Casagua Horses The greatest variety of tours and riding experiences for all ages, featuring spectacular countryside, howler monkeys, colorful small towns and fun-filled fiestas. Cantina Tour - Nature Tour Fiesta & Tope Rental - Old Tempate Trail Tour Located near Portegolpe on the main road, opposite the Monkey Park, just 20 minutes from the beach.
Phone us at: 2-653-8041
kaydodge@racsa.co.cr www.tamarindo.com/casagua The best horses on Guanacaste’s Gold Coast!
Mango wood furniture offers a sustainable alternative
T
Joe Richard
he mango tree (mangifera indica) is an unexpected source of a hardwood that can be made into beautiful furniture, but almost no one in Costa Rica seems to know this. Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of expat eyes to find a new solution to an old problem. Susan James, of Sarchí, is an expert in mango wood. She had previously been an importer of mango wood furniture to the United States. Susan was surprised to learn that furniture makers in Costa Rica were not incorporating mango wood in their furniture creations.
consideration is being given to finding new ideas to help sustain our wood resources? Susan’s hope is that Costa Rica will realize the value of this sustainable resource and start using it. “The mango orchards are already here,” she said.
Mango is a hard, beautiful wood, and in other parts of the world it has been a renewable resource for furniture and other uses for decades. In Indonesia and other tropical Asian countries where the tree originated, plantations of mango grown for the fruit have been used for the timber once the mango tree stops producing its fruit.
Contact Susan James at turiimports123@gmail. com or at 8308-7732 View Turi Import’s website and catalogue at www.mango-woodfurniture.com
Costa Rica has suffered serious deforestation since the early 20th century. We hear so much about sustainability today, but how much
Sports Fishing Hiking Packages Sunset Sailing & Snorkelling
Canopy Tours Transportation National Park Excursions ...and much more
Take the stress out of your vacation - let us book your adventures for you Tour Operator and Booking Center, Tamarindo Tourist Center Located in Tamarindo at Plaza Conchal II suites 6 & 7
To show people how it can be crafted in highly-desirable furniture, Susan has opened her own company--Turi Imports. The company has imported its first shipment of mango wood furniture to Costa Rica to help educate the industry and develop a demand among the people. This inventory of quality, handcrafted furniture includes dining tables, coffee tables, sideboards, wine rack, cabinet with glass doors, lamp tables and other select pieces. Finely crafted mango wood is an eco-friendly furniture option when looking to furnish a home, condo or hotel. The inventory is available for viewing by appointment and special showings.
editor’s note
W
e received many positive comments on last month’s editorial. One Tamarindo resident sent the article to the Alcalde of Santa Cruz; the next day the municipality filled in “the lake.” outside Pacific Park. Hopes ran high recently, when it was announced that the road to Langosta was to be paved, and construction materials were arriving at points along the road. However, this was just another “on again - off again” blip in the road’s tortured history. Shortly afterwards, the project was suspended due to lack of funds, $70,000 of which had been promised by the Santa Cruz Municipality but which was never forthcoming. Other funds from local hotels, committed in October 2008, also had not been received. Unfortunately, protection of one’s property is a major concern here, so many residents take various precautions. But if you have security alarms, please make sure they are correctly adjusted. Nothing will upset your neighbours as much as a wailing alarm at 4:15 a.m. And, like the boy who cried wolf, when it is activated for real nobody will pay any attention to it. This month Costa Rica celebrates Anexion, so we have included articles on this event and on La Ciudad Folklorica, Santa Cruz. Guanacastecos, proud of their anexion which brought hundreds of popular beaches and the cowboy culture to Costa Rica, have protested the moving of its date to the following Monday under a federal law, and it appears, at press time, that the law will be rescinded, returning celebration of Anexion to the 25th. Sporting fans just enjoyed a bonanza June, with NBA basketball finals, Stanley Cup hockey finals, World Cup elimination games, Wimbledon tennis... And La Sele, Costa Rica’s football team, won two more games in World Cup Elimination and leads the Concacaf division. No games in July. We will keep fans in touch with the Road to South Africa 2010 with a new column on Soccer. Though it is only mid-June as I write, it looks as though we are in veranillo, the “little summer” that comes in July and August. Warm, dry weather and no rain, so let’s hope that brings down some tourists to enjoy the low-season prices and great surf.
Flamingo Equestrian Center Riding School - Boarding Facility Lighted Indoor Arena - Jump Course Year-round Customized Horse Camps and Clinics flamingohorses@gmail.com www.costaricahorses.com 8-828-6879
Costa Rica hosts the World Surfing Games beginning on July 31 in Playa Hermosa near Jacó. The country is fielding a fine team of young people to take on over 50 other competing countries. See Ellen Zoe’s column on page 15.
July 2009
The Howler Since 1996
FEATURES 8 Dining Out
Special date, party or you just want to spoil yourself? Try El Coconut, the most elegant and comfortable restaurant in Tamarindo.
9 Happy Independence Day!
As they celebrate their independence from Mother England in 1776, we take a closer look at these strangers amongst us.
14 Around Town Openings, closings, parties, music. The Gold Coast has it all, and bar-hoppin’ David is in the groove.
15 Surf Report
This month Costa Rica’s surf team takes on 53 countries in the World Surfing Games at Playa Hermosa, near Jacó. Go CR!
16 The Guanacaste Kitchen
The country kitchen has undergone a lot of modernization, but many cooks still keep to the old customs and cooking methods.
22 Anexion
Costa Rica celebrates a famous event in 1824, when Guanacaste decided to become part of the country.
29 Who Stopped the Rain?
A noticeable lack of rain at the start of this rainy season has our correspondent uttering dire warnings.
30 Surviving Costa Rica
Tamarindo is suffering the recession like everyone else, but we are a different breed here, and we’re gonna tough it out.
Cover Caption: It’s the height of the summer season for our friends up north. Yet many of the Gold Coast beaches are almost totally deserted. As the floundering economy continues to play havoc with tourism, visitors and locals alike can still go to the beach and be totally alone with just their thoughts. Cover design and photo: www.johnlymanphotos.com
DEPARTMENTS 10
CD Review
11
Book Review
12 Yoga 13
Soccer
23 Puzzle 25 Tide Chart 28 July Forecasts 32 Sun & Moon 32 Rain Gauge
The Howler
WHAT ARE WE DOING COSTA RICA?
Lunch
Founded in 1996 Vol. 14, No. 7 - July 2009 Issue No. 154
Cynthia Osborne Charpentier
Everybody eats. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Everybody eats - if they can. My breakfast: No, I don’t eat it. Lunch, yes. Dinner? It’s not important to me. What is important for people who work? Breakfast, maybe at 4 a.m. Dinner after work with family. And lunch? Lobster, shrimp, clams, octopus, mussels, salmon, tuna, beef. 20 different salads, 20 different desserts, cakes. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the afternoon. You have to make a reservation two months early. Nice lunch in Las Vegas, serving champagne while you are waiting in the line. In Costa Rica we are simple: rice and beans and salad sometimes. Takes me looooong time to cook rice, takes me looooong time to cook my beans, and the salad? Too. People who work don’t have time, just eat beans, rice before they run back to work. “What do you think about lunches here in Guanacaste, for workers?” “Whatever comes to me, I will eat it” - E. “Ah! We have to bring our food, there was a restaurant here before, not anymore; we have to pay for our food” - A. “What do you think about your lunches in this institution where you work?” “I don’t get any lunch”. “Do you have to buy it?”. “Yes” – A. Even in San Jose, people working for the Costa Rica University doing dancing presentations, sometimes receive refreshments, sometimes don’t. These are kids! Communities have to get together to give them “frescos” and a little sandwich. The other day I gave to Mr E. a “gallito” (little bit of food) because he didn’t have time to eat his lunch, so he went to work to run and eat in the truck. It was 4 p.m. for lunch, because the boss told him to run to Tamarindo. Another one, Mr F. went to work and his boss said: “More work, let’s go to Pinilla, No food”. Lunch time at 6 p.m. My point is that everybody needs to eat but there is not enough time or money. Even at the stores, they don’t eat.
Editorial Office: Casa Equinox, Playa Tamarindo Guanacaste, Costa Rica Ced. Juridica: 3-101-331333
I cannot understand that they work and don’t eat. That’s my point; I don’t like it. I cannot understand they work without food. They need water, food, energy. What’s going on? “It is established between the boss and the employee, and it has to be respected. Sometimes the employee is guilty because they don’t talk about timetable” - Mariana.
Publisher, editor and production David Mills dmills@racsa.co.cr • howler001@gmail.com www.howlermag.com Tel/fax: 2-653-0545 Contributors:
“Why is this lady shaking like that?” “It is close to 4:30 p.m. and she didn’t have lunch, when she was working” - G.
TONY OREZ TOM PEIFER JOHN LYMAN ELLEN ZOE GOLDEN CHRISTOPHER HOWARD CYNTHIA CHARPENTIER JEANNE CALLAHAN JESSE BISHOP NINA WEBER
“There was an agreement between my company and me: no lunch, you have to bring your own” - Santiago. “I work in construction. Yes, they give me lunch, but they charge me for it” - Carlos. “We don’t appreciate what we have until we lose it. But we have to reflect. One bean is better than a shrimp. And a ‘Gallo Pinto’ is healthy” - Josue. Many restaurants or supermarkets give food for the workers, others don’t. “You work for your own company?” “Yes.” “So do you need lunch, because you eat by yourself?” “Yes.” “And before you used to work for a company giving you lunch or not?” “I was working for a company but not with lunch” - Es. “You work here for Automercado in Tamarindo: do you have hours for lunch and do they bring you lunch?” “No, we have time to eat but we have to bring our lunch” - Adan. “I work in construction, I have to bring my lunch” - Carlos. Somebody can think: Why is this lady talking about lunches? Why doesn’t she talk about crisis? Or why doesn’t she talk about Obama? One moment please! Watch the news. But our reality is here, and not too many people know. Keep hiring your workers, but respect them. Do you eat? Do you have lunch? Good for you, many people don’t.
