Howler1503mar

Volume 20, No. 3 Issue No. 220

THE HOWLER Ced. Juridica: 3-101-331333

FEATURES

Publisher, editor and production David Mills

dmills@racsa.co.cr Tel: 4702-5771 8323-2795 Howler • Mono Congo

8 Dining Out

Lilly’s has reopened in Langosta, serving a wide menu of French cuisine, and doing an excellent job.

14 Around Town

CONTRIBUTORS JEANNE CALLAHAN JESSE BISHOP MARY BYERLY ROBERT AUGUST KAY DODGE LYNDA ESPADA

ELLEN ZOE GOLDEN TONY OREZ TOM PEIFER JEFFREY WHITLOW BARBARA DEPPE SUSAN SMITH

Deadline for April: March 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 Banner 1/2 Full

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

x x x x x

6.15 12.70 6.15 25.80 12.70 25.80

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

15 Surf Report

COPA Unit at Cocles, Puerto Vielo; list of National Champions since 2001; Federico Pilurzu is back.

38

Surviving Costa Rica

Jesse discusses the numerous jam sessions around the area, a cheap way for a bar owner to provide music for his guests.

39

The Road(s) to Nowhere

The collapsed road to Villarreal; falling boulders on Hwy. 27; the Interamerican; and the road to Puerto Limón; add up to a nightmare.

Price $ 100 140 140 230 400

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

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

DEPARTMENTS 10 Theatre Review 11 Book Review 12 August Odysseys 17 Dharma Corner 29 Shape Up

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.tamarindobeach.net

www.tamarindohomepage.com

Cover Caption: Howler Monkey Cover Photo: Paul German, Tel: 8868-3046

paulflamingotowers@gmail.com Cover Design: David Mills

Howler: Pioneer of the Area It seems like only yesterday that I published the first copy of The Howler (May 1996). There has been a great quantity of information in The Howler in the years since then. And since 2007 I have had a web presence.

Many magazines have come – and gone – but The Howler has been serving the Gold Coast for nineteen years. Some publications wait each month until The Howler appears so as to copy ideas for the cover, format, content, articles, etc. It is good to know that The Howler is a leader in the area, but each publication has to be original. We welcome new publications, but they should try to be originals. Some tried to copy before - they no longer exist.

The Howler has good prices, and these have remained steady for several years. We also assist businesses with special promotions (contact us for details), and publish – free – articles of public interest.

We want to help the communities and to publish your activities you can inform us at dmills@racsa. co.cr.

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It’s official! Costa Rican coffee is the third most popular coffee in the States, after Colombia and Brasil, according to the National Association of Coffee. Export sales of coffee to the States totaled $161.5 million.

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The Hotel Reserva Conchal has loaned, for 12 months, a well with the capacity of 188 litres per second, to AyA, to ensure a supply of water to dry communities. The hotel’s use of the well is 70 litres per second.

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Lilly’s is back, recently opened, and it is serving authentic French Cuisine, and doing it very well, under the ownership of Philipe Bouali and Francis Bey. The chef is Francis, from Nice, with a long experience of restaurants. He and Philipe have operated restaurants in Los Angeles.

Entrées were Gazpacho de Tomates Pasteque; Escargots Bourguignon; Ahi Tuna Tartar; Meli Melo de Betteraves et Quinoa; Burrata Caprese; Salade de Thon Asiago.

We had Terrine de Canard, homemade duck pate with onion marmalade; and Ceviche Clamato style, fresh fish and shrimp, and we shared a Caesar Salad.

Main dishes were Moules Mariniere; Thon Grillé; Poisson de Jour; Risotto de Saint Jacques; Langouste Grillée; Lilly’s Sirloin Burger; Escalope de Poulet Viennoise; Emince de Porc aux Champignons; Pasta; Steak au Poivre; Napoleon de Parmentier. Our selection was Thon Grillé, with a harissa emulsion and baby vegetables; and Carre d’Agneau aux Herbes, delicious rack of lamb. All of our selections were delicious, and the service excellent.

We finished up with dessert of Choclate Mousse with ice-cream, sinfully good; and Apple Pie, served on a ‘painters palette’.

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All in all an excellent meal, nicely presented and with good service.

Bartender Andrew has training as a mixologist in Los Angeles, and claims he makes the best cocktails in town.

Lilly’s has a locals’ night every Tuesday, and a theme night on the last Friday of each month.

As an example, their Hawaiian Luau night features roast pig and Hawaiian punch. They will soon be serving a Happy Hour from 5 to 7 nightly, with drinks at 2-for-1.

