to get more electricity from renewable sources, and more industries look for ways to get value from their waste, the production of electricity from biomass sources should expand quite rapidly.
(1) HYBRID AUTOS Hybrid autos could be modified with existing technology to get up to 200 miles/gallon of gasoline. First, the ability to recharge the battery before each trip would reduce substantially the use of gasoline. In addition, efficient substitution of a good portion of gasoline, with ethanol produced from waste material, would save much more. And, the development of much better rechargeable batteries for hybrid vehicles that offer higher power, safety, and longevity, should also be very beneficial to the advancement of the hybrid vehicle.
(2) BIO-DIESEL European auto manufacturers also seem to be ahead of the US in the development of highly efficient, smooth running, very responsive, diesel vehicles. The substitution of bio-diesel fuel is another good route to reduce significantly the demand for oil to produce diesel.
B. SOME GOOD ALTERNATIVES FOR FUTURE ENERGY PRODUCTION (1) WIND POWER Wind power stands out as one of the best solutions to nonpolluting, renewable energy. Over the past 10 years, as wind farms have “sprouted” around the world, the cost of generating electricity from wind has fallen dramatically. The use of improved materials and much larger, more efficient, turbines have been key factors. Europe has been the leader in this field with two-thirds of total installed capacity, but the US is now gaining. Wind power does face obstacles, such as location, intermittent
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(3) NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS In order to meet the forecast demand for energy in the US by 2015, many new nuclear power plants should also need to be approved, constructed, and operating. The fact is that nuclear power plants have quietly and efficiently been producing a large majority of electricity in France for many years. And, almost 20% of US electricity is now being generated by nuclear power. Nuclear power plants are non-polluting and will be needed for future energy security. Even the most pre-eminent environmentalist in the UK, has come to recognize nuclear power generation as one of the most practical, non-polluting sources of “green” power. Finally, as the cost of natural gas continues to increase over time, the relative cost of nuclear power generation should look increasingly attractive. Canada, the largest producer of uranium, should continue to be the primary supplier to the US.
References: (1) THE LONG EMERGENCY, James H. Kunstler, 2005, Atlantic Monthly Press, New York (Given to Alan by a participant at an ARCR seminar in 2006.) (2) Many recent technical articles from the Internet sites of international mainstream and financial publications. For details on the many references or for further information, please do not hesitate to contact Alan Weeks at 256-5848 or by e-mail at: imccr2002@yahoo.com
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Exchange rate of the Costa Rican ¢ to the US Dollar October 515.04 November
514.62
December
515.84
January
517.11
February
517.01
March
516.91
Basic Interest Rate October 13.25 % November
11.25 %
December
11.25 %
January
10.75 %
February
9.75 %
March
8.00 %
Exchange rate of other currencies to the US Dollar Japanese Yen 118.33 Swiss Franc
1.2211
Canadian $
1.1543
Giro (DEG)
1.5102
ÂŁ Sterling
1.9578
Euro
1.3314
Mexican Peso
11.004
Korean Won
940.80
Danish Krone Norwegian Krone Argentine Peso
5.5957 6.1002 3.1015
Colombian Peso 2,148.5 Brasilian Real
2.0450
Libor Rate 1 month 5.3200% 3 month
5.3500 %
6 month
5.3297 %
12 month
5.2200 %
Prime Rate
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8.25 %
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Holidays Of Costa Rica May 1st ‘Labor Day’ June 29th ‘St. Peter & Paul’ July 25th ‘Guanacaste Day’ July 25th ‘National Day’ ******************** A Touch of Wisdom “Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get.” Spanish proverb “The devil finds work for idle hands.” St. Jerome “Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools that have not enough wit to be honest.” Ben Franklin (1706-1790) ******************** Quick Ones A man goes to the doctor and says, “Doctor, wherever I touch, it hurts.” The doctor asks, “What do you mean?” The man says, “When I touch my shoulder, it really hurts. If I touch my knee - OUCH! When I touch my forehead, it really, really hurts.” The doctor says, “I know what’s wrong with you - you’ve broken your finger!” Patient: Doctor! You’ve got to help me! Nobody ever listens to me. No one ever pays any attention to what I have to say. Doctor: Next please! My boss is so unpopular even his own shadow refuses to follow him.
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