Deadline for August: July 15
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www.tamarindobeach.net www.tamarindohomepage.com
David Mills
Dining Out El Coconut
Where quality meets passion
p
E
l Coconut Restaurant has reopened after a month of remodeling with no change in menu or prices. The setting could just as well be in LA or Paris; beautiful teak terracing, all handmade wood furnishing and the lamplight reflecting from the shining copper on the bar give that warmth and good feeling we all enjoy. The most elegant restaurant in Tamarindo is now in its seventh year under the direction of Katharine. Dine in a tropical garden on the main street of Tamarindo just a few minutes’ walk from downtown, and find out why the customer is always king.
Floristeriacristal@yahoo.es 2-653-8762 / 2-653-6282 / 8-354-1041
The wait staff takes pride in being members of Team Coconut for years. It is their personalized attention that permits them to remember each client and their likings. Nowhere else will you feel as welcome and well attended as here. At Coconut, you are greeted at the door as you enter, and the friendly personal service continues from there. Enjoy your meal, from a comprehensive menu of seafood, meat, pastas and salads and choose a fine wine from the over-1,000 varieties in two temperature-controlled bodegas. The wine selection goes from the easy-drinking Latin American table wines to finer selections such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Penfold 389 and many more. The dinner special, at $25 including tax, gives you a choice of a starter plus main dish, or main dish and dessert. Or select from the a la carte menu with its lobsters, prepared with fresh pineapple, raisins and ginger or try the surf & turf big enough to satisfy the hungriest surfer. For appetizer, we chose avocado with sautÊed shrimps, delicious, followed by filet mignon, always a good selection with tender, done-just-right steak, and pasta with mussels in a mediterranean sauce. After dessert, relax and enjoy the ambience. Nobody will fuss around and hurry you out, but when you do leave, Katharine walks with you to the door and bids you farewell. El Coconut is a Class Act. The Coconut Restaurant has been open 20 years, under various managements and, throughout 2009, to celebrate this anniversary, Katharine offers a special of 20% off on the 20th of every month (21st if the 20th is Monday) Located Tamarindo main street in front of Witch’s Rock Surf Camp. Open from 5 till 10 pm. Closed on Mondays. For reservations please call 00 (506) 2-653-0086 or e-mail to katharina.elcoconut@gmail. com
Happy Independence Day!
L
ike ‘em or not, they are here and we can’t do without them. Americans! This large group of very visible members of our planet has penetrated into every corner of the earth, bringing with it its own ideas on how to live and altering everybody’s lifestyle to mirror their own. For the purpose of this article we are talking about the North American variety between Mexico and Canada; most inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere call themselves Americans, and so they are. Although they look very much as we do, those who vociferously celebrate some long-forgotten event on July 4 are, in fact, a very different specie from most of the world’s inhabitants. And, while they rejoice in their difference, they go through life trying to force (sorry, coax) the rest of the world to think, eat, drink and live just as they do. This is usually accomplished by commerce, and nobody knows commerce better than they. Product brands such as Marlborough, Coca-Cola, IBM, Burger King, etc., are widely recognized even in the darkest reaches of Borneo, whose inhabitants have recently exchanged the sociable practice of feasting on each other for a quarter-pounder at McDonald’s. Another quaint bit of ethnic culture down the tubes. Someone once described Britain and America as “two countries separated by a common language.” Although their country was originally founded by people speaking a perfectly functional language, Americans have expressed their individuality by eschewing it and inventing their own, based loosely on English but with many confusing variations. A caterpillar becomes, to Americans, a worm, whereas a worm is a night-crawler. Similarly, the American cracker is known in English as a biscuit; an American biscuit is clearly a scone (cracker is also the word for a Southerner of dubious social standing). Linguists believe that this contrariness is based on the American’s envy of the culture they left behind and their drive to distance themselves from it. Again, when Americans import some pithy phrase from the Mother Country, they have the inevitable urge to screw it up. Take “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”, which means exactly what it says. On importation into the Ee.uu, it becomes “the proof is in the pudding”, which means zip, zilch, nada. “I couldn’t care less” means that my level of caring is at rock-bottom, I just do not care. When used by our American friends, it becomes “I could care less”, meaning I do care about this. And the word “pissed” in England means drunk, not angry, which is “pissed off”, yet Americans will say “I am so pissed!” even without taking a single drink. Early Americans also imported from England a perfectly efficient way of eating – you hold the desired morsel with the fork held daintily in the left hand and cut it with the knife held in the right. Bring the food to the mouth, and repeat. This wasn’t good enough, so American pioneers developed their
own method: grip the fork vertically dagger-like in the left hand so as to stab the food, and cut it with the knife held in the right. Put down the knife, switch the fork to the right hand, pick up the morsel and transfer it to the mouth. Switch the fork back to the left hand, pick up the knife, and start over (I mean again). Now, in a nation whose catchword is “efficiency” who thought this up? We obviously have a totally different breed of people here, and vive la difference. Take metric. Most of the world uses metric measurements and why wouldn’t they? The first hand-held calculator, still in daily use, comprised ten fingers.. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Even the stubborn Brits switched to the international standard many years ago, leaving behind the beloved drams, pennyweights, gills, stones, hogsheads, avoirdupois, rods, poles and perches, etc. It was a long and bitter struggle, but it succeeded. More recently the Canadians adopted metric, but without a struggle, because Canadians just do what they are told. But Americans, usually so eager to adopt new ideas, cling like glue to the old ways – Fahrenheit, miles, acres, gallons. It’s a losing battle, guys. Globalization will force metric upon you. It’s inevitable, so lie (not lay) back and enjoy it. Look at dates. Why, you ask. Well, why not? Pretty much the whole universe uses the format dd/mm/yyyy. Not our American friends, though. Just to be different their accepted format is mm/dd/yyyy, and that can be very confusing and is liable to cause serious problems. It’s not too bad after the 12th of the month, but 05/10, when understood as 10/05, can really spoil your social or business life. Even in sports, probably the most international aspect of our cultures, there are anomalies, and who is more sport-oriented than our American neighbours? While everyone, from Afghanistan to Zaire and all between, shows the scoreboard with the home team on the left, Americans show the away team on the left (Canadians are guilty here, too, because many of their games are played in American leagues). One thing Americans do very well is eat. And steak at least once a day or they feel deprived. There is a restaurant in Texas where they serve a 72-oz (2 kg.) steak, with a special promotion: if you can eat it all in one hour, it’s free! America also invented the phrase “all you can eat”. I often wonder what our Costa Rican hosts think when they see hordes of six-foot-six, two-fifty-pound giants who have been blessed with such bounteous upbringings. Unfortunately, Americans are under the blissful impression that the rest of the world lives, and eats, as they do, and they get quite a giggle at the quaint custom of eating rice and beans twice a day. (continued page 32)
CD Review The Expanding World of Mal País Tony Orez
J
ust six years ago, the Costa Rican band Malpais released their first album, “Malpais Uno”. The music, a kind of modern folkloric sound with Guanacastecan roots, received an immediate positive response from the public. Malpais had filled a void. In 2004, for their second CD, “Historias de Nadie”, the five-piece band added Gilberto Jarquin as a second drummer for most of the recordings, working alongside Carlos “tapao” Vargas, percussionist extraordinaire. The band liked this new addition and the group grew to six members. The listening audience approved, too, as the fan base of the band skyrocketed. By the time they recorded their third disc in 2006, “Malpais En Vivo”, they had become the most popular band in the country, verified by the crowd response on this live CD. The album was also notable in that it introduced some new songs and used female vocalists as well. Nowadays, a new Malpais album is a national event. Their newest offering, “Un Dia Lejano” is sure to please their current fans and certainly bring the band new ones at the same time. The two-CD package contains twenty-six songs, well over an hour and a half of music, including a studio version of “Rosa de Un Día”, which was introduced on the live album. Daniella Rodriguez also made her debut on the live disc and has stayed on to provide lead vocals for some songs and backing vocals on others. Daniella is a good example of how the band has grown over the years, adding personnel and expanding their musical directions. The band has always been a prolific group of musicians, each with their individual projects. Fidel Gamboa, the main songwriter, obviously had a good number of new songs to unveil. I like the fact that the band released a double CD album because it gives the entire group a lot of room to play and demonstrate the various musical directions they are pursuing. Make no mistake, Malpais has remained “true to their school” of Guanacaste folk influence. But it’s also nice to hear Fidel rip through the guitar lead on “Efecto Mariposa” like I have never heard him play before and the entire band rock & roll their way through “Derechos de Autor”. Other new musical shapes and colors on the album include Manuel Obregon leaning on his Hammond organ, stretching the notes, and the whole band rendering a symphonic sound at various times throughout the album. The chorus vocals are rich and more harmonic as well, a kind of new instrument for the band. As always, Papaya has done an excellent job with the packaging of their product. The CD case is a double fold-out with a separate booklet for each disc, containing lyrics and other pertinent information. Everyone involved in this album is obviously very proud of their accomplishments. They should be: “Un Dia Lejano” shines brightly. The new Malpais album and all Papaya CDs are available at the Jaime Peligro shops in Playa Tamarindo and Tilaran, where they will gladly play the music for their customers.
