howler1111nov

The Howler

Volume 16, No. 11 Issue No. 182

November 2011 Founded 1996

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

Located on a hill overlooking Tamarindo, El Jardín del Eden serves a wide variety of international dishes.

14 Around Town

CONTRIBUTORS

Howler • Mono Congo

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 December: November 15 Howler advertising

The Howler offers a wide range of advertising sizes and formats to suit all needs. Contact David Mills • dmills@racsa.co.cr

Advertising rates & sizes Size

1/8 1/4 1/3 1/2 Full

Dimensions (cms) Width Height 9.4 9.4 19.2 6.3 9.4 19.2 19.2

x x x x x x x

6.15 12.70 6.15 25.80 25.80 12.70 25.80

Price $

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

15 Surf Report

Costa Rica sends a full complement of surfers to the World Masters Surf Championship in Punta Roca, El Salvador.

16 From Ice to Fire

On his epic journey from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, we follow our cyclist as he enters Ecuador and climbs the huge volcanoes.

18 Liberia International Airport

This month is a landmark in the history of the airport, as the new terminal will bring the facility up-to-date and improve tourism.

26 Surviving Costa Rica

Another trip down Memory Lane as Jesse tries to remember music colleagues from his distant past.

27 Cloudy, with a Chance of Bankruptcy

As we head rapidly towards the High Season, developers are sprucing up their properties in the hopes of eager buyers.

75 120 150 210 400

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

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

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

DEPARTMENTS 5 Doctor’s Orders

22 Yoga

9 Slice of Life

24 November Forecasts

10 CD Review

25 Parents’ Corner

11 Book Review

28 Sun & Moon

12 Word Puzzle

28 Rain Gauge

20 August Odysseys

31 Tide Chart

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

www.tamarindobeach.net

www.tamarindohomepage.com

Cover Caption: Liberia International Airport - new terminal Cover Photo: David Mills Cover Design: David Mills

Doctor’s Orders Jeffrey Whitlow, M.D.

I

n my opinion, the most important aspect of good mental health and the maintenance of a “healthy mindset” is the avoidance of conflict. If conflict is unavoidable, then it must be resolved in a constructive and peaceful manner. Unfortunately for humans that live in a mass society, neither outcome is possible in the majority of cases. The inner feelings that result from unresolved or poorly resolved conflict lead directly to so called “neuroses” or minor mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. These feelings also lead people to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs.

Aboriginal humans and other animals are better able to resolve the conflicts that arise in their lives, as they are able to take a direct action to resolve the issue in the majority of cases. Human beings that live in mass society are usually far removed from the source of their conflict, so they are not able to resolve that conflict satisfactorily.

When we think of substance abuse we think of the rural poor, abusing prescription drugs or methamphetamine, or the urban poor, the main victims of the crack cocaine “epidemic” that started in America in the early ‘80s. However, the recent death of Amy Winehouse is but one of the long list of the rich and famous who have lost their lives to drugs. At first, I was puzzled as to why a person who would seem to have “everything” would want or need to do drugs to such a point of excess. But my experience and research have led me to the conclusion that rich people have as much or more unresolved conflict in their lives than poor ones. This is in no small part due to the fact that rich people have more possessions than poor ones, and hence more reasons and opportunities to experience conflict.

When Michael Jackson built an amusement park in his backyard he evidently didn’t realize how many problems would arise as a result.

He would have been much better off going to Magic Mountain like we “poor folks” do. Then he wouldn’t have been responsible for the maintenance, the staffing, the liability, and all of the other issues that we “poor people” leave to the amusement park operator. Similarly, mansions and vacation homes, yachts, car collections, and the other playthings of the rich all greatly multiply the opportunities to experience conflict. This added conflict increases the chances that the person will use substances to self-medicate the negative mindset that results from the unsatisfactory resolution of that conflict.

Substance abusers usually fail rehab because most rehab programs focus on the abuser’s substance of choice and the medical issues surrounding the use of the substance, rather than on the underlying cause of the problem. A skillful licensed psychotherapist can help the substance abuser gain insight into how and why they are trapped in a “negative mindset”. Unfortunately, at $75-$200 an hour, this solution is beyond the means of most, and because of that expense, most rehab facilities do not include this modality as standard treatment.

Next month, we will continue this discussion by examining the link between unresolved and poorly resolved conflict and other mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.

The Howler this month celebrates the opening, on November 17, of Liberia International Airport’s new terminal, designed to process passengers much faster than before and reduce the embarrassingly long lines.

This also makes the airport more attractive to airlines, and a whole new array of flights is scheduled to start this high season.

New flights include direct from Chicago, New York, Dusseldorf and Minneapolis. Continental announced it will increase its weekly flights from two to seven.

Consider this: airline executives do not gamble. They don’t sit around the boardroom saying “Let’s put on five new flights and see if they work.” They need solid figures before expending money and energy on new flights. So let’s hope this all augurs well for a big, productive and successful season.

Last year at this time, most were anticipating a slow season, but were pleasantly surprised at the high influx of visitors – heavy hotel bookings, good business at our many restaurants and busy tour operators. This year, all indications for the high season are higher.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

After an article in August’s Howler about AyA maintenance (or lack of it), the utility came to the street featured in the article and replaced 250 meters of supply pipe with heavier tubing. That’s a start but there’s still a lot to do. What a shame that they left the street in an appalling condition with no attempt to level the surface.

Daylight Saving Time ends on November 6. After that date, Eastern Time is one hour ahead of Costa Rica; Central is equal; Mountain is one hour behind and Pacific two.

Cuidado! Two large dogs have been taken by a crocodile recently on Tamarindo Beach near the estuary. Witnesses estimate its size at 5 meters (over 16 feet). Applying my BS coefficient of .631, the size works out to 3.15 meters (or over 10 feet), still a formidable monster. Your dog doesn’t even need to be in the water; the croc will run up the beach to snatch it. Take care!

Dining Out David Mills

E

l Jardín del Eden, hotel and restaurant, sits on a hill overlooking Tamarindo and the Pacific Ocean. This enviable site puts it ‘way off the beaten path. There is almost no passing traffic; you have to know it’s there. The restaurant is laid out alongside the swimming pool with great views. Chef Roger Vasquez offers a very wide-ranging menu with some inventive international dishes.

Appetizers are Caprese salad; Caesar with chicken and bacon; jumbo shrimp salad with oregano dressing; beef carpaccio; Peruvian ceviche; Thai salad with jumbo shrimps; vegetable soup ‘not only for vegetarians’; escargots provencal; grilled octopus salad; grilled stuffed calamari; smoked salmon with avocado; zucchini with shrimps; mussel soup with saffron and lobster soup. We enjoyed heart of palm salad and tuna tartare with scallops served on arugula and both were very tasty and refreshing.

Lobster is a specialty in several tempting preparations: with chimichurri; Caribbean-style; American; with mango and curry sauce; Hawaiian with pineapple, papaya and coconut; and ‘al Martini’. Shrimps, too, come in five flavours: jumbo with herbs of Provence; flambeed with cognac; with curry, pineapple and coconut; and garlic jumbo.

There are five ‘surf and turf’ dishes: shrimps with chicken or fish; lobster with fish, tenderloin or jumbo shrimps (I couldn’t see where the ‘turf’ came into some of them). A pasta menu offers eight choices.

Tenderloin of beef comes in several preparations: in green peppercorn, Bordelaise, Robert or black truffle sauces or flambé with martini and mushrooms. I enjoyed the scallopini filet with mushrooms in Marsala sauce.

Fish dishes include steamed mahi-mahi in banana leaves with pesto and basil; filet in lemon sauce; with ayote and camote; sesame tuna filet with balsamic reduction; and red snapper casserole, Mediterranean or Peruvian. My companion chose mahi-mahi filet with curry and mint, and found it delicious and plentiful.

Due to the quantity of our meals we passed on dessert, which could have been chocolate, pies or crepes.

In all, a very satisfying meal in elegant surroundings. Jardin del Eden is open every day, dinner from 6-10 p.m. All credit cards accepted. Tel: 2653-0127 for reservations. Web: www.jardindeleden.com.

