Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I have no intention of calling you an antisemite. You’ve already done it for yourself. I do not engage in name-calling and I certainly would not waste my time looking at the websites you endorse. Israel has never attacked anyone but thank God they have the ability to strike back the next time six armies come against them. They are constantly under attack but they show restraint and will do so until the provokation is just too great to be ignored. And, as far as I am concerned this is the end of this thread because I will not be drawn into your argument.
Yes, pranaspakeywest,you are right. That might be just a little bit picky. I noticed it but I was happy for Sprite’s input, so did not mention it. Not so likely they would be speaking Yiddish though. “Ivrit” is the language of Israel and of the Bible. It’s tranlated as Hebrew. Although many Isralis have a knowlege of Yiddish from their backgrounds in Germany, Britain of maybe New York, but you seldom hear it in Israel where even many of the Arab population have learned to speak Hebrew. Also the form of yiddish used in central and South America is not Yiddish but Ladino an old form of Castillian with some extra words added to disguise it. And, by the way the word “Yiddish” comes from the German word Yeudish meaning “Jewish)”. I’m sure none of this is of interest to anyone other than those who asked to be notified of this thread, but I hope it helped explain a little to those who are interested. Thanks again Sprite.
I just noticed that John asked if there are Jewish schools and Temples in Costa Rica. There are several Hebrew Schools for the kids. There are also several “denominations” of Jewish congregations. The biggest is the massive Orthodox Synagogue at the Autopista ramp going towards Escazu from Rohrmoser Blvd. I went there once to see it during a holiday. I was surprised at the reception. First my car was segregated and moved into a bomb proof area. Then it was carefully searched. Then I was carefully searched electronically. Then the guards asked me many questions carefully designed to see who I was and why I was there. I guess this happens to anyone who is not a member. But just as the security in israel saves many lives, so it probably does here.
Well – what can you expect under the circumstances. They have to be very carefull.
In addition there is the Chabbat congregation in Pavas or is it Rohmoser – I never know where the border is. Then there is the Conservative branch and finally the Liberal group. I think you can find more info on line. I did, but can’t remember where. It was three years ago.
What an interesting question. Scott, maybe the reason for your failure to get a reply to your enquiry is that Jews have learned to keep quiet and out of the public eye. It’s not just Hammas and the neo–Nazis who hate them. It’s been going on for more than three thousand years. And those who hate so much don’t even know why they hate. So Jews often do not answer such questions.
Before moving to CR I checked on a few things. I determined from my research that there are probably more than 4000 active Jews in CR. Then there are those who have assimilated and become non-Jews and then there are Maranos who are the descendants of the Jews of Spain and Portugal who converted to Catholicism rather than be burned at the stake during the Spanish Inquisition era. Many of those Moranos moved to South and Central America as well as other places and have non-Jewish names but many are related to names like Rosen, Golden, etc in the anglicized version. So – there may be many times the number of Jews in the country than one would imagine.
Sprite, I would very much like to know about that Kibbutz you mentioned. Had no idea there was anything like that here. Do you have a name, a phone number, or a website?
….and I suspect that many of those are people who do not value their passport but find it worth quite a lot on the black market. All they have to do is sell it or swap it for some drugs and then report it stolen to the Embassy. The cost and trouble of getting a replacement might be very small to some people in exchange for what they get for their old passport.
I checked out several places and the prices ranged between $120 and $600. Finally I called the lab where I had my blood tests done for my medical check-ups and they were the cheapest. So cheap, I don’t remember what I paid but I think around $30. The result was a statement that our water meets Costa Rican standards but for international standards we might need a filter or chlorine. If that’s the kind of simple answer you are looking for – just – it’s good to drink, I suggest going to their lab in Escasu with a two litre bottle (washed out of course). That’s Laboratorios Clinicos Echandi 289 6886 25 meters n of McDonalds I see they have other locations but I suggest you call there first and get the price. Tell them it’s the same thing they did for Sr. Rushton 10 days ago.