Lilly’s opens at 5 pm, until the last guest is served, and the kitchen is open to 9 pm. All credit cards (not Amex) accepted. Tel: 2653-2026; 8360-6080, 8814-6537; facebook Lilly’s Langosta; e-mail philipebouali@gmail.com.

Theatre Review Tony Orez Dinner Theatre in Tamarindo Live comedy came to Tamarindo on consecutive weekends last month at Maluca Restaurant. The production was presented by Mixed Nuts, an affiliate of Beach Nuts Theater, a tried and true stalwart in the community, and was directed splendidly by Joy Weber, who also directed last year’s “The Odd Couple”, Mixed Nuts’ first venture into live theater to Guanacaste. Joy was the first independent casting director in New York City, has won numerous Clio Awards, after proving herself at Paramount. Joy told me, “This is the best cast I’ve directed in a long time”. And the chemistry between everyone involved was quickly evident and sustained throughout each night.

The first weekend offered dinner and the show, allowing Maruca to display their wonderful new menu and venue. The second weekend offered a night of strictly theater, a bit later in the evening.

You Can’t Please Everyone A tourist who brought his wife and family to Tamarindo last year in late March complained “It’s stupidly hot!” At that time his Canadian home town was suffering highs of around -5, with lows of -23 since December. He also complained that he couldn’t talk to his wife on the beach due to the noise from the waves. He also couldn’t understand the fuss people made of the sunset. He also asked “How do people stand the dust?” and complained about the smell of molasses sprayed to keep the dust down.

I guess he could’ve stayed home and shovelled snow!

The night of consisted of six vignettes, opening with Paul Belanger doing a solo skit, a husband “hounded” by his wife’s obsession with poodles.

Certainly, the bit had social messages as well, as the entire night proved to be more than just comedy.

The second spot, “Chocolate”, featured Barry Lawson as the investigative cop interviewing Bernice, played by Colette Holmes whose husband has been missing for several days, something Bernice has curiously not quite got around to reporting yet, what with her birdbath construction and all…The rapport between these two was something magical.

Corey Haun and Paul delivered “”Basic Plumbing” as the third skit, a librarian getting ready to close shop and an off-kilter patron (Corey) publicly wrestling with his demons. I thought Mr. Haun was spot-on with his portrayal of an already unbalanced book nerd gone off his meds, something I’ve witnessed more than once myself and I watched Corey nail that character. Congrats, Sr Haun! And Paul did a perfect job as the straight man.

“Wanda” introduced the audience to Jennifer Guinaldo. She’s a natural, as she also showed us in the next skit, “Post It”, a touching vignette that portrayed a couple’s life together through the post-it notes they’d written each other throughout their lives together. The final piece, “Check, Please” was a wonderful wrap-up. Brian Cobb and Harris Fellman have incredible timing, something live comedy requires.

I felt the two new rising stars were the actresses: Colette and Jennifer, who walked in like twin breaths of fresh air and, frankly, stole the show. Colette shone in all her parts, particularly the loopy ex-girlfriend in “Chocolate”.

Kudos, guys!

I think Jim Levy played a crucial part with his impeccable lighting and sound management to pull the mood off for the night and I know Pete at jpgdesign. net along with Pablo at Mr. Tom’s; both worked diligently to get the word out in a timely, artful fashion.

The comments I heard most often after the show centered around how Paul’s shows are “a wonderful asset to the community” and how they “make Tamarindo unique in this area”. It’s true and Mr. Belanger deserves a healthy round of applause from the entire community.

Next up for Beach Nuts is their presentation of “Mirror, Mirror” on March 26, 27, 28 & 29 at The Village in Brasilito. This is one you won’t want to miss.

See you there!

Book Review

Tony Orez

Two New Children’s Books in Costa Rica

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maranta the tapir lives in Santa Rosa National Park in Guanacaste. She has a keen sense of smell and many friends there.

Amaranta falls in love with Flavio, who loves her too. The parrots love teasing and encouraging them.

So begins the newest children’s story “La Danta Amaranta” from Pachanga Kids in San Jose. The story is printed in Spanish and English, side-by-side, as are all the books from this publisher. The illustrations by Fabiana Obando are wonderful, colorful, playful. The storyline gently offers geographic, ecological and historic lessons along the way. For example, did you know that the tapir is a cousin to the rhinoceros, or that it has a trunk like an elephant, hooves similar to those of pigs & hair like a horse?

