Playtia Issue 23

FREE INFO BULLETIN

Gaylife News, Comments, Activities and Information

Year V • No. 23 April-May 2009

New Quepos Map P.16

• • A Taste to Try P.8

No. 23 April-May 2009

Call Tim Salladay, our GLTB specialist, at 8997 4129 or our office at 8825 0434 www.vidarealtycr.com

This is the life.

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No. 23 April-May 2009

¡A Grito Pelado!

Por Jose Chaves

Pérdida de Identidad

E

l mundo cambia en forma desafiante día con día. Tanto geológicamente con todos estos terremotos, huracanes, tornados y tsunamis, así como ideológicamente con la aceptación de las minorías como lo es la comunidad gay.

En el pasado la moda determinaba una época pero ahora se usa de todo. Cada país/ciudad tenía sus marcas y tiendas propias, ahora son cadenas infinitas con los mismos nombres, las mismas etiquetas y los mismos productos una y otra vez.

Este proceso de globalización que vive nuestro mundo tiende a afectar nuestros valores.

Los valores son ese grupo de cosas que hemos aprendido con el tiempo, casi siempre heredados de maestros, familiares y amigos.

Estos valores son los que definen nuestra personalidad y en conjunto con la sociedad se forma la identidad nacional.

INDEX • INDICE You can take it with you!

THE TIDE/LA MAREA: April/May Manuel Antonio Map Directory Friendly Sunshine Quepos Map

Tips About Playita

La identidad nacional la sentimos cuando vemos nuestra bandera; la disfrutamos cuando vemos nuestras playas y montañas; la lloramos cuando nuestros políticos cometen errores. Y especialmente la pisoteamos, cuando ensuciamos, contaminamos o cometemos un acto de corrupción en contra del país y sus habitantes.

Debemos analizar que tanto estamos haciendo para conservar nuestros valores y nuestra identidad, ya que estamos en tiempos donde esto se difumina, se confunde, se atrofia.

La explotación desaforada por compañías extranjeras, junto con la migración masiva de ciudadanías de todo el mundo, crean una niebla alrededor de quienes somos y de donde venimos.

Pag 5 Pag 6 Pag 10 Pag 12 Pag 14 Pag 16 Pag 18

CREDITOS

• Director: Jose Chaves • Productor: Paul Sfez • Diseño: Diego Hidalgo • Colaboradores: Todd Pequeen, Tim Dywer, Don Willems • Ventas: Paul Sfez - Tel 8836 0024 paulsfez@gaytourscr.com

No dejemos que toda esta confusión arrase con lo que heredamos y aprendimos, nuestros valores son lo más importante de conservar para no llegar así a una Perdida de Identidad. n

Todas las opiniones expresadas en este medio son entera responsabilidad del autor.

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No. 23 April-May 2009

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Selection of some favorites:

LUNCH: 11 am - 4 pm

Gazpacho - $6 Tico Style Ceviche - $7 Asian Chicken Salad - $12 Tico Tenderloin Beef Quesadilla - $11 Mediterranean Wrap - $10 Spicy Tuna & Mango Wrap - $8 Asian Style Brochettes (Choice of 2) Beef, Chicken or Mahi-Mahi - $12

Detox Package

TAPAS: 3-6 pm

Cheese & Fruit Sampler - $3.50 Coconut Macadamia Shrimp with Wild Berry Coulis - $3.50 Mushroom & Truffle Minestra - $3.00 Bali Chicken Satai - $3.00 Tuna Medallions with Chilled Mirin & Basil Sauce - $3.00 Thai Spring Roll - $2.50 Ceviche Sampler - $2.75

DINNER: 6-10 pm

Sauna + Algae & Clay Wrap + Lymphatic Drainage - $140

Relax & Renew Package Terra Massage + Organic Facial + Classic Mani or Essential Pedi - $150

