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The Howler

Volume 16, No.8 Issue No. 179

TAMARINDO COSTA RICA www.howlermag.com THE HOWLER Ced. Juridica: 3-101-331333

FEATURES

Publisher, editor and production David Mills

8 Dining Out

dmills@racsa.co.cr Tel: 2-653-0545

Seasons Restaurant in Tamarindo, with chef Shlomy Koren, serves delicious fusion food in a tree-lined area alongside a swimming pool.

12 Radiofrequency Microwave Radiation

CONTRIBUTORS ELLEN ZOE GOLDEN TONY OREZ TOM PEIFER JEFFREY WHITLOW MONICA RIASCOS KAY DODGE

JEANNE CALLAHAN JESSE BISHOP MARY BYERLY CYNTHIA CHARPENTIER ROBERT AUGUST NICK HOLT

Deadline for September: August 15 Howler advertising

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17 Facebooking the Flood

After some abnormally heavy rains in Guanacaste, a scientist’s job is made easier by housewives reporting on Facebook.

18 Music and Dance

30 Surviving Costa Rica

The heavy rains have played havoc with the area, not least with the cancelled gigs of a local troubador.

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Ads must be submitted on CD or e-mail attachment, JPG or PDF format at 266 dpi, at the appropriate size (above).

All comments, articles and advertising in this publication are the opinion of their authors, and do not reflect the opinion of Howler Management.

www.tamarindohomepage.com

15 Surf Report

Despite valiant efforts by Costa Rica’s national team, the country placed a disappointing 11th Place at the World Surfing Games in Panama.

75 120

Discounts For 6 months, paid in advance, one month is deducted.

For 12 months, paid in advance, two months are deducted.

www.tamarindobeach.net

14 Around Town

Openings, closings, parties, music. The Gold Coast has it all, and barhoppin’ David is in the groove.

Students from five local schools put on an excellent concert in Huacas, featuring a medley of music and dance styles.

Advertising rates & sizes Size

Your cell phone - and the transmission towers that power it, are a serious hazard to everyone’s health.

DEPARTMENTS 5 Doctor’s Orders 10 CD Review 11 Book Review 20 Slice of Life 22 August Odysseys 24 Fitness Training 26 Yoga Cover Caption: Thunderhead! A giant cumulo-nimbus at sunset heading for Tamarindo with a ton of rain.

Cover design and photo: David Mills

Doctor’s Orders Jeffrey Whitlow, M.D.

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his month I want to discuss so-called “patent” medicines, i.e. drugs that are developed by drug companies for the treatment of acute, sub-acute, and chronic medical conditions. These drugs are called “patent” medicines because the FDA gives a company the exclusive right to develop and market any new drug it produces for 17 years after the drug is first registered with the agency. That exclusive marketing right is termed a “patent”.

The first true patent medicine developed was aspirin, which was patented by the German company Bayer. Penicillin and sulfa were two other early patent medicines. These medicines have a wide range of therapeutic uses and have saved countless lives and eased an untold amount of human suffering. However, the development and marketing of patent medicines has changed quite a bit since those days. Now drug companies spend tens, or even hundreds, of millions of dollars developing new drugs. Also, whereas most patent medicines back in the day were developed from plants or other natural products, today’s patent medicines are wholly artificial in nature.

This transition gradually occurred from the time of the ‘60s and ‘70s, when I first learned my craft, until today. The main significance of this transition has been that the general safety of these drugs has declined markedly from those early days. Physicians and patients could take the safety of drugs like penicillin and sulfa for granted. Only rarely did a patient suffer a serious reaction to those drugs. Now on the other hand, it seems that rarely a week passes without a new drug recall or a report of a previously unknown and serious side effect regarding a new drug.

What is the difference? Drugs are not adequately tested before they are released to the general public. New drugs, like the ones for depression, psychosis, and lipid disorders, which are designed for long-term use, are not tested on humans on a long-term basis. Rather, these drugs are rushed on the market as quickly as possible, because the drug companies have so much money tied up in their development that they need to make it back as quickly as possible. Also, since the drugs are wholly artificial, as opposed to natural, they have unforeseen consequences when they are ingested. These new compounds are especially dangerous to the liver and kidneys, since those organs are the ones that are mainly responsible for breaking down and removing these drugs from our systems.

My general warning to my readers is to be very careful with these medicines, especially the ones that have just been developed in the last few years. We tend to look at our little brightly colored pills as magic bullets that are capable of performing medical miracles with no risk of consequences. It would be much better to view these chemicals as tools of last resort, to be used only after all other interventions have failed, such as diet change, lifestyle modification, psychological and social counseling, and the like. It is absolutely insane to exhaust our liver and pancreas with carbs and sugar to the point where we “contract” diabetes, then use a medicine that literally “wrings” insulin from our already exhausted pancreas in an effort to treat a condition that is wholly preventable. These medicines, called oral hypoglycemic agents, have been associated with a veritable plethora of spectacular, and sometimes fatal, side effects.

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e welcome a new Howler column – August Odysseys – by renowned surfer Robert August. Robert’s long and varied life has taken him all around the world, and he will share some of his interesting – sometimes weird - experiences with us.

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The microwave tower saga continues. A month ago, after protests by residents to the Municipality of Santa Cruz, a hold was put on permits to build the Claro microwave tower, an illegal project in the center of a residential area. Then, inexplicably, the permission was re-approved though no changes had been made to the application and no explanation was given to lawyers representing the community. Government organization SETENA says it has no evidence that residents do not want the tower.

As of writing, construction has started on the tower.

These commercial towers are illegal in an area rated “residential” and, apart from their potential health hazards (see article on page 12), their ugliness will certainly result in adverse effects on property values.

Another article on page 24 urges residents to write or phone President Laura Chinchilla in protest. And just remember – it may not be in your backyard now, but probably will be in the near future. These things are springing up like mushrooms.

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Don’t blame the cell phone companies. They are just trying to make money, just like everybody else, like you and I. Blame the customers who demand their services, and more and faster. Services that did not exist a decade ago (and we lived perfectly well without them) but now are totally indispensable. Blame the users who feel undressed without a cell phone in their hand, who cannot go for a minute without checking the screen. Blame the young couple who came into the bar a couple of days ago, sat side-by-side and proceeded to text each other for the next hour. Blame the corrupt officials in various permitting bodies who are approving illegal applications (probably in return for large bribes). And if you call me about this editorial, please don’t use a cell phone!

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Business continues on the Gold Coast, with lots of tourists here, despite the fierce rains we have experienced. At press time, we appear to be starting our “veranillo” a little late but very welcome. let’s hope for a successful and profitable “low season”.

Dining Out David Mills

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e revisited Seasons on a rainy July night after a very wet week, and were not surprised to find just a handful of diners there. However, the weather behaved itself, and before the evening was very old the restaurant was packed. Situated off the beaten track there is little passing trade, so most of the clientele are there on recommendation – and very much deserved.

Shlomy Koren is chef of Seasons, and does a wonderful job of concocting tasty delights in a lovely open atmosphere alongside the swimming pool at Arco Iris. The menu is international, with emphasis on fish and seafood, an eclectic selection of dishes.

The appetizer menu includes sashimi with sesame oil, ginger and green onion; sautéed calamari with chick peas and tahini; a vegetarian salad of beets, mint and goat cheese; chicken pate with Granny Smith chutney; salad with Parmesan and Gorgonzola cheeses in a balsamic vinegar dressing; we chose a salad with eggplant and chickpeas in a yoghourt sauce and blackened tuna with lemon herb pasta.

Entrées consist of chicken Marsala with almond and sage; filet mignon with either red wine or creamy mustard sauce; a vegetarian delight of pasta with artichoke, mushrooms, scallions and Parmesan cheese. A special was paella, so we chose that and a dish of Asian cellophane noodles with shredded red peppers and ginger – delicious and enough for two.

Seafood included pan-seared red snapper filet with Portobello mushrooms and caramelized onions in a balsamic sauce; mahi-mahi with sundried tomatoes; seared yellowfin tuna in a honey chili marinade; shrimp sautéed with a curry coriander sauce; scampi with green salad and Parmesan; and seafood linguini with a tomato martini crab sauce, shrimp and mussels.

After the plentiful servings we passed on dessert, but could have chosen from a Toblerone chocolate dish with almond nougat; white chocolate mousse with strawberries; lemon tart; or crème brulée.

A special offers an appetizer, entrée and dessert for $26.

Seasons is a wonderful way to spend an evening, in pretty surroundings, great service and excellent food. In Hotel Arco Iris, open 5-10 pm; No credit cards accepted; Tel 2653-2440.

Tamarindo Beach Challenge

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total of thirty children and teenagers were invited to participate in the Beach Challenge this summer organized by the students and parents of Country Day School at Playa Tamarindo. The challenges were achieved with fine efforts and great successes were made with each medal won. CEPIA is pleased to participate with this type of activity that unites communities, schools, teenagers from different cultures and different economic backgrounds, that gives the kids fun, but also teaches them the values of sharing and teamwork.

Thanks to Country Day School Parents’ Committee and to our volunteers Ashley Javogue, Grettel Solorzano, Sue Kalis, Kelly’s Surfshop and Sara Haun.

Refugee and Migrant Celebrant Day

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n Saturday, June 18th, the Day of Refugees and Migrants was celebrated at the CEPIA center, in collaboration with UNHCR (the UN agency for refugees).

The mobile consulate of Nicaragua was present, giving on-site the necessary services for the migrant population with document problems.

Representatives of the courthouse and the police were also present to answer any question and give advice. They gave workshops on the rights of refugees and migrants, and the children enjoyed circus activities.

We thank the Huacas Development Association for the loan of the wooden benches. Thanks to old student, and now volunteer, Leandro Fernandez for his help that day.

CD Review Infectious Music from a Small Island

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n celebration of Cuba’s musical contribution to world music, Putumayo Music has released “Rumba, Mambo and Cha Cha Cha”, a ten-song compilation by musical acts from all over the globe.

Kicking off the set is “Guajira and Chachacha” by the French band Conjunto Massalia. Founded in 1990, the group has released four successful albums, the most recent being “Division”, where this snappy chacha first appeared. Who said the French can’t dance?