A Slice of Life Sue’s First Flight David Mills “Hello, this is Jane, from Wardair. Can I please speak to Chris?”

Chris was spending the evening over dinner and drinks at our house while his wife, Sue, was on her first-ever flight as stewardess (before they were flight attendants) on the charter airline.

“You’d better sit down, Chris.” I said, “It’s Wardair on the phone for you.”

Chris went white as he grabbed the receiver. Why would the airline call him unless there was trouble with Sue’s flight?

He talked for a short while before hanging up, then excused himself. “I have to go,” he said. “There’s been some kind of incident with the flight.

It will be landing at Pearson in an hour or so. Sue is OK, but they want me to be there when she lands.”

We heard the full story later from Sue. The 747 was taking off from Bridgetown, Barbados, on its return flight to Toronto. The main runway has a hump in the middle, so that the pilot of an aircraft at one end cannot see the other end. As the 747 reached takeoff speed, a small commuter twin was taxiing in the opposite direction. The 747 pilot heaved the wheel back, lifting the heavy jet into the air, but a loud impact was felt and heard on board. “You hit a small aircraft,” the tower told him. “Let’s have a look at you.” The jet gained altitude and started a turn that would bring him back over the tower.

Tower reported extensive damage to the 747’s belly, part of the commuter’s vertical tail was stuck in the luggage bay and passenger baggage was being scattered over the fields. “We can’t land you right now,” they told the pilot, “until we can clear the wrecked aircraft. Can you fly a holding pattern until we clear the runway?”

“No, that’s OK, we’ll head back to Toronto,” answered the pilot, having evaluated the situation. The aircraft was flying acceptably well, no warning lights were showing, and he knew that emergency facilities, if needed, were much better at Toronto.

Calling the crew into the cockpit, he explained the situation. “We’ll take longer than usual getting home due to the extra drag,” he told them.

“Break out the booze and get rid of it all. I want the passengers nicely sedated before we land. It could be an interesting landing.”

Scared but professional, the crew went about their duties until they reached Toronto. Despite the unwanted pieces of the commuter plane the pilot made a perfect landing, then taxied into a hangar out of sight of the terminal, where the passengers were disembarked. The incident was over, except for the complicated legal follow-up.

Shaken up, but happy to be alive, Sue went back to work the next day, and enjoyed a long and safe employment in the air.

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.

CD Review Merry Woman Keeping Calypso Alive

M

anuel Monestel is a man of many occupations: singer, songwriter, notable music historian and above all, a Calypsonian. Besides recording and touring with his band Cantoamerica and sitting in with other musicians, Manuel also has a successful solo career. His newest solo offering is a ten-song CD titled “Merry Woman”. While his first solo album, “One Pant Man” was strictly Manuel and his guitar, singing his own songs and those of his mentors, such as Walter Ferguson, the new album features his experimental band Frutos de Acki that he put together a few years ago with students from the University of Costa Rica. Manuel still tips his cap to Ferguson, with a new version of “Going to Bocas”.

What makes this rendition unique is the lead banjo by Monestel in it.

This entire new album feels like it is exploring new directions to take Calypso music (which is really the godfather of reggae). For example, the use of sitar by Fabrizio Barquero on the song “Especias” is certainly new turf. Manuel told me that, in addition to releasing his new songs, one of the goals of the album is to experiment with stringed instruments like the aforementioned sitar, as well as an ancient Caribbean instrument called the Marimbula, played by Marco Naranjo, which is used on some of the tracks in place of the conventional bass guitar, both handled adroitly by José Daniel Martínez. This Afro-Caribbean instrument is basically a resonator box with attached tongues or keys at one end that are plucked. I also hear the banjo being showcased on the album, which really makes sense to me.

Calypso developed during the shipping trade years in the Caribbean, with its northernmost port being New Orleans, where Stephen Foster and his music flourished. It is still not unusual to hear a Calypso singer break into “You Are My Sunshine” and it seems Manuel has brought that tie full circle by implementing the banjo in a number of songs on this new album. The female lead vocals by Marcela Membreno on “Madrugada” as well as her accompanying vocals on the other songs also gives a fresh, new sound to this disc.

The title song, “Merry Woman” encapsulates a lot of what Calypso is about: rhythm, humor and dancing. Monestel produced and arranged the album and his song sequences are masterful. Opening the album with “Still Turning Around”, a finger-snapping salutation with banjo accompaniment, is the perfect hook to draw the listener in. Likewise, finishing the set with “Early Morning Rain” and “Habitante Eterno de la Tierra” is a fitting close to this wonderful collage of songs sung alternately in Spanish and English, in impeccable recognition to Calypso’s bilingual heritage. Other highlights on the album set include “The First Time I Saw Limón”, another song that features the banjo, and “Especias”, that reminds us of the widespread origins of Latin American culture and the mixtures involved in it.

The overall result of Merry Woman is a new sound for Calypso, one somehow seeped in past traditions while stepping into new terrain.

Book Review A Colorful Route

to Becoming Bilingual Tony Orez

L

earning a second language at an early age is a treasure and a tool that lasts a lifetime and opens many doors. Children are naturally inquisitive and absorbent to new information.

They are also attracted to visual stimulation and learning hand-eye coordination. It is no surprise, then that Pachanga Kids has become so successful. Their bilingual children’s books are wonderful, beautiful learning tools that also deliver inspiring messages for the kids, and perhaps the children’s parents as well. For example, when a school of fish in “El Mar Azucarado” decides the ocean is too salty and they want to sweeten it with sugar, the idea is voted upon by all the fish so that the popular decision is made. Likewise, in “El Mono Paparazzi”, when a monkey in the neighborhood finds a camera in the jungle and starts photographing his neighbors, he learns a valuable lesson about respecting other people’s privacy.

Always on the lookout for new ways to present their ideas, Pachanga Kids has now unveiled Pintacuentos (literally “stories to paint”), a collection of children’s bilingual coloring books that are based on their hardback stories.

Besides “El Mono Paparazzi”, they are offering “La Danta Amaranta”, the story about a mother tapir and Amaranta, her young daughter who has the magical ability to change the color of the surrounding landscape. The new books enable the children to participate by drawing and coloring, while learning the names of objects in another language. And who else uses a tapir as a main character?

Pachanga Kids has also taken on the mission of schooling the next generation about the not-so-common sites in Costa Rica, to heighten the children’s awareness about the ecosystem and biodiversity, without using those “boring” terms. “The Sweetened Sea” is the third book in this first series and it is an activity book that includes not only coloring, but stickers, mazes and other activities as well.

Each of the three books, geared toward children three years of age and older, comes with twelve “ecologically colored” pencils and is composed of twenty-four pages, with illustrations by the notable San José painter/ printmaker Maria Salas and painter/designer Priscilla Aguirre, illustrating the stories told by writers such as the poet Eliot Greenspan and famed author/collaborator Yazmin Ross.

The goal of Pachanga Kids appears to be to help create well-rounded children, exposing them to science, art, music, literature, social skills, and let’s not forget learning a second language on that impressive list. Everything Pachanga does is top-drawer and this new Pintacuentos line of learning and playbooks is no exception. Ms. Ross has true vision and exceptional organizational skills. Team Pintacuentos are no strangers to each other, having worked together with Pachanga Kids and/or Papaya Music, which Yazmin Ross helped to create.

Pintacuentos products are made in Costa Rica, offered at an affordable price and, along with the Pachanga Kids line, are readily available in Libreria Internacional, Café Britt and Wallmart stores throughout the country. In Playa Tamarindo, they are available at Jaime Peligro book store.

Casagua Horses The greatest variety of tours and riding experiences for all ages, featuring spectacular countryside, howler monkeys, colorful small towns and fun-filled fiestas.

Cantina Tour - Nature Tour Fiesta & Tope Rental - Old Tempate Trail Tour Located near Portegolpe on the main road, opposite the Monkey Park, just 20 minutes from the beach.

Phone us at: 2-653-8041 • kaydodge@racsa.co.cr www.paintedponyguestranch.com The best horses on Guanacaste’s Gold Coast!