Ask for our new Ideal Weight Package 25% off Locals & Residents

Roasted Squash and Papaya Soup - $6 Gorgonzola & Sun-Dried Tomato Tart - $7 Gaia House Salad - $7 Latino Clam Sauce Linguini - $14 Plantain & Coconut Crusted Mahi-Mahi - $16 Pork Tenderloin - $14 Crispy Skin Red Snapper - $18 Gaia Signature Tenderloin & Jumbo Shrimp - $27

A few of our most requested treatments:

Thai Massage - 90 minutes $150 Pacific Body Glow - 60 minutes $90 Rainbow Organic Facial - 60 minutes $60 Vichy Rain shower - 30 minutes $50

ÜÜÜ°}> > À°V ÊUÊ­xäÈ®ÊÓÇÇÇ Ç ÇÊUÊ­nää®ÊÓÓÈ Óx£x >ÞÊ"Ü i`ÊEÊ"«iÀ>Ìi`

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No. 23 April-May 2009

By Tim Dwyer

You can take it with you!!!!

Y

themselves are more energetic and productive (and I think there was something about a more active sex life there too!)

On vacation, you met new friends, ate new foods and saw different cultures. This too is within your reach back home. Keep in touch with new friends, go out to a different restaurant or take in a different cultural event in your area. Find out what the tourists to city go to see, and go there. It always amazes me when visiting friends that I end up taking them to places I’ve read about and they’ve never even heard about!

Analyze what made your vacation so successful and then apply those items to your life. I hear over and over again from folks that they can’t believe that they’ve survived without checking their email every 15 minutes or they haven’t seen the news in a week and don’t know, nor really care, what’s happening in the rest of the world. We can take a news ‘diet’ whenever we want. Two hundred years ago, folks got along just fine reading a weekly paper, then a daily. With radio we got hourly news. CNN came along a dozen years ago and made us feel guilty if we weren’t on top of all that happens in the world. Come on! you can get along just fine without knowing that the vice president of South Kazakhstan had plops removed from his ass!

Enjoy your vacation. There really is so much to do and enjoy here in Manuel Antonio.

While you’re here though, make plans to bring your vacation back with you and keep your spirit fresh and carefree. n

ou know what it’s like. You’ve just spent $2500 on a great vacation that took you to exotic locations filled with incredible experiences and new friends and now you’re back at work where it’s all piled up and a hundred items are clamouring for your attention. You look around and say to yourself, “Did I just have a vacation ‘cause right now I don’t feel it?” Fortunately, once we’re back in the thick of it, there are a number of things that we can do to help keep fresh those idyllic thoughts and feelings of peace and relaxation that we had while on vacation.

First off, print off some of those thousands of pictures you took on your digital camera and bring them to the office or scatter them around the house to remind yourself of the fun and relaxation. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then your camera is your vacation diary and its pictures can take you away from your crashed computer or exploding in box. Why not compare some of your co-workers to the animals that you photographed in the park?

Second, do at home the things that made your vacation special. Read a book or book a massage. They helped you relax here and can do the same at home. Everyone deserves a treat once in a while. You took a walk in the park or down the beach here, why not at home? In our fast paced world we think we don’t have time for these luxuries, but in reality, we don’t have a choice. Study after study shows that people who feel good about 5

No. 23 April-May 2009

April time

01 01 01 01 02 02 02 02 03 03 03 03 04 04 04 04 05 05 05 05 06 06

00:25 06:41 12:40 19:02 01:18 07:38 13:38 20:03 02:19 08:45 14:48 21:14 03:29 09:59 16:06 22:30 04:43 11:11 17:23 23:41 05:51 12:15 18:28 00:43 06:49 13:10 19:24 01:36 07:40 13:58 20:12 02:23 08:25 14:42 20:56 03:07 09:07 15:24 21:37 03:49 09:47 16:04 22:17 04:30 10:27 16:43 22:55 05:10 11:05 17:22 23:34 05:52 11:46 18:03 00:15 06:36 12:28 18:46 00:59 07:24

Wed Wed Wed Wed Thu Thu Thu Thu Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Sat Sat Sat Sun Sun Sun Sun Mon Mon