The second number is “Potpourri de Chacha” by the Cubano sextet Tradicula. The group’s leader, Pedro Vargas, has worked to present the son style of music with a modern twist and this lively medleyinspired song does just that.

Julio “Fruko” Estrada started his music career in 1968 at the tender age of fifteen, singing for the popular Colombian band Los Corraleros. That same year, the group visited New York City, where Fruko witnessed first-hand that city’s burgeoning salsa scene. Inspired, he founded Fruko y Sus Tesos in 1970.

The band has recorded six albums and is referred to by many Colombians as the country’s leading export. On this compilation, they offer their rendition of the popular “Mambo #5”, originally recorded by Perez Prado in the early fifties and later rejuvenated by Lou Bega. Fruko has given it new life, once again, with his trademark delivery.

Truly indicative of the global spectrum Cuban music has embraced is the song “Esperanza”, the entry by an eleven-piece Scottish band called Salsa Celtica. The band originated in Edinburgh with the idea of fusing classical music with jazz and salsa to create their own genre with a marriage of musical styles. They took a gamble with this project but the result speaks for itself in its lively, unique style.

Other standouts on this compilation disc include Grammy nominees Angel Melendez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra who hail from Chicago and have received an Indie Music Award for “Best Latin Album”. Their contribution to this CD, “Cereza Rosa” is an excellent vehicle for displaying their deep, brassy sound. In addition, Asere is a conglomerate of seven musicians who have played together for fifteen years and recorded four albums. “Oriente” is a toe-tapper, guaranteed to get you out of your chair. They are currently working on a project with legendary Billy Cobham, enough credence for anyone’s resume.

Orquesta la Moderna Tradición assembled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where they play the nightclub circuit regularly. But the members are Texans, Venezuelans, Cubans, as well as Californians, all with a similar jazz/salsa passion. Their song “Mi Cha Cha Cha” pretty much speaks for itself. And the quirkiest delivery has been saved for last: Tres Muchachos & Companeros from St. Petersburg, Russia, performing “Pa’ Mantener Tradición” from their premiere CD released last year, titled, ”Bombo Mambo”. Who could have ever guessed that these two worlds would intertwine? Fidel Castro must be having fits: he undoubtedly had been sure that his peoples’ communism would emanate from his tiny island to embrace and invigorate the world; instead, it is the music of Cuba that has sustained.

Book Review Understanding Tico Culture Tony Orez

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here is an old saying that opinions are like navels: everyone has one. And it seems that every person in Costa Rica, Ticos and expats alike, has his/her own take on “the Tico way”.

I’ve just finished reading “The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica”, by Mavis, Karen and Richard Biesanz. The authors are a little like referees in that they try to present the different viewpoints or explanations for Costa Rican’s mannerisms and tendencies. In my opinion, the book is a good insight to the country’s social behaviors; but then again, like the authors’, this is only my opinion…

The book starts with a brief history of Costa Rica, focused mainly on the culture since the Spanish colonization. Even early on, the country gained a reputation for independent thinking, and being spread out, rural and having a variety of microclimates only aided this mindset. The second chapter delves in the history of the economic climate, from coffee to bananas and finally ecotourism. Along with the third chapter on the history of politics here, the authors establish a trend or foundation in their presentation, a country in permanent flux where social mores prevail, remedies are patched together to keep all parties’ pride intact. The book is full of interesting bits of information. For example, I had not been aware that President Calderon, elected in 1940, had a secret agreement with then-U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt to defend the Panama Canal in the event of an attack and that this alliance resulted in funding for the construction of what would be the Pan-American Highway.

The next chapters deal more with the social aspects of the country, from “Class and Ethnicity” and “Community” to chapters on “Family”, “Education” and “Religion” and I believe these five chapters are the real core of the book and of Costa Rican culture; indeed, family, community and religion, specifically Catholicism, seem to be enmeshed. I did find it interesting to read about the growing population of Protestants here.

Understanding some of the traditions and their roots helps define a people and Ticos are no exception. It’s more than a little sad to read in this book how some of the mannerisms, rituals and respects of the culture are vanishing so rapidly as the Twenty-First Century invades Costa Rica, and families, generations, neighbors and communities become more detached, literally with the aid of cars, computers and cellphones. The final chapter on how Ticos prefer to spend their leisure time was something of a summary for the entire book. It included a look back at how much more family-oriented leisure time was in the past and how fractured and singular it has become.

Another interesting aspect of the book was in clarifying dreamy myths about the country with hard facts and numbers about how much money the government here actually spends per capita on things like public health and education. It takes a little shine off the glorified personae. Far and away, though, the backbone of Tico culture seems to be “para quedar bien”, to get along with everyone which, in a single stroke, explains why issues have historically never been completely resolved. Embracing and understanding this concept will help an outsider go a long way toward persevering here.

Radiofrequency Microwave Radiation Cell Phones are Hazardous to Your Health

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he Human Body operates on electrical impulses and is electrically sensitive to outside influences.

Radiofrequency microwave (RF/MW) radiation, which is used to transmit wireless signals and is emitted from cell towers, influence and interfere with the body’s natural functioning. Dr. Henry Lai, leading researcher in this field and head of Washington University’s bioengineering department states, “There is no question that radiofrequency radiation affects functions in cells and living organisms.”

Unfortunately, whether you’re a cell phone user or not you are under constant attack, being bombarded by RF/MW radiation that’s emitted into the environment from distant and nearby cell towers, other people’s cell phones, other wireless devices, satellite, even radar. This non-thermal form of radiation is thought by many to be much more detrimental to human health than thermal radiation, which is used to cook food in microwave ovens.

Recently, over 15,000 published scientific studies have shown that RF/MW radiation exposure adversely affects people physically, mentally, and emotionally, disrupting the fundamental operation of the neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, reproductive, respiratory, and immune systems. Studies have also confirmed that cellular radiation exposure at the microwave level causes DNA damage, significantly increases cancer risk and accelerates cancer growth.

Cell towers are one of the primary contributors of the RF/MW radiation being released into our environment. The competition between cell phone companies is fierce; hundreds of towers are being erected each day just to keep up with the high demand for service and to eliminate dropped calls. This also means that the RF/MW radiation which is used to transmit cell phone and other wireless signals is constantly being emitted from these towers.

These signals are exposing everyone within a five-mile radius on a constant, uninterrupted 365 days a year operating schedule.

Since October 2002, more than one hundred German doctors have signed a document stating they’ve noticed a tremendous increase in patients with health concerns related to cell phone and chronic cell tower radiation exposure (Microwave Sickness).

Germany’s Bavarian State Government funded a study on cell towers, their placement, and the effects of their emissions.

They reported a significant drop in yield and “extraordinary behavior disorders” in dairy cattle shortly after nearby cell towers were erected and transmitting signals. Both abnormalities returned to normal after the cattle were relocated to an area away from the cell towers!

Common Symptoms of Microwave Sickness resulting from RF/MW radiation exposure include: fatigue; headache; anxiety; irritability; aggressive behavior; attention deficit; concentration difficulties; confusion; learning difficulties; weakening of the immune system; depression; dizziness; decrease in libido; short-term memory loss; slowed reaction time; reduction in physical performance & endurance; changes in blood pressure...

RF/MW radiation, like that which is used to transmit signals from cell towers to and from your cell phone is so powerful and destructive that it is being implemented into today’s military weapons. By directing this non-thermal radiation at enemy troops the aggressor has the ability to easily impose confusion, headaches, fatigue, and anxiety.

The History Channel recently ran a segment about how the Japanese developed their “Death Ray” using radiofrequency microwaves in the 1950s. The Russians used this technology in wartime on the Afghanistan people to control their behavior.

In 1985 CNN TV ran a special segment on Russian electromagnetic weapons. They discussed the awesome power and the unparalleled degree of destruction that can be achieved by directing RF/MW radiation at various targets. If the target is people...this energy could “cook” them to death as if they were in a microwave oven.

If Radiofrequency Microwave Radiation isn’t harmful, then why have the Japanese, the Russians, and now the Americans employed it in their military weapons?

In May 2011 the World Health Organization said there is a possible link between cellphones and cancer. They say that regular use of a cell phone could cause a brain tumor. Brain tumors are the biggest cause of death amongst children. High-profile paediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Charlie Teo says that often a brain tumor is found just above the ear on the side of the head where a cell phone is used.

For further information visit http://www.discoverrealanswers.com/ Cell_Towers.shtm

“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.”

Clarence Darrow

The Farmer’s Computer Glossary Log on

Make the stove hotter

Web

What a spider makes

Monitor

Keep an eye on the wood stove

Cursor

Yer foul-mouthed neighbor

Log off

Download

Don’t add no more wood

Get the logs off the truck

Floppy disk From carrying too many logs

Main Frame Mouse

Web Site

What holds the barn up

What eats grain in the barn

Where you find a spider’s web

Hard drive

Getting home in the winter

Search Engine What you do when the car dies

Window

What you shut when it’s cold

Upgrade

Steep hill

Mail server

Wait guy at McDonald’s

Prompt Screen

Byte Bit

Chip

Dot Matrix Lap Top

What the mail ain’t in the winter What you put up in mosquito season What the mosquitos do

What the mosquitos did

Munchies for TV

Old Dan Matrix’s wife

Where the kitty sleeps

Screen saver Repair kit for the window screen Server

Network

Repairing your fishing net

Internet

Complicated fishing net repair

Sound Card

When a fish swims away

Offline

When the clothes pins let go

What you do to da hay fields

Online

Hardware

Real stainless steel cutlery

Hacker

Plastic knives and forks at McDonald’s

Birthday card that plays music

Netscape

Modem

Software

Wait person at McDonald’s

Where you hang the laundry

The one that gets the firewood

Eddie Davis, of Hidden Coast Realty, has opened Coastal Property Management in Plaza Tamarindo Suite A-21. Telephone 2653-4607 for information.

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 La Caracola Contact: Ellen - 2-653-0897

Voodoo Restaurant in Tamarindo is now open at 6 a.m. for breakfast, with typical American, continental and Tico dishes, burritos, quesadillas, huevos rancheros and omelettes.