Word puzzle

Palabras Costarricenses 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. aguacate almendro banano bougainvillea canafistula caoba ceiba coatimundi cocodrilo venado garza garrobo guayaba hibiscus hormiga

iguana limon manzana matapalo monocongo motmot naranjo onzedeabril pizote prumeria roble siguirre tamarindo toronja zorillo

C

raig Ledbetter, whose book “Saved by the Enemy” was reviewed in The Howler, September 2011, will be signing copies of the book at Jaime Peligro’s Bookstore in Tamarindo on November 24, from noon to 4.

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

Thank You, Grayline I recently had clients that were taking the Grayline shuttle from Jacó to Tamarindo. Upon arrival at their hotel, one of them had forgotten her fancy orthopedic pillow on the bus. She e-mailed me the next day inquiring if it was even remotely possible to get it back. I told her that she shouldn’t hold her breath but I would inquire if anyone had indeed found it.

To my surprise I got an immediate reply from the Grayline folks that the driver has it, is returning to Tamarindo that same day and will drop it off at my office.

Well, will wonders ever cease? Just when you start to lose faith sometimes in human kindness and intelligence, you get surprised.

We’re all very good at recanting poor service but let’s remember to give kudos when they’re due. Bravo to Jeffrey at Grayline!

Best Regards, Denise Bobadilla Xplore Costa Rica Tours & Transfers

Bingo needs prizes. Proceeds from Bingo at Doña Lee’s go to the Red Cross and to Tamarindo cleanup. But Lee needs prize donations – meals, tours, T-shirts, whatever. And it’s good publicity for your business. Please call 2653-0127 or 8876-0508 or drop by the restaurant.

Bah Humbug! Christmas production of Scrooge presented by Beachnuts Theatre Company and Amigos de la Educación coming to Tamarindo for three nights only 24th, 25th and 26th of November, 7 p.m., at Diria Amphitheater. Tickets $15 adults/$10 children (12 and under) available at Jaime Peligro in Tamarindo and Cafe Mocha at Plaza Paseo del Mar in Huacas. Don’t miss it. Pre-theatre Thanksgiving Dinner is also available at the Diria hotel on the 24th.

A lot of balls! Dawn Scott, who has done so much towards reducing the unwanted dog situation in Guanacaste, celebrated a milestone October 2, when she castrated her 10,000th animal (dogs and cats) in ten years.

This is a voluntary service, but Dawn could really use some financial support. Call 2654-4775 to help.

Pasatiempo, closed for several years, will soon reopen as before – hotel, bar and restaurant - under the new ownership of Hélène Jany and Sean Davis. Look for further date announcements.

Soul-a-Paz Movement Studio will host a Yoga Workshop from November 1-5 by Angela Alfieri, from St, John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Soul y Paz, a center of yoga and dance, is located on the lush grounds of The Village, in front of Country Day School, of Guanacaste, 1 km east of Reserva Conchal. For more information, please contact soulypaz@gmail.com.

Two new pastry shops: For delicious home-made pastries and breads, visit Sarita’s Bakery in Tamarindo, just opposite Pasatiempo. Join Sarita November 5 for the Grand Opening.

And, next door to Aqua Rica (Las Olas Shops) is Corey Hahn’s Haven, for coffee and food, with a funky art space above.

The second Ruta La Paz will take place November 19 at 3:30 p.m. in front of Nogui’s Bar in Tamarindo, to raise funds for scholarships at La Paz school. Participants of all ages will run 5 and 10km on the beach, followed by a live music sunset concert. Register at La Paz, Nogui’s or Newton (San José). Please visit the Ruta La Paz website at http:// rutalapaz.tamarindohomepage.com/ for more information.

“Beaujolais Nouveau” will arrive at Nibbana Restaurant in Tamarindo November 17 at 7:30 p.m. Reserve your special evening of wine and buffet to the music of Matixando by calling 2653-2222 or 2653-0447 (see ad page 28). (continued page 19)

Surf Report Story: Ellen Zoe Golden

T

he Costa Rican pros swung back into action last month when the older national selection went to the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Masters Surfing Championships in Punta Roca, El Salvador. The contest, which took place October 16 to 23, pitted Costa Rica against twenty-four other countries for the gold medal. Their goal was to obtain another outstanding placement like the #10 spot they obtained last time.

This was only the second time, in the course of the four times the World Masters Surfing Championships have been run, that Costa Rica has sent a full contingent of competitors. The 2011 Costa Rican National Masters Surf Team are: Masters (over 35): Gustavo Castillo (Jacó) and Randall Chávez (Puntarenas).

Grand Masters (over 40): Mario Rodríguez (Alajuela) and Alejandro Monge (Jacó).

Kahunas (over 45): Roberto Miranda (San José) and Craig “Tequila” Schieber (Puerto Viejo).

Grand Kahuna (over 50): Craig “Tequila” Schieber.

Women’s (over 35): Andrea Díaz (Jacó).

Notably missing from the list, and an important loss to the team, is the two-time Costa Rican national surf champion, Alvaro Solano, unable to attend the contest for personal reasons. In his place will be Randall Chávez, who will compete in his second international event.

According to José Ureña, technical director of the national selection and president of the Federación de Surf de Costa Rica, this group is tighter than the 2010 team, thanks to the positions each of the team members has earned during the last year of the Circuito Nacional de Surf.

“This year we could see in detail the virtues of each person; this is a great team. They are surfers with a lot of experience and they are

committed to this year’s contest, which is why we hope to play a good role in this World Surfing Championships,” said Ureña.

A major factor in favor of the Costa Rica national surf team is the inclusion, once again, of Craig “Tequila” Schieber (photo) in two categories. Tequila currently holds the #5 in the world spot in the category of over 45 years of age, and is #15 in the division of over 40 years of age. Certainly he will be shooting to equal or better these rankings, but he will also be competing now in the over-50 category as well.

While new to the Masters division, Andrea Díaz is no stranger to competition. She was the women’s national surf champion in 1999, and competed for years on the Circuito Nacional de Surf and on national Costa Rican teams that traveled the world.

The ISA World Masters Surfing Championship will feature the crème de la crème of the seasoned surfers. Among those will include Tom Curren, the 3-time World Champion, who will help the United States team in their race for the gold.

Surfing Australia has 1978 Professional Tour World Champion Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew now for TravelSIM Team Australia. With Rabbit, Australia boasts an imposing line-up, including 7-time World Champion women’s champion Layne Beachley.

The Costa Rica National Masters surf team and all the others will take to the water in Punta Roca, El Salvador. It’s a perfect point break, with a stone bottom, with a right that moves from Punta Roca de La Libertad. Characterized by surges that handle great size, no one will be surprised if they find themselves competing in four meters of perfection. This is the second consecutive year that the Ticos find themselves in a Masters contest where they will be focusing on a right, which is of benefit to the team since the majority of them of regular-footed riders (left foot to the front and right in the back).

As usual, the Costa Ricans will take part in the opening ceremonies, a parade of nations and the Ceremony of Sands where they will mix the sand of a Costa Rican beach along with the sands of the other countries’ beach sands.

Back home in Costa Rica, the first-ever national championship of bodyboarders took place in Jacó on October 1, and it was a great success for the Asociación de Bodyboard de Costa Rica (ABCR).

The winner was Reymar Ramirez, who beat out a field of worthy competitors including Ivan Castillo, Emilio Vargas and John Culpepper. The 2009 Central American bodyboard champion was the best in waves of 1.5 meters, rising to the top of a crowd of 25 Open athletes who started from Round 1 and passed through seven series. (continued

page 29

Philippe Demarsan

From Ice

Epic story of a bicycle ride from

F

ifteen months after leaving Alaska, our travellers arrrive in Ecuador.

Having been to Ecuador three years ago I already had some contacts. Once again we were helped a lot by firefighters where we were welcomed with open doors. Generally the firefighters are first-class guys. As they work as professionals in every larger town there is always someone present in the station.

Cyclists are a welcome change; our mutual talks create a nice atmosphere and we profit from the safety around them as they are honest people. And of course we can stay there for free.

In Atuntaqui I reached a family, the Fuentes-Klaus, whom I knew, and enjoyed our stay in their house.