Book Review The Snow Man Cometh Tony Orez
C
arolyn Chute broke into the literary scene with her first novel, “The Beans of Egypt, Maine” in 1985. She certainly caught my attention with this memorable work of fiction and her clever disrespect for nearly every existing rule of grammar. Her second novel, “Letourneau’s Used Auto Parts”, verified Chute’s authentic New England quirkiness and cleared her of being branded as another one-hit wonder. Both novels revolve around impoverished communities in western Maine, something Chute writes about with first-hand knowledge. A high school dropout and mother at the age of sixteen, Carolyn Chute grew up in abject poverty. Her first two novels introduce the gentry with their stark lifestyles, their humor and persistence, in short, their humanness. In her novel “Snow Man”, Chute takes Robert “Ruff” Drummond, an impoverished western Maine citizen, out of his habitat and places him in another universe: Boston, Massachusetts. The novel opens with Robert completing the metropolitan task he has set out to do: the execution-style assassination of one of the state’s senators. Robert Drummond is a member of the militia group Snow Men, which is neither left nor right winged, as he later explains, but “down versus up”. But Ruff makes a big mistake when he decides to put a second bullet into the skull of the kneeling, sobbing ultraconservative senator, because that projectile then ricochets and rips through his own right shoulder. The other two Snow Men accomplices are both killed in the ensuing getaway shoot-out, but Robert somehow manages to escape and even make it to the home of the other state’s senator whom he had also planned to shoot to death. He finally passes out in the garage of the liberal senator who is actually in Washington, D.C. at the time. Drummond is discovered by the estate’s maintenance man, who notifies the senator’s wife and adult daughter, a university professor home on break. By this time, Drummond’s face is all over the news. The female members of this model liberal family quickly decide to essentially harbor the now-famous fugitive (they are staunchly opposed to capital punishment) and call in a sympathetic veterinarian to try to patch him up. Robert pulls through and, during his recovery, the women discover they have a lot more in common with him than they had initially assumed. Needless to say, the novel is a marble cake of dry humor and the author’s even drier portrait of the eco-political climate in America. Again, Chute utilizes fragmented sentences, seemingly avoiding verbs whenever possible. Some chapters are less than a full page while others are lengthy. It is this control of pace and meter that compliments the storytelling. She does a great job with regional dialects and inflections in her characters’ conversations that lend to their credibility and personalities. The authoress never tries to condone what Drummond has done, nor does she condemn him; I think one thing that makes this work of fiction truly work is that it delves into what would compel an individual to resort to such a desperate act. The end result is that the reader (or at least this reader) is allowed to draw their own conclusions. Mine? Bravo, Carolyn Chute!
Enquire about special rates for residents
By Nina Weber Certified Yoga Instructor
on the Beach Men do Yoga because Yoga is COOL Featured: Yogi Alejandro
We hear so much about yoga and women. What do you think yoga has to offer for men? Men are supposed to be strong and goal-oriented and to identify physically and mentally with sports. But what many men discover is that the stereotype of a strong, independent male is very isolating and doesn’t really work. Men begin to look inward to move toward relationships with themselves and with others. Yoga is all about a relationship between the body and the breath, the muscles and the skeletal structure, between the physical self and our emotions, the mind and the body and about yourself and your community. Most men are more into other physical activities, but practicing Asanas will help offset any physical irregularities that they may acquire from such tasks.
Alejandro is a long-term resident of our area. He is a practicing dentist and owns a dental office in town. He is also involved in many area groups and events and is a very active member of Tamarindo and our community. “I have been interested in Yoga since college where I took some classes for my sports requirements. However, it was not until a few years ago that I started to practice it regularly. In the beginning, it was hard, but later with discipline and consistency I began to feel the benefits of the practice in my physical body. My strength, flexibility, balance and posturing improved and so did my performance in other sports. Later, during the practice of Yoga, I learned to be aware of my breathing (the essential fuel for life). At that point I began to feel my heart; mind and soul open, living everyday with gratitude and wonder.”
YOGA AT CASA AZUL in Tamarindo Beachfront provides a combination of Dynamic * Challenging * Inspiring * Encouraging and Relaxing Yoga * Small groups and individual adjustments *Most important.: Yoga is fun !!! For more information email me at nina@tamarindoyoga.com. www.tamarindoyoga.com
For example, in other sports such like golf or tennis, there is a tendency that some muscles are used more than their respective symmetrical counterparts (e.g. right and left arms, legs, etc.) Practicing Asanas helps loosening tightness in the muscles, bringing the body back into its natural alignment. We i g h t Training combined w i t h Yo g a can produce better much results. Practicing Yoga will allow more flexibility and will relax the muscles. Pranayama (Yoga breathing ) keeps the health vibrant and can also improve response from the nervous system. The overall practice of Yoga can help combat age-related diseases like impotence, prostate conditions, osteoporosis, and heart problems.
Roy Hidalgo
E
The Road to South Africa
very game brings us closer to the World Cup, as we have just gained another six points, three against the giant of our division, the United States, in a game that was, to many, the best game of La Sele under the leadership of Rodrigo Kenton. At just two minutes Alvaro Saborio opened the scoring in a wonderful way, and the second goal came with a play by Esteban Cirias, then in the second half Paulo Herrera consolidated the third. In extra time the United States managed to score their only goal from a penalty by Landon Donoban after a childish error by Junior Diaz. Who could imagine that things could change so much after a change in strategy, only a year after nobody had a good word to say about La Sele, when they played so badly under Hernan Medford. And now the results show that we are the best in our division. This was confirmed during ninety minutes in Tobago in an exciting game, because Trinidad has always been a difficult opponent for Costa Rica. The game ended with a win for La Sele of 3-2, very big away points because with fifteen points we will be in the World Cup.
The Salon, always a hot spot with locals, has been recently remodelled. Debra, stylist from Colorado, has joined Nick and Yanet to offer haircuts,colors, highlights, waxing, manicures and pedicures. Debra also does wedding hair and make-up.
Stylists Nick: 8-353-4972 Debra: 8-385-8935 Manicures, Pedicures, Waxing Yanet: 8-312-2868 Weddings Debra: bridesbydebra@yahoo.com Walk-ins welcome • Ask about low season rates Tamarindo, opposite Walter’s Restaurant (Zully Mar)
Kenton’s figures are impressive with 88% effectiveness, the team is more aggressive and comfortable with Ricardo Saprissa as the favored stadium. You just have to be there to feel the adrenaline that drives the enthusiasm of the team in their home stadium and understand how they can pull out the scores that will take them to South Africa 2010.
Upcoming Fixtures Date
Country
Game
Gold Cup July 3 July 6 July 10
USA USA USA
CR v El Salvador CR v Jamaica CR v Canada
World Cup Hexagonal 2009 Aug. 12 Sept. 5 Sept. 9 Oct. 10 Oct. 14
Honduras Costa Rica El Salvador Costa Rica U.S.A.
Honduras v CR CR v Mexico El Salvador v CR CR v Trinidad/Tobago U.S.A v CR
TAMARINDO - LOTS 1,200 TO 4,000 M2 Fully titled, water and electricity Very quiet location 5 min. from Tamarindo and beaches 3 min. from Hacienda Pinilla Golf Best prices, below the Bank’s appraisal!! Financing available!
Lot 2B: 1201 m2 - $42.000 Lot 12A: 1322 m2 - $46.000 Lot 9A: 1601 m2 - $51.000
Lot 3A: 1734 m2 - $60.000 Lot 3B: 2044 m2 - $71.000 Lot 22: 4000 m2 - $84.000
Web Site: www.fincaarwen.com Email: finca.arwen@gmail.com TEL: 8885.8706
A ro T o u w n n d
by David Mills
The hairdressing salon on Tamarindo Circle, opposite Walter’s Restaurant has been remodelled, and an extra chair added. Along with its new name, “The Spot” has a new stylist, Debra, who comes from Colorado to join Nick, who has operated the salon for 18 months. Together with Yanet, they specialize in Haircuts, Colors, Highlights, all Waxing, Manicures and Pedicures. Debra also does wedding hair and make-up. See “The Spot” ad on page 13.
Hungry during that shopping trip to Santa Cruz? Have lunch at Bar/Restaurant La Pantalla for delicious, plentiful meals at good prices. From Kion, 200 north, 150 east. See ad on page 25. Still hungry? Kahiki is now serving lunches in its new location Pachanga, opposite Pasatiempo. They have a new menu of bagels, burgers, salads, wraps and soups, almost all at under ¢3,000. Pet owners: Isabel Furet-Pignon has opened a new boarding kennel service in a healthy and safe environment in La Garita. Supervised private rooms with curtains and tiled floors, and a huge garden to play in. Isabel loves pets and will give TLC to all. From Educarte, 800 m on right. Tel: 2-653-5039 or 8-899-8292. July 4 celebration! Softball game at Field of Champions in Brasilito (behind Happy Snapper). All are welcome, for food and drinks, bocce and horseshoes after the game. The Adventure Starts at “Monkey Jungle” Zip Line Canopy Tour, just a short drive out of Tamarindo, with 67 hectares of forest; ziplines up to 450 meters; resident howler and white-faced monkeys; play area with trampolines and Tarzan swings. Terrific idea for birthday parties, and they will provide transportation. Call 8-388-4596 for information. See ad page 18.
www.howlermag.com
Located inside Ursula’s Restaurant (old Stella) 150 meters east of Pasatiempo.
