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“The percentage of people willing to scam others is very small but they generally do it for profit, fame or power.”
The egos of men (and women) are a powerfully destructive force indeed.
[quote=”Scott”]Waterboard the bastards first – hundreds of times – then hang’em.
Remembering that when we waterboard people it’s not “torture” although we sentenced some Japanese people to death for “waterboarding” but everyone knows that when they do it, it is “torture.”
Scott
PS. I worked for the same firm as Michael Milken but on a VERY different level.[/quote]
I am reading a book called “The Big Short” by Michael Lewis. Now, I know nothing about the market, bonds etc. but this book has convinced me that almost no one had a clue about what was happening before it all went down. Maybe I’m wrong or maybe that is exactly true, but it is an enjoyable and provocative read. If others more knowledgeable about these things would read it and offer their opinion, I would appreciate it.
Worrying about expenditures is usually assigned to the male – that is in the popular culture. So, its refreshing to see that a frugal women exists. Just kiddin’ – I have know a lot of women that budgeted and ran a great household. My mom among them!
[quote=”sueandchris”]That was a great article, Maravilla. (Titled “Cheapskates Next Door, The Cheapskate’s Revenge”. Our reading of “Your Money Or Your Life”, many years ago had a direct connection to our ability to move to Costa Rica this year.[/quote]
I read that book several years ago, too late in life to get the full benefit. I wish I’d read it sooner. I have always been a cheapsk…I mean frugal. My first wife always thought I was cheap, but I am the one living essentially debt free now. My opinion, if we all lived within our means we’d all be richer including this formally great country (USA).
For what its worth.
[quote=”Andrew@CR”]Wow, me Marvalla and Dave are pretty perfect huh? Ja ja ja![/quote]
I don’t know about you and Dave, Andrew,but I’m wondering if maravilla has a single sister…
[quote=”celaje”]Interesting thread.
I have worked with expats in the expatriate industry for the last 7 years. We deal with expats in Central America, South America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Our advice is always the same, go live there for 1 year and see what you think. We even require our expats to experience localization classes so thier kids can get acclimated to the schools, customs, etc.).
A large portion of expats do not make it in any country, not just Costa Rica. The differences are usually more that the average person is used to and can wear on your marriage, etc.
We see this even when a westerner goes to another western-type country (i.e UK, Australia, etc.).
Nothing to be ashamed of if you can’t integrate into the new country, it is very common. Immerse yourself for 1 year and then make a decision.[/quote]
Yeah,in my opinion the first year is the magic number. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Venezuela. Most quit and returned within the first year if they quit at all. I almost quit just before completing a year. Stayed for two was happen to come home, but missed the Latin culture too.
The novelty wears off after the first year. You will with effort know some Spanish and some of the culture. Maybe take a short trip after a year back to your origin. See if the level of bs there is greater than the level of bs in CR and which one you prefer. Then try to be happy inspite of it all wherever you decide to stay.anneliseped,
Thanks for the response. Your lifestyle is one I think I would enjoy too.
On my next trip, I want to explore some of the out of the way places to see how I would
like the smaller quiet places.Phil
crhomebuilder,
You describe exactly the lifestyle I feel I’d like to live. The possibilities seem very interesting and encouraging. My plans are to go visit CR again (went for the tourist loop a couple of years ago). The next time I would like to go and stay in one or two places and see how it would feel living there. I will be brushing up on my Spanish now.
Muchas Gracias,
PhilImxploring, that is a very interesting take on why someone would leave. Given my limited perspective of living in another country, it does not fit my experience. I remember speaking to a German gentlemen in Venezuela and he said, “In the the States after one lives there awhile they are accepted as American, not so in Venezuela. You are always an outsider.” Maybe that is the case in CR and the reason for all the two tier pricing systems.
Personally, I think living outside the country is one of the most exciting experiences anyone can have. It can also be very taxing and stressful until a certain level of understanding is achieved. I think knowledge of the language is very important to reaching that understanding. The Peace Corps Volunteers who were most successfull were those that reached a reasonable fluency in the language. This may not be as easily achieved for the retiree without the isolation from other english speaking people. I know because I lived with another volunteer and my fluency was more slowly gained.
Thanks for the thoughts.
BTW, the people I had contact with were all very kind right down to the taxi driver that offered me his CDs of Tico music that I said I liked! Pura Vida…Its good to see some progress is being made. I posted earlier regarding this point and can only assume the post was removed due to this information being made available. At least I do not think I violated any posting rules.