We also spent some days with the family Lara. I knew them already from my trip three years ago and enjoyed a lot coming back to them. From here we did the side trip to the volcano Cotopaxi which we climbed with Diego, an experienced guide. The expedition took a lot of effort as we were not used to the climate up between 4,600m and 5,900m. Sleeping at 4,800m was very difficult and the hike through all the night was very hard due to the altitude. We had always a little headache and every step took a double portion of power.

As I am an Amazon freak I wanted to go down to the basin at every cost. From the last trip I knew a guide in Coca, Sandro, who took us again down the River Napo, to the little lake Paña Cocha and to the National Park Yasuní. The visit was awesome but also sad. Since the 1960s the oil industry is taking oil from the huge forest. Three years ago the National Park Yasuní was the pride of the nation. Recently oil was found in its center and enterprises and state are pressing to take it out. This would mean death to the park as they are planning to build roads through the whole park. What a shame. And the situation is even worse: Since the park is just at the border Peru also intends to drill on their side as they know that the oil does not recognize the border. The faster driller will soak up also a part of the neighbour’s oil.

The Panamerican Highway in Ecuador is a steady up and down through the mountains. Between Riobamba and Cuenca the countryside is very beautiful while you are crossing many little farm villages.

During the downhills in this rather wild area we had to pay attention that we did not hit cows or sheep or even a local crossing the road. Especially the scenery around Alausi is very beautiful and recommendable

From the top - V

Ecuado

Ice fields o

Pig roast by

Amazon

to Fire

Alaska to Tierra del Fuego

Vólcan Antizana

or Boa

of Cotopaxi

y blowtorch

n sunset

Story: Christoph Mueller Edited: David Mills to visit. As it was always Stefan’s desire to camp more often wild we intended to do this in the mountains ahead of Loja. As there are farmers and people living all over the desolated places looking for their animals you never know if anyone sees you. A wise advice is to make sure nobody has seen you setting up your tent. Only this way you are safe at night. We thought that we had found a quiet place and set up the tent when immediately a local shepherd showed up.

He advised us to leave the place as he knew about strange people being around here and we should not take the risk of being robbed. So, after just having set up the tent we broke it down five minutes later.

Ambience and political background Overall I had a very safe impression of Ecuador and its people. It is a country with a little more wealth than the other Latin American countries and the image of North American influence is often remarkable in the cities as there you see huge shopping malls. Sandro, our guide in the Amazons, told us about their political background and its history.

President Raphael Correa – voice for the poor people and head of the “new left” - is very popular and from what I heard he is doing a good job (except for protecting the Amazonas). The money is spent to give the people a base for better development, e.g. for schools or better roads to desolate places. For the money’s source we were told he turned around the contracts between the state and oil/mining enterprises which in the past had taken the majority of the profit. This money now flows primarily into the state’s pocket. Oil export is the biggest income of Ecuador.

We were both happy when we could leave the busy main road in Loja and ride on towards Peru on a remote road. Although it was hilly and humid with steep climbs we absolutely enjoyed the ride: The gravel road led through the cloud forest and down into the rain forest. The jungle ride surprised us with a special impression. It was as if we had returned a hundred years. I enjoyed seeing how content the people were with their simple life in houses made of soil, how they dry their coffee beans in the streets and how honestly they accept you also as a foreigner.

It seems to me the people are not stressed at all, they are very even-tempered and keep calm. We were offered to camp in a back yard, sleep in a church and once in a college, even with a security guard at night.

Next month: Peru, canyons, Cuzco, Macchu Picchu and the 20,000 km mark of my trip.

We have heard about it, talked about it, watched it grow, and now it is a reality. The new $40 million terminal at Liberia International Airport opens November 12. On that date an Air Berlin Airbus 330-200 will arrive from Dusseldorf to inaugurate this new service, which will fly every two weeks with a stop in Cancun. The terminal’s official inauguration will take place November 17, coinciding with the introduction of Jet Blue’s nonstop service from New York. This service offers four flights a week, on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.

The flight leaves Kennedy International at 9:40 a.m. and arrives in Liberia at 2:05 p.m.

Under construction for just over a year the terminal, with an area of 23,000 square meters, features a capacity of 1,500 departing passengers and 1,500 arrivals simultaneously.

The very spacious entrance hall has 28 check-in desks; there are 19 immigration desks. Visitor parking has capacity for 300 cars. Food

needs are provided by Café Players and a VIP lounge with food and drinks. Shopping is in the form of Café Britt store, an art gallery, jewellery boutique and, of course, the duty-free shop. Information booths will be operated by ICT, Caturgua and Calitur.

On the tarmac there are seven arrival gates, four with air bridges, three without and two handling wide-body aircraft.

This high season sees a plethora of new flights from many cities, in addition to the JetBlue and Air Berlin flights mentioned above. Delta in January introduces a weekly flight direct from Minneapolis/St. Paul. Also from the Twin Cities Sun Country will operate a direct flight every Friday. American Airlines will add six flights per week from Miami and two from Dallas. United will add a weekly flight from Chicago and Continental adds a daily flight from N e w a r k , N . Y. These additions are good news for tourism; airline executives do not gamble with the addition of flights; they must know they can fill the seats.

We trust that this brandnew terminal will bring much-needed tourist business to our beach resorts.

The Howler thanks Customer Service Agent Johan Hassard, of AdChas, who took time from his busy schedule to show us around and furnish information.

WHAT ARE WE DOING COSTA RICA? Cynthia Osborne Charpentier

H

Tourism - positive or not?

ow does tourism affect Guanacaste? Beach towns benefit of course, but what about the little towns away from the coast?

El Llano, Santa Rosa, Hatillo, Lorena, Garita Vieja, Colón and many more? They don’t get anything from tourism--just higher prices (not true, Cynthia, they benefit from beach employment – Ed.).

Prices on groceries, this is a problem. Many tourists come to Costa Rica paying good money for goods and services, so prices increase.

Attitudes change, especially in the young. Always wanting more and more and working less.

Now, who is going to own Guanacaste? Will we lose it to our greed for the dollar? The Congo howling was always here, now they are moving away. When you see a Bienes Raices office some tourist wants to buy your land. (but remember, Cynthia, for every greedy Gringo buying land, there’s a greedy Tico selling it – Ed.).

Properties under development. Developers are making lots of money from their investments but we don’t see any of it. The demand for products increases but we don’t have the money to pay higher prices.

How do developments affect the prices in stores? Everyone wants his piece of the profits.

How can this affect the Costa Rican people? Ticos are worried about that. With some tourists we are fine, with others not so good. Companies and distributors generate waste and ask for higher prices in general.

The workers can’t afford it without higher wages.

Of course they come for vacations. So how does everything affect communities? Higher prices on everything that touches our lives. Because of this we need to fight higher prices.

Advantages of tourism, it generates work for some Ticos. Disadvantage of tourism, it creates higher prices and most workers have a hard time supporting their families.

What about the affect on the environment? Cutting down trees that took many years to grow. When the hotels or condos are built where does all the wildlife go? What is going on in Guanacaste?

I am afraid of too much building and the loss of natural land, the water and the animals. Some people just want to make money; they don’t care about the environment. They’ll make their money and go.

Tourism causes all these problems but the government is also guilty for not giving back to the people.

Welcome to Costa Rica everyone, the heart of Central America.

Distribuidora Londres in Liberia has safes/lock boxes of all sizes and shapes from $120. Tel: 2666-0002 for information.

Members of Country Day School Guanacaste’s parent community will host a sequel to last year’s Holiday in Paradise Party at the Reserva Conchal Beach Club on Saturday, December 3 at 5:30.

Enjoy music and cool drinks while doing some holiday shopping by bidding on silent auction items --surfing specials, salsa lessons, sunset cruises, and much more. Tickets, which include two drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a dinner buffet featuring a variety of main courses, assorted fresh vegetables, salads, and desserts can be purchased for $50 each in advance, $60 at the door, or a table for 10 at $45 apiece. Get tickets fast while they last at Café Café in Tamarindo, El Coconut Beach Club in Potrero, Re/Max Beach Realty (in the commercial center outside CDSG), or at CDSG itself.