07 Tue 07 Tue 07 Tue 07 Tue 08 Wed 08 Wed 08 Wed 08 Wed 09 Thu 09 Thu 09 Thu 09 Thu 10 Fri 10 Fri 10 Fri 10 Fri 11 Sat 11 Sat 11 Sat 11 Sat 12 Sun 12 Sun 12 Sun 12 Sun 13 Mon 13 Mon 13 Mon 13 Mon 14 Tue 14 Tue 14 Tue 15 Wed 15 Wed 15 Wed 15 Wed 16 Thu 16 Thu

THE TIDE

May

date

height

-0.05 8.02 0.56 8.48 0.41 7.66 1.02 7.95 0.84 7.40 1.37 7.56 1.10 7.40 1.45 7.47 1.09 7.70 1.18 7.67 0.82 8.20 0.70 8.03 0.44 8.74 0.18 8.41 0.09 9.19 -0.24 8.70 -0.15 9.47 -0.51 8.84 -0.23 9.56 -0.59 8.82 -0.14 9.45 -0.49 8.65 0.12 9.17 -0.23 8.34 0.50 8.74 0.15 7.93 0.98 8.22 0.61 7.49 1.48 7.67 1.09 7.07

date

time

16 16 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 26 26 26 26 27 27 27 27 28 28 28 28 29 29 29 30 30 30 30

13:16 19:35 01:48 08:18 14:12 20:33 02:44 09:19 15:16 21:37 03:46 10:20 16:24 22:42 04:46 11:17 17:25 23:41 05:40 12:07 18:17 00:31 06:28 12:51 19:02 01:17 07:12 13:32 19:45 01:59 07:54 14:13 20:26 02:41 08:36 14:54 21:08 03:23 09:18 15:36 21:51 04:06 10:02 16:21 22:35 04:52 10:49 17:07 23:22 05:40 11:39 17:58 00:12 06:34 12:35 18:53

Thu Thu Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Sat Sat Sat Sun Sun Sun Sun Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue Tue Tue Wed Wed Wed Wed Thu Thu Thu Thu Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Sat Sat Sat Sun Sun Sun Sun Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue Tue Tue Tue Wed Wed Wed Thu Thu Thu Thu

date

height

01 01 01 01 02 02 02 02 03

Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Sat Sat Sat Sun

03 Sun 04 Mon 04 Mon 04 Mon 04 Mon 05 Tue 05 Tue 05 Tue 06 Wed 06 Wed 06 Wed 06 Wed 07 Thu 07 Thu 07 Thu 07 Thu 08 Fri 08 Fri 08 Fri 08 Fri 09 Sat 09 Sat 09 Sat 09 Sat 10 Sun 10 Sun 10 Sun 10 Sun 11 Mon 11 Mon 11 Mon 11 Mon 12 Tue 12 Tue 12 Tue 12 Tue 13 Wed 13 Wed 13 Wed 13 Wed 14 Thu 14 Thu 14 Thu 15 Fri 15 Fri 15 Fri 15 Fri 16 Sat 16 Sat

1.95 7.15 1.53 6.75 2.30 6.74 1.86 6.62 2.45 6.54 2.01 6.73 2.33 6.58 1.94 7.04 1.96 6.84 1.69 7.51 1.44 7.22 1.32 8.06 0.85 7.66 0.90 8.62 0.28 8.09 0.49 9.12 -0.22 8.46 0.14 9.50 -0.58 8.74 -0.09 9.71 -0.77 8.87 -0.16 9.72 -0.76 8.87 -0.07 9.51 -0.56 8.73 0.19 9.12 -0.22 8.50 0.55 8.62