Playa Negra School is now open! With a pre-kinder program (ages 1-4) as well as grade school program (k-4th). Both of our programs are bilingual and the K-4th program offers an accredited home school program from the US. Please contact randiraymond@gmail.com for further information.

The annual Tope de Toros rides from Santa Rosa to Cañafistula on August 27, starting about 9 a.m. Several hundred caballistas will ride to Hacienda la Pinta in Cañafistula to celebrate the birthday of Martin Vallejos, ex-alcalde of Santa Cruz, and will drive back the bulls for the following day’s fiesta. Entrance is free.

For problems with your Mac – or other PCs – call Lapiz y Papel at 2665-3670 or 8332-5527. They also carry a comprehensive line of office products and computer peripherals. See their ad on page 27.

Jet Blue has announced its new flights, four per week nonstop from J.F. Kennedy in New York to Liberia, starting November 17, 2011. This will mark the inauguration of Liberia’s new terminal.

Sun County Airlines will commence new flights from Minneapolis-St Paul direct to Liberia from January 13, 2012, to April 13.

Aqua Rica Diving Center has relocated from Tamarindo Comercial Center to Las Olas C.C., 100 meters south of Super 2001.

Tamarindo’s Casino Sports Bar has reopened in the Diria complex, a very modern, glitzy and elegant bar with a casino in the back.

Need a new computer? Compus has a wide line of PCs, from laptops to desktops, at very competitive prices. Located in Liberia – see ad page 21.

El Coconut Beach Club in Potrero has live sunset music Sundays from 5 to 7. Come and enjoy the beach, good food and drinks, and good company. Tel: 2654-4300.

TIDE Academy is Tamarindo’s new US-accredited school, looking to work with students who need flexible schedules! Contact tideacademy@gmail.com or check out TideAcademy.com.

Surf Report

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hat does it say exactly when a world-class operation like the Federación de Surf de Costa Rica puts together a Costa Rican surf team, which in the past has placed as high as fifth in a World Surfing Games competition, but comes home from such a contest with an #11 ranking? That’s what I was wondering about the situation that occurred at the Billabong International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games that took place in Playa Venao in Pedasí, Panama, June 25 to July 3. So I put the question to Jose Ureña, the President of the Federación, as he took a break from his duties at the Quiksilver Pro Costa Rica, presented by Olympus in Santa Teresa.

Ureña stated: “They didn’t really do well; we were expecting way more than that. In the end, Leilani (MacGonagal) and Lisbeth (Vindas) did better than our Open team. It was a matter of getting the whole team connected. Of the Open team, Anthony Fillingim did well; Jair (Pérez) and Luis (Vindas) did not (Carlos Muñoz was also on the team.) So you can’t blame it on the young people on the team. The Open guys didn’t connect in the end. Sometimes it just happens.”

“When you prepare the way we do, you expect good results. It didn’t happen. It was a good lesson for the whole team. They were sad, but

Story: Ellen Zoe Golden

me. Nevertheless, one never stops learning and this, more than before was a great lesson for me and the team,” said Lisbeth.

Leilani McGonagle, all of 11 years old and the youngest competitor in Panama, was filling in for Nataly Bernold who didn’t make the trip for health reasons. She received an ovation from the crowd when she finished her last repercharge heat. The media had given her a lot of attention for age, and she took to tears as she walked from the water.

“I am sad because I was close, but gave the best of me. Hopefully, next time I go to the World Surfing Games, I do better. I am thankful to my team for the support and opportunity to be here,” Leilani said.

The day before began hopefully for Lisbeth, Leilani and Anthony Fillingim who had previously completed Day 3 with magnificent results. Although Lisbeth and Leilani would live to see another day, Anthony, already the Open surfer with the furthest results—even as the youngest at 17 years old—ended up losing in repercharge. He was tagged with #13 in the Open category and of course added valuable points to the overage Costa Rican team position.

Today as I write this column, the Quiksilver Pro Costa Rica is taking place in Santa Teresa. Since I won’t be able to give details until next month, I thought I’d make a diversion and print an interview with Quiksilver sponsored surfer Gilbert Brown (photo). Thanks to my associate Carlos Enrique Brenes, who spoke with Brown.

Ellen Zoe: As a competitor, what are your expectations for the Quiksilver Pro Costa Rica, presented by Olympus?

Gilbert: I think it looks very good. I am very moved and very much want to win or be in the first round of this event that is considered the top star category of Costa Rica. The quality of surfing really excites me.

there were no excuses.”

Strangely enough, on day five of the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games, it was the Costa Rican girls Lisbeth Vindas and Leilani McGonagle who wrapped up participation instead of the normal surfer from the Open team. Tagging out at #13 and #15 respectively, Costa Rica officially took leave of the event, and with that tallied up the points for the team and placed #11 out of the 27 countries who participated (Australia was #1).

The end came for Lisbeth when she entered the water during repercharge for the last time against, among others, the South African Nikita Robb, who took a very good wave and earned the points necessary to command the Tica to third place without the necessary time to improve.

“This was a World Surfing Games that was very hard for Costa Rica from the very beginning, but I tried my best to help us get to the Top Ten, and made it to #13 for want of a wave that raised the average for

EZG: Are you preparing as you normally would for this event or have you intensified your preparation?

GB: Mentally, before a competition there are always nerves, and with time I have learned how to control them. I have been surfing at least four hours daily, maintaining good healthy eating, and always connecting with the sea. In addition, I have trained a little in boxing.

It’s surprising what force I have developed from that.

EZG: You have a good connection to this area of Santa Teresa, having won a contest here a year ago, right?

GB: Yes, definitely, there is a good connection. Speaking with a friend, we commented on the level of surf that exists in Costa Rica.

He assured me that favoritisms exist and that was the case when I won.

My answer was, “I won the match as soon as I touched the water for (continued

page 23)

Night Magic The Tropical Dry Forest Dusk to Dawn

“Trust your horses”, I said, as we snaked down the dimly-lit trail.

“Are you sure horses can see at night?” asked the doubting tourist as she rode down the oxcart trails lit by a quarter moon and millions of stars. I explained that horses see only in shades of black and white, as do many mammals, and are adapted to see in low light. They feed during the night, taking only occasional “horse naps” of 15-20 minutes. In the moonless nights of the rainy season, we have ridden down roads which were so dark in areas that were tree-covered, that the gelding Esteban, my husband, was riding would periodically lean against my mare because she had better night vision. Other nights, we are treated to the lights of millions of fireflies, actually species of beetles, sending out their phosphorescent messages to potential mates. For Californians, it would be the first time to experience the fairyland show of fireflies, but for we Michiganders, it was a reminder of summer nights with jars full of the captured glowing lights.

There is magic to be discovered in the nights of the tropical forests of Guanacaste. Unlike the long twilight of the northern latitude nights a short, yet spectacular, sunset falls quickly into the tropical night.

The night conditions range from the eerie darkness of the moonless, overcast nights, to the shadow-filled, day-like nights bathed with the light of the full moon and accompanying stars. Stop, look and listen - the tropical nights are filled with specially adapted life.

From dusk to dawn, the life of the dry tropical forest environment changes, for the cooler, moist night air brings out the “night shift”, the highly adapted nocturnal life forms.

The parrots, egrets and other day birds seek night perches as sunset approaches, then an array of night hunters emerges to take advantage of the nocturnal insects, thin-skinned amphibians and small mammals that are active only at night. Bats leave their perches in high branches, tree holes or in caves to feed primarily on fruit, flowers or insects. The bats are mammals, second only to rodents in numbers.

A few species of these social mammals also feed on fish or blood.

The famed vampire bat found in Guanacaste will often return to the same animal, horse, pig or cow, and feed off the blood night after night. There have been reports of humans being bitten; not, however, on the neck, but between the toes. Fortunately, most bats are helpful as flower and fruit pollinators and play an important role is the tropical forest ecosystem.

Night-feeding moths are attracted to the sweet nectar of nightblooming plants. Many large moths have distinctive markings on their lower wings that resemble owl eyes to frighten would-be predators. Their feather-like antenna pick up pheromones from night-blooming flowers and other feeding sources. They exhibit the subtle colors of night, rather than the gaudy daytime colors of their diurnal cousins. When taking ecotours with students, we would set up a bed sheet with a light underneath at dark and draw hundreds of insect species, most of which were night-feeding moths. (continued

page 21)

Facebooking the Flood Tom Peifer If you want to save water when you destroy the world, just make it rain for 40 days and 40 nights and wait for the sewers to back up.

Bill Cosby to the Lord in “Noah and the Neighbor”

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ny number of people around these parts may have well dialed the Noah hotline recently. Bastille day dawned in Tamarindo to the less-than-illuminating effects of 21 cm. of rainfall. Perhaps not intended by the Almighty as an affront to French sensibilities, the deluge managed to put a damper on things for quite a few folks.

Local weather watchers waxed a bit perplexed given that we are supposed to be in, or near, or just in between any of the different “veranillos” that usually keep July a bit drier than May and the real rains after mid-August. Of course, you can’t attribute any given meteorological event to the unfolding global climate cataclysm that is occurring. Nonetheless, at times it seems like the extra 4% water vapor in the world’s atmosphere somehow managed to concentrate right over Guanacaste and fall directly on our little corner of Paradise. You might recognize the syndrome. Just when it’s hard to imagine the sound of the rain on the roof getting any louder, the volume gets cranked up another couple notches. For me, the strong rains always unleash a flood of memories.

For several years now we’ve been working on the restoration of the Río Nandamojo valley, south of Tamarindo. (“Restoring the River”, The Howler, Sept. 2005.) To get an idea of priorities for restoration, we employed both rain gauges, to measure the precipitation, as well as measuring stakes set in streams to be able to calculate runoff volumes in stream channels. In an ideal world, all these gizmos would be connected to provide constant monitoring in real time. Then we could see just how long it takes between the rainfall hitting up in the different sub-watersheds and the streams surging as they enter the main valley. The rule of thumb is that the more heavily damaged the area, the faster it sheds water. It goes without saying that such a super-sophisticated monitoring setup is beyond the scope of our rather meager finances.

