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Serf, you can email at Ripple33@mindspring.com
Let me know if I can help you Serf. I have spoken with many around Puriscal but am trying to find more options. Please share any info on builders that you have found in Puriscal. Last I heard was that George Lundquist had hired a super high quality builder out of Canada. I met the guy when he was about to make the move to Costa Rica. He had lots of good ideas like concrete forms and knew alot about alternative energy sources ect. I dont know if he is going to work other projects other than just what George is doing or not. Also there is a Tico that came highly recommended by Martin Rice. Several others I have heard of but have not seen their work.
The old Toyota Landcruisers are good solid vehicles. Also as mentioned anyone can fix them. Parts are easy to come by and if nothing else folks can fix them with bailing wire and a roll of duct tape. The problem in my opinion is the ride. They are very hard on the body. If you dont mind getting beat to death on the harsh roads then I say go for it. I know many people who have them and are happy. My body is just not too happy after riding with them.
I agree with the article Jeff wrote and am still shocked that the american people are so preoccupied with the ringtones for the cell phone that they cant realize that the economic situation in the US is dire. The dollar is dropping like a rock and when countries like China no longer finance our debt because the return on their investment is not worth it then we are in real trouble. The US has changed from the largest producer and creditor to the largest consumer and debter. When we can no longer borrow money, we can no longer consume. All FIAT currencies throughout time have failed. The root of all failing economies is either high taxes or unstable currency. People better wake up. As Scott O mentions, it may be too late.
GringoTico, There is much more to evaluating the effects of CAFTA than just looking at export numbers. First most of the exports would have increased anyhow without CAFTA. Second much of those numbers are due to products being exported which were already covered under the CBI. If you break it down, the areas which were opened with CAFTA that were not included in CBI have gone down. Look at Textiles for example. Also you must consider the overall trade numbers. If exports increase and imports increase even more than exports then you are still running a trade deficit.
It is a mute point now, since CR is already doomed to follow the path of Mexico and others down the road to poverty, increased crime, and economic slavery. This is not to say that there will not be those who profit from it. There will be much corporate profit from this agreement both in the US and in CR but the bottom line is, it will be the people and the country that suffers as a result. A very sad week in CR I must say. I hope you are right but history tells another story particularly with NAFTA.
GringoTico,
First of all, you are mistaken. CAFTA has been ratified by the US and is in effect for the countries that have already ratified it. Starting with El Salvador, Honduras, Guatamala, and Nicaragua. US Congress and Senate passed it in 2005 and it was signed by Bush in 2006
Next as far as the WTO is concerned, who do you think carries a bigger stick with the WTO? Who do you think they will represent in any disputes? If you think they are a fair international group then you are sadly mistaken. The IMF, World Bank, and WTO have a history of representing the people who created the organizations not the countries they were designed to help.
You mention that if all tariffs were removed that it would be a disaster for CR. If that is true then what is the difference in removing tariffs on 80 percent right from the start and then removing the rest with time. 80 percent/100 percent it really does not matter. The end results will be the same. As you say painful.
On the tax issue, you mention that one of the primary goals of government is to create an environment where the private sector can offer the highest quality products and services at the lowest cost. If that is true then what kind of quality products and services do we get in the US for a low cost? Last time I checked most all products and services are much more expensive than in the US. Unless you are talking about electronics or Automobiles. The basic services such as Education, Health Care, Utilities, Telecommunications, Insurance ect are much cheaper and available to more people in CR than in a market like the US. What do you think will happen when these services are privatized. In my opinion the cost of all of these go up and become available to only those that can afford them. When you take away the basic needs of the poor what is the result? If you think crime is bad in CR now, just wait and see what happens if CAFTA does pass.
I will not even bother to address the subsidies that CR farmers get in relation to US farmers because that is clearly not even a valid argument considering the millions of US dollars dumped into our farming industry.
As far as foreign investment, CR has already attracted plenty of foreign investment and does not need CAFTA to attract more. Besides, why would a corporation set up offices ect in CR if they can set them up in India for a whole lot less? If you say because of proximity to the US then wouldnt Mexico be the more likely choice?
You mention in regards to Imports and exports that if CR can save money by importing a product more cheaply than they can produce it for themselves then importation is a good thing. Isnt that what the US is dealing with now with the ever growing trade deficit with China? Doesnt that create a dependency on foreign goods and services? How many people lost their jobs in the US after NAFTA(600000)? This just does not make sense financially or politically. This is the reason China has the US by the small hairs and owns the US economy. The US sold themselves to foreign governments due to their faulty trade policies. Also it is a huge reason for the devaluation of the dollar. The only way to pay off foreign debt is to create more money. We all know what happens then.