WEATHER:

www.imn.ac.cr

time

01:07 07:32 13:36 19:56 02:08 08:37 14:45 21:04 03:14 09:45 15:57 22:14 04:21 10:50 17:07 23:21 05:25 11:50 18:09 00:21 06:22 12:44 19:03 01:14 07:13 13:32 19:50 02:02 08:00 14:17 20:34 02:46 08:42 14:58 21:14 03:28 09:23 15:38 21:53 04:09 10:03 16:18 22:31 04:50 10:43 16:57 23:10 05:31 11:24 17:38 23:50 06:14 12:07 18:21 00:32 06:58 12:53 19:07 01:16 07:46

height

0.21 8.25 0.92 8.13 0.62 8.08 1.18 7.75 0.92 8.07 1.24 7.60 1.04 8.23 1.07 7.65 0.99 8.50 0.78 7.83 0.86 8.78 0.46 8.05 0.72 9.00 0.20 8.23 0.64 9.13 0.03 8.35 0.62 9.15 -0.04 8.38 0.70 9.05 0.01 8.32 0.85 8.84 0.15 8.18 1.08 8.55 0.39 7.98 1.35 8.19 0.69 7.75 1.65 7.79 1.03 7.52 1.92 7.40 1.37 7.35

date

16 16 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 25 26 26 26 26 27 27 27 27 28 28 28 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 30 31 31 31 31

Sat Sat Sun Sun Sun Sun Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue Tue Tue Tue Wed Wed Wed Wed Thu Thu Thu Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Sat Sat Sat Sun Sun Sun Sun Mon Mon Mon Mon Tue Tue Tue Tue Wed Wed Wed Wed Thu Thu Thu Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Sat Sat Sat Sun Sun Sun Sun

time

height

13:43 19:58 02:04 08:36 14:38 20:53 02:55 09:29 15:36 21:51 03:49 10:21 16:33 22:49 04:42 11:13 17:28 23:43 05:35 12:02 18:19 00:34 06:26 12:50 19:08 01:23 07:16 13:38 19:55 02:11 08:05 14:25 20:43 02:59 08:55 15:14 21:30 03:48 09:45 16:03 22:19 04:38 10:37 16:54 23:09 05:30 11:32 17:48 00:01 06:24 12:28 18:44 00:55 07:21 13:28 19:43 01:52 08:20 14:32 20:46

2.12 7.07 1.66 7.27 2.20 6.85 1.85 7.33 2.12 6.78 1.90 7.54 1.87 6.89 1.80 7.88 1.47 7.16 1.56 8.32 0.99 7.54 1.22 8.79 0.47 7.97 0.84 9.25 -0.01 8.41 0.48 9.61 -0.40 8.80 0.20 9.83 -0.65 9.09 0.04 9.87 -0.73 9.25 0.03 9.72 -0.64 9.29 0.16 9.41 -0.38 9.20 0.40 8.98 -0.02 9.04 0.68 8.51 0.40 8.86 0.95 8.09

How to read the Tide (example): High Tides at 04:37AM (9.90 feet high) and at 17:06PM (10.23 feet high).

Low Tides at 10:45AM (-1.18 feet high) and at 23:13PM (-0.82 feet high).

01 Wed 04:37 9.90 01 Wed 10:45 01 Wed 17:06 01 Wed 23:13

-1.18 10.23 -0.82

WARNING: YOU CANNOT Cross the rocks 2 hours after or before High Tide

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No. 23 April-May 2009

Casa Blanca for our lesbigay guests, their friends and family Phone: (506) 2777 1316 • (506) 2777 0253 • (506) 2777 1790 PostBox 194 • 6350 Carretera a Manuel Antonio, Quepos. Costa Rica.

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No. 23 April-May 2009

A Taste to Try

By Don Willems

H

dillas are made with Brie cheese, fresh mango caramelized onion and served with a fresh cilantro and lime and sour cream dip.

ere in Manuel Antonio, is a wonderful restaurant, serving fabulous meals made from the exotic foods of Costa Rica, along with your favorite meats and seafood.

A great liquid partner to this dish is La Hacienda’s very own Mangotini This refreshing twist to the classic martini, made with citrus vodka, cointreau, fresh mango pulp and a splash of lime.

La Hacienda has been open since 2004. It has been managed by the owners, Tracy and Bill since 2006. Tracy adds her personal touch to the menu offerings with many of her own recipes.

• Coco Mussels Mussels covered in a rich, creamy coconut and ginger sauce or try the curry with fresh peppers, onion, pineapple and basil.

Prepared with your choice of chicken, shrimp or vegetables. Served on jasmine rice.