Tiara, on the main street in Liberia, has a wide range of party, formal, wedding or communion dresses. See ad on page 13.

www.howlermag.com

August Odysseys

Robert August

I

t was 1993, at the start of filming on “Endless Summer II”. We – Pat O’Connell, Wingnut and I – had arrived in Costa Rica a few weeks in advance of the production crew to check out the country and explore for new surf spots. And there were many, along both coasts, but how to get to them?

We leased a big boat and sailed to Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point. That was fine for short distances, but would take forever to explore all the surf spots at that speed. And a boat wasn’t really ideal because, from outside the surf, you could only see the back side of the waves. There was also great surf in Nicaragua and Panama, even further away, and we certainly weren’t going to fly into Managua and make our way to the coast on non-existent roads. At that time, Nicaragua was a very troubled and violent country.

Someone hit on the idea of a flying boat. This would be ideal; we could fly along the coast until we saw a good surf beach, then land and paddle in. Nicaraguan beaches would be just a few minutes away. We heard of a pilot, nickname Hoot Gibson, who had an old Grumman Goose and was waiting for permits to fly it in Costa Rica. We made a deal with him to lease the ‘plane – his first-ever commission (and his last).

Waiting on Tamarindo Beach with the camera crew, we saw the flying boat approach with just Hoot and Doc Diffenderfer aboard. He did some “skips” onto the water and off again just to get our attention, then circled to the north. The very strong Papagayo winds may have played a part in what happened next. Coming in low over the estuary, his right pontoon hit the water, throwing the aircraft into a hard skid.

He corrected to the left and dipped that pontoon, too, causing a skid to the left. Hoot gunned the motors to get airborne again but failed, and roared up the beach at full power, scattering the watchers and smashing up the aircraft.

The damaged ‘plane sat on the beach while we shot more footage for the film, but then we heard that officials from the Ministry of Aviation had heard of the incident and were coming to investigate. We had ‘landed’ an aircraft, without permits, in a national park.

The directors from Hollywood told one of our crew, Jimmy Reach, to “get rid of the film, real quick”, several large cans of good footage.

Feeling like James Bond, he took off to San José without incident and flew to Los Angeles where, as luck would have it, the race riots were in full swing all around the film studios. Grabbing a cab he said “Get me to the studios at any cost,” and eventually arrived with film intact.

The ‘plane featured nicely in the movie, both before, during and after the crash, just as if it were scripted.

Tales of Guanacaste Part III

T

he beaches of Nosara and Ostional were very different in the early ‘70s; the tiny fishing towns along the Pacific coast were isolated the rainy months of the year. Making their living fishing and, during the turtle nesting season, collecting turtle eggs to be sold to markets or bars, the native Costa Ricans lived a simple life. A few biologists, fishermen, and diehard surfers found their way to be the first tourists, and one of the first “gringo” settlements was established along the beautiful beaches of Nosara. Accessible by four-wheel drive during the dry season and single-engine planes in the rainy season, Nosara had a small community of foreign residents that had vacation beach homes and a couple of permanent residents.

Our group of “rag tag” teachers and students from Michigan and the Costa Rica Academy stayed in one of the beach houses owned by the director of the Academy. The transportation had been an ancient motor cycle; other than that, we walked. After our natural history field trips to the bat cave and turtle watching, the students had free time to swim and take a surfing lesson from one of the Costa Rican students who was the resident surf expert. The staff and a couple of students walked over to the small bar located in a hotel run by a colorful foreign resident. A scarlet macaw was squawking from its perch as we sat down and ordered a well-deserved Imperial and Cokes, at that time the only things offered. The beer and coke were probably brought in on the same boat we arrived on.

Kay T. Dodge

sat on his arm, the story continued. When the old woman’s horses began to die, she was sure the locals were sneaking in and poisoning them one by one. Frightened that she would lose all her animals, she brought the horses into the house and lived with them. The old horse lady became just one of the interesting expat stories.

A couple of nights sleeping thirty-some students and staff in the crowded beach house, and eating gallo pinto and tuna fish sandwiches was enough; even though we loved the beach, we were ready to go back to San José and a real bed. Having taken the third-class freight boat to Nosara, we were happy to be returning to San José first-class – by plane. For most, it was their first time on a small plane, but because the plane could only hold ten passengers at a time, we would be returning in shifts. Our students lived with the families of the resident students, so the groups would fly into San José and take a bus (or two) to their homes. We packed our gear and headed for the Nosara “airport”, a grass landing strip cut out of the forest with a two-way radio. Fortunately, it was located next to a salon, the town’s community dance hall and bar. Taking the better part of the day for the first three groups to load up and fly to San José and back, the teachers and a couple of older Tico students would be on the last plane. Those left were all adults, so why not have a cold one while we were waiting? We sat in a corner booth and recounted the crazy adventures of the last four days. How could we cram so much in?

As each round trip took three hours, we would be getting into San José about 4 p.m., mas o menus. Then we heard the radio squawking in the corner, something was going on in San José… there was a plane crash at the Juan Santamaria Airport. The airport was closed.

It was a few frantic minutes before we found out the kids were all safe and it was another plane that caused the airport to shut down.

There would be no plane coming back for us.

Ah well, everyone was safe with their families in San José. Back in the “good old days” there was no problem letting a group of naïve high-school students find their way around San José alone.

Obvious that there weren’t many clients at the bar in July, our host was quick to start telling us stories about the area and its residents.

Because I was always a horse person, I will never forget the story he told us about one of the most unique characters in the area. As I remember, she was German and had moved to Nosara with her husband and lived on a small finca or ranch near the beach. He told us she was a real animal lover, especially horses, and had quite a collection of animals. She had had some problems with the locals, and after her husband died and she was living alone some of the animals died. She became more and more paranoid and imagined that someone was killing off her animals. As we listened intently, we didn’t pay attention to the macaw that came walking down the bar with its head down on a mission to attack us. The bartender quickly swooped him up and saved at least one finger. As the bird

Another night at the beach house with only seven of us, beds for all and the plane would pick us up in the next day. Back at the beach house, one of the students discovered lobsters in the freezer. We were set to make the best of our situation…kick back and enjoy another spectacular Pacific sunset with Imperial and the best lobster I had ever eaten.

This is just one of the many tales of things that happened to the Michigan groups that visited Costa Rica in the ‘70s. Taking two high school groups, two college groups with a Guatemala add-on, and several adult groups for extended trips to Costa Rica, there are many tales to tell, and several I will never share, at least in the Howler.

Now Begins the Study of Yoga Gratitude

O

riginally, Thanksgiving was the time to give thanks for the bounty of the harvest. As the work of bringing in the crops was done, time was spent to celebrate the blessings of food, family, and the community. These days, most of us are not harvesting our food, yet North Americans still celebrate this holiday, and it is at least one day a year in which we give thanks.

that sustenance. You can use a moment in your day to turn a gripe into a gratefulness (instead of spending the time being frustrated with the broken-down bus going up the mountain, be grateful that your vehicle is working, that you are financially able to have your own vehicle, that you have the moment to enjoy the beauty of this part of Costa Rica, etc.).

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali stated that practicing santosha (contentment or appreciation of what is) will lead to unexcelled joy.

I am definitely all about something that is going to bring joy into my life! Practicing appreciation or gratitude is a powerful way to help lift us out of negativity, and acknowledge our interconnection with all things that sustain us. There are many simple ways to include an attitude of gratitude into your day. You can spend a few moments upon waking or before sleeping honoring those people and things for which you are grateful. You can offer gratitude before a meal to all who contributed to bringing you

In our yoga classes, we bring gratitude in each day with the word “namaste”, an expression of recognition and gratefulness for the divine light in ourselves and others. We say this typically with our hands held in Anjuli mudra, or prayer position.

Every time I bring my hands together into this place, it helps me to come back to this moment and the presence of grace in my life. This month, let your practice include at least one moment of gratitude each day, and see if this affirming and honoring of what is can lift your heart into more joy.

The Guest House This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

Rumi 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

Around the World ( a news digest)

I

n a controversial “Increase Diversity Bake Sale” hosted by the Berkeley College Republicans baked goods will be sold to white men for $2, Asian men for $1.50, Latino men for $1, black men for 75 cents and Native American men for 25 cents. All women will get 25 cents off those prices. President Shawn Lewis wrote: “It is no more racist than giving an individual an advantage in college admissions based solely on their race (or) gender.”