Yes sir, during our early efforts, if we wanted monitoring in ‘real time’, we were out in the downpours with flashlights, at times waist-deep in the swirling waters, to actually see the numbers on the stakes and record the depths without being swept off into the dark maelstrom, along with god-knows-what other creatures in the muddy mess. Now, we have embraced the marvels offered by the world of digital communication.

Praise the Lord and pull up Facebook.

Prior to a look at the creative application of social networking to watershed restoration I’d like to respond to some rather scurrilous accusations that are floating around along with the other sordid scum that is swept along in our seasonally swollen streams. As the informed reader may be aware, climate scientists worldwide are being subjected to physical threats, on-line character assassinations, coordinated computer barrages to clog their websites, all in an effort to prevent them from divulging the scientific details of our collective march towards “hell and high water.”

Ok, so I have my network of friends on Facebook. As luck would have it any number of them just happen to be single moms. Over time, I have noticed that they tend to keep an eye peeled out for weather changes that might in any way affect the welfare of their children. Within minutes of the latest deluge, thanks to my online friends, I was getting eyewitness accounts of flooding inside homes, and streams threatening to burst the boundaries of their banks. And sure enough, in a manner eerily similar to the attacks on climate scientists, the local rumor mill cranked into overdrive.

Friends began to hear accusations that I was erecting an elaborate ruse with posterior motives. In the event of widespread flooding in low-lying communities-- on the increase over the last few years--it was alleged that I planned to set up a shelter in my sumptuous guest cabina, with the specific aim of providing succor to single mothers. I mean, really, my social life may be foundering in the doldrums of solitude but that particular plot is way beyond my decidedly limited capabilities at creative fiction.

As I write, the sun is beginning to sink in the west and the rains have picked up again. Who knows if my friends on Facebook will be passing another fretful night with one eye on the kids and the other on the rising waters? Nor can anyone predict with certainty just how many will die from the current heat wave burning its way into the record books across the US. But the broad outlines of the future trends are widely documented.

A case in point: although hard to fathom when it is raining cats and dogs, a recent article in La Nación predicted severe seasonal water shortages in Guanacaste in the not-too-distant (continued

page 32)

Music & D at Local Sc “Don David, I would like to invite you to an evening of music and dance by some local schools to celebrate the International Day of Music. You may want to take some photos for the magazine.” said Roberto.

“Oh, great!” I thought, “a boring evening, listening to schoolkids.” But The Howler has always been supportive of the communities and schools, so I skipped Bingo night and went to do my duty.

Arriving at the Centro Comunal in Huacas, I was amazed at the number of people there. The presentation comprised five schools, from Huacas, Santa Cruz, Playa del Coco, Sardinal, Belén, and it appeared that every student was there in their respective school uniform, either participating or in the audience. Every voice joined proudly in singing the National Anthem and the Guanacaste hymn to guitar accompaniment.

And what an appreciative audience, everyone cheering for his/her school’s performance, thunderous applause for each act.

Story: David Mills

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da fa b d sw

Dance chools

The Centro Comunal has been extensively renovated and cleaned up by Gold Coast Learning Center with the aid of CEPIA. The front threequarters were crowded with kids, while the displays took lace in the other quarter.

There followed a two-hour concert of music, song and dance, both traditional and modern, and it was a load of fun, and a lot of amateur talent.

From a solo dance act; a café scene ending in a cat-fight after a diner was seduced by the cabaret singer; through a karaoke rendition of Malagueña Salerosa; sexy modern baile ancing; the banda from Santa Cruz; a whiteaced kabuki act; belly dancer; a marching and with pomponned cheerleaders; to elightful traditional dance in colourful wishing gowns, hand-made by the performers, the whole show was a treat for the eye and ear.

The dedication of the profesores in putting this eclectic show together was evident, as was the students’ enthusiasm.

Barbara’s Pet Stories Zeus, the Hero

A Slice of Life Something Fishy

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ome time ago, as I was walking along the road to Flamingo, a medium-size dog, black with white spots, followed me. All the way I was talking to him, while I was looking back over my shoulder, like: hey buddy, how are you doing little fellow...he was just skin and bones.

David Mills

Just before the bridge I was able to take him into my arms and to pet him. He was so excited that someone cared about him, he peed on me...I took him home and he fit right into the pack of my others, all rescued dogs, too.

T

After some time I could see and watch that he was an alpha animal, he made himself the new leader of the pack. I called him Zeus. He was the first to eat, the first to get a cookie, and of course, the first to bark. Each day at about 3 p.m. they all ran into the big garden behind our house, to play and run and run...

I was on a trip back to Europe from Canada. First a few days in England to visit my brother and a few friends, then a couple of weeks in the Abruzzi Apennines where my sister and Andrea ran a large hotel.

Then it happened one afternoon, they all came back into the house, except for Zeus. I called his name and ran into the garden. Oh dear, there he was, lying on the ground, not moving. Tears came into my eyes, horror into my heart... I ran back into the house, called my friend . She is a vet and came immediately. And in no time she noticed that Zeus had been poisoned. She pumped out his stomach, she gave CPR, she did everything in her power to rescue him. After a long time Zeus “came back to life”; he moved his ears, his tail, his eyes...there he was again, my Zeus.

It turned out, that some one must have thrown poisoned meat balls over the fence to kill all the dogs.. So Zeus had eaten all of it to protect his pack, as he was the leader. ...he was always the first to eat... Good old Zeus!

It took him some days to recover, and it looked like that the pack knew what he had done for them. As he came out of the “ hospital room”, where he had to stay for four days with infusions and special food, they all welcomed him back.

Again I had tears in my eyes seeing this bond of friendship between this dogs.

ickets in hand for my flight from London to Rome, I was wondering what little gift to take to my brother-in-law. I remembered back to when I lived in England, and Andrea had visited us. He raved about the English kippers, a fragrant and delicious smoked herring dish unknown in Italy.

Arriving at Fiumicino airport I found that the airline had left my suitcase in London. They promised it would be forwarded as soon as possible to the railway station in L’Aquila, the largest nearby town. I collected a few bucks in consolation money and bought the necessities.

Two days later I received a phone call telling me my errant suitcase had arrived at L’Aquila, and would I please come and pick it up – quickly. I borrowed Andrea’s Citroen DS21, a fast responsive car, and drove my own Mille Miglia on the spectacular winding mountain roads.

At the station luggage office I identified myself and was greeted like a long-lost brother. “Boy, am I glad to see you,” said the clerk (or words to that effect). Immediately behind him were a couple of dozen pieces of baggage. “That’s yours,” he told me, pointing to a solitary suitcase in the distant corner of the large warehouse.

I waited for him to bring it over, but he shrugged, and opened the gate. “No, no,” he said, “you go and get it.”

Halfway across the large room I understood why he had been so glad to see me. The whole place stank of ripe kippers. I had packaged them well enough for a one-hour flight to Italy, not to sit for three days in the mid-August heat. They had matured and fermented. I threw the suitcase into the trunk and drove back with all the windows open.

Back at the hotel, I gave Andrea his gift. “Mille grazie”, he said with a laugh, taking the bag outside where he threw it into the trash.

My sister put all my clothes through the laundry, and I settled down to enjoy my vacation.

Does anyone have a “Slice of Life” to share with the readers?

Humorous, weird, interesting, whatever...

Send it to dmills@racsa.co.cr or call 2653-0545.

Tales of Guanacaste...

Night Magic... (from page 16)

Tree frogs and many small mammals have specially adapted eyes that adjust even to the dimmest light. The pupils, which are located vertically, can range from a tiny slit to wide open. They can often be seen moving around at night on our windows, held tightly by their suction-cup fingers, waiting for insects drawn to the light. The large protruding eyes of night monkeys and other small mammals also help them see in dimmest light. Some night creatures have substituted a highly developed sense of smell to compensate for lack of sight, particularly in dense forest areas where, even in the day, only one or two percent of the sunlight reaches the forest floor.

The bird family also has its nocturnal hunters, the most easily recognized being the owls. Of the 120 species of owls worldwide, some are day and twilight feeders. Their mysterious night hoots, shrieks and whistles have made the night-feeding species infamous. Their feathers are adapted to provide almost soundless flight. The facial disks help gather the slightest sound, and their large forward-directed eyes see in very dim light. Their colors of patterned gray and brown allow camouflage during the day when most sleep. Insects, rodents and birds are their most common prey. When driving the dirt roads between the small Guanacaste towns at night, an occasional owl can be seen quickly flying across the headlight beams. But most-often seen on these drives are another group of nocturnal birds with distinctive white throat or wing patches and plaintive cries. This group includes the nightjars, potoo, nighthawks, pauraque and goatsuckers. These insect-eating birds are often flushed from the ground ahead of cars.

They circle the sky seeking flying insects, swooping them up in their large whisker-lined mouths.

Because most humans are diurnal, we miss much of the “night life” that lives outside of our “artificial human places”; however, we were once reminded of just how alive the night is. Susan Smith and I were spending the night caring for her very sick horse. Camping out in the large corral, the moon was in the dark phase; however, the stars were so bright we could still see. Surviving the long night on coffee, we ministered to the struggling filly. As we sat on our mobile camp chairs we commented on the amount of activity on the farm at night. Dogs chasing a skunk through the pasture or digging after armadillos, cats daintily walking the teak fences in search of a tasty rodent, and of course the night sounds of insects, frogs and night birds. The other horses in the near pastures softly nicker to one another, seeming to sense a problem, vigilant to our rare night presence.

For much of the world, the city lights and street sounds prevent any chance of seeing stars or listing to the cacophony of nature’s symphony. Here, however, throughout the night as the moon and stars light the ghostly gray landscape, the struggle for life continues. And, as dawn approaches, the bats begin the return to their lofty roosts and the black howler monkeys begin to call from their trees, announcing the shift change once more. The brightly coloured birds and flowers replace the camouflage experts and night sounds are replaced with the noises of day. Day to night to day, the cycle continues.

T

August Odysseys

Robert August

wenty years ago I had the opportunity to discover the wonderful province of Guanacaste. When my old friend David recently asked me to be a Howler contributing writer I was very excited, as you can imagine. With the years of back and forth visiting the Gold Coast of Costa Rica, I have many great stories to share…so here we go.