The dishes are prepared with the freshest ingredients, grown and delivered by farmers and fishermen near Quepos, Manuel Antonio.

Many of these same farmers supply the fresh fruit market held every Saturday in Quepos.

• Pina Chicken Skewers Chicken grilled with fresh pineapple, and nicely glazed with a tamarind-rum soy sauce. Sprinkled with sesame seeds, green onions, and cilantro.

Here are some of the menu favorites, rich with Costa Rican ingredients, and Tracy’s personal touches: • Pescado Ceviche A tasty twist to this traditional dish, made with fresh mahi mahi, cilantro, onion, red pepper, fresh lime and Tracy’s secret ingredients. This light dish is wonderful on a hot afternoon. Great as a meal or an appetizer.

La Hacienda also mixes up some great tropical cocktails, along with the classics. An extensive wine list is also available.

• Mango Quesadillas These special Quesa-

Enjoy. n

La Hacienda serves both lunch and dinner meals. They are open daily from 10:30am until 10pm. Sundays they open at 4:30pm.

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No. 23 April-May 2009

506.2777.0543

Javier

Gay therapist Experienced & certified

$IFG 4FSWJDF $BUFSJOH "WBJMBCMF GPS BOZ &WFOU

• Deep tissue • Swedish • Shiatsu • Thai • Therapeutic relief...

“Best Restaurant in Manuel Antonio�

2008 Pauline Frommers Travel Guide Located beside Plaza Yara, Km 1.5 Manuel Antonio Open for lunch 10:30 am–10 pm - Monday–Sunday

2777–3473 www.lahaciendacr.com

$FMMQIPOF 9

Manuel Antonio map

No. 23 April-May 2009 1.Restaurante Mamma Mia 2.Restaurante La Hacienda 3.Hotel Gaia / Rest. La Luna 4.Restaurante Mar Luna 5.Vida Realty 6.Casa Nelda 7.Casa Bosque Verde 8.Latino Lounge 9.Academia D’amore

-iiÊ+Õi« ÃÊ >« Ê«>}iÊ£È

10.Rest. Salsipuedes (Tapas) 11. Barba Roja 12. Hotel Casa Blanca 13. Hotel Villa Roca 14. Villas del Sol 15. VisitMyVilla (Casa Tolteca) 16. Casa Tranquila 17. Itsmycasa (Mono Congo & Géminis) 18. Sivana Yoga 19. Casa Antonio 20. Hotel del Mar

9

8

7

10 11

1

12

2 3

4

13 14 15

6

5

16 18

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Catholic Church

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No. 23 April-May 2009

New Global Fusion Menu NOW OPEN SUSHI BAR AND LOUNGE TERRACE (Closed on monday)

Open every day. Sunset Happy Hour 4:30 - 6:30PM

Phone 2777-0331 Fax 2777-5159

LEARN SPANISH IN MANUEL ANTONIO, QUEPOS

In the Heart of Manuel Antonio • Rental Home, Starting at $900 per Week • This gay owned new house has 3 Bedrooms & Sleeps 6.

• Be Yourself at a Private/Secluded Pool

•Homestay or beach lodging •Small groups or private classes •Personalized attention •Internet service •Spanish for specific purposes

www.academiadamore.com Email: info@academiadamore.com Costa Rica: Tel/Fax: (506) 2777-0233 Wisconsin: Tel/Fax: (262) 367-8598 California: Tel/Fax: (818) 434-7290

www.casabosqueverde.com

To Book, contact Kelly at (403) 246-8941 or reservations@casabosqueverde.com 11

No. 23 April-May 2009

MANUEL ANTONIO FROM A TO Z EMERGENCIES: 911 HOSPITAL: 2777 0922 FIRE DEP.: 118 RED CROSS: 2777 0116

s Exclusive Gay BARS u Cockatoo: 2777 5173 Cross from Academia D'amore u Salsipuedes: 2777 5019 Tapas Bar Across the street from Banca Promerica HOTELS s Casa Blanca: 2777 0253 Corner of the road to the gay beach u Hotel Gaia: 2777 9797 Main road to Manuel Antonio s Villa Roca: 2777 1349 Next to Hotel Si Como No u Hotel del Mar: 2777 0543 Before Mar y Sombra RESTAURANTS u Barba Roja: 2777 0331 In front Hotel Divisamar u El Patio de Café Milagro: 2777 4982 Downtown Quepos u La Hacienda: 2777 3473 Plaza Yara - Comercial Center u La Luna Restaurant & Ambar Lounge: 2777 9797.