Federal agents raided premises of guitar maker Gibson, confiscating shipments of rosewood worth half-a-million dollars imported, illegally they allege, from India. Gibson says that finding replacement woods is not easy.

Researchers in South Africa have discovered a hoard of “painting kits” – spatulas, pigments, oils and grinding stones – dating back 100,000 years. This is seen as a “huge leap” in man’s cultural development.

The wreck of the SS Gairsoppa, with 200 tonnes of silver, sunk by a U-boat during WWII, has been found in the Atlantic -- the largest haul of precious metal ever found at sea. A U.S. company will attempt to retrieve the silver, now valued at £200 million sterling.

The largest solar bridge in the world is being built in London. Its 4,400 solar panels will generate 900,000 KwH of electricity per year, reducing CO2 emissions by 500 tons.

Christopher Ennis, of New Jersey, has been arrested for possession of 500 bags of heroin after police found the drugs hidden in his son’s toy bag when they stopped his car.

David Levy, professor at University of Washington, says that computer and cell phone use reduces our ability to interact with others, making us unsuitable for real life offline. Heavy use of cell phones causes the brain to shrink (no surprise to me - ed).

Dutch rail passengers are angered that the rail service will introduce “pee bags” on non-toilet trains, so passengers can relieve themselves in emergencies such as power failures.

A 50-foot bridge was stolen in northern Pennsylvania, probably for sale as scrap metal.

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me.

Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

Stephen Jobs, 1993

Visit Jeanne’s site at CelestialAdvisor.com

by Jeanne Callahan

October NovemberForecasts Forecasts

Aries: 21 March - 20 April

Libra: 23 September - 23 October

The energy proceeds in a positive direction for you as Mercury and Venus enter the cooperative fire sign of Sagittarius at the beginning of the month. You are able to find interested support for your ideas coming from foreign people, places, the judicial system or places of higher education.

Powerful people are still dominating your career but don’t obsess about how they operate. Lunar aspects favor your success on the 6th, 7th and 8th.

With Mercury and Venus together entering your solar third house, you will be more optimistic in attitude and have success in your communications, travels and writings. Sign contracts before the 24th when Mercury goes retrograde for the next 21 days. Saturn in your sign dictates you play by the rules and take your responsibilities seriously. People from your past may contact you after the 12th. The 21st and 22nd are powerful days for you.

This month’s energies show some sort of completion in the area of partnerships and a shift towards concern about legacies, property matters, insurance and taxes. Jupiter is still in your sign, though still retrograde, giving you an opportunity to review the events of June, 2011, as a foundation for a more stable beginning in 2012. Ask the questions you need to. The 9th and 10th are your most positive days.

Gemini: 22 May - 21 June

Conditions for financial gain are favorable this month with Mercury and Venus in your solar second house. You may also have occasion to spend money on luxuries, travel or social contacts. After the 12th you can make solid contacts for business or real estate ventures, though contracts should be signed before the 24th when Mercury goes retrograde for twenty-one days. Positive month for you to line up new business or join different groups. The 23rd and 24th are your best days

Cancer: 22 June - 22 July

Mercury and Venus entering your sign this month will bring a lighter tone to your personality as you feel more positive, brighter and social now. You are able to attract new business after the 12th when Mars enters your solar tenth house of career, along with Jupiter and Pluto in earth signs giving you a solid foundation to build something new. A move into a new location, possibly near water, will be possible in 2012. Things go your way on the 25th and 26th.

Leo: 23 July - 23 August

People from your past may contact you seeking support. Secrets may be revealed or some mystery finally solved. This would be a good month for a secluded vacation or sabbatical for research.

The earth trine energies after the 12th give you much support for launching a new venture in a foreign country or success with a lawsuit. Keep your dealings above board and back off on trying to control everyone around you. Positive vibes for accomplishment on the 27th and 28th.

Taurus: 21 April - 21 May

Your ruling planet, Mercury, is in close conjunction with Venus for most of the month. Great month for networking and making new connections. Mercury goes retrograde on the 24th in Sag so things can get confusing after that time.

Lock in contracts before then. Mars enters your solar fourth house on the 12th which can have you spending more time at home or having some repairs done. Things go your way on the 11th, 12th, and 13th.

This is a good time to create a more harmonious environment in your work place, as well as to take measures to improve your health and well-being. Your nerves may be overtaxed so seek ways to soothe your system rather than overload it with activities. Pluto is still active on your seventh house cusp which may be causing obsessions over your partner’s activities. The 14th and 15th are days of benefit.

With Mars still in your sign till the 12th, you are a force to be reckoned with. After that time, it enters Virgo, giving you a stable ground to grow the ideas you generated over the past two months. Make sure you have the right team players who can follow through on your plans. Your social life should improve, too, this month as many invitations come your way. Accept all of them! The 16th and 17th are particularly lucky for you.

Virgo: 24 August - 22 September

Mars enters your sign on the 12 so you will have lots of energy for accomplishments. The earth trine created, with Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn, are in grounded support for your actions. Mercury and Venus, traveling together in your solar fourth house will make fortunate developments in the areas of property, ancestors, or perhaps a move into better conditions. Your best days are the 18th, 19th and 20th. th

Scorpio: 24 October - 22 November

Sagittarius: 23 November - 21 December

Capricorn: 22 December - 21 January

Aquarius: 22 January - 19 February

This month has you devoting a lot of your energies to your property, family members, wills, legacies, insurance and endof-life issues. Think of it as a “getting your ducks in a row” time of life. There are lots of positive people lending support to you at this time so take advantage of their good will. Your home is a place of solace and comfort, now more than ever.

The vibes on the 2nd, 3rd, 29th and 30th all favor your interests.

Pisces: 20 February - 20 March

With Mercury and Venus entering your solar tenth house of career, you may find yourself in a position for a raise or promotion. Relationships with siblings and partners go well and have stability now, if one stays out of the critical mode. If in a new relationship, however, don’t rush into a marriage or partnership as you need more information about how the person operates under stress. The vibes on the 4th and 5th are positive for you.

Namasté

Parents’ Corner Learning Styles

T

oday we know that every person learns in his or her personal way, which includes internal and external factors, resulting in our own “learning style”.

The interest for individual differences in the way people learn found its ideal partner in Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. According to this theory there are eight basic types of intelligence: spatial, linguistic, logical-mathematical, kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalistic. When assessing those intelligences, every person will show higher scores in one or more, establishing his or her strong areas, and also the optimal learning approach.

If you have a high spatial intelligence, you are a visual learner, you need to “see” what you are learning, you learn best with images, putting together puzzles, and drawing.

If you have a high linguistic intelligence, you are a verbal learner and need to use words, both spoken and written. You will probably benefit from conferences, lectures, but also essays and articles. Taking notes comes easy to you.

If you have a high logical-mathematical intelligence, you are a logical learner. You use logic, reasoning and system. Your learning approach is step-by-step and methodic.

If you have a high kinesthetic intelligence, you are a physical learner. You need to use your senses when learning, preferably “hands on” and keeping your body engaged. For you it is important to learn by doing.

If you have a high musical intelligence, you are an auditory learner. People with musical intelligence exhibit great sensitivity to sound, rhythm, melody and tone, and they are often displaying absolute pitch and a remarkable ability for playing an instrument. Musical intelligence usually goes hand in hand with highly developed linguistic skills; therefore musical people are also good lecture students.

If your main intelligence is interpersonal, you are a social learner. This means that you learn best in a group; you have a well-developed sense of empathy, are able to listen to and to share ideas, and may be a leader or a follower. Communication skills are your absolute strength; asking questions, mediating and coordinating facilitate your learning process. Your main trait is extroversion.

If your intrapersonal intelligence scores high, you are a solitary learner.

You prefer to learn alone and through self-study, as you like to analyze in depth, use introspection, reflect on things, and make predictions. You are an intuitive person, and your main trait is introversion.

Parents can benefit from knowing their children’s’ learning styles, and provide for the proper homework environment and resources.

Knowing your learning style as an adult will help you improve your productivity, optimize your efforts, and change conditions at work or at home in a way that they are in sync with your particular intelligence… you will be surprised with the results!