The authoress, and founder of Pachanga Kids, Yazmin Ross, likes to use stories with subtle instructional tools throughout the company’s catalog, while remaining playful and humorous.

The result of the love between Amaranta and Flavio is their daughter, Tawny Light, whose “secret weapon” helps reinvigorate the park, which has been experiencing a drought. The translation in this bilingual book is

by Carol Weir, who did an incredible job preserving the poetic lilt of the original text from English to Spanish.

The second new book in Costa Rica is “The Happy Horsey” by Stanley Buffel, from Alberta, Canada. It is the story of a young colt who must stay inside the barn several months after he is born due to the intense spring rains outside. He hears stories from about the wonders of the outside world: blue skies and white clouds, sunlight and green grass, flowers and chickens. He is naturally curious and anxious to experience all this but he has to wait. And wait. Finally, the rains stop and Happy Horsey is allowed to venture out into The World. And oh, the adventures he has…

Stan told me that his story is based upon a series of stories that his father invented for his children and eventually his grandchildren, revolving around Happy Horsey. It was a labor of love on Stan’s part to preserve his father’s legacy through “Happy Horsey”.

The Costa Rica connection is that while staying in Playa Junquillal, Stan met Faith Farthing, coincidentally also from Edmonton. Faith is a publisher, but not of children’s books. After she heard Stan’s story, she decided to help him. Faith found award-winning illustrator Tara Langlois who agreed to collaborate. All three met back in Junquillal in 2013 to mould the idea into a final presentation. Nearly all the layout, artwork and editing was done here, causing the group to refer to the book as “The Junquillal Baby”, coined by Gabriela, the owner of Surf Café in Junquillal, who now carries the book in her gallery at the café.

When completed, Stan presented copies to his family members as an Easter present. His siblings all agreed, “that’s the story I remember!” As Stan told me, “sometimes the story behind the story is as interesting as the story itself.”

Both these new Costa Rica books are available at Jaime Peligro book store in Playa Tamarindo.

Abriendo Mentes

Help for Local Communities

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briendo Mentes, founded in 2009, is a local education and community development nonprofit currently operating in the communities of Playa Potrero and Brasilito.

Our mission is to empower individuals living in rural Guanacaste, Costa Rica, to access enhanced education and employment opportunities. Specifically we aim to address the high local unemployment and high school drop-out rates.

We accomplish this mission by providing a free afterschool program to elementary school children which includes English class, technology education, extracurricular activities and educational field trips.

We aim to make learning fun and accessible. We also offer a comprehensive English program for adults which includes group conversational classes, private lessons, and vocational ESL classes.

Abriendo Mentes also strives to improve the economic situation of local women through our social enterprise project Mujeres Activas de Potrero. Local women sew handbags and other products and make jewelry and other craft items to sell in our Potrero-based store front The Shop.

Abriendo Mentes also serves our local community by participating in beach and community clean-ups, collaborating with the local food bank Banco de Alimentos, and other community development projects. Abriendo Mentes is primarily staffed by long-term volunteers.

More than 90% of our funding comes from private donations and fundraising events. If you would like to learn more about how to get involved or support our programs, please visit our website at www.abriendomentes.org or contact Country Director Lindsay Losasso at lindsay@abriendomentes.org or 8704-3830.

August Odysseys

kristenmattoxbrown@gmail.com

Japanese Disappointment

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ack when a lot of you were in diapers, in the late ‘70s, I had a surf shop and factory. My business partner ran the retail store, and I ran the factory. One day Clark Foam made a delivery of surfboard blanks and asked for me to pay. I thought it was odd as normally the invoice would be sent to the store to be paid. Well, I called over to Clark Foam in Laguna Beach and was informed that our invoices had not been paid in five months and that they needed a check to be paid that day. I called my business partner and soon realized it was ba-a-a-a-ad. Clark hadn’t been paid, the insurance hadn’t been paid…nothing had been paid. We owed over $100,000!

I asked my partner what was going on. His explanation totally blew me away. He said that he and his friends and had gotten into so-and-so drug and started using the business money to fund their addiction! They thought they could pay it back but had gotten so deep that he just walked away from me and said sorry! $100k in cocaine!

Well, that was a lot of money back then and I thought there was no way that I could recover from it. I first thought that I should declare bankruptcy and start over, but I couldn’t do that because then anyone could take anything of value from my store and even take the Robert August name! If that happened, I would never be able to make a surfboard again with my own name; I would to have to call it Bob’s Boards!