Surf Report Story: Ellen Zoe Golden
I
f you are a surfer worth your salt, you are going to want to be in Playa Hermosa at the end of the month for the Billabong International Surfing Assocation (ISA) World Surfing Games Costa Rica 2009. As of press time, 35 nationally selected surf teams from countries around the globe have confirmed participation in the greatest event of the sport, scheduled to take place July 31 until August 8 in Playa Hermosa near Jacó. The ISA confirmed that 17 teams would be arriving for the Games with a full contingent. These include the 10 surf powers of the world: Australia, Brazil, United States, France, Costa Rica, Portugal, South Africa, Tahiti, Peru and New Zealand, all of whom are coming to this country looking to earn the championship gold medal. In addition, at the time of my writing, 18 countries were in the process of bringing their inscriptions up to date, thereby making their participation to the World Surfing Games official in the registry before the ISA. In the entire world, there are 54 teams who have the option to participate in the World Surfing Games. Each nationally selected team has until July 29 to register in order to be included in this year’s spectacular. The World Surfing Games have taken place every year since 1964, and the record number of countries that participated at one time was in Huntington Beach, California, in 2006. That year 33 countries arrived in “Surf City.” With 35 national surf teams expected in Costa Rica this year, the 2009 edition of the World Surfing Games could very well be the greatest championship yet. The Federación de Surf de Costa Rica (FSC), which is organizing the event, anticipates that between the surf teams, their technical bodies, and the staff of the event itself, there will be more than 1,000 people participating in the contest in Jacó during the days of the Games. Jose Ureña, President of the FSC, declared that the positive response from the national surf teams—which will break the participation record—indicates the greatness of the event. He also says having such a large turnout bodes well since the countries are meeting one of the great challenges of our time, the world economic situation. “The selections that approach Costa Rica to a large extent are motivated by the warm water on our coast, the quality of our waves—which are the best ones in the world, very amiable people, their economic abilities to bring their full teams to the World Surfing Games, and the amount of different activities which they are complemented with in this country,” said Ureña. “With a month and a half to be realized until the event, it is very probable that the number of countries will still increase. Once we initiate the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games, this will be a real celebration of cultures combining globally.” A few notes: The South Africa team made public the final selection of the eight athletes who will be surfing for their country in the World Surfing Games Costa Rica 2009. These surfers, who also participate in the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World
Qualifying Series (WQS) and World Championship Tour (WCT), include among them Brandon Jackson, Rudy Palmboom, Damien Fahrentford and Ryan Payne in the Open category. On the other hand, Latin American countries Venezuela, Peru and Puerto Rico have announced their teams. These include the best surfers of their countries including Francisco Bellorín, Gabriel Villarán and Brian Toth, corresponding by nation. In addition, it is no less important to stress the confirmed participation of unpublished countries for the World Surfing Games, as is
Philippe Demarsan
the case of Vanuatu, an island in the continent of Australia, who will be sending a full contingent of surfers. As to our home team, the Federación de Surf de Costa Rica previously announced the 12 surfers who have been preselected to enter the training that went on for two months prior to this most important appointment of the surfing year. The list of surfers who hope to hit the water for Costa Rica at the World Surfing Games are: OPEN: Jason Torres (Jacó), Luis Vindas (Jacó), Carlos Muñoz (Esterillos), Diego Naranjo (Jacó), Jairo Pérez (Jacó), Juan Carlos Naranjo (Jacó) and Gilbert Brown (Puerto Viejo, photo page 22). WOMEN’S: Lisbeth Vindas (Jacó), Nataly Bernold (Jacó), and Mariana Samudio (Jacó). (continued page 22)
The Guanacaste Kitchen Steeped in Tradition
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isps of smoke gently rise through the palm roof as flames lick around the superheated clay comal . As the white corn tortillas bake on the clay plate, the scent of the fragrant corn blends with the rich scent of chicken, vegetables, and a variety of spices, slowly cooking in a large metal pot. From the Amazon basin of South America to the land of the Mayas in the Yucatan Peninsula, women traditionally used similar cooking methods to prepare family meals. Too hot to cook in the house, the outdoor kitchen of Guanacaste became a practical adaptation to tropical living. Although most new houses in Guanacaste have modern kitchens with electric or gas stoves, many women still opt for outdoor cooking of traditional dishes, claiming they taste better over firewood. Sheltered from the sun and rain, the tropical kitchen was covered with a simple palm or clay tile roof. The traditional outdoor kitchen of Guanacaste had three basic structures which are still an integral part of rural kitchens today. First, the fogon, which is a raised bed constructed of wood and filled with sand. On the fogon are two or three hornillas or cooking surfaces (made from formed mud and horse manure or more “modern” ones from cement blocks), that hold the leña or firewood and support the cooking pots or clay comals. Water, with ash added, is splashed on the fogon to protect the wood from burning. The second is the lavatorio, the wooden table used to prepare the dishes, wash vegetables or chop the meat. The working-height table had channels for washing down after use. The third, the molidero, was used to grind corn on the stone metate. A short distance from the main kitchen area, some homes would have a larger horno, or clay oven, with its own roof used for special baking projects. The large round ovens are also made from mud mixed with horse manure, a gluelike liquid extracted from the Guacimo branches soaked in water, then formed over a structure of vines. Older kitchens might also have a smoke rack above the fogon to dry or smoke a variety of foods from meats and fish, to cheese and chilis. Other kitchen basics included the chorreador, or “coffee maker”, a simple wooded stand with a “cotton sock”. Finely ground coffee would be added to the sock, then boiling water is poured through to produce the rich, fragrant brew. Hanging from the roof would also be a variety or cooking pots including the two handled casuelas made of clay or metal and the sartén, a frying pan. Before plastic, cooks used huacales de jicaro, the gourd-like fruits of the jicaro tree, as bowls and dippers. The
Kay Dodge de Peraza
jicaro is also known as the cannonball tree, a small tree common along fence rows in Guanacaste. Pre-Columbian Indians traded clay pots and cooking vessels throughout the Americas. With the introduction of metal ware, the large ollas would become a prized possession of the Guanacaste cook. The valuable cooking pots often were passed from mother to daughter. Today, many of the large cooking pots come from Nicaragua and are sold in the central markets, along the roadsides or hawked house to house in the small rural towns. The best Guanacaste cooks are fussy about the leña or firewood used to cook their special dishes like tamales, olla de carne (slowcooked soup), or arroz con pollo (chicken and rice). The favored wood is from the Guacimo or Nance trees, because it burns clean and produces less carbon ash. Guacimo is a common, medium-sized tree found in pastures. Wood from Madero is also a favorite, but is more valuable for fence posts. However, old posts with heartwood are commonly collected and cutup for leña. The traditional kitchens of Guanacaste can be seen in the back yards of many small towns. Women meet around the fire, exchanging gossip and teaching young girls the old ways. But not all the kitchens were outside; some were attached to the main house in large haciendas. Visitors to Guanacaste Conservation area can visit the kitchen in La Casona of Santa Rosa. It had a larger fogón to prepare meals for the many peons on the hacienda, long before it became the site of the famous battle of Santa Rosa which drove the invading army of William Walker back to Nicaragua. Many agree that when Guanacaste cooks prepare main dishes and tortillas the old fashioned way, the food tastes better because it was cooked in a traditional Guanacaste outdoor kitchen. I have tried to cook the same meals inside, and it’s just not quite the same. In the small town fiestas, local women often don their aprons and cook traditional dishes for all to sample.
K-9 Matriculation at La Paz School
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n response to a growing need for bilingual, non-profit, cooperative, community education in the coastal Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, La Paz Community School has chosen to increase enrollment by nearly 40% for the second year in a row since its inception in September of 2007. The La Paz board and school administration are proud to announce an increase in kindergarten through 9th grade matriculation of 30 students to a total of 110, including the addition of 5 new scholarship students. While two temporary classrooms will be constructed to accommodate the immediate growth, plans for permanent installations to accommodate future growth on new land will be unveiled in the near future. For the second year running, over 90% of the present La Paz student population will be returning for the following school year. Those departing families have chosen to leave Costa Rica, thus resulting in an impressive 100% student retention rate amongst families that will remain in the country. The school board, staff, and administration continue to be humbly encouraged by the community’s commitment to the high-quality education offered at La Paz.
The 110 newly matriculated students continue to represent the diverse cultural and socioeconomic makeup of the coastal Guanacaste communities with representation from 20 countries around the world. 40% of the students were born in Costa Rica and 16 local students will receive scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year. The ethnically diverse families live in communities as far south as Avellanas/Playa Negra and as far north as Cartagena with the majority residing in Potrero/Flamingo, Tamarindo, and Huacas. As part of the administration’s continued commitment to diversify the curriculum, money has been budgeted for three new classroom teachers and a full-time technology director. In a move to further expand the school’s efforts to generate funding for the scholarship fund, annual fund, and pending Capital Construction Campaign, La Paz has hired a professional fundraising and development officer who will manage the school’s donations both in Costa Rica and abroad. The third annual La Paz General Assembly meeting will take place on July 7th, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. at the school and it is open to the public.