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

Surviving

C hapter LXXXVIII

F

COSTA RICA

or the past twenty-five years or so I’ve been carrying around an old photo in my battered Fender guitar case of the band I was in for about a year back in 1984. It was probably the only “promo” picture taken of the group; the three of us posed on a sailboat in the harbor in Port Aransas, Texas, and the only one whose name I can recall is mine.

The photo still gets a lot of attention, as I use it to confound friends and restaurant associates as to which one is yours truly. Sadly I’m usually identified as one of the two other semi-unattractive guys and not the version of myself that I was at that time.

Crimes Against Rock

He lined up an audition to get on the “London Pub” circuit of clubs in malls throughout the American southwest.

Actually this is not the pub’s real name, as Google informs me they’re still in business and my editor reminds me I’ve used up my “lawsuit quota” for the year.

We show up on time, set up and then head for the apartment the organization has booked for us. We soon discover what was considered the worst part of town where we collapsed in our beds after twenty hours of solid driving in the freezing cold.

We headed to Austin where we had a seven in the morning audition with the organization’s “musical director”, an English chap who looked like a whiter version of Michael Jackson.

Our first night at the mall coincided with the pub’s famous “Wed. Drink Special Night”, featuring brightly colored sweet alcoholish drinks, which they sold by the gallon to an enthusiastic group of very young college (and I suspect younger) age types. I don’t think we played anything the crowd wanted to hear but it didn’t matter; that wasn’t why they came there. The truth was in the condition of the bathrooms. By the end of the night they resembled large abstract paintings of multi-colored streams of regurgitation.

Other than the Wed. night, multi-colored orgies were pretty much dead. I mean, even in the eighties you had to be pretty desperate to go to a mall for rock and roll.

By then the band had a name suitable for the circuit. We were called “Jetstream”, but in my heart they’ll always be “The Crimes Against Rock” band.

Although I’ve carried the photo with me all that time the band itself was one my least favorite among the several dozen with which or so I’ve been associated.

The group got together out of necessity.

My most recent band had just broken up - “Rose and the Dusters” if I recall - and our recently recruited “latest” bass player promptly went out and totaled his new car on which he’d spent his last three years’ savings. He’s the guy on the left. He proposed forming a trio with a drummer he knew and going “On The Road”.

Even under hypnosis I have not been able to remember his name. Ditto for the drummer.

The drummer (on the right) had recently purchased (on invisible credit) a brandnew drum set and needed to make the payments, although later it turned out he also needed to get away from his girl friend. He, too, was ready for the road.

I’m not sure why I ended up with them; everything’s pretty hazy on that era for a variety of reasons… most of them good.

If I remember correctly I had recently married my first wife “what’s ‘er name” and had no need to split on that level. I suspected I fell for the bass player’s plan.

Story by Jesse Bishop

I don’t think the chief was very impressed; we were playing stuff like the Cars and Bruce Springsteen, while the British guy was making suggestions more like “I Just Called to Say I Love You”, by Stevie Wonder.

However it turned out he was desperate for bands, for the company needed acts for more and more malls in America.

He’d start us out at what turned out to be the less desirable locations and see if we swam, stunk or sunk. Our first gig was Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 1,400 miles away and we had to be there in two days. We then needed to be at the mall at six in the morning so we could set up in the pub before the mall opened.

We drove there in the drummer’s truck, an English-built Ford delivery van that resembled a small garbage truck, something you didn’t see too often in that part of Texas. We loaded up the truck and headed “for the road”, soon finding out that the truck had no heater. A heater would have made the drive a lot nicer.

We played in the malls to barely anybody, playing uninspiring music. The guys in the band had become very nervous about my tendency to read books to fill the hours, going as far as accusing me of “wanting to be a teacher”, which seemed very threatening.

When the gig was done we prepared to make the return trip. Of course, the ageing Brit delivery van blew a gasket or something and it took all the money we’d made to get a local mechanic to scrap something together so we could travel another 1,200 miles to play in Abilene, Texas. I think we stayed together for several months till things imploded the way most bands do.

I still have the photo though.

Cloudy

With a Chance of Bankruptcy

Tom Peifer

Life is the wind and the rain and the thunder in the sky.

Life is matter and is earth, what is and what is not, and what beyond is in Eternity.

Seneca

T

he blustery winds, sweeping through the mid-October doldrums in Guanacaste, left in their wake a strange mix of feelings.

At times it seemed like the rainy season was giving way to the first warm winds of November, those harbingers of summer, fiestas and the fat Christmas bonus for the fortunate few with fixed employment. A sense of anticipation for some, for others the anticipation comes with an equal dose of dread.

Unusual as it may seem, the strong gusts and cooler temperatures brought a hint of Europe to the normally sultry ambiance of the Gold Coast. But it was more than just a passing climactic phenomenon. For any number of foreign residents, those who own small businesses, sell real estate, or have projects in the works, this is turning out to be the ‘make it or break it year’. There’s an eerie similarity to recent events in Europe, but no sugar daddy to turn on the silver faucet, perform the requisite sleight of hand in the accounting ledgers and pretend that all is well, just in time for Christmas. In Guanacaste, the frantic preparations for hoped-for sales in the ‘high season’ are underlain by a sense of foreboding that demand will put nary a dent in the surplus of supply.

First-time visitors to this part of Costa Rica may get the impression that the principal accomplishment of reforestation efforts in our area is the ubiquity of ‘For Sale” signs, prominently planted along the highways and byways near the coast. But, as the careful observer will note, on the auction block this year are not just the usual lots of every conceivable size, shape, steepness, remoteness and general difficulty of access during the rainy season. No señor, this year you can see entire “developments” up for sale. Kinda’ makes you wonder why would that be the case?

A word to the wise for those who are considering investing in real estate in Guanacaste: Take a long hard look before you leap.

Perform your due diligence. Save a bit of salt from your margarita and take everything you hear about land purchases with a healthy pinch. Put your “Caveat Emptor” into overdrive and don’t dive headfirst into a property market that is so saturated with supply that prices still need a mini-submarine to find the bottom.

The worst-case scenario—you buy into a project that is in the process of going under, sort of like investing in the stock market on the day before Black Monday, or worse. The historic crash in 1987 only wiped out 22% of stock value. If the project encompassing your dream home goes south, you might end up spending a few years in the surreal surroundings of the Costa Rican judicial

system instead of enjoying spectacular sunsets from your veranda.

Real estate insiders tell me that nowadays buyers are as skittish as a trotting horse on a frozen sidewalk covered with marbles. Long gone are the piña colada-laced couples on a second honeymoon making snap decisions to lock in a fantasy future of strolling the beaches at sunset—and refinancing back home in order to close the deal. Folks looking at land these days may have an entirely different set of reasons to have a little hideout in puravida-land, but they also bring along the baggage of a whole new perspective on the economic prospects for the future. And, for the most part, they’re kicking back in the driver’s seat, surveying the vast panorama of one big buyer’s market.

Developers are bending over backwards to accommodate buyers and keep some momentum going in their projects. By the same token, maintenance budgets may well have been slashed, and shoppers should look for the telltale signs of a project that is on life support. As I warned in an article almost a year ago, “Pyramids and Pura Vida”, The Howler, Feb, 2011, the last place you want your dream home is “at the dead end of a rutted road in a future ghost town.”

Potential buyers might find it especially curious to see a bold entry with a freshly painted sign and then a sort of “no there, there” feeling inside the project. At this point in the boom-and-bust cycle around here, I, for one, would be very skeptical. Other warning signs are the piles of sand and gravel with weeds growing on them-a definite indication of infrastructure progress grinding to a halt.

When the developer has cut back on both capital and maintenance costs, right about this time of year, he is absolutely flailing to get the roads in passable shape for the parade of clients to come in December. Shoppers can look for the evidence of recent grading and assume that the roads aren’t always in tip-top condition. The million dollar question: is the project in good enough financial health so that the roads are drivable when you live there?