I thought it was worth it to pay back the debt because business was good. Greg Wade, one of my salesman, and I decided it was worth keeping. I started doing a ton of ding repairs. Then, Japan was just starting with manufacturing surfboards; they could get glass and resin but they were mystified with the shaping process. Someone contacted me to come over and shape. I soon started flying to to Japan every spring and fall and working my butt off. I would shape 6-7 boards a day.

All my expenses were paid, but no one spoke English. I had a female interpreter that was pretty, nice, was always around, and we soon became friends. She would always come back with me to the hotel to make sure I got back to the right place. One night she asked me if she if she could come in with me. I thought, “This is gonna be a dream! This could be my lucky night!” Well, we got up to the room and I asked her if she was going to join me in my bedroom and she replied, “You don’t know about me, I am lesbian”. (the funny part here is that in her Japanese accent, lesbian sounded like resin). My heart collapsed; here I thought my dream was going to come true. We both smiled and giggled. The next day I shaped my butt off next day and went home.

Over a period of time I started to dig myself out of the giant debt.

It took about 3-4 years, but I was able to keep my name!

dmills@racsa.co.cr

Joel Campbell has been loaned by Arsenal to Villarreal of Spain for the rest of this season.

Many tourists told us that they would like to give back to the community after spending an amazing holiday in Guanacaste.

Visitors at least want to leave some $$ behind for the education of children and parents in need. Most of us feel the need to be generous, to give back. Let’s do it!

We want to invite you to profile your business as socially responsible and at the same time give the opportunity to tourists to give back. The non-profit organization CEPIA offers you for each room a beautifully designed folder with your logo!

The money you collect from your visitors will help us to offer education to teenagers dropped out of school and for children from very poor backgrounds as well as for adults in need of professional training. Thank you for joining the $1 for kids program!! Contact Laetitia: cepiacostarica@gmail.com or 8301-8282.

Celso Borges scored two goals in his debut game for Deportes de Coruña, in which they beat Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish league.

Pablo Wanchope has been named as the new official trainer for la Sele (Seleccion Nacional) for the Copa de Oro and the eliminations for

Russia 1918.

The Sele’s first game of the friendlies will be against Paraguay, 26 March, in the National Stadium, and on 31 March they play Panama at Rommel Fernández Stadium.

In Concacaf Champion’s League the following games will be played in March: March 3 - DC United Club America March 5 - Heredia

Tourists want to give back!

v Liga v Saprissa v Olympia

AROUND TOWN Need graphic design, logo, brochures, business cards?

Contact Pixel in Tamarindo, see ad page 31.

Breakfast at Tiki in Brasilito. Eggs, sausages, biscuits, Benedict, much more, see ad page 29.

Sand Kiss for all your beach needs – coolers, sun shelter, chair mat… See ad page 23.

Lilly’s Restaurant in Langosta, for excellent French cuisine. Best cocktails in town. See review page 8.

In Playa Potrero the group Mujeres Activas de Potrero is a community-driven microenterprise and a retail storefront called The Shop. See page 27.

Abriendo Mentes makes learning fun and accessible to needy children and adults and offers assistance to people with learning English. See article page 12.

Eat all the pizza you want at on Wednesdays at Antichi Sapori, a new restaurant in Plaza Garden. Bakery and catering service for parties.

Provell Equipos Médicos le ofrece lo último en equipo estético: OxyGeneo – visite nuestra web www.provellcr. com. Vea pagina 21.

Extreme Beauty Salon in Centro Comercial Pacifico in Playa Potrero offers the best treatment in the area. Call Evelyn at 8764-8480; see ad page 17.

Shops for rent in Centro Comercial Pacifico (was Vista Verde). New manager Nathalie Lecerf, tel: 2537-2175.

See ad page 41.

Help wounded U.S. Marines enjoy Costa Rica to maximize their recovery or return to civilian life. See ad page 41.

Do you need a uniform with embroidered logo?

Kaprichos Creativos in Huacas has a great selection of products for your business - hats, t-shirts - polo and much more. See ad page 11.

Surf Report Ellen Zoe Golden ellenzoe@aol.com

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ell, as they say, the ball is rolling. The Federación de Surf de Costa Rica (FSC) kicked off its 16th year of countrywide surf competition with the Circuito Nacional Kolbi 2015 presentado por Adrenaline Rush in Puerto Viejo’s Cocles. And it should come as no surprise that Anthony Fillingim of Malpais won the weekend’s COPA Unit date. After all, you may recall, Fillingim is riding high on a wave of success, pun intended, having earning the Asociacion Latinamericana de Surfistas Profesionales (ALAS) championship, and in doing so becoming the first Costa Rican to become the Latin American champion in that important contest circuit.