Lotus, there are no silly questions – just silly people who don’t ask questions when they should. In the U.S. or Canada we could get all the answers fast but there seem to be many secrets here so we have to work together to make suggestions and ask questions which is the beauty of Scott’s site. He makes it possible. From my research so far it seems that the safest way is, as you say, a metal roof (or plywood or zinc panels) to keep out the rain and the plastic tiles for cosmetics. GreciaBound has provided part of the answer too. (GreciaBound, please ask Scott for my email address as I would like to see what you have). BUT, in my own experience I first had a guy put the tiles on wrong (and without the “under-roof.”) Then another replaced it also without the “under-roof” Then another company who said they were the manufacturer (although I’m not sure) replaced it a third time and since then it has worked(without the “under roof” perfectly through the latter part of the rainy season, so it looks like if the tiles are put on right they will work without anything else. BUT I am now building another house and I want to get it right. That’s why I’m trying to get all the info I can about manufacturers, suppliers and different types of material. Thanks to you all and thanks again to Scott for this invaluable service.
The problem is that I think we are talking apples and oranges. How can anyone know they purchased “the Same” tiles because they are made be several different companies? This is why I wanted to know all the companies who make them or sell them. I had these tiles put on by a builder three years ago and they had three small leaks. Another builder took them off and replaced the same tiles and I had about 52 leaks. Then I went to the manufacturer (I think, because that was what I was told) and he replaced the same tiles and now there are NO LEAKS for six months including the high rainy season. He also gives a 15 year guarantee. So it seems that it all depends on who puts them on because there is a trick to it.
So, if nobody really know who makes them, what other types of roofs are recommended? I don’t want tin and I can’t afford real tile. So what’s left that looks good and works well?
I have rented a small aircraft with pilot sveral times at Pavas Airport in San Jose. I believe there are companies there who will rent to you for self-piloting. Just go in and ask around the hangers. Fly-boys are always friendly to same.
Thanks for your comments regaragon. I’m happy not to be the only one disappointed with BN. They made me feel almost like a prisoner going through a Gestapo interogation when all I wanted to do was transfer some funds.
Does anyone else have any suggestions for other good banks? Does anyone else feel that Bank of Costa Rica is that much better? I don’t want to move everything and then find there are problems with the new one. Not that I don’t believe you rebaragon. It’s just such a traumatic thing to deal with these banks and changing banks is more trauma than I want unless it is really worthwhile.
Dear Sprite:
I was not talking about the security guards at the bank. I’m talking about electronic withdrawals from bank accounts by thieves, many of whom SEEM to be in-house. I don’t know if this is true. I only know that I’ve read of four instances of people loosing big money at Banco Nacional in the past year and I’m sure there are others.
In my own experience I can tell you that when the electronic system didn’t work I tried to send money from the bank itself. They kept me going for two hours demanding that I rewrite my signature more than 30 times. It just wasn’t exactly like the signature on file. Finally they told me to go into an office and PRACTICE my signature. I told them that any thief could do that and get it exactly right but that a normal SIGNATURE is different every time. They obviously did not care about my security – only their own. Help. I want a bank I can trust.
And by the way Sprite I do lock my car and I sometimes travel with several thousand dollars carefully secured and have never felt the least bit afraid on the street because i use normal precautions. Also i am very unhappy with Costa Rica being portrayed as unsafe. It is generally much safer than Florida and other parts of the U.S. BUT I still want protection for my funds in a bank that takes reasonable care of electronic transfers of my funds. The difference is that I can take reasonable precautions and use common sense on the street but Bano Nacional takes away all of my ability to safeguard my meager funds and laughs when people complain about their lack of proper security.
So AGAIN Can anyone recommend a safe bank or are they all like Banco nacional?ANOTHER VOTE FOR CIMA
I had a general check up plus some specifics. This included lots of bloodwork, urinalysis, and a stress test, plus two hours with the doctor for only $200. Couldn’t believe it. The tests showed I have a fairly good case of diabetes and a slight heart problem. None of the tens of thousands of dollars testing I had in Florida showed either of these things. It took the dedication of some good, caring CIMA doctors to get to get the information I needed. I don’t like the results, but I’m happy I now know what needs to be done. The American doctors can keep their fancy offices and high priced eqipment. They don’t know what to do with it anyway.