As you know the Gold Coast is a major melting pot of interesting residents from around the globe. One of the favorite questions I like to ask people around town is - how did you end up here? This time I’m going to answer this question about myself.

In about 1980 a Houston Chronicle outdoor writer, Joe Doggett, had a project on sport fishing in Costa Rica and found himself at Ollie’s Point and Witch’s Rock in Guanacaste. After his trip Joe called me at my Huntington Beach, CA, factory and told me about this untouched place that had howling offshore winds with epic waves, and asked if I could make a board for him with weight enough to ride these conditions. So I did, and naturally I heard his stories when he returned to Texas, and this was the first I had ever heard of the potential of going to Costa Rica.

A few years later I went to the surf trade show in Florida - Surf Expo. While working, chatting with co-workers, old friends and clients, one had stuck out amongst the crowd – and this where I met a great guy named Russell Wenrich. He introduced himself to me and to this day will never forget his exact words, “I don’t surf but I have a resort in Costa Rica and we have good surf, great fishing, cold beer, and lots of women.” Naturally we became friends and kept in touch. I was later invited by the Tourist Bureau of Costa Rica for a “surfers’ reunion” with friends Bruce Brown, Greg Noll, Mark Martinson and more, but Tamarindo was voted out of this trip and we ended up in Jacó. When I got home something about Costa Rica was still tugging at me for I felt something special about the country. Soon afterwards my son Sam, a pitcher for the Astros organization, had an injury in his elbow and was looking to escape this hard time. Thinking back about Russell I suggested ¨Let’s go to Tamarindo!¨

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Russell picked us up in San José and took us to Tamarindo Resort.

After a week full of fishing, surfing, fiesta, cold beer, horizontal salsa dancing, and a few beers hanging with the hillbilly I bought property from him and he helped me build my house. For years since then I used my house as a vacation home, but I now reside here full-time with my Costa Rican daughter Christine in that same house.

Inspired Insults Lady Astor to Winston Churchill: ‘If you were my husband, I would put poison in your coffee.’

Churchill: ‘And if I were married to you, I would drink it.’

Costa Rica for the Picky Eater

Surf Report

Peter Collinson

(from page 15)

am English and ideally like all that I eat to be easily recognizable on sight! When I told friends that I was going to Costa Rica the reply was always the same “I gather the food is not ideal for a picky eater”. Nevertheless, because I had an English friend who had lived and survived happily in Costa Rica for 15 years, I decided to go.

the first time, and I did not lose a single round, surfing with certainty until the last wave, and nobody gave anything to me.”

I

I was dutifully picked up from the airport in Liberia at 11 p.m.

We spent the remainder of the evening drinking beer before settling down for the night in a local hotel; food had not yet been needed!!

The following morning we drove to Tamarindo, stopping at a roadside café for breakfast; amongst all the unrecognizable dishes was toast – the standard UK breakfast – all was well.

EZG: In the last three finals that you have not won, you begin with good waves, but just don’t finish with the trophy. Has your strategy changed?

GB: That is a good point. When I enter a final, it is not just like a qualifying series, no longer is it to gain a minimum point, but to explode and to surf with as much force as possible. This is certain in a pair of recent competitions; I have started with a high-scoring wave and in the end I lose the concentration because, even though they leave waves to me, I wait for better ones. I am working in this area; these are things that can be corrected, in my tactics.

During the following week we drank in many bars; the bottled beer had no adverse affect on the digestive system but I felt the draft beer was less accommodating. In some bars a small dish of food was provided with every beer; these they call ‘bocas’ and are sometimes a stew-type dish or, on one occasion, a raw turtle egg was produced. I passed on the stew but admit to having a turtle egg – never to be repeated though!

EZG: Very good waves are expected here in Santa Teresa. Is this of benefit to you?

Though we visited restaurants every evening and my friend was able to point out suitable places serving Italian or Western food, I really found it difficult to tackle the local food in the Costa Rican restaurants. I remember with affection the Sports Bar near AutoMercado and El Coconut where a very friendly, pretty, slim hostess attended to my every need.

EZG: Quiksilver this year offered you the opportunity to surf in important events in Latin America. How much have they been helping you?

So those back in the UK who thought I would lose weight were wrong, so don’t be put off by others, Costa Rica can accommodate all tastes including a picky eater. I am looking forward to revisiting, content in the knowledge that there is something for everyone in this fascinating country.

Editor’s reply: Peter, in your extensive world travels I fear that you have forgotten your roots. In England, stews often form a considerable proportion of one’s food intake. Don’t you recall delicious, rich, nutritious beef, lamb or chicken stews? Shame on you!

Perhaps, in your odyssey to “capture” all fifty U.S. states, which you achieved successfully this year, you have become accustomed to their national diet of steak, chicken, steak, pork, steak, sausage, steak… Even so, this should not cause you to shrink with repugnance from Costa Rican dishes which can be so very delicious. I can understand your reluctance to try tripe, gizzards, liver, bulls’ “eggs”, tongue, pigs’ feet and other local favourites, but you really should have tried at least arroz con pollo or the national dish of gallo pinto (rice and beans with herbs) with local steak, pork chop, filet of fish, eggs or cheese. There are many other exciting meals available here.

I wonder what you eat when you travel to further-flung places such as Fiji. I believe you are missing an essential component of national cultures (although I admit that even I would be very wary of eastern delights such as insects, caterpillars and pond life). Still, I look forward to seeing you again. Bon appetite!

GB: Swell is rising since yesterday and doubtless there are going to be great waves. Personally, I feel this it will benefit me, since the waves are going to be up. Nevertheless, the competition is going to be very difficult.

GB: The reality is that this is not something common every year, and in 2011 the panorama shines far better with the World Qualifying Series (WQS) that took place in Mexico and El Salvador and then this (non-WQS) event here in Costa Rica. The high level of surfing has helped me a lot to realize more in waves of great levels.

EZG: Are there favorites for this event?

GB: I do not like to put me as a favorite, I like to be humble in this and go in giving the best of me, which I need to do to arrive near the end. Although Carlos Muñoz and Anthony Fillingim happen to be having a very good moment, I feel the waves are going to have as much to do with the surfing as they do.

EZG: Would you like to be in Clay Marzo’s heat?

GB: I have had the opportunity to be with him several times in Mexico and Hawaii. His surfing is something incredible and he is one of my favorites. I like his explosiveness and he is very flexible. Clay is a surfer who defies gravity, the maneuvers that he does in sections are too critical. And yes, I would like to have him in my heat, why not? I would like to feel like I was on a level with him, since I have improved. If this called on me to lose, I will learn, and if I win, this helps me for a possible confrontation with him in the future.

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.

H

Letter to the President

ey Tamarindo, to all you who want to keep cell towers out of residential neigborhoods please help by signing the petition at Hotel Luna Llena in the reception (2653-0082).

Cell towers are being built in residential areas in Tamarindo and we want this to stop for the following reasons: 1. We do not want commercial businesses in our residential neighborhoods. This Cell Tower by Claro does not seem appropriate for residential areas.

2. These towers are ugly. Ugly towers lower property values.

3. Aesthetically, they are a threat to the economy of Tamarindo which is based on Eco-tourism. The environment is what Costa Rica has to offer to the world. It’s a heaven. Putting towers everywhere is contrary to what tourists expect from Costa Rica. Costa Rica has an international reputation of being a green ecological country. People come to Tamarindo to get away from the towers.

4. Cell towers have been proved to be a health hazard. In many countries their location is strictly regulated for this reason. They do not belong in residential areas. For details, read “Radiofrequency Microwave Radiation” on page 12.

Please call the president, Laura Chinchilla. Tell her about what is going on and make phone complaints, send letters to her email, and we can send them by fax also. Also it would be good if everyone calls the municipality in Santa Cruz 5-10 times per day to report concern about the subject and our disapproval of cell towers in our residential areas of Tamarindo. Our concerns are that we do not want commercial businesses in our residential areas. We do not feel this is appropriate, and aesthetically it brings down property value. Aesthetically it also threatens tourism.

The more calls made the more likely they are to pay attention.

Call Laura Chinchilla: Tel: 2207-9215. email: despachopresidenta@casapres.go.cr fax: 2253-9087

Fitness Training Surf Prep 101

A

s I stepped off the bus, cracked the back, stretched the legs from their four-hour cramped position I thought of that gruelling stair climb two weeks ago. I was halfway up the 250 steps that I committed to. Did I want to stop? Of course I did. But I pushed through knowing that I’d need this conditioning in a few weeks. Now I looked around at our surroundings – nothing but barren desert, rock outcrops scattered the landscape, not a soul as far as the eye can see.

It was a tough paddle out - overhead waves, powerful current, lots of water moving around, getting accustomed to a new spot, and the extra few pounds of my wetsuit. I time the sets correctly and, after ten minutes of hard stroking, I’ve made it out to the line-up. I’m feeling good for the first hour, soaking in the raw beauty that is the Peruvian coastline, chatting it up with some new friends, catching a few waves and working hard to stay in position. I see a large bump on the horizon. It’s a big set wave. I dig hard for the outside, but I have no chance to make it so I duck-dive and submerge my board under the water in an attempt to escape the explosive force of this monster wave. No such luck. I lose grip of my board as I’m thrown head over heels below the ocean’s surface. The tight tug on my leg from the leash all of a sudden goes weightless – my leash has snapped.

I surface and confirm my fear as I watch my board ride a nice wall of white water 75 yards into the beach. Panic wants to creep in. Adrenaline pours into my bloodstream. Relax, I tell myself, remain calm. I’ve prepared my body and my lungs for this. I take another set wave on the head. Panic creeps in a little closer. Another deep breath as I dive deep below the wall of whitewater screaming toward me. Relax. Breathe. I gather myself, and start the 75-yard swim for the beach. I remind myself I’ve swum 75 yards before. I’ve held my breath for over a minute under water. You can do this.

A sense of calmness washes over me. With this confidence, doubt has little room to creep in. Without doubt, the mind can do almost anything.

Focus. Commit. Steady does it. A long fifteen minutes later, rocky sand never felt so good under my feet. I made it.