In front of a surprising number of spectators—3,000 people—Fillingim joined 180 competitors including four-time national champion Gilbert Brown from Puerto Viejo itself. Brown ended up in the Open Finals with Anthony Segura and David Herrera, both of Jacó. And, as expected, Gilbert gave Fillingim the most challenge, especially since the waves were less than perfect for all four competitors.

“I’m very happy that, at the first date of the tour, I managed to win here in the Caribbean, which is an incredible place to surf,” Fillingim said.

“I had fun in this tournament and I was really motivated by the amount of local children I saw in the water. May we be an example to them all, that they can achieve their dreams”.

Although Anthony now sits at the top of the CNS rankings, it is uncertain at this time how many of the Costa Rican dates he will able to attend, as he has once again taken on international commitments.

A new name on the podium that weekend, was Jacó’s Joseph Mendez, who won the Juniors and Boys categories. You may recall Carlos Muñoz and Noe Mar McGonagle both accomplished this achievement, and have only gone on to better things on the international stage.

Anthony Fillighim

Photo: Alberto Barquero

UNESCO has designated 2015 “The Year of the Light”.

COPA Unit Puerto Viejo, January 24, 25 Open 1. Anthony Fillingim (Santa Teresa) 2. Gilbert Brown López (Puerto Viejo) 3. David Herrera (Quepos) 4. Anthony Segura (Esterillos) Women’s 1. Lisbeth Vindas (Jacó) 2. Leilani McGonagle (Pavones) 3. Emily Gussoni (Jacó) 4. Jill Kepich (Hermosa) Junior 1. Joseph Méndez (Jacó) 2. Aldo Chirinos (Playa Negra) 3. Sean Forester (Sámara) 4. Leonardo Calvo (Barranca) Junior Women’s 1. Leilani McGonagle (Pavones) 2. Emily Gussoni (Jacó) 3. Coral Wiggins (Tamarindo) 4. Paula Duarte (Jacó) Boys 1. Joseph Méndez (Jacó) 2. Aldo Chirinos (Playa Negra) 3. Leilani McGonagle (Pavones) 4. Malakai Martinez (Tamarindo) Grommets 1. Oscar Urbina (Puerto Viejo) 2. Dean Vandewalle (Tamarindo) 3. Killian Guerin (Santa Teresa) 4. Cedrick McCraking (Puerto Viejo) Mini-Grommets 1. Killian Guerin (Santa Teresa) 2. Darshan Antequera (Jacó) 3. Darien López (Puerto Viejo) 4. Aaron Ramirez (Jacó)

And, it never gets tired reporting that Lisbeth Vindas, our 11-time national women’s champion, continues to dominate. At the COPA Unit, she won 1st place.

Mini-Grommet Girls 1. Candelaria Resano (Nicaragua) 2. Paulina Summers (Puerto Viejo) 3. Lia Díaz (Tamarindo) 4. Taylor Barger (Herradura)

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By Nancy Cobb and Susan Adams “Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better” Albert Einstein.

Costa Rica’s rich natural diversity includes four species of monkey.

The Spider Monkey, acrobat of the treetops, evolved an almost non-existent vestigial thumb with long, strong hook-like fingers.

Their arms are longer than their legs, the prehensile, gripping tail supports their entire weight and has a palm-like structure at the tip. These adaptations allow it to move about with ease, grasping, swinging and dangling, picking fruit and scooping water from holes in the trees. Their reddish, buff or dark brown color with their long limbs, black hands and suspensory locomotion make them look like big spiders. These potbellied monkeys can weigh up to twenty pounds.

These intelligent monkeys live in a large society of twenty or more. The males remain together for life, while females, during adolescence, usually 2-3 years, abandon the original group in search of a suitable mate.

Females play an important role as leaders, planning and directing the feeding route each day. Gender is difficult to determine because the female’s sex organs are on the outside of their bodies.

They have a varied diet, preferring ripe, fleshy fruit, which makes up to 80% of their feeding time, tender, leaf sprouts for protein, seeds, honey, insects…To get these different foods they must travel a lot, requiring over 2,000 acres, which makes them vulnerable to deforestation. They are almost entirely arboreal, living their entire life in the canopy of trees. They bark, whinny, squeal, squeak and scream…signifying alarm, distress and the beginning and end of the day.

Each Spider has its own unique sound. Just like people, they hug each other when greeting monkeys they know from other troops.