Development Ruling at Parque las Baulas Marine Park The Santa Cruz Municipality has been ordered to stop all construction within a “500-meter buffer zone” near the National Marine Park in Playa Grande, Tamarindo and Langosta until another impact study is performed, maybe taking years to complete. The case was initiated on behalf of the Leatherback Trust (TLT) a NGO based in New Jersey, USA. During this NGO’s tenure, the population of the Giant Leatherback Turtle has dramatically declined. One reason for this is that the Trust documents the deaths of hundreds of baby turtles at their hands in the name of science and, at the same time, implies the landowners in PG are “evil developers”. If they had the wisdom to consult with the people they instead insult, they would have found friends who love nature! Since TLT has been in Playa Grande, they have failed at saving the turtles, and may have contributed to the turtle’s decline, both by experiments and by turning a blind eye to the real plight of the turtles at sea. Government agencies are named in their action, none of which responded to the complaint, therefore leaving the justices no choice. These agencies are now compelled to deliver the fatal blow to what little economic activity exists. A few years ago, a dedicated group of landowners and MINAET worked tirelessly to institute a Plan Regulador for Playa Grande. The Plan Regulador was praised worldwide and welcomed by the community. The Santa Cruz Municipality approved it. Who rose up to object? The Leatherback Trust. So, I seriously question their motives in protecting the Park. The court ruled that a 500-meter buffer zone around the park exists. There are issues with this ruling. • It is being enforced retroactively • Legally, this buffer zone may not even exist • This zone has not been clearly defined. The studies were ordered completed by June 9, 2009, a few days from now. These have not even begun; already an extension is required. The two residential developments in Playa Grande, claimed by the complaint to have no SETENA Impact study were legally approved by all existing agencies in 1977 and 1992, respectively. SETENA was not formed until 1995. We had a SETENA Environmental Impact study done, and posted an environmental bond as required for permits to be legally obtained. We have a document from MINAET assuring us that our construction is outside the Park Boundaries. The complaint accused the agencies that legally granted permits of violating the law and procedures. They did not. Playas Grande, Tamarindo and Langosta will soon have eroding, abandoned buildings, where undesirables will hide. Our craftsmen can no longer depend on income or prepaid health insurance; their families will suffer, local markets and hardware stores that provide supplies will suffer. Banks, tourism, tax base and businesses in San Jose will be affected. The domino effect of this ruling comes at the worst of times and hits very deep. The only outcome of this decision is human suffering and more delays. Meanwhile, The Leatherback Trust hides behind a hypocritical “green” curtain. Tom Battaglia Playa Grande
Response from The Leatherback Trust The Leatherback Trust was founded in 2000 to help preserve the leatherback turtle and other sea turtles from extinction. Scientists from several universities did do legitimate experiments at Playa Grande in the 1990s, when there were thousands of adult turtles, to define the mechanism of sex determination in leatherback turtle embryos and to determine if there were enough males in the population to maintain genetic diversity. Scientists have also documented the effect of fishing on the decline of turtles and more the effect of egg poaching on the decline of leatherbacks at Playa Grande. It turns out that poaching had a similar effect as fishing in the decline of the turtles. The Leatherback Trust has worked with local communities and schools, eco-tourist guides and business people to support Las Baulas Park and the turtles, and has paid for the salaries of several rangers at the Park for several years. It is very unfortunate that the Supreme Court, Sala IV, has suspended development around the Park. The law suit before the Court was brought by a group of Guanacastecos who have formed the “Asociacion Pro Conservacion y Defensa de los Recursos Naturales y Culturales de la Provincia de Guanacaste” and not The Leatherback Trust. The Trust has advocated low-density development (1 or 2-storey houses) within the buffer zone of the Park and has paid for the development of the park management plan. We believe that there should be no buildings built within the 75m strip behind Playa Grande. That and the low density development beyond that area will minimize pollution, sewage, trash and chemicals that could reach the beach through the ground water. The Trust has been working with the government, to raise funds to pay landowners who have their property acquired for the Park. Expropriations are managed by MINAE, not the Trust. The expropriation process is fair since people should be compensated if their land is part of the Park. The Trust does not advocate that houses built legally in the 75m zone of the Park before 1995 be expropriated because people built there in good faith. Landowners around Playa Grande should direct their anger at the administration of President Arias and not The Leatherback Trust. Several past court rulings called for a speedy completion of the expropriation process. The Arias Administration has failed to do this. This year President Arias publically declared at Hacienda Pinilla that his Administration would not conduct any more expropriations in the Park in direct defiance of the laws of Costa Rica and the rulings of the Supreme Court. The entire way the Arias Administration has acted in relation to Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas is a disgrace. The turtles are not adequately protected and landowners cannot build and their property is of little value. President Arias favors big developers and big money people over his own people and the small landowners near Playa Grande. Studies already exist for the management plan and the aquifer around the Park. It should not take very long to complete an environmental analysis. Then people who own property around the park will have a clear idea of what is legal and what is not. They can build their homes and can enjoy the beach, and the turtles and nature will be protected. The Leatherback Trust is not against sustainable development and is willing to work with all people of good will to resolve the issues involved with protection of the turtles, low density development and fair compensation to landowners. James R. Spotila, President The Leatherback Trust
The Art of Guaitil A Chorotega Pottery Tradition A
few miles out of Santa Cruz is the little artesan town of Guaitil, renowned for its traditional pottery. Almost every home in the one-block community has its pottery business, and the product can be found all over Costa Rica, distinguished by its red, orange, brown and black unglazed pieces. The artisans of Guaitil carry on the tradition of their forefathers, the Chorotega Indians, who inhabited this part of the Nicoya Peninsula before the arrival of the Conquistadors. Every bowl, plate and vase reflects the love and respect that the potter has for the nature of his surroundings, with stylized depictions of monkeys, frogs, iguanas, panthers, parrots, toucans, snakes and other animals revered by the Chorotega. The process begins at a hillside a few miles from Guaitil, where the various earths are found which give the pottery its distinctive colors – white, black, red and orange. The soil is dried then crushed with mortar and pestle and sifted to remove stones. It is then mixed with sand and water and worked into the final clay with the feet, much as a winemaker treads grapes for wine. Tools are simple, a ball-bearing potter’s wheel made of an old bicycle hub, an ear of corn to add texture, a sharp stick to etch the design, a shiny stone or a leaf to smooth out the surface... Fascinated, we watch as Willy Villafuerte, using these implements but mostly his hands, “throws” a small vase in 15 minutes. Depending on the desired picture, he applies a coat of colored paste and
works the design into it. After the piece is fired in the traditional clay oven, he further elaborates the design, scratching off the colored layer to reveal the white underneath and hand-painting the detailed pictures with fine brushes so that each piece is unique. Most of the artesanias in Guaitil will give a free demonstration of their craft. Feel free to drop into the workshop and inspect the wide variety of beautiful pottery. Select your piece of decorative pottery now, as it may be another of the endangered species. The supply of colored earths, so crucial to the manufacture of the Guaitil pottery, is running out. New fields are being sought, but the demand for what is available is pushing up prices. From Tamarindo, Guaitil is a one-hour drive through pleasant countrside. From Santa Cruz, take the Nicoya road. Turn left just after CoopeGuanacaste and drive 12 km. to Guaitil. For information, call Willy at 2-681-1283 or 8-384-2961 or visit www.artesaniaswillyguaitil.com.
Santa Cruz Ciudad Folklorica
O
riginally, Santa Cruz was called “El Paraje del Diría” after the Chorotega chief Cacique Diría. The name Diría means, in the Chorotega language, the small hill, this being the original site of the city, a small knoll between the rivers Diría and Enmedio. When the Spanish explorers,under Hernan Ponce de Leon, arrived in the Gulf of Nicoya in 1519, they found a wellestablished community of Chorotegas in Santa Cruz and smaller centers in San Juan, Lagunilla, Arado and Cacao. The conquistadores established communities nearby and brought Catholicism to the area. But it wasn’t the Chorotegas nor the conquistadores that played the major part of Santa Cruz’ development. Doña Bernabela Ramos, daughter of a prestigious family and widow of a wealthy landowner, in 1818 donated a vast area of land to the community, encompassing almost all of the town. Doña Bernabela, though illiterate, initiated the layout of the town’s streets and introduced the “Santo Cristo de Esquipulas”, a religious tradition which is still celebrated today. The nearby town of Veintesiete de Abril is named for the date of one of her donations. The canton of Santa Cruz was officially created on December 7, 1848. At that time, the canton was one of three in the Nicoya Peninsula, the others being Liberia and Nicoya. The town was awarded city status in 1916 and its name changed from Diria to Santa Cruz. In 1919 Don José Lopez Zuñiga donated a large area where Plaza de los Mangos now exists, and the central park, Parque Bernabela Ramos, was established the following year. In 1930, an airport was built near the cemetery where the Liceo now stands. The “tortilla factory” just east of the central park, operated by a women’s cooperative and well known for its comida tipica, used to be an aircraft engine maintenance facility.
Parque Bernabela Ramos contains some interesting sculpture, including a bandshell with Chorotega designs and statues of Doña Bernabela and Cacique Diría and bullfighting scenes. Opposite the park is the Iglesia Santo Cristo de Esquipulas, constructed in 1924 and housing a clock shipped over from Spain. Next door, the modernistic Catholic Church resembles a psychedelic UFO. A few blocks away, next door to Purdy Motors, is a monument to the marimba, Guanacaste’s traditional instrument. Santa Cruz today is a thriving city with many services and good shopping. (excerpted from “El Paraje de Diría” by Dr. Edgar Leal Arrieta)
Surf Report
Anexion
Why we celebrate July 25
(from page 15)
T
his month Costa Rica in general and Guanacaste in particular celebrate Anexion on July 25. What is Anexion?
Many people, Costa Ricans as well as extranjeros, believe that Guanacaste used to be a part of Nicaragua. But this is not the case. Before anexion, Guanacaste – the area west of the Rio Tempisque to the Pacific and north to Lake Nicaragua - was an autonomous territory called el Partido de Nicoya whose administration, such as it was, was handled by the Captain-General of Guatemala. It did not belong to Nicaragua nor Costa Rica. However, it had strong commercial ties to its neighbors, Puntarenas, Cañas and Esparza. When both Nicaragua and Costa Rica declared independence from Spain in 1821, Guanacaste was obliged to decide whether its future would be better under Nicaraguan or Costa Rican rule. While Nicaragua suffered from many internal problems, business relations between Guanacaste and Costa Rica were favorable, so the inhabitants decided on the latter and signed the Acta de Anexion on July 25, 1824.