Costa Rica is already in the process of dealing with the EU and eventually China. There is no need for CAFTA or a larger trading block. Also you admit that CAFTA will mean a loss of sovereignty. That to me is not worth any trade deal for the US or for CR.
I respect your thoughts and opinions but I must disagree as I am sure you will continue to disagree with me. I am always willing to listen and glad you are willing to listen to me as well.
Pura Vida
Good points everyone, I agree with most of you to some extent. I agree with Sprite that there are opportunities in the market when it is down. I am a very conservative invester though and dont have a very bright outlook on the market. History is against me in that the market has never produced a loss over any ten year period in history. I do feel like the situation now is much more dire than in the past though and I dont feel that it is entirely because of the sub prime lending issue. I do think that less money will be put into the market in the near future because many are not able to invest with rising costs, devalued dollar ect. I am staying in the market and think that the only ones bailing out after this fall are people who do not know what they are doing. Seems the big fish are still buying or holding. Again I am a conservative investor so I really only buy blue chips and dont get involved in risky ventures which have a potential for much higher returns. Am I making alot of money? NO, but I am not taking the losses that alot of other people are either. Problem is I am not beating inflation or the devaluation of the dollar which is getting alot worse with the Fed pumping money into the markets to keep it from diving. I totally agree with buying precious metals and think that is really the safest way to go. I have just started with Gold and Silver but would like to lean that way more down the road. I have also purchased Foreign Mutual funds to try and balance my portfolio more with the declining US economy.
I also totally agree with Lotus and that is what my plan is. I just want to have my home built, run solar power, and have enough money for a modest lifestyle. The more self reliant you are, the better off you will be in any economic situation. For now I am stuck in the market to try and make these things happen for me. If I stuffed my money in a mattress it would not work out for sure. I may be losing money every year due to inflation and devaluation of the dollar(I would have to make over 15 percent interest to beat the devaluation) but I am earning something more than just a money market would do for me. As all of you know it is just a game. You cant win if you dont play. I just watch my moves more closely than alot of other folks because I dont tolerate risk well. If I was rich I would be in more risky ventures.
Just a short response, I respect everyones opinion on this issue but I have to disagree wholeheartedly. These are just a few of the issues discussed. There is so much more that is bad about this agreement and if you take the time to research what is involved in this, you will find for yourself that this is really not free trade and this is not just a effort to get CR into the global marketplace which they are already becoming a part of without CAFTA.
First the environmental and labor laws of CR are at risk. One example is oil drilling off the coast of CR which a Halliburton subsidary recently attempted to propose but did not meet CR environmental regulations. They are now trying to sue CR for non compliance with the agreement. Under CAFTA, CR will not be able to resolve these legal issues in its own courts. Who do you think is going to win out on that battle? All disputes with international trade will be out of CR hands. Is that fair? I dont think so. Free trade is a great idea. I have no problem with that. The problem I have is that this is not Free trade. Again why is this agreement needed other than to protect US interests? Remove the tariffs and you have free trade. It does not take this extensive agreement which basically takes away the sovereignty of Costa Rica.
Also if you think that by letting international insurance companies, electric and telecommunications in to CR is going to make prices go down due to competition, you are living in a dream world. There is plenty of competition in the US and I can guarantee you that people are paying substantially more for services of all kinds than people in CR. You mention that it is subsidized by the Govt and taxes. That is true but isnt that what taxes are for? At least the taxes are used to provide affordable services to the people. Look where they spend our tax dollars in the states. How much benefit do we get out of what we pour into the govts pockets? On another note about subsidies and CAFTA. How do you think the CR farmers will be able to compete with government subsidized farming in the US. CR govt does not subsidize their farmers. Is that fair trade? All of the countries that have recently signed CAFTA have had their imports increase while their exports have decreased. What does that mean for the overall economy? CR is doing just fine without this agreement and the US will continue to do business with them regardless. This agreement is blatantly just a trade protection plan that benefits the US and insures that CR will do business with the US and not look overseas to China and others for goods and services.
The highway that runs from San Jose to Ciudad Colon is proposed to be expanded to four lanes all the way to the coast. Right now it is only four lanes to the point right before Ciudad Colon where you come straight on to one way traffic coming the other direction. You have to go around Ciudad Colon and continue on a curvy mountain road that takes you through Puriscal and then on To Orotina. The proposed road will go through the valley and cut out the curvey mountain roads and will be four lane directly to Caldera. Anyone have more information on the progress of this road? Any more developments with the company that was contracted for the job? My, things run slow in CR. I do believe that this road will be constructed after over 35 years of talking about it but have no idea of the time line on this project. With the way things are going it may be another 35 years.