Another way they show affection is to wrap their tails around each other. Their life span in the wild is around twenty-seven years.

Preferring a wet forest environment to dry ones they can be found in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Tortuguero, Corcovado National Park and the Santa Rosa National Park.

The White-faced Capuchin was named after the order of Capuchin friars whose cowls closely resembled the monkey’s head coloration. It is mostly black, with a pink face and golden-yellow to white fur on the neck, chest and shoulders. The black fur on

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Dharma Corner

Sue Smith

Silence is Golden

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any of us remember the old song “Silence is Golden”

by Frankie Vallee and the Four Seasons. And, while the song isn’t about true quiet, the phrase about silence being golden rings true. But, but how many of us know what it is to truly enjoy silence??

In today’s world we are constantly bombarded with external noise, constant external stimuli... music, conversation, car noises, dogs barking, cell phones ringing, etc., and even continuous visual stimuli like billboards, television, movies and video games. And when we are in a quiet place there’s always what Thich Nhat Hanh calls Radio NST (Non-stop Thinking). So how do we find a bit of quiet, a bit of silence??

One way is through developing a meditation practice. But, for many, trying to sit on a cushion to meditate just seems to turn up the volume on Radio NST. So, maybe try going for a walk...a walk where the awareness is simply turned to your breathing and stepping and the simple beauty of nature around us. It is amazing how this simple practice can be a meditation, a quieting of Radio NST. If thoughts intrude, simply bring your awareness back to breathing and stepping. In this way, the mind can rest, can heal and real joy can be felt. Breathing and walking mindfully like this puts us in a space of awareness of the miracles of nature all around us, and our compulsive thinking will stop naturally.

This shifting of our thoughts to come back to what is happening in the present moment is a basic practice of mindfulness. We can actually do it anywhere, anytime and find more pleasure in life. Whether we’re cooking, washing clothes, eating or brushing our teeth we can enjoy the refreshing silencing of our thoughts by coming back to what is happening in the present moment.

When our minds are racing and noisy, outward calm is only a pretense. But when we can find space and calm inside, then without effort we radiate peace and joy. We are able to help others and create a more healing environment, without uttering a single word. The silence becomes truly golden.

“Bring your mind to noble silence. Unify your mind in noble silence. Concentrate your mind in noble silence... Enter into rapture and pleasure born of silence derived of concentration and awareness that is free from thought and fabrication.” [the Buddha’s Disciple The Venerable Moggallana in The Kolita Sutra, Samutta Nikaya 21] Pura Vida Sangha, a sangha in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, meets on Mondays at 4:00 PM. For information contact meditationcostarica@gmail.com

Our Romance with the New World Horses Kay Dodge de Peraza

Physical and Electronic Security Advice • Design • Construction and Implementation of Security Systems.

• CCTV systems • Intrusion Systems • Assault Buttons • Restructuring CCTV Systems • Cable Structured for data • Active and Passive Systems • Information System Security

Asesoría • Diseño • Construcción e Implementation de Sistemas de Seguridad

• Sistemas de CCTV & Intrusion • Botones de Asalto • Venta de equipo Activo y Pasivo • Sistemas de Seguridad en Informatica

Seguridad Fisica • Electronica Guardaespaldas Physical Security & Bodyguard

• Bilingual officers • Security for industry & commerce

Playa Flamingo

Center Commercial Playa Flamingo Tel: (506) 2654-6267 / (506) 2654-6265 controlguanacaste@corporacionseguridad.net

T

he history of the horse in the New World started long before we humans set foot on the undiscovered continent. The horse evolved to its one-toed form in North America two million years ago, during the Pleistocene era. During the Ice Ages, primitive wild horses crossed the Bering Strait from ice-free Alaska into Asia, then on to the rest of Asia, Europe and Africa. At the same time along the land bridge, the ancestors of the American Indians crossed in the opposite direction, finding the horse an excellent source of food. At the end of the Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago, millions of wild horses had populated Asia, Africa and Europe. Evidence of domestication of horses goes back as much as 6,000 years. We have built our civilizations on the back of these noble animals, and our varied view of them from utilitarian or sporting, to partnership and romance.

When Columbus came to the Americas with his boatloads of Spanish culture, he encountered indigenous cultures that had inhabited the islands, tropical forests and mountains for thousands of years. In some areas he and his followers were welcomed as gods, by others, they were welcomed with poison arrows or by an environment of steaming jungles filled with vipers and blood-sucking mosquitoes. The evaluation of Columbus and the conquistadores that followed are mixed; however, they did bring one piece of culture from Spain that would change the face of the Americas forever - the horse.