As I reflect on this story, I think to myself how differently this could have ended up. If it weren’t for my conditioning, this could have been a completely different situation. A challenging swim could have easily turned into a panic-filled rescue. What made the difference? Preparation, plain and simple.

Climbing stairs to increase my cardiovascular strength. Surf-specific strength training to increase muscular endurance in key shoulder and back muscles. Swimming in the open ocean to improve my confidence in the water. Practicing yoga to sharpen mental focus.

Not only can proper fitness help you surf better and longer, it can save your life and enable you to challenge yourself and surf bigger waves.

Make sure you prepare for your surf trips with specific surf conditioning and strength training. Swim often. Practice Yoga. Build strength and endurance in your paddling muscles. Increase your lung capacity by doing breathing exercises. This will all lead to increased confidence out in the water.

Check out some surf-specific exercises on the website . You will thank me if you ever encounter a similar board-less experience in the line-up.

Nick Holt is the owner/founder of Nick Holt Fitness, a full-service personal training outfit specializing in surf fitness and general wellbeing. Nick offers surf-inspired yoga classes, beach boot camp classes and one-onone personal training. For more information. www.nickholtfitness.com, ncholt7@gmail.com or 8748-0126.

WHAT ARE WE DOING COSTA RICA? Cynthia Osborne Charpentier

The Doctor Why is this my topic? Do you need a doctor?

I really wanted to study Medicine at a Costa Rican University. Then to be a marine biologist, a biologist and a physiotherapist.

I know many doctors, but they are not all the same. I can say many names about good or bad doctors. So I interviewed a good one - Dr. Ivan Mendez of Villarreal. My interview with Dr. Mendez: Doctor, please talk to me about being a doctor, your profession. Tell me about yourself.

The first thing I wanted was to be a truck driver. Then I wanted to be a lawyer or a doctor, but I wanted to help people, so I decided to be a doctor. I have been working for two-and-a-half years. I went to Costa Rican University for about seven years and then graduated. I started in 2003 with Dr. Calvo to work at the Ebais in Villarreal, then I ended up being here in my own practice”.

How many patients do you see in a day or a week?

“Well, usually in a day four patients, sometimes two, three or seven, or nobody, it depends.”

How old are you?

“I am thirty-six years old”.

Do you see more North Americans than ticos?

I usually have 75% foreigners, Americans, Canadians, Germans, Dutch, Italians, French, sometimes tourists, plus residents and the other locals.

I recently wrote about the Caja (CCSS, Caja Costarricence de Seguro Social), about the Ebais. You worked there; what do you thing about the system?

“For my opinion they should be investing more money in Guanacaste, maybe more in Santa Cruz, invest in this whole area. We need a growing area resource, making a better clinic to be able to improve the health of the people, with X-Rays, Sonogram, Mammogram and specialists, because we need infrastructure and equipment. It’s very difficult for people to go to Santa Cruz, or Nicoya, or Liberia”.

“I have been here for many years, and I always come to Dr. Mendez.

He is a great person, I like him. He is good; many people recommend him”. - Petra Schoep and Rhys Wilson, Holland.

“He is a very good doctor. He takes his time and asks a lot of questions.

He cares about his patients and he’s very thorough”. – Norman.

Again, I have tried so many doctors; now I know who is who. You can do the same.

Now Begins the Study of Yoga SATYA The second of the yamas, or ethics of yoga, is Satya, translated as truthfulness. Satya arises out of the first yama, ahimsa, or non-harming (see July’s column). We continue our efforts of non-harming by being truthful with ourself and with others, in our thoughts, our words, and in our actions.

Know when to Go For It

This is relatively easy to think about in concept, sometimes difficult to actually do in our lives. We not only get used to telling less than the truth with each other (as when faced with the notorious “does this make me look fat?” question), and often do this with ourselves without being conscious of it. Typically it is our ego, driven by fear, that clouds our efforts to be honest.

we don’t want to become embarrassed if we can’t do it as well as the person on the next mat. Embodying satya in our yoga asks us to go beyond our ego and constantly look at the “why” we are doing or not doing something. We then check to see if our decisions and consequent actions are in harmony with our whole being. Ask yourself if you are truly open to what your body, mind and spirit need right now or are you pushing yourself too far, or resisting something? Do you simply do your regular practice because it is quick, or easy, or comfortable? Practice satya to adapt your yoga to what you need today. During your practice be honest about when it is time to move to the edge of your ability and when it is time to back off.

Ego lets fear of being “less than” take us away from our truth when we force our body into a posture we’re not ready for because we see others doing this in class. Ego lets fear of failure keep us from trying something because

Here are a few suggestions for bringing satya into your practice: 1. If you aren’t already, begin a daily meditation practice. Being silent is often the best way to let go of some of our ego-driven thoughts, and start “hearing” the true wisdom within us. Allow your physical practice to then include some time for silence and listening to “hear” what is the right action for you.

2. Take a private class to work with your particular body and where you are at right now, asking for feedback, adjustments, and suggested best practices.

3. Every so often, check your poses with a mirror, or set up your camera to take pictures so that you can see honestly what is going on.

4. Listen to what your body really needs – sometimes a power yoga session is needed, and sometimes a restorative practice is what is needed. Be honest with yourself about what you are doing and why, and adjust your practice as needed.

Being truthful in life and in your yoga practice requires an open-mind, the ability to let go of judging ourselves, as well as a lively curiosity. Balance truthfulness with kindness for yourself on and off the mat.

Namaste Mary Byerly is one of the owners and the yoga teacher at Panacea.

An oasis of tranquility and health 10 minutes from Tamarindo.

Discover Paradise and Bring a Peace Home www.panaceacr.com • 2653-8515

Know when to Take It Easy

Around the World ( a news digest)

C

offee shops, which freely sell cannabis in the Netherlands, are to be made into private clubs for Dutch citizens only.

This proposal by the Dutch Cabinet is aimed at reducing the practice of tourists visiting the country just to get weed.

A passenger on a Delta flight started a fight and was arrested after he was accused of smoking on board. He attacked an air marshal, shouting “F*** you, I’m French.” He had drunk a liter of Bailey’s Irish Cream since boarding the aircraft!

There are rules? A New York bar patron received 60 days in the lockup after he beat up another customer in a fight over the rules in a beer pong game.

A Minae engineer was sent to prison for three years for authorizing the cutting of trees in a protected zone in San Clemente, Limón.

Kennedy Airport in New York was shut down for a couple of hours June 29. Terrapin turtles crossing the main runway to get to their breeding grounds caused the hold-up. Maintenance crews were brought in to help the sluggish turtles get to their love nests in Jamaica Bay. Real-life plastic Barbie. A British erotic novelist and devotee of plastic surgery gave her 7-year-old daughter a voucher for a boob job when she turns 16. The mother has spent over $800,000 on cosmetic surgery on her own body and face. The little girl said she is excited about a future filled with plastic surgery.

Holland has become the first country to put into law the neutrality of the internet, with the purpose of hindering those who want to impose restrictions on its use.

Close shave: Rupert Murdoch, British magnate, was hit in the face with a plate of shaving cream, during the UK parliament inquiry into his newspapers’ phone hacking. His wife came to his rescue, attacking the assailant.

A 30-year-old era came to an end in July when Shuttle Atlantis left the International Space Station for possibly the last of 134 missions.

Japan has banned shipments of cattle from the area around the Daiichi nuclear plant, damaged in the March earthquake. It is feared that the meat is contaminated with radioactive caesium.

Scientists at University of Toronto have found that worms that indulge in sex are healthier, reproduced better and lived longer than those which use cloning for reproduction.

Consumption of alcohol was banned for three days in Ecuador after twenty-one people died from drinking bootleg liquor containing methanol. Police confiscated 28 barrels of contaminated booze, each containing 55 gallons.

Hemp David Mills

“What will you do in Arizona?” I asked a friend when she told me she may leave Tamarindo to return to the States. “I am thinking of growing marijuana,” she answered. “It is now legal to grow pot for the medical industry and it seems like a fun thing to do.”

A few years ago, while travelling in Canada, we heard that they were growing pot at the University of Western Ontario. Nothing unusual about students growing pot, we thought, but here it was the professors growing it, and they are doing it legally.

Well, doesn’t that take some of the fun out of it?

Hemp is the big thing up in the Frozen North, and the lawmakers have finally realized its worth. No, we are not talking cannabis sativa here; this variety contains virtually no tetra-hydrocannabinol (THC), the hallucinatory component that endears it to its devotees.

French farmers are doing well out of the growing market for hemp fibres. Many thousands of hectares of cannabis are growing in France, subsidized by the European Economic Community.

Many years ago in the United States, the growing of hemp was encouraged, and by the 1700s it was even mandated that each community had to grow a certain amount. It was even grown by Thomas Jefferson and – I cannot tell a lie – by George Washington, when he wasn’t chopping down cherry trees. His admonishment to his gardener was “Make the most of the hemp seed and sow it everywhere.” However, due to the stigma from its close relative, it is still illegal in most of the U.S. So precious was the plant in Tudor England that Queen Elizabeth exacted a tax of five gold sovereigns on any farmer that did not grow hemp. The reason was that hemp fibre, the strongest vegetable fibre known to man, was essential for the rope and canvas (the word “canvas” is derived from cannabis, according to the OED) used to outfit the navy. Now, British farmers could face 14 years in gaol if they do grow it.

As a cash crop, hemp is worth double the value of corn for a given area. At a growth rate of one foot a week to a height of ten feet, it outgrows weeds and is pest-resistant, so it needs no herbicides or pesticides. Its seeds are second only to soy in protein, and they yield oils for use in salads, cooking and cosmetics, as well as grain. The oil is high in the “good” kind of cholesterol, or low-density lipoproteins. The stalks are used to make carpeting, clothing, textiles and upholstery. The core may be used in bricks, particleboard and paper, and, yes, even cigarette rolling papers.