Cynics might argue, in the face of recurrent weather-related problems with the national highways, that having decent infrastructure in the project where you decide to settle is not a big priority. We’ll let the buyers decide on that one. Nonetheless, when multiple news sources are speculating that it is only a matter of months before the Eurozone goes down the toilet, and the contagion likely to spread to the US, any sense of order and security that developers can appear to offer to their clients would be a sales point in their favor. (continued

page 28)

A Matter of Fact

N o v e m b e r 2 0 11 ( a l l

t i m e s

l o c a l )

(from page 27)

Sun

1st - rise 5:34; set 5:20 15th - rise 5:38; set 5:18* 30th - rise 5:45; set 5:19

A recent article on the debt crisis affecting California brought out a few salient points on the current financial situation. As it turns out, the federal government has managed to pass the buck—or the debt—to states, counties and cities. Budgets are being slashed with the expected effects of services and infrastructure. As the current mayor of a Bay Area city pulling itself out of bankruptcy declared, “I think we’ve suffered from a series of mass delusions.”

* earliest sunset of year - 16th at 5:17 1st quarter: Full: Last quarter: New:

8

s

10:38 a.m.

2:16 p.m.

9:09 a.m.

12:10 a.m.

The bottom-line in California, as elsewhere, if you can’t or don’t want to pay the taxes, don’t expect the services. The Costa Rican version of that may have more to do with massive ineptness, corruption and bureaucratic dithering, but the effects are often the same. Ditto for developments. If the cash flow has dried to the sorry trickle of many streams during the dry season, in addition to the warning signs that are readily apparent to the trained eye, the Banco Nacional may already be knocking at the door. Or executing a repossession, exactly what occurred a few miles from where I live after a development lost several hundred meters of access road during the heavy rains. Perhaps a more common scenario, income from lot sales is diverted to paying off past indebtedness, shortchanging the agreed-upon amenities, services and commitments to infrastructure upgrades in the future.

RAINFALL - Sept/Oct

7

m

2nd 10th 18th 25th

RAIN GAUGE

9

c

Moon

Maricle Meteorological Observatory

6

La Garita

5

Total rainfall: 51.1 cm (20.1 inches)

4 3 2 1 0 16

20

25

September

Year-to-date 2011: 212.8 cm 2010: 282.4

30 1

5

10

October

Rainfall Sept/Oct 2011: 51.1 cm 2010: 33.9

15

The take-home message for folks seeking shelter from the storm clouds gathering on the global horizon, take your time, buyer beware and remember that you’re able to negotiate from a strong position in a weak market. Safeguard your new possession. There are some beautiful properties available and many professional realtors who will lead you in the right direction to protect your dream property.

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

Surf Report

Barbara’s Pet Stories

(from page 15)

Birthday Dinner

The ABCR are planning to create a Circuito Nacional for bodyboarding as soon as 2012.

Results from the Body Boarding Championship: Open 1. Reymar Ramirez 2. Ivan Castillo 3. Emilio Vargas 4. John Culpepper

Junior 1. Antony Delgado 2. Diego Clavijo 3. Eduardo Serrano 4. Luis Portilla

Women’s 1. Betriz Arleo 2. Megwyn Saunders 3. Cindy Diaz 4. Jimena Calvo

Dropknee 1. Felipe Fernández (photo) 2. Ivan Castillo 3. Diego Clavijo 4. Leiner Arroyo

It was announced that after five years, the Central American surf championship will return to Costa Rica. Called Reef Centroamerica Surfing Games Costa Rica 2011, five countries will convene in Playa Hermosa to battle it out for the best in the region. El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama will send national selections to try and take the title away from Costa Rica, who have won for the past five years.

The Surfing Games Costa Rica 2011 will take place December 1-4 at Hotel Backyard in Playa Hermosa. The Federación de Surf de Costa Rica is expecting 80 surfers from the five countries to compete in Open, Women’s, Junior, Boys and Longboard Categories.

This year, the Games will open with a parade down the main street in Jacó and will feature a ceremony of sands much like the one in the World Surfing Games. The contest will start on December 2.

I

t was Sam’s 50th birthday and, as a surprise for him, I had planned a nice dinner with friends. So the whole morning I spent in my kitchen to prepare a delicious meal.

Mid-afternoon I told our two daughters to run and play with our three dogs, two labradors and a toy poodle, to get them “tired”, so they will not want be around us while we will eat dinner.

My husband Sam came home from work. While he was taking a shower I decorated the table, opened the wine bottles, and the invited friends came in time, too.

After the ¨Happy Birthday” song and a drink, it was time to get the meal out of the kitchen. It was already prepared on a big hot plate and just thinking of it was watering my mouth...Baked Mozzarella Bites and Lamb Shanks with Sweet Potatoes.

Then it happened: we all heard a (maybe for dog owners a wellknown) noise coming out of the kitchen - oh please no! I ran into the kitchen… the plate was down on the floor... the three dogs were just swallowing the rest of the cheese bites, they all had big happy eyes. As they saw me coming in they all took off as fast as lightning. Even though my fancy dinner was gone now, I had to smile; it was definitely my fault. I cannot blame them; hadn’t I put the plate properly right in front of them?

Well, I found some chips and salt crackers and we still had the wine to drink.

At the end we all had a nice time and three well-fed dogs lying next to us.

Maripaz Chinchilla

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.

1T

2W 1st Qtr 3T

4F

5S

00:13 06:30 12:44 19:08 01:11 07:28 13:41 20:09 02:15 08:32 14:43 21:13 03:24 09:39 15:48 22:17 04:33 10:44 16:50 23:16

0.4 9.1 0.1 8.6 1.0 8.4 0.7 8.2 1.5 7.8 1.3 7.9 1.8 7.4 1.6 7.8 1.9 7.2 1.8 7.8

6S

05:35 11:44 17:46

1.8 7.2 1.7

11F

7M

00:08 06:27 12:35 18:34 00:53 07:11 13:20 19:16 01:33 07:49 14:01 19:55 02:11 08:26 14:39 20:32

8.0 1.5 7.4 1.6 8.3 1.2 7.6 1.5 8.5 0.9 7.9 1.3 8.7 0.6 8.1 1.2

12S

8T

9W

10T Full Moon

13S

14M

15T

NOVEMBER TIDE CHART 02:47 09:01 15:17 21:08 03:24 09:37 15:54 21:45 04:00 10:13 16:31 22:23 04:38 10:50 17:09 23:02 05:17 11:28 17:49 23:44

8.9 0.4 8.2 1.1 8.9 0.3 8.3 1.1 8.9 0.3 8.3 1.1 8.8 0.4 8.2 1.2 8.5 0.6 8.1 1.4

16W

05:58 12:09 18:32

8.2 0.8 8.0

21M

17T

00:30 06:44 12:54 19:19 01:22 07:36 13:43 20:13 02:19 08:35 14:39 21:11 03:23 09:39 15:40 22:12

1.5 7.9 1.0 7.9 1.6 7.7 1.2 7.9 1.6 7.5 1.3 8.1 1.5 7.5 1.8 8.4

22T

18F Last Qtr 19S

20S

23W

24T

25F New Moon

04:27 10:44 16:42 23:12 05:30 11:46 17:43

1.2 7.7 1.1 8.8 0.7 8.1 0.8

26S

00:10 06:28 12:44 18:42 01:05 07:23 13:39 19:37 01:58 08:15 14:31 20:30

9.3 0.2 8.5 0.4 9.8 -0.3 9.0 0.0 10.1 -0.7 9.4 -0.2

28M

27S

29T

30W

02:49 09:05 15:23 21:22 03:40 09:55 16:13 22:13 04:29 10:43 17:03 23:05 05:19 11:32 17:54 23:57 06:11 12:22 18:46

10.3 -1.0 10.6 -0.3 10.3 -1.0 10.7 -0.2 10.0 -0.8 9.6 0.1 9.6 -0.4 9.3 0.5 9.0 0.0 8.9

1T Dec 2F 1st Qtr 3S

4S

5M

00:51 07:04 13:12 19:40 01:46 07:59 14:05 20:35 02:45 08:58 15:00 21:32 03:47 09:58 15:57 22:28 04:47 10:59 16:53 23:21

1.0 8.4 0.6 8.5 1.4 7.8 1.2 8.2 1.8 7.3 1.6 7.9 2.0 7.0 2.0 7.8 2.0 6.9 2.1 7.8