Mysticmaiden, Scott is correct. Slander is a very serious offense. Please tread lightly with this. Glad you got things worked out but please use caution when bad mouthing anyone in CR. I agree that you should be able to say anything you want but the fact of the matter is the law does not see it that way. What I have found that works well for me is to find out references for people that you deal with in CR. Talk to others that have dealt with the people you are interested in doing business with. Take everything with a grain of salt and formulate your own opinions. Lots of folks will say things about others because they have a vested interest to protect. Talk to lots of people and go from there. I have had great luck with Garland Baker who has steered me in the right directions for many things that I needed to get done in CR. He is at costa rica expertise next to the Grand Hotel in San Jose. Very knowledgeable on many different aspects of CR law and how to make things happen in CR.
I have heard the same about the dryer sheet. I have never had a problem with Mosquitos in CR but have gotten bitten in the Central Valley particularly walking in farm type areas where there are cattle, high grass ect. Ticos say they are no see ums but they are not what we call no see ums in the US. Funny how all bugs are called bichos. These bugs which you dont feel when they bite you cause a extreme itching and cause red type welts usually on your legs, feet and ankles. They itch like hell for about a week and a half. Really a bad deal. I found that ammonia works best to cut down on the itch.
Another type of bug that got my wife in January is what I think is a blister beatle. This is a nasty creature. Left discoloration and welt on her hands which looked like a severe grease burn. It also spread initially. She did not see this bug bite her but the best I can tell from talking to people in CR and researching on the internet. This was from a bug called a blister beatle. Went to a doc in the states and they had no clue what caused it or what to do. She took benedril for a long while and it finally resolved after several months. Really nasty creature. Hope I dont come in contact with one. If anyone has more information on these bugs or treatment for future I would love to have it. Also the “no see ums”
eldreed, that is hilarious. I second that!! I do think the republicans would more likely just create more of a police state. This is not a republican or democrat issue. They are all bad in their own ways. One of the main problems is that it appears that the folks they give us a option to elect are all hand picked by the elite. The media pushes them. Both republican canidates they want and dems that they want. Either way the people lose. In my opinion Ron Paul is the only presidential canidate that makes any sense and one that I dont think is controlled like the rest.
On another note. Thanks for pointing out the CAFTA article. More needs to be learned about this and the knowledge does need to be spread to the Tico people so that they have a chance to make a educated decision and not be spoon fed stuff from Arias and others who stand to profit from this agreement at their expense and at the expense of the costa rican people. Another point to note is if you look at import and exports from the countries that recently signed on to CAFTA, you will note that all of their exports went down and their imports went up. Are they making money from this deal? I dont think so. Also note how Mexico has been effected after over 10 years of CAFTA. Sure some are getting rich but what does that mean for the average mexican citizen. Better wages? Better Jobs? Better life? I dont think so when they are crawling over the Texas border to pick tomatoes for a slave wage and no benefits. Spread the word far and wide people and make sure that the Ticos know how this agreement will effect CR and the Tico people. Ticos are eager to learn and do listen to what gringos have to say on this issue especially if is presented right to them in a way they can understand.
I second the recommendation for Mario Garita in Itskatsu plaza in Escazu. Right off the highway in the same plaza as Hooters and Outback. He is highly professional and well trained. Speaks perfect english also. Went to school at University of Miami and has the highest credentials and top notch equipment. Great guy with very professional service.
I must agree with Maravilla and Scott on this. The vaccines they are giving children in the States is causing significant problems. They tell you not to eat or eat a small amount of certain types of fish which have mercury. Why would you want to inject Mercury into a growing child. Many in the medical world have realized that this is a major problem and have tried to have mercury removed from vaccines but the pharma companies dont want anything to do with that. There has been a significant increase in Autism which could definitely be related to these vaccines. I personally know someone who has a child who was perfectly normal. (talked, responded to parents ect). Less than two days after a vaccination he became totally unresponsive. Would not talk, started to rock back and forth, and did not respond to the parents. Coincidence maybe but somehow I doubt it. My brother in law who lives in Austin refuses to have his child vaccinated because of the things that have come out with the dangers of these vaccines. Please be careful people and research this fully for yourself prior to making any decisions on whether or not to poison your child.
KIA makes a diesel Pickup which I have heard good things about. More like a FUSO truck. Industrial style with snorkel too for crossing rivers. Last time I checked they are running about 20 thousand dollars in Costa Rica. I would stay away from the Great Wall diesel. Obviously there are lot of more pricey options but the KIA looks like a good well built option for lower cost. My friend has a Isusu which he loves but again it will cost more brand new than the 20 grand for a brand new KIA.