But when we heard that a Toronto bar was serving a product known as hempen ale, that was a must. At 5 per cent, it was tasty and well-hopped, but just a little sweet. Still, it’s nice to know you’re supporting a cottage industry. And we didn’t inhale!

by Jeanne Callahan

October August Forecasts Forecasts

Aries: 21 March - 20 April

With Uranus retrograde in your sign you can expect to feel a bit jerked around by the vibes this month. Mars makes a trifecta of squares as it moves through the sign of Cancer, first with Uranus on the 8th, then Pluto on the 10th and Saturn on the 25th activating that Cardinal Cross again and shaking up the status quo. You might be a little bit accident-prone during the time between the 7th and 14th. Days things go your way are the 17th and 18th.

Taurus: 21 April - 21 May

Be cautious with sharp objects and while traveling between the 7th and 14th as Mars kicks off some potentially sharp and unstable energies in your 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th houses.

The month is great for an overall review of the direction you now want to take. You’ll be able to get an good sense of the pitfalls of any path you consider. Creativity is at a high now too. The 19th, 20th and 21st hold benefits for you if you open yourself to receive them.

Gemini: 22 May - 21 June

Your ruling planet, Mercury, goes into retrograde motion from the 2nd through the 26th. Beginning that journey at 1 Virgo through 18 Leo, you’ll have the opportunity to perfect your timing and examine potential pitfalls to your future plans. This may require returning to some previous task before moving into something new. Good thing you enjoy variety! Best days are the 22nd and 23rd. Take some time off to laugh and breathe easy!

Cancer: 22 June - 22 July

Mars enters your sign this month kicking off yet another round of upheaval and upset in your domain. Watch out for Uranian chaos on the 8th and 9th as plans are overturned and don’t get overly dramatic around the 10th and 11th when it squares Pluto, bringing some potential darkness to your door. This Cardinal Cross vibe is continually asking you to wake up, be aware and make good informed choices when the time is right. Your best days are the 24th and 25th.

Leo: 23 July - 23 August

With the Sun and Venus in your sign and the Rx Mercury returning to it on the 9th, you are in the enviable position of having some magic to dispense to the world at a time when it needs it. Integrity is the keyword for you this month and don’t over promise and under deliver. Situations will change rapidly as the target is moving all month. Use the energy of the 26th and 27th to provide support for others.

Virgo: 24 August - 22 September

Mercury retrogrades just after entering your sign on the 2nd. Great month for creative thinking or off the wall approaches to problem solving. Don’t worry about the details, just get the overall concept correct and they will take care of themselves. Venus enters your sign on the 22nd so you’ll find the end of the month quite pleasant. The 1st, 2nd, 30th and 31st are your days to shine.

Visit Jeanne’s site at CelestialAdvisor.com

Libra: 23 September - 23 October

There is a considerable amount of erratic pressure in your relationship house. While this has been going on for some time now, with Mars entering Cancer this month and your solar tenth house, things come to a head and some kind of action must be taken. You are boxed in my many demands, so use your considerable diplomatic skills to soothe others till the pressure passes. This tension too, will end. The 3rd, 4th, 30th and 31st are your best days.

Scorpio: 24 October - 22 November

With Venus and the Sun in Leo entering your 10th house of professional gain, you are receiving some grace and positive feedback in that part of your life. Jupiter in Taurus in your solar seventh is also providing potentially generous and supportive partners. Be careful with travel between the 8th and 12th as there’s an accident prone vibe at that time. Attend to health matters quickly if any odd symptoms present. The 5th and 6th are good days to advance your cause.

Sagittarius: 23 November - 21 December

With Mars entering Cancer and your solar eighth house you have to handle matters involving insurance, wills, legacies, taxes and end of life issues. Work with professionals you trust to completely understand the situations you face. There’s going to be some drama surrounding these discussions but remain calm and ask questions to be completely clear. With the Sun and Venus in Leo, there’s support for your cause. The 7th and 8th are days that favor your sign.

Capricorn: 22 December - 21 January

If it’s been feeling like you’ve been in a long battle, you have.

With Pluto in your sign squared by Uranus and Saturn, there’s been nothing but obstacles in your path. Mars entering Cancer this month continues the pressure but may provide some relief as its energy favors some kind of action. Be careful between the 8th and 12th as it could be particularly tense then. The 9th, 10th and 11th could have dramatic favor for you if you don’t push back too hard.

Aquarius: 22 January - 19 February

With Jupiter in your fourth house of home, roots and ancestors, there couldn’t be a better time for hosting a family reunion—so consider it. The Cardinal Square action at the beginning of the month activates your third, sixth, ninth and twelfth houses so be careful when traveling and with your health. Relationships should go well this month. Your days to have some kicked back fun are the 12th and 13th.

Pisces: 20 February - 20 March

There is a lot of activity in your fifth house of children, pleasure and creativity this month as Mars enters Cancer and stirs the pot.

Work should go well but if you are considering a contract for something, don’t sign until after the 26th when Mercury will be in direct motion. The month has an unpredictable vibe so just remain calm until you understand the ramifications of the events. The 14th, 15th and 16th favor your activities.

Namasté

Parents’ Corner Teenagers and Mental Health (Part II) Sexuality

S

ex is one of the strongest forces in adolescence. Beyond its reproductive purpose and its use for genital pleasure, through sexuality teenagers find meaning to life, gain autonomy and value themselves as attractive persons. In a family that provides for an open communication and for responsible guidance, the teenager will have a healthy and positive sexual development.

However, when sexual behavior is being used for acceptance by the social group, when the young person engages in sexual activities to avoid rejection or to obtain attention, or when sexual activity is performed without consideration of its risks (STD, pregnancy), then the teenager will face emotional problems. In these situations the young person feels forced, either by internal fears or external pressure, to engage in sexual activity to avoid loss or to obtain security, while experiencing intense feelings of guilt and shame that can lead to depression, anxiety or eating disorders. In a 2005 study performed by the Kaiser Foundation in the USA, it is revealed that: • “One third (33%) of sexually active teens 15-17 reported “being in a relationship where they felt things were moving too fast sexually”, and 24 percent had “done something sexual they didn’t really want to do.”

• More than one in five (21%) reported having oral sex to “avoid having sexual intercourse” with a partner.

• More than a quarter (29%) of teens 15-17 report feeling pressure to have sex.

• Nearly one in 10 (9%) 9-12th grade students report having been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to at some point. Females (12%) were more likely than males (6%) to report this experience.”

Even though approximately 70% of teenagers in the US and Europe have their first sexual intercourse at age 17 or older, there is an increasing number of young teenagers that have this experience before they turn 15, usually girls and boys who approached puberty at an early age. Since they are psychologically not prepared for this pseudo–adult sexual behavior, there is an imbalance between mind and body that can lead to emotional instability. Of course, the risk of acquiring an STD or getting pregnant increases in premature sexual encounters, creating a trauma that will be difficult to overcome.

As a parent you can make a crucial difference in how your adolescent son or daughter experiences sexuality. The most important element is communication: allow your child to talk openly about his concerns, promote sex talk, give factual information and educate your child about sex, without taboos. Give your son or daughter concrete tools to deal with situations that could lead to unwanted sex, advising them to be clear about what they want and don’t want and to walk away from situations that make them feel uncomfortable. Never be afraid to talk with your child about sex… they will listen, and learn.

“You cannot have sex education without saying that sex is natural and that most people find it pleasurable.”

Bruno Bettelheim, “Our Children Are Treated Like Idiots.”

Monica Riascos H. Psychopedagogist – Psychologist Tel. 83589550 consultariascos@live.com

Surviving

C hapter MMMLXVII

T

COSTA RICA

his is not about just rain. As you know it’s the rainy season here and precipitation is what you’d expect.

No, this story is about “The Rain”, which, as I sit here writing, happened two days ago in mid-July, the effects from which the town is still recuperating.

It’s no surprise that the fateful day began with a steady drizzle instead of the beautiful sunny morning we’d come to expect. This put a cramp in the daily dog walk on the beach as our dogmate Sun Tzu doesn’t like to get his delicate little paws wet on his way to swimming in the ocean. Finally the call of nature won out and the dog got walked in the increasingly heavy rainfall.

Although it seemed pretty much like a typical rainy day there were some ominous signs that something menacing was on its way; large groups of raccoons, monkeys and armadillos were seen flocking to Langosta’s abandoned five-storey condo site and making life unpleasant for the local thief community therein; vacationing Josefinos proceeded to drive in an even more irritating manner while the local “parking attendant thieves” were seen driving out of town in packed “pirata” taxis, no doubt being charged exorbitant fares to make it to higher ground.

I was particularly interested in the oncoming deluge as it was a Thursday and I was planning to do my normal solo gig at Witch’s Rock.

Prior to my move to Costa Rica in the waning years of the previous millennium I was used to playing in mostly indoor and enclosed areas where, other than the occasional hurricane, weather was not a big factor. In my years of performing locally I’ve maybe played in an enclosed area once, and weather, usually rain, is something you have to deal with at least half the year, so I usually try to tough it out. Plus I need the dough.

It was only a few weeks earlier that, during a heavy rain, a clogged rain gutter caused

The Rain

a surprise waterfall on the band’s monitors during a performance at the Rock, which is covered but open. Not wanting to stop mid-song, we were saved by the quick intervention of Yana, the manager, who swooped in to save the speakers and then single-handedly repaired the offending gutter.

Around five pm, to my surprise it had stopped raining…mostly, and I took advantage of the envelope to load my trusty (rusty?)

Rodeo with equipment, still planning to do the gig. The “almost stopped” rain continued so I drove to town on an ominously deserted Langosta Turnpike and made it to the gig just in time for the rain to really kick in. I backed in and unloaded, only to see that the regular spot for playing was becoming extremely wet as the rain came down heavier than ever.

Our man Yana was again on the scene and we figured out a Plan B which revolved around the weather and if the rain would stop, which it didn’t. It soon became obvious that Plan B wouldn’t happen; by now the rain was coming down about as hard as I’d ever seen it here. As the accompanying wind threatened to turn my umbrella inside out I managed to back my car in and just managed to re-pack the stuff before an approaching street swell engulfed it.

I left the water-whipped group of surfers huddled around pitchers of Imperial and made my way home through streets that were rapidly filling with more and more water and the only other cars on the road were filled with confused city dwellers who were driving backwards and sideways trying to figure where their driving abilities could cause the greatest disruption.