Fabián Sánchez
LONGBOARD: Cristian Santamaría (Jacó), and Anthony Flores (Jacó). The process of groups and training of the surfers is conducted as a battle for the limited positions available on the Costa Rica National Surf Team. Two events are scheduled that consist of three days and two nights where the preselected ones coexist as a group, yet perform against each other to represent their country in diverse events. Part of the work includes learning to fight with the pressure that will be on them from the public and media during the hours of competition. “Acting as a unit has been the motor of our national selections in all our World Surfing Games. This one will be a long event, with extensive days, and in this sense we need to lean on each other as a team in the good times and in the bad times,” affirmed Ureña, who is also the Technical Director of the Costa Rica National Surf Team. In addition, the preselected team members are also in the hands of the physical trainer, Donald Vega, and they work on their mental and physical aspects with intensity. The Ticos have daily sessions in the gym and their nutrition is supervised by Vega until the beginning of the World Surfing Games. The final selection for the Costa Rica National Surf Team will be made the day before inscriptions, and they will be limited to 4 Open, 2 Women and 2 Longboard surfers. According to the calendar of ISA, the cutoff is July 28. Why wait to announce the final eight until the day before the competition? According to Ureña, there are two important reasons. First, to keep the entire contingent healthy and ready in case of some unexpected injury of a top choice. Second, to maintain the best attitude and motivation in the athletes until the beginning of the World Surfing Games. “It’s very normal to work with high performance surfers and have some highs and lows in the selection process. That’s why we are going to make the opportunity to select the eight that are at their maximum level,” commented Ureña. (continued page 24)
Word puzzle Miscellany
All words from the list below can be found in the word block on the right. Answers may be forward, backward, upwards, downwards and diagonal. alianza beginning blackboard cirujano confederacy conjugar cordillera crumb desarrollo development entity esplendida ea hambre ketchup
machine maquina mayonesa obsequioso pizarra porcelain precipitate principio pulga redondel substance servitude surgeon surroundings unpunctual
Surf Report
(from page 22)
This group of 12 preselected athletes is a combination of experience, youth and talent in three different generations of surfers. They range in age from 16 to 27 years. “The work that we will get from them will be very strict, in the sense that we will demand commitment and concentration. They have the obligation to surf everyday at the point of Terrazas del Pacífico, which is the podium of the competition,” Ureña added. It is at Terrazas that the technical body of the FSC will see the surfers run the location assigned for the World Surfing Games coming up in August. That’s part of the advantage of being the local team, having familiarity with the home break. For the first time ever, Alex Valverde, the head judge of the Federación de Surf de Costa Rica, will appear on the international panel of judges during a World Surfing Games when he makes his debut at the Playa Hermosa tournament. In the middle of the six unique international judges denominated Valverde will be the only Latino on the list. The entire judging list includes: Head of Judges: Glen Elliott (Aus), Cyril Nel (RSA), Jordao Bailo Jr. (Bra). International Judges: Aaron Saranah (Aus), Robby Haugen (USA), Andre Albuquerque (Bra), Bruno Truch (Fra), Alex Valverde (CR), Tiago Matos (Por). Team Judges: Sandile Mqadi (RSA), Nathalie Massin (Tah), Borja Echeverria (Esp), Trevor Medcalf (NZ), Fernando Carlin (Per), Takeshi Hirota (Jpn). Nominated Judges: Elvis Carter (Bar), Gordon Torry (Tri). Profiles of the preselected Costa Rica national Surf Team Carlos Muñoz (Esterillos) 9-time national champion from 2005 to 2009 in the categories sub-12, sub-14, sub-16, sub-18 and Open 2009 9th place World Junior Surfing Games Ecuador Diego Naranjo (Jacó) 2006 national champion Open 2007 sub champion Mex Pipe (Puerto Escondido, México) 2008 winner Reef Classic Perú, national champion Longboard 2009 bronze medal Circuito Nacional Gilbert Brown (Puerto Viejo) 2003 national champion Open 2006 15th place in World Surfing Games, Huntington, California 2007 bronze medal in Pan-American Games Chile, sub champion Reef Classic Argentina 2008 national champion Open, bronze medal Central American championships (continued page 27)
JULY TIDE CHART 1W
2T
3F
4S
5S
6M
03:19 09:49 16:10 22:23 04:19 10:48 17:13 23:26 05:20 11:46 18:13
1.3 8.7 1.4 7.4 1.8 8.4 1.5 7.3 2.0 8.2 1.5
00:27 06:20 12:41 19:06 01:21 07:14 13:30 19:53
7.3 2.2 9T 8.2 1.4 7.4 2.1 10F 8.3 1.2
7T Full Moon 8W
02:09 08:03 14:16 20:36 02:53 08:46 14:58 21:14 03:33 09:27 15:38 21:51 04:11 10:06 16:17 22:27 04:47 10:44 16:55 23:01
7.7 2.0 8.4 1.0 7.9 1.8 8.5 0.8 8.2 1.6 8.6 0.6 8.4 1.4 8.6 0.6 8.6 1.3 8.6 0.6
11S
12S
13M
14T
15W Last Qtr
05:23 11:22 17:32 23:36 05:59 12:00 18:09
8.7 16T 1.2 8.4 0.7 8.7 17F 1.2 8.2
00:11 06:35 12:40 18:48 00:48 07:13 13:21 19:30 01:27 07:55 14:08 20:17
0.9 18S 8.6 1.3 7.9 1.1 19S 8.5 1.4 7.6 1.4 20M 8.4 1.6 7.3
21T New Moon
02:13 08:43 15:00 21:12 03:06 09:38 15:59 22:15 04:08 10:41 17:04 23:22 05:15 11:46 18:08
1.6 8.3 1.6 7.1 1.8 8.3 1.6 7.1 1.8 8.4 1.4 7.3 1.7 8.6 1.0
00:28 06:23 12:49 19:09
7.8 25S 1.4 9.0 0.5
22W
23T
24F
01:29 07:27 13:48 20:05 02:25 08:26 14:43 20:57 03:17 09:21 15:36 21:48 04:07 10:13 16:26 22:36 04:57 11:04 17:16 23:23
8.4 0.9 9.4 0.0 9.1 0.3 9.8 -0.5 9.7 -0.1 10.0 -0.8 10.2 -0.4 10.1 -0.9 10.4 -0.4 9.9 -0.8
26S
05:45 11:54 18:06
10.3 31F -0.3 9.5
27M
00:11 06:34 12:45 18:56 00:59 07:24 13:37 19:49 01:49 08:16 14:32 20:46 02:43 09:12 15:53 21:49
-0.4 10.0 0.1 8.9 0.2 9.5 0.6 8.3 0.9 8.9 1.2 7.6 1.6 8.3 1.6 7.2
28T 1st Qtr 29W
30T
1S Aug 2S
3M
4T
03:43 10:14 16:39 22:57 04:50 11:17 17:45
2.1 7.9 1.9 6.9 2.5 7.7 1.9
00:03 05:57 12:17 18:43 01:01 06:56 13:10 19:32 01:49 07:46 13:56 20:14
6.9 2.6 7.7 1.8 7.2 2.4 7.8 1.5 7.5 7.1 8.1 1.2
Surf & Turf
S
urf legend Robert August is in Tamarindo for the Robert August Surf and Turf! This famous tournament gathers important contestants from the U.S. and is 100% dedicated to the children in need in the Tamarindo area. Welcome party and inscriptions take place at the Best Western Monkey Bar, Thursday, July 30th, at 6 p.m. On Friday, July 31st, everyone gathers together at Lola’s on Avellanas beach for the surf contest. That day you also can win incredible prices during the silent auction at Lola’s while enjoying a delicious lunch. At night at 7 p.m. Robert August organizes a special dinner at La Laguna del Cocodrilo. The golf tournament will take place on Saturday, August 1st, at Hacienda Pinilla. Saturday night you can join the amazing Robert August party at Bar 1. Sunday will be incredibly relaxing tour on the Blue Dolphin Catamaran. This is a great opportunity to give your business great exposure sponsoring one of these activities, donating an item for the auction or simply participating in the tournament. While doing so you will be supporting children in need and the Tamarindo lifeguards. For more information contact Lucía at CEPIA: 2-653-8533, 8-301-8282, cepiadirector@racsa.co.cr or visit www.robertaugust.com
World Environment Day On June 5th, CEPIA celebrated the World Environment Day with the 120 kids from the school of Huacas, 12 kids from La Paz School and 40 teenagers from the Villarreal high school. They taught a very important lesson to the people by picking up the trash thrown on the streets by thoughtless citizens: Huacas belongs to all of us and we like it clean. All the trash was separated for proper recycling. The youngsters also planted several trees along the riverside. This activity was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Paradisus Playa Conchal, Reserva Conchal, La Florida Foundation, La Paz Community Shool, Fundación Acción Joven, Escuela de Huacas, Hielo Friza and our volunteers: Cindy Johnson, Janine Urbaszewski, Debra Marcos, Mary Byerly and Esteban Yong.
Surf Report
(from page 24)
Jairo Pérez (Jacó) 2007 national champion Junior and winner Reef Classic Costa Rica. champion Central American championships Junior 2008 21st place World Surfing Games Open Portugal Jason Torres (Jacó) 2006: champion gold medal PanAmerican Games Junior, national champion Junior and champion Central American championships Junior 2007: Sub-champion national Open, sub-champion Central American championships Open 2008: 5th place World Surfing Games Portugal, champion Central American championships Open 2009: sub-champion national Open Juan Carlos Naranjo (Jacó) 2005 selection for the World Junior Surfing Games, Huntington, California 2007, 2008 & 2009 Top 10 Circuito Nacional de Surf Luis Vindas (Jacó) National selected for the Costa Rica National Surf Teams since 2005 2005 winner Reef Classic Perú 2007 winner Reef Classic El Salvador 2008 winner best air de Latinoamérica for ALAS, sub-champion Open and 6th place World Surfing Games Open Portugal, sub-champion Central America championships Lisbeth Vindas (Jacó) 7-time national women’s champion from 2001 to 2009, except 2007. 2006 Central American women’s champion Selected for the National Costa Rica Surf Team since 2003 Nataly Bernold (Jacó) 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 champion Junior women’s in Costa Rica 2007 national champion women’s Open 2008 6th World Surfing Games women’s Open in Portugal 2008 Central American women’s champion Mariana Samudio (Jacó) Top 10 season since 2007 This is her first selection for the National team.
That’s all I’ve got. Looking forward to hearing what you think. Keep those emails coming at EllenZoe@aol.com. Send your comments, information, errors or praise, because I can’t do this column without you, the real surfers.
October F orecasts July F orecasts
by Jeanne Callahan
Visit Jeanne’s site at CelestialAdvisor.com
Aries: 21 March - 20 April
Libra: 23 September - 23 October
Taurus: 21 April - 21 May
Scorpio: 24 October - 22 November
The energy for the month begins with life throwing you some unusual occurrences in your neighborhood or with your siblings that have to be dealt with by thinking outside the box. The lunar eclipse on the 7th could be challenging for you. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Finances are still tenuous with more cash outflow so continue on your frugal path for now. Best days for networking and friendship are the 13th, 14th and 15th. You can still put your best face forward this month as Venus is still in your sign magnifying your aesthetic, artistic and dependable qualities. With Jupiter and Neptune in your tenth house of career you can advance your own business goals if you get very clear about what you want to create. The lunar eclipse on the 7th will support a move in a new direction. Focus on practical creativity. Your most rewarding days are the 16th and 17th.
Gemini: 22 May - 21 June
You get a cosmic boost energetically this month as Venus and Mars move into your sign. This will energize you physically as well as bring more social and romantic opportunities to your life. The lunar eclipse on the 7th happens in your money and values house so another income stream or streams will develop for you this year. Communications could be intense at the beginning of the month. The 18th and 19th are your best days to shine and deliver your message.