Hotel Gaia.

Main road to Manuel Antonio

l Gay with straight visit u Latino Lounge: 2777 5173 Cross from Academia D'amore u Mamma Mia: 2777 4521 1 mile from Quepos towards Manuel Antonio u MarLuna: 2777 5107 Near Manuel Antonio School SERVICES u Academia D'amore Spanish School 2777 0233 Next to Hotel Tulemar u Canopy Safari: 2777 0100 Downtown Quepos

u Gay friendly REAL ESTATE Casa Antonio 2777 5174 200 west from the entrance of La Arboleda Manuel Antonio Casa Bosque Verde Canada contact (403) 246 8941 200 east from Super Joseth Manuel Antonio Casa Nelda 8814 6251 1 mile from Manuel Antonio School Casa Tranquila CR contact 2777 3349 US contact 800 815 6602 600 m from Villas El Parque Manuel Antonio

u Giancarlo Hair Artist: 2774 0550 Downtown Quepos

Itsmy casa Casa Mono Congo and Géminis del Pacífico CR contact 2417 3286 US contact (773) 472 7127 500 m from Villas El Parque Manuel Antonio

u Gym Mucho Músculo 2777 3400 Going out of Quepos to Manuel Antonio, on the left just before the first hill

Ron Neal Long and short-term rentals 8366 1759 ronnealjr@gmail.com

s Gaytours S. A. English 8305 8044 Spanish 2294 06 06

u Massage Javier: 8372 2647 Gay therapist Experienced & certified u Massage Todd: 8847 2010 Professional Massage at your hotel u Sivana Yoga & Therapies 2277 3899 / 8356 7492 At the Hotel Costa Verde, MA

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Vida Realty Real Estate 2774 0287 / 8997 4129 / 8825 0434 Across streeet from soccer field, Manuel Antonio Villas del Sol House for Rent +(506) 27774209 / +(506) 27771461 Visit My Villa Houses for Rent 800 815 6602

No. 23 April-May 2009

Live Music 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Thursday,Friday & Saturday

2 Bedrooms, Kitchen and Living Area Swimming pool and Jacuzzi, Spectacular View NEXT TO VILLA ROCA, MANUEL ANTONIO

Road of Manuel Antonio, Quepos Phone: 2777-5107

Info: ldreyo@hotmail.com +(506) 27774209 +(506) 27771461

Restaurante

Latino Lounge Local Latin Food Favorites In the center of Manuel Antonio • Find us before Kapi-Kapi.

Call 2777-5143

“Away from the crowds”

An intimate Lounge with Great Food and atmosphere too!

1 and 2 bedroom fully furnished apartments, secure parking, pool.

Telephone, cable & wireless internet available.

MENU FAVORITES FROM ¢1.600 - ¢6.000 HAPPY HOUR -Daily from 4pm - 7pm Thurs. • Gays & Friends Dinner 7 PM (call to reserve) Fri, Sat. & Sun • SUNSET Happy Hour Upstairs in Cockatoo Lounge Sun. Brunch 11pm - 3pm with Desiree

2777-38-70 or 8814-62-51 cdnguy59@yahoo.com

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No. 23 April-May 2009

Friendly Sunshine W

way. The intention is always made with greater strength in mind. Friends should know this, I should know this too. Hard times and surprises come to all of us as humans, I believe that is the essence which makes us grow and evolve. It is only with acquaintances that we have to be careful of our words. With friends we laugh and jest and play no matter how bad things may appear.