The indigenous peoples of the Americas had never seen a horse (as a child I thought the plains Indians always had horses!). Making a dramatic entrance, conquistadores stitting on their Andalusian and Barb horse were certainly god-like. The Spanish and Portuguese settling the Americas reintroduced the horse to the New World. Imagine the generals on their impressive high-stepping Andalusians, and later, the hordes of conquistadores and immigrants with their Barb and Spanish Jennet horses invading the Americas.

In Costa Rica, these Spanish horses became the foundation for what is known as the Criollo horse. By definition, criollo or crillo is the name for something native of first-generation Spanish descent. Not only the horses born in the new world, but also children of the immigrants are referred to as criollos. Today, even Spanish and French cooking is referred to as criollo or Creole.

The criollo horse in Costa Rica is not a purebred race, but a mixture of the Spanish horses brought in after 1500. The criollos are prized

(continued page 23)

(from page 16 the crown of the head completes the friar’s hood. Its distinctive prehensile tail is often carried coiled up and it uses it to hang from branches when feeding. It is a medium-sized monkey, weighing around eight pounds.

These clever and easily-trained monkeys are used to assist paraplegic persons the world over. In the wild, they live in large troops of up to thirty members, with one very dominant alpha male leading the group.

The females have one baby every one to two years, who cling to their mothers for the first six months. They are versatile, living in both wet and dry forest areas, thriving in high-altitude rain forests and wet, coastal lowlands. A unique trait among monkeys, they come down to forage on the forest floor, moving about on all four limbs, and will eat almost anything they can from insects to invertebrates and flowers and fruit. They get moisture from bromeliads, holes in trees, and even from some ground sources. Because of their diverse diet these environmental stewards are helpful in seed and pollen dispersal, pruning plants and eating insects that damage forest vegetation.

The Capuchins must occupy up to 200 acres of home range for their dietary requirements and travel around 3 km per day. While interactions with other troops are often hostile, they are known to travel and groom with spider monkeys. Recognized as the most intelligent of the Central American primates, they rub plants over their entire body, apparently as herbal medicines, and use tools as weapons and for food gathering. Their inquisitive nature has resulted in their conditioning to being fed by humans in some tourist areas, leading to aggressive behavior. In the wild, they are preyed upon by boa constrictors, large raptors, and species of large cats.

Their lifespan is long, with the oldest known being 54 years. They can be found in Monteverde, Santa Rosa, La Selva, and Corcovado National Parks‌as well as Rincon de la Vieja Volcano .

What all these monkeys have is common is their numbers are drastically declining. Deforestation and habitat fragmentation due to agriculture and tourist development, insecticide spraying, the pet trade and electrocution from electrical power lines are endangering their species. You can help by supporting SalveMonos.org and Tamarindo’s Original Residents (on Facebook).

Next month I will write more about our own local Howlers and also the Squirrel monkeys.

Sistemas de Riego

Irrigation Systems

Amnesty Expanded for U.S. Taxpayers Overseas Expats Favored

U.S. taxpayers who failed to file all those forms required by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service now have a second chance.

The IRS has expanded its amnesty program for overseas taxpayers, according to Randall J. Lindner, principal of U.S. Tax International in Rohrmoser.

Lindner said that the U.S. tax collector just changed the rules and those overseas who have failed to file such documents as reports of foreign bank accounts or even tax returns, can do so without penalty for an undetermined time.

Many expats have fallen behind on their obligations to the Internal Revenue Service, and many have been fearful of being forced to pay large penalties. These include expats who might own a foreign corporation or a foreign bank account.

The IRS has had other programs to encourage compliance, but participation usually generated stiff penalties. And in the past some avenues were only open to taxpayers who owed $1,500 or less.

The IRS itself says that the so-called streamlined filing compliance procedures are available to taxpayers certifying that their failure to report foreign financial assets and pay all tax due in respect of those assets did not result from willful conduct on their part.

That limit has been waived.

Lindner said that this qualification probably is true of many U.S. taxpayers here who have been confused by the various IRS demands. He called this a great opportunity for those who must comply with IRS rules to come clean.

Randy Lindner is an agent and tax consultant with US Tax International, and can be reached at 2288-2201 or www. ustaxinternational.com

The new emphasis also applied to those who may have U.S. tax obligations but have lived much of their life overseas.

Our Romance...