Cancer: 22 June - 22 July
With the Sun traveling through your sign till the 23rd you have the go-ahead to create new ventures and relationships. There are two eclipses in your sign this month—the lunar eclipse on the 7th and the solar eclipse on the 21st. Start preparing yourself for major changes manifesting for the next six months. Be proactive with your health this month. Best days to get your way are the 20th and 21st.
Leo: 23 July - 23 August
This is a very dynamic month for you as you are challenged to move forward in spite of obstacles in the way. You have the eclipses of the 7th and 21st happening in your tenth house of profession so expect major changes in the next six months regarding who you will be working with. Focus on the best possible outcome for yourself in the changes. Maintain a calm demeanor in the midst of chaos—that will get you noticed by people who hold the power. The 26th and 27th offer positive connections. This month’s energy will bring abundant insights, creative challenges and possible changes in partnerships. Your home will also be in play as you creatively improve the space, let someone move in or possibly consider moving to a new location. The eclipses on the 7th and 21st happen in your third and ninth houses so both short and long trips are possible for you in the next year. Best days to visualize what you want are the 1st, 2nd, 28th and 29th.
Sagittarius: 23 November - 21 December
The cosmic vibe for you is quite positive and inspirational this month. Your challenge is to broadcast a stronger message and toot your own horn about what you have to offer. Pay attention to details and stress efficient use of resources now as the eclipses happen in your second and eighth houses of money. Your health should continue to improve. If you are looking for romance, get lots of information about the other person before jumping into bed with them. The 3rd, 4th and 31st are great days for you.
Capricorn: 22 December - 21 January
This is a pivotal month for you as the eclipses on the 7th and 21st challenge your partnerships, both professional and personal. You have support on the financial front if you don’t get greedy and support positive causes and businesses. This is a highly creative time for you as well as a time to have fun with your children and just fun in general. The 6th and full moon on the 7th have you at the top of your game.
Aquarius: 22 January - 19 February
The two eclipses on the 7th and 21st of this month happen in your twelfth house of secrets, self-undoing, hidden power, karma and the past. Be aware that events will transpire to bring people you knew back when into your present day reality. Partnerships need to be reviewed to insure they represent your best interests. Keep a calm head and leave the drama to someone else. Best days to make positive connections are the 22nd and 23rd.
With Jupiter now retrograde in your sign you can expect some retracement of any of the ideas or actions you fostered from March. New information coming to you will give you the clues on how best to achieve success. It’s time to review what’s working and what is not. Pay attention to your health as the eclipses of the 7th and 21st affect your sixth and twelfth houses. Investments and income needs to be reviewed this month as August/September will be a critical time which requires some planning. Enjoy social outings at the end of the month. Best days are 8th, 9th and 10th.
The energy for you this month shows up in a very positive professional business cycle with new connections and contacts seeking you out. However, there is a bit of melancholy to it as you realize you have to act solely on your own behalf, working very hard and feeling very alone right now. Just go with it as all emotional states are temporary and this is just one of those solitary times. As always guard your health and stay positive about the future. Virgos always come out on top. Best days are the 24th and 25th.
The cosmic vibe for you this month is one of restructuring and change as the planet Uranus goes retrograde in your sign for the next six months. This is a great time to get in touch with your inner secret desires and allow them to have a voice in your life. Think of it as your creative genius trying to express! This month is also a good time for home improvement projects and entertaining in the home. Make time for both so you can enjoy the fruits of you labors. Relationships have challenges for the rest of the year so if you are not in one, consider yourself lucky! Best days for R&R are the 11th and 12th.
Virgo: 24 August - 22 September
Pisces: 20 February - 20 March
Namasté
28
Who Stopped the Rain? Tom Peifer Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening. (Oliver Wendell Holmes)
T
he truth is that it is not raining much this year in Guanacaste. Depending on your area, perspective or source of data, we may be 80% below last year. Recent national forecasts say we’ll get something substantial in September and October. Maybe corn farmers will have better luck with their late-season planting.
The expression “living in a bubble” describes someone protected or isolated from reality. In the financial realm--which for many millions now impacts access to things like jobs, food, and shelter in addition to flights to Costa Rica—we can now observe the collective letdown of a return to stark reality. Let’s run with the analogy a bit.
The truth is, we don’t know if this is just a dry year after two wet years, or the beginning of a new pattern. Climate change models show Guanacaste becoming 30% drier but even that misses the point. They have long predicted that rainfall would come in more intense ‘events’. When that happens, more water ends up running off to the ocean, less goes into the ground. Thirty percent less rain may well translate into fifty percent drier. Nobody knows for sure.
I recently saw an article with a series of graphs that depict man’s increasing impact on nature. Statistics freaks call the form of the exponential rise of the curve from flat to vertical a “hockey stick.” Pick your favorite area of concern. It was there. Over-fishing of the oceans, depletion of forests, use of groundwater, species extinction, fertilizer consumption, use of fossil fuels, McDonald’s restaurants, air travel, CO2 in the atmosphere, extraction of minerals from the earth’s crust. Hockey sticks galore.
Over the years in these columns we have explored ways to adapt your home, your farm or garden, to the realities of a changing world. A well-placed bump here and an infiltration zone there and, bingo, you have an area where your plants could swear they were living in the humid tropics. But, as Mark Twain wryly noted, common sense appears to be a very uncommon thing. Let that thought hang there while considering that a dry year for Guanacaste may lead to lower levels in Lake Arenal and reduced electricity generation in one of the biggest hydropower installations of the country. Might have been a good idea for someone to ponder that variable before developing a surfeit of energy guzzling, air-conditioned, tourist industry infrastructure. Ditto for the proposed massive diversion of ground water and river flows to keep the lawns and golf courses green. An ironic fact is that the current weakness of the whole edifice of the tourism-related economy is due to ‘other’ reasons. Inquiring minds can now follow the paper trail and see how the twin towers of tourism and related construction were erected on the less-than-stable subsoil of the expanding US real estate and financial bubble. Both evidence and testimony would appear to demonstrate that that bubble was blown to resuscitate the moribund US economy after the dot.com bubble popped. Let’s cut to the chase here. What’s the next bubble? Trillions of dollars have been poured into rescue efforts. Many observers are skeptical that the future will rock steady to the tune of “Let the good times roll.” A recent conference in Russia—with US observers politely refused—is seen as a first step away from the dollar-based international monetary system. The truth is that there is a massive historical shift occurring and we are living through it.
The truth is that the human race has benefited from a series of bubbles conveniently blown by the forces of nature. You can thank your lucky stars that we just happen to enjoy life in an atmosphere that conveniently affords protection from the inhospitable void of space and a nice convenient breathable gas called oxygen that conveniently comes out of plants that conveniently turn solar energy into stuff we can use. All in all, it has been a quite comfy place for the human race to hang its hat for a while—considering the alternatives. But, it would appear that humanity has been busily bursting the bubbles with the hockey stick curve of exponential economic growth and the collateral damage of resource consumption and its consequences. Now they may not be hockey fans, but mainstream economists want to get back to exponential growth ASAP. Most are wont to entrust our fate to the workings of the invisible guiding hand that is supposedly able to replace anything with something else as long as the price is right. Like they found the secret force which passes from the hand of God on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel and puts the spark of life into the lifeless clay of a recently moulded Adam. Inquiring minds can mull over the likelihood of market forces solving the shortage of rainfall in time for this year’s corn crop in Guanacaste, or next year’s electrical outages if Lake Arenal doesn’t fill up. The truth is that even the White House recently released a report saying that localities need to prepare for the inevitable effects of climate change based on what we now know. We’re not talking more research. We’re talking adaptation—con(continued page 31
Surviving
C hapter XXVII
COSTA RICA
T
imes are hard all over, much less here in paradise, and things don’t seem to have much chance of improving in the near future, so this month we’ll take a look at just how those of us who’ve elected to stick it out here in the Greater Tamarindo Metroplex might just be able to weather the hard times. First we need to figure out whether you actually qualify as a Gringo, as not everybody qualifies. The term “Gringo” itself is often misunderstood; you can’t be one if you’re from Europe, South America, Asia and especially Mexico. It must be pointed out that the inhabitants of these areas are pretty glad they don’t qualify. Back in Texas, my abode before re-locating hereabouts, there were always different opinions as to the origin of the word, usually expressed over margaritas in various Mexican border town cantinas. The popular view was that it came about during the Mexican-American War when locals would yell at the passing greenclad US troops “green go”. This implies, incorrectly, that US forces wore green - they wore blue - and that the Mexican campesinos spoke English, which I doubt many did. I have it on the highest authority, a book on word origins I was reading in a friend’s lavatory, that it was a Greek word for “foreigner” that well-educated Spanish friars brought to the country during their turn to plunder. During an interview in San José for my “Gringo in Costa Rica” CD the attending journalist implied that there was a very negative connotation in the word, much like the extremely uncool “N” word. I maintained it was more like “Tico”, “Nica” or “Limey” (just be careful with that L-word, d’ya hear, son? – Limey editor). Are Canadians “Gringos”? As it turns out there was a referendum held back when the country confederated back in 1867, with most Canadians declaring “hell, no, we ain’t Gringos”, choosing instead the now seldom-used “Moose People”. So I guess Gringos are just us folk from the USA.