By Todd Pequeen

e live in a world that has a massive amount of choices. The ease of travel and shared experiences, combined with Internet knowledge, can turn even the most shy person into a potential encyclopedia of knowledge. Greater acceptance and information on world cultures is creating an open arm policy to minorities, underground scenes, nonpopular art forms, and is further blurring what is perceived as normal or not. Judgment free ideals and openness toward each other leads to friendliness in the masses, a slow brewing of peace full existence for those of us willing to get off our high horses and not listen to anyone but ourselves. What we feel and want personally is fine. I am surrounded by a group of friends where tolerance and variety is what spurs on our fun. It is our bloodline to not only share amongst ourselves, but then to pass it on to new people joining our community or just visiting.

To me friends help to cultivate my years and my life. They are also the ones who I want to be with in twenty years time. The more I give of myself, especially my weaknesses, the more I feel I draw in other people who can relate and who can share. This is the beginning of friendship. Success is great to hear about, but failure may be more of an indicator of honesty, struggle, and hardship, often void of ego. Sometimes the worst of circumstances can create a strong union for those involved. My favorite friends are the ones that express their care for me by suggesting things I may need to hear, but maybe do not want to hear. I love those around me that divulge and then embrace. My most trying times have been from the loss of quality people from my life through misunderstanding, emotional or physical stress, which creates unclear thinking and conflict.

I´ve heard many people say that it is hard to make friends in this town. I have to disagree. I have experienced a tremendous amount of acceptance and compassion from the locals I have met here. Perhaps I am just lucky. I have never been the type to go out of my way to engage new people into my circle of friends yet, I remain open and non-judge mental of other peoples problems, contradictions, and short comings. I realize that our intentions for the day or night can drastically change from unexpected happenings, especially here in this odd little Costa Rican community. I can always count on my phone ringing and positivity greeting me during my every day routine. My friends words of advice, feelings, suggestions, and hopes and desires, I feel are shared openly. Honesty being the glue that holds it all together. I think a friend can and will give me advice, a friend can also hear advice and not take harsh words the wrong

I want to send out my sunshine with thanks and love for the group of men and women in my life that inspire and motivate me out of my normal routine. The real estate go getter's and the art creators and photographers. The hotel owners and the outdoor specialists. The guys with the smiling faces whether the pressure of the day is great or small. The guys that help each other out with business no matter what the field. There are no angles, reimbursement intentions, or self getting into the way. Simple karma and love is the fuel. We all strengthen the dreams we have separately, and in the long run, together. We are a lucky few and when we all get together the energy is electric and motivating. We surf both the waves of the Pacific as well as the close outs of our lives. What more can anyone ask for? I hope all of us begin to grow more with our own families and beyond. What a better day to start than today. n 14

No. 23 April-May 2009

• USA Nationally Certified • New York Institute of Massage Graduate • Dedicated to deep, therapeutic bodywork since 1998 • The First professional male massage therapist in Manuel Antonio • Home Studio or On Location

¿Quiéres recibir este boletín vía electrónica?

Mandanos un correo a

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Pizzeria • Italian Cuisine • BBQ BEST PRICES IN TOWN

info@gaytourscr.com Do you want to receive this bulletin by email?

Send us one to

Free Wi-Fi and Swimming pool for our costumers

In Manuel Antonio 1 mile from Quepos towards @ Hotel Mimos

info@gaytourscr.com

Reservations 2777-4521 15

quepos map

No. 23 April-May 2009

QUEPOS

ĂŒÂœĂŠ->Â˜ĂŠ ÂœĂƒj

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ĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂˆĂ€ÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒ

3

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1. Canopy Safari 2. Giancarlo Hair Artist 3. Restaurante El Patio de CafĂŠ Milagro 4. Mucho MĂşsculo Gym

Ă•ĂƒĂŠ-ĂŒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜

4

The Village Festivals

ĂŒÂœĂŠ >Â˜Ă•iÂ?ĂŠ Â˜ĂŒÂœÂ˜ÂˆÂœ

APRIL Holy week: 5-12 of April. Religious processions of the crucifixes. All businesses are closed from Thursday to Sunday.