(from page 18)

for their smooth gaits, noble temperament, and ability to adapt to the harsh tropical environments. The elegant arched neck and highstepping gait of the Andalusian, the hardiness of the Spanish Barb and Jennet, and much later the smooth ambling trot of the Peruvian Paso can be found in the gene mix of the Costa Rican Criollo horse. The traditional Guanacaste Cowboy or Sabanero often selects the criollo with more Peruvian Paso characteristics for the “champagne ride”, a smooth running walk that is very easy on the rider spending hours in the saddle. The rodeo cowboys often select the Barb characteristics for fast maneuvering in the bullring and fast, high-stepping and brillo.

In South America the similar crillo horse became popular with the Gauchos or for use as polo ponies. Costa Rican crillos with a higher percentage of Andalusian blood, showing the very elegant Spanish Walk, are the popular parade or tope horses.

Although there has been recent introduction of other European and American horse breeds, the Spanish horse is still considered number one in Costa Rica. For example, there are probably less than two hundred warm bloods used for dressage and jumping in the country, while for just one event, the National Tope in San José there are over 4,000 Spanish horses ridden in one parade. Costa Rica is known for the breeding of PRE or Pure Blooded Español horse and the most recent addition to the world of horse breeds, the Costa Rican Paso (paso costarricence). This recent breed is a refined, registered criollo horse, high-stepping parade horse, showing the best qualities of the Spanish horse in Costa Rica.

Costa Ricans love their horses and, while there are still many working ranch horses, there has been a shift in Costa Rica just as in other parts of the world to pleasure horse ownership.

One of the reasons I chose Costa Rica, and specifically Guanacaste, was the horse culture. With fiestas, horse parades, horse shows and of course the simple trail rides for tourists and locals, the horse plays a significant role in the culture of this small country. Although I don’t have specific documentation, I would guess that tiny Costa Rica has one of the highest per capita horse populations. Personally, I went from three horses, boarded at a friend’s house before we bought the farm sixteen years ago, to six horses when I moved here permanently, now to 24 of our own horses and 10 more we board for others.

As a life-long horse lover and rider, and in the last 15 years, owner and breeder of the criollo horse, I have come to love these smaller cousins of the elegant Andalusian, Lipizzaner and Spanish Vaquero horses for their comfortable ride and even temperament. In reality, there is only

(continued page 31)

I

Those Old-timey Airmen

f we accept what we hear, see and experience, we know that airplanes fly from one place to another in Costa Rica piloted, we have reason to believe, by Costa Ricans. However, who they are is mentioned only when a plane comes a cropper. They are not colorful, well-known household names indulging in bizarre behaviour as in days past.

Turn the clock back to the 1930s, ‘40s, ‘50s. The best-known people in Costa Rica were the pilots, better known to the public than the President of the Republic, were paid several times more than the president, and were the highest-paid employees in the country. Monthly pay for captains was in the ¢6-7,000 bracket, which was equal to $1,000-1,200 US, as the colon was at slightly less than six to the dollar. In those days one could live handsomely on less than half that amount.

No doubt, today’s pilots are better-trained, better-supervised, and fly equipment better suited to the conditions that must be coped with in Central America. However, they are not the dashing, colorful, quixotic, beloved pilots of the old-timey era. The names and exploits, adventures and misadventures and tragedies are well-remembered and, having been removed from the toy box of memories, are relived then carefully replaced.

Foreigners were the backbone of the airline industry in Central America. One of the most flamboyant was a Canadian employed by TACA de Costa Rica: Snark Wilson. Snark was presumed not to be his given name, but no one knew what that was. He was highly visible because of a large, British, RAF-style moustache, cowboy boots and eccentric behaviour. (At a party at the Country Club in Escazú, Snark stood on a table, dropped his pants and said, “I work like a horse and I’m going to look like one.”) Women fainted, men ordered two fingers neat and the United States ambassador left, with his aides, in a huff - or was it envy? Needless to say this was an attention-getter, not to be forgotten by those in the appreciative audience.

In those days, pilots wore black tube boots, needed to kick the tires before take-off. It was accepted wisdom that Snark, kicking tires with cowboy boots, added an element of safety much appreciated by those at his mercy.

It is important to the remainder of the epic to know that, in those days, there was a cantina of world fame known as Chico Sotos, located two blocks east of the La Sabana terminal on Paseo Colon.

Most passengers en route to the terminal thought it wise to make a brief stop at Chico’s for a dollop of Ron Viejo - better two. This reinforced the obligatory pre-take-off prayer - and was more effective. Normally, Snark would be there preparing for his normal