The Hard Times Gringo Survival Manual
And what exactly is a “Hard Time Gringo”? This part of Costa Rica has always been a place where the down-and-out types could hang out and flourish, this being the land of the “wanted and the unwanted”. There was no fear of extradition, names could be changed on a regular basis, beer and other recreational intoxicants were readily available and a little bit of money went a long way. Now it’s a lot tougher on these socially challenged types; those once-plentiful hovels and shacks are now unoccupied mega towers and shopping malls, while the Columbians now in charge of the daily drug traffic are only interested in profit. Hard Time Gringos have been further decimated due to natural causes such as traffic accidents and cirrhosis of the liver. The survivors though are a hardy bunch and can still be found in such places as Villarreal and Josefina, or deep in the mangrove swamps of Playa Langosta, biding their time waiting for Tamarindo to bottom out, after which they can reclaim whatever’s left. Here in 21st century Playa Tamarindo you no longer have to be a derelict. There is actually a very well-heeled group of Gringos of all ages who came here to actually start businesses, follow longtime dreams and pursue happiness in whatever form they wished. Sadly, these are the ones who are suffering the most. Even before the current depression... er, recession....er, world financial adjustment the authorities here began cracking down on this segment of the population. Immigration sweeps have become a weekly occurrence, ridding the bars and restaurants of attractive young North Americans working as waitpersons, bartenders and cooks, thus providing jobs for the indigenous types with no desire to work. People have been known to actually be deported! If you’re lucky enough to have a bank account in a local financial institution you now have to provide personal
Story by Jesse Bishop
and medical history, financial information, driving record, musical tastes and sexual preferences just to withdraw money that belongs to you. This has something or other to do with the IRS being worried about money laundering and other illegal stuff but, in the finest Costa Rican traditions, if there’s a way to make life a little more difficult for someone not the least bit suspect, they’ll do it. I suppose that the real money launderers are way too good at what they do to get caught by the good folks at BCR. Of course not one of these complaints is just for the Gringos; it ain’t easy being an extranjero here in Tamarindo, or for the two or three Costa Ricans who actually live here. But thanks to the momentary collapse of the world economy the problems that beset Tamarindo a few years back have solved themselves. The people who started all the unwanted development have for the most part left for greener pastures. It is no longer easy to get a building permit from the local authorities as it involves a lengthy visit to one of the local prisons and thanks to the Costa Rican Supreme Court’s moratorium on further building and the municipalidad’s recent stoppage of current construction we’re almost back where we started three years ago. That is if you don’t count the numerous unfinished concrete monoliths and new condominiums that are already falling apart. Kids seem to be showing back up so we’re getting our reputation as a party town back. Some of these kids are over fifty! Most of the people still here are the same ones that were here before this all this began. Natural selection has left only the strong, Gringo or otherwise, a tough bunch or survivors that are willing to tighten their belts and wait out the recession or whatever you want to call it. In no time at all things will be hunky dory again and all this will just be an unpleasant memory, trust me!
Who Stopped the Rain? (from page 25)
action steps around the certainty, as we now know it. No more head in the clouds, head in the sand or pie in the sky. The stuff is comin’ down so people get ready. Like the Guanacaste proverb: hombre prevenido vale por dos (a well-prepared man is worth double...) There are plenty of ‘baby steps’ you can take to prepare your home, garden or farm for a drier Guanacaste. As a country, Costa Rica is several giant steps ahead of the pack in terms of coping with the vicissitudes of a future largely defined by climate change and both energy and water issues. Unfortunately the powers that be don’t realize what a comparative advantage they enjoy, or how to make best use of it. As observed above, “The truth is tough,” but it may not resonate well with those whose power depends on adherence to the norms of yore. One of my favorite songs admonishes us to “tell the children the truth.” They may in fact be more receptive. After all, the ‘sins of their fathers’ are going to be visited unfairly on their heads, leaving them with far fewer bubbles to enjoy. It bears remembering that most organisms survived by the luck of the genetic draw in the sudden-death casino of natural selection. If your genes moved in the right direction, you evolved fast enough to adapt, to keep up with the changin’ times. Homo sapiens, at least in theory, is a breed apart. We have the ability to see which way the wind is blowing and set the sails accordingly. You can do your own kids a big favor. Tell them the truth and provide them with the knowledge and the tools to make a difference. Take the time—and effort--to blow some life back into the real bubbles, the natural ones that sustain us all and give us the gift of Pura Vida. And yes, enjoy the fiesta time wonders that float, drift and rise like glittering spherical rainbows and make the children run, clapping their hands into the future with exuberance and happiness.
Tom Peifer is an ecological land use consultant with 13 years experience in Guanacaste. Phone: 2658-8018. peifer@racsa. co.cr El Centro Verde is dedicated to sustainable land use, agriculture and development Web site: http://www.elcentroverde.org/
Remodelling & Home Repairs Carpentry • Block Walls Stonework • Ceramic Tile Drywall • Concrete Free estimates Rex Barnes - Tel: 2-653-1432 RAIN GAUGE
8.0
c m s
Many Americans are wine connoisseurs, and their country has developed many fine wineries. Unfortunately, they are only American wine connoisseurs: if it didn’t come from California it doesn’t exist. Away with your Valpolicella, Margaux, Lacrima Cristi and Liebfraumilch, just give them a Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay and they are happy. Salud!
RAINFALL - May/June Miller Meteorological Observatory La Garita
7.0 6.0 5.0
Total rainfall: 34.9 cm (13.8 inches)
4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0
16
20
25
31 1
5
May
10
June
Year-to-date 2008: 71.6 cm 2009: 43.8
(from page 9) Of course, no meal is worth its salt unless washed down with an interesting beverage, and America excels in producing the worst beers on the planet, insisting on watery brews like Budweiser, probably the best-advertised beer in the world. Astonished at the huge 3-percent alcohol content, they then placate their consciences by making a Lite (they also fail at spelling) version with half the alcohol, giving rise to Miller and Coors Lite. Fortunately, this appalling selection led to beer fans demanding a better brew, and now the country is wellendowed with micro-breweries producing excellent beers.
Any Work Undertaken
9.0
Happy Independence Day!
Rainfall May-June 2008: 71.6 cm 2009: 34.9
15
But their real beverage obsession is coffee. Nowhere else in the world will you see business people walking through the street from train to office with foam cup of coffee in hand. And, with the advent of Starbucks, a coffee snob culture has evolved with mochas, double lattes, decaf and other weird terms. Maybe the most significant thing about Americans is their obsession with the word “ass”. “I’ll sue your ass”, “get your ass out of here” and “you can bet your ass” - none of which has any relevance to a donkey or one’s rear end - are just a few of the many meaningless phrases and might more easily be “I’ll sue you”, “get out of here” and “you bet”, but Americans are incapable of uttering a sentence without the A-word included. Maybe a psychologist could shed light on this one. A “Fawlty Towers” TV episode featured the host Basil Fawlty confronted by an obnoxious American diner. Driven to extremes by the frequent use of the A-word the effete Basil, unable to repeat the word himself, exploded “It’s bottom, bottom all the time with you Americans.
J u l y ( a l l
t i m e s
2 0 0 9 l o c a l )
Sun
1st - rise 5:26; set 6:09 15th - rise 5:29; set 6:09* 31st - rise 5:33; set 6:07 * latest sunset of year - 12th at 6:09 Full: Last quarter: New: 1st quarter
Moon
7th 15th 21st 28th
3:21 a.m. 3:53 a.m. 8:35 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
However, as I said at the start, we can’t do without ‘em, so let’s just wish them a Happy July 4, and join them as they eat and drink their asses into oblivion while trying to forget the disgraceful day when they fought their way to Independence and have regretted it ever since.
Alcoholics Anonymous Schedule of Meetings
Flamingo
Tuesdays: 5:30 - 6:30 pm (open) Fridays: 5:30 - 6:30 pm (open)
Location: Hitching Post Plaza Unit 2, Brasilito Contact: Don H. at 2-654-4902
Tamarindo
Saturday: 10:30-11:30 - Open General Meeting Monday: 5:30 Open Meeting Thursday: 6:30-7:30 - Open Meeting Location: Behind Restaurant Fiesta del Mar Contact: Ellen - 2-653-0897
Happy Campers By Christopher Howard M.A.
Tiling Welding Drainage Plumbing Carpentry Remodelling Landscaping Refrigeration Roof Repair Water Tanks Septic Tanks Water Pumps Cement Work Electric Gates Air Conditioning Appliance Repair Electrical Services
I
just finished one of my monthly Combination Central Pacific and Central Valley Relocation Retirement Tours. I had the pleasure of hosting four couples and a group of singles.
I am proud to report that all of my clients were 100% satisfied with what they saw and did on the tour plus the highly informative two-day seminar sponsored by the ARCR. I knew this because as they exited the tour bus for the last time all of them had a smile from ear to ear on their faces. For me it is a truly rewarding experience to be able to bring people together and to help change their lives by making their dreams come true. Everyone on the tour fell in love with Costa Rica’s natural beauty, the people, the lifestyle, and expressed a strong desire to relocate here. Unfortunately, most have to wait a couple of years to retire or sell their homes because of the current slowdown in the U.S. real estate market. I am sure that when they do make the move they will be thoroughly prepared by what they learned on the tour. Speaking of real estate, I offer a sampling of properties on my tour so that future residents develop a complete understanding of the local market. They only visit the most desirable areas in the path of progress. My clients see a large selection of single-family homes, condominiums and gated communities at the beach and in the best locations in the popular Central Valley. In the South Pacific we visit Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal and the future San Buenas Golf Resort. While touring the Central Pacific we stop at the increasingly popular Palo Seco area, Parrita, Esterillos Este, Hermosa, neighboring Jacó and the world-famous Los Sueños Resort and Marina where we have lunch. On the first day of the Central Valley portion of the tour we travel through San José, Rohrmoser and the Sabana, Escazú, Santa Ana, Ciudad Colón, Puriscal (Orchid Point), San Antonio de Belén, the Cariari golf course community, the city of Heredia proper, San Rafael de Heredia, Los Angeles de Heredia, San Isidro de Heredia and Moravia.The next day we visit Atenas, Grecia, and parts of Heredia like Santa Bárbara, San Joaquín de Flores and San Francisco. When I started my tours more than ten years ago I didn’t offer real estate. However, at the insistence of my clients I changed the itineraries to include a sampling of different types of properties in different price ranges. I use the company Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties to select the properties we visit since they work every step of they way with tour participants many of whom eventually turn out to be buyers. It is my responsibility to put my clients in the best possible hands in order ensure their success. Editor’s Note. Christopher’s tours are well-known and popular. Other operators offer similar tours to prospective expats and retirees.
Christopher Howard is the author/publisher of the bestselling The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica, and The Guide to Costa Rican Spanish. Mr. Howard conducts retirement and relocation tours. For more information go to www.liveincostarica.com, or call toll-free 800-365-2342. Send him an email: liveincostarica@cox.net