As I swerved to avoid the offending vehicles the road became more and more flooded and by the time I made the turn to Langosta by the white monstrosity it was pushing two feet deep or so. I was hoping no one else was on the road ‘cos I was gonna drive right down the middle of where I hoped the road was, going as fast as I could so the engine wouldn’t stall.

Story by Jesse Bishop

About halfway home and still in deep water two red “idiot” lights appeared on the dashboard, an ominous sign but I kept on going.

Fortunately, by the time I made it by Capitan Suizo the flooding was behind me, and as I pulled into the carport of our home I was met by my wife busily dealing with water coming under the front door and entering the house. This was certainly not the first time we’ve had to deal with something like this and she had every towel and rug in the house being used as a linen dike, which was now soaked to the brim.

As I pushed the wet towels out of the way and furiously swept water out of the front door the rain started to ever-so-slightly lighten up, and after another hour or so it finally stopped. I picked up the twenty or so wet towels, weighing about a hundred pounds, and deposited them in the washing machine on spin and then put them in the dryer, so within the hour we had them all dry and waiting for the next inundation.

Which never came.

The next day dawned with a clear sky, although the official forecast for the day was for more of the same. Just about every one I spoke to thought it was the hardest storm they’d ever seen here (21cm; 8.5 inches - editor) and had similar tales of house flooding, roof leaks and dangerous car stories. I heard that the road between Brasilito and Flamingo was blocked off, not a good sign for the band’s gig at Marie’s Restaurant that night. The afternoon started to darken and, fearing the worst, we decided to re-schedule the performance to the next week for fear of a repeat outburst, something I really didn’t want to do.

So of course by about five that afternoon the sun was out with a delicious breeze accompanied by a gorgeous sunset. That night what little rain fell was gentle and nourishing.

My only consolation is had we not cancelled the gig the forthcoming rain would have made the previous night look like a baby shower.

Feliz Cumpleaños, AyA We see frequent ads on television telling us how proud AyA is to celebrate its 50th anniversary. I wonder why a monopoly needs to advertise. Surely the money would be better spent in clearing up the mess that is Tamarindo’s water distribution system.

AyA publishes a leaflet

asking us not to waste water.

We see that a tap dripping once a second can waste 5 litres in a day.

A one-quarterinch stream wastes 3.5 cubic meters a day.

On several occasions we have seen a four-inch pipe gushing water for two days continuously before the crew arrives. This is more than “a drop in the ocean.”

By AyA’s own calculations this wastes 900 cubic meters (900,000 litres). Who pays for the lost water? I’ll give you one guess!

So, Feliz Cumpleaños AyA, but while you are patting yourselves on the back for the past 50 years, why not start to plan for the next 50?

Facebooking... (from page 17)

future. One is tempted to ask, “Oh yeah, and what exactly is it that we have now?” The response, imagine dry seasons that get worse, and worse, and…

RAIN GAUGE

25

RAINFALL - June/July Maricle Meteorological Observatory La Garita

20

c m s

The author went on to stress the importance of restoring vegetation on hillsides in order to increase the infiltration of rainfall—which affords the added benefit of decreasing flash floods in the lowlands—and helps to maintain adequate underground water supplies for the dry summer months. He took a swipe at armchair environmentalists and nature lovers alike by emphasizing that, you know, like, you actually have to do something to assure a more liveable future. As one of my favorite Zen sayings goes: “Talk doesn’t cook the rice.”

15

Total rainfall: 74.6 cm (29.4 inches)

10 5 0 16

20

25

30 1

5

10

June

July

Year-to-date 2011: 104.4 cm 2010: 128.8

Rainfall June/July 2011: 74.6 cm 2010: 54.9

15

Our local project, Restoring our Watershed, is oriented towards action, from growing trees to planting them. Next to the main road to restore the shady canopy over the shimmering, heatabsorbing blacktop, along the watercourses to protect the stream banks and in the fields of farmers who want islands of shade, windbreaks or fences of fodder for when the pasture grasses go dry.

We’re beating the bush looking for places to plant, pounding the pavement offering trees to people who seek a shady spot along the roads in front of their homes and putting on the smiley faces and good manners to charm the requisite bureaucrats when permission or collaboration comes in handy. And of course, in case you’re wondering, we are on Facebook. And, like the US Marines, we’re looking for a few good friends.

Tom Peifer is an ecological land use consultant with 16 years experience in Guanacaste. Phone: 2658-8018. peifer@racsa. co.cr El Centro Verde is dedicated to sustainable land use, permaculture and development. www.elcentroverde.org

August ( a l l

t i m e s

2011 l o c a l )

Sun

1st - rise 5:33; set 6:07 15th - rise 5:34; set 6:02 31st - rise 5:34; set 5:53

1st quarter: Full: Last quarter: New:

Moon 6th 13th 21st 28th

5:08 a.m.

12:57 p.m.

3:54 p.m.

9:04 p.m.

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation Henry David Thoreau

Mac Solutions in Liberia

W

ithout a doubt, the Macintosh is the Rolls-Royce of computers. Even so, they can occasionally go wrong.

My iMac G5 had performed perfectly well doing heavy duty seven days a week for many years to bring you the wonderful magazine in your hands. Suddenly one application (of course the one I couldn’t be without) decided it didn’t want to shut down – unless it shut down everything else. So, after watching the coloured “wheel of death” far too long I knew I needed professional help. “Oh, no,” I thought, “not a trip to San José,” the only Mac repair shop I knew. Then someone told me of a small stationery store in Liberia which has a real Mac technician.

Well, Liberia is a lot closer than San José, so I tossed the Mac into the car and an hour later was watching el tecnico Saul Alfaro perform wonders on it. “I recommend a total upgrade.” he said. “I’ll install Snow Leopard (latest operating system), add 2 gigabytes of memory and install the newest versions of all your software. This will bring this ancient machine into the 21st century.”

The following day I arrived at the store, where a brand-new G5 sat on a desk. “Where’s mine,” I asked, enviously. “That’s yours,” said Saul, “We cleaned everything - keyboard, mouse, cables - and inside the computer. If he had told me it was a new

outfit fresh out of the box, I couldn’t have contradicted him. He even showed me “before” photos of the interior of the computer, a gross mess of dust, dirt and clogged filters.

And the performance! With memory upped by 400 percent it galloped along like a racehorse.

I paid the tiny bill ($150 for cleaning, memory, system upgrade) and went home to relearn all the upgraded applications.

Lapiz y Papel is in Liberia’s main street, a block west of CoopeCompro on the same side. They have everything you need for your office administration – printers, cameras, scanners. Tel: 2665-3670. E-mail: lapizypapel.jakeline@gmail com. See ad on page 27.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain, 1835-1910

Word puzzle Books of the Bible

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. actsoftheapostles amos chronicles corinthians daniel ephesians esther ezekiel galatians genesis habakkuk hosea isaiah jeremiah jonah

joshua judges leviticus matthew micah nahum nehemiah obadiah philippians proverbs psalms samuel songofsolomon lamentations Zephaniah

1M

2T

3W

4T

5F

6S 1st Qtr

03:39 09:42 15:56 22:03 04:22 10:28 16:40 22:46 05:06 11:13 17:26 23:30 05:52 12:01 18:14

9.6 0.0 9.7 -0.5 10.0 -0.3 9.8 -0.7 10.2 -0.4 9.6 -0.6 10.2 -0.3 9.3

00:16 06:40 12:51 19:05

-0.3 10W 10.0 0.0 9.0

7S

8M

9T

01:06 07:32 13:45 20:00 02:00 08:29 14:46 21:03 03:02 09:33 15:53 22:14 04:12 10:42 17:05 23:26 05:26 11:50 18:13

0.2 9.6 0.4 8.4 0.7 9.1 0.9 7.9 1.3 8.6 1.2 7.6 1.7 8.3 1.3 7.6 1.8 8.3 1.2

11T

12F

13S Full Moon 14S

15M

AUGUST TIDE CHART 00:32 06:35 12:53 19:12 01:30 07:34 13:47 20:02 02:19 08:24 14:34 20:46 03:03 09:07 15:17 21:25 03:42 09:47 15:56 22:02

7.8 1.6 8.4 0.9 8.2 1.3 8.6 0.6 8.6 1.0 8.8 0.3 9.0 0.7 9.0 0.2 9.2 0.6 9.0 0.1

16T

17W

18T

19F

20S

21S Last Qtr

04:20 10:24 16:34 22:36 04:55 11:00 17:11 23:11 05:31 11:36 17:47 23:45 06:07 12:14 18:26

9.3 0.5 9.0 0.2 9.2 0.5 8.7 0.5 9.0 0.7 8.3 0.8 8.8 1.0 7.9

00:21 06:44 12:53 19:06

1.2 25T 8.4 1.3 7.4

22M

23T

24W

01:00 07:25 13:37 16:52 01:43 08:12 14:27 20:47 02:36 09:08 15:27 21:51 03:39 10:13 16:32 22:59 04:50 11:20 17:36

1.6 8.0 1.7 7.0 2.1 7.6 2.0 6.7 2.4 7.4 2.2 6.5 2.6 7.3 2.1 6.7 2.4 7.5 1.8

26F

27S

28S New Moon 29M

30T

00:01 05:56 12:20 18:32 00:54 06:54 13:13 19:22 01:43 07:45 14:01 20:09 02:28 08:33 14:48 20:53 03:12 09:19 15:33 21:37

7.2 2.0 7.9 1.3 7.9 1.3 8.4 0.6 8.7 0.6 9.0 0.0 9.4 -0.1 9.5 -0.5 10.0 -0.6 9.9 -0.9

31W

1T Sept 2F

3S

4S 1st Qtr

03:56 10:05 16:18 22:21 04:41 10:51 17:05 23:07 05:27 11:39 17:53 23:54 06:16 12:29 18:44

10.5 -1.0 10.0 -1.0 10.6 -1.0 9.9 -0.9 10.5 -0.8 9.5 -0.5 10.1 -0.3 9.0

00:45 07:09 13:24 19:42

0.1 9.4 0.2 8.4