Juan SantamarĂ­a Day: April 11th. The national hero is remembered with parades, concerts, and dances, especially in Alajuela, birthplace of Juan SantamarĂ­a.

Local Craft Fair: last week of April and first week of May in San JosĂŠ, Plaza de la Cultura.

MAY Labor Day: a non-working holiday in most of the country, schools and government offices are closed.

Art festivals in the parks of San Jose, downtown.

San Isidro Labrador Day: May 15th. All of the villages that are named after San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers, celebrate with carnivals and parades.

Animals and crops receive blessings. San Isidro de Coronado and San Isidro de Heredia have nice parades on the 15th and a special fair all weekend.

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No. 23 April-May 2009

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PHONE: 2777-0100 www.canopysafari.com • info@canopysafari.com

paul@gaytourscr.com

10% OFF with this Ad

Coloring Straighten Curling Barber Shop Trim Make Up Facials Quepos downtown, La Garza Comercial Center Appointments: 2774 0550 Open: 9:00 am 9:00 pm Mon - Sat 17

No. 23 April-May 2009

Tips about Playita*

Cosas sobre Playita*

* This is the name of one of the beaches in Manuel Antonio, which attracts a high concentration of gay people, from the area and visitors to Costa Rica.

* Este es el nombre de una de las playas en Manuel Antonio que atrae una alta concentración de gays turistas y locales.

REMEMBER Don't bring valuables to the beach, you will not need them. If you do swim, or walk, ask someone you know to watch your things.

DON'T FORGET Sunblock... Sunblock... Sunblock...

The sun is much stronger than you think.

PLEASE Take care about the tide, you can cross the rocks 2 hours before and/or 2 hours after the high tide (page 6), otherwise you may get hurt. Rocks are very dangerous in high tide period.

YOU MUST Dress in a bathing suit. Nude bathing is restricted on the beaches. Police do patrol the beaches.

BORED? Walk to the end of the beach and climb a bit to the end of the rocks and get a fantastic view… of the coast, wear good shoes and have fun.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY ...

Don't get sand in your ...OUCH!

RECUERDE No lleve cosas valiosas a la playa, no las necesita. Si vas a caminar o a nadar pídale a alguien que vigile tus cosas, es mejor prevenir que lamentar.

NO OLVIDE Use suficiente bronceador: el sol es más fuerte de lo que usted piensa.

POR FAVOR Préstele atención a la marea. Usted puede cruzar las rocas 2 horas antes y/o 2 horas después de la marea alta. Las rocas son muy peligrosas en marea alta y puede accidentarse fácilmente en este periodo.

DEBE Usar traje de baño en todo momento. La policía esta controlando esto la playa.

ESTÁ ABURRIDO???

Vaya camine por las rocas al final de la playa y verá qué linda que es la vista desde ahí. Use zapatos y diviértase.

TENGA CUIDADO De no dejar que la arena entre en sus… Ouch!!!

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No. 23 April-May 2009

Central American, Caribbean & South American influences fuse into an original Costa Rican dining experience.

Rated the top restaurant in the area

by Frommers Guide to Costa Rica & The Tico Times Restaurant Guide!

Located on the ocean front road in Quepos, next door to CafĂŠ Milagro Coffee Roasters.

Reservations 2777-4982 Open Monday-Saturday 6:30am-10:00pm

BISTRO LATINO

10% OFF DINNER WITH THIS AD!

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The way of fun in Manuel Antonio Mondays Damas Island Mangrove Park $65 Your choose Kayak or Motor Boat Pick up: High tide of the day Tuesdays White Water Rafting $79 Easy levels, great scenery Pick up: 11:45 am* Wednesdays and Saturdays Sunset Boat $75 Relax and enjoy Pick up: 1:00 pm* Thursdays and Sundays Canopy Tour $70 Lots of adrenaline Pick up: 1:00 pm* Fridays Horseback Riding on the montains $70 Pick up: 9:00 am* Ocean Kayak on the park $69 Pick up: 2:00 pm* *Times subject to changes

Gaytours open from November 1th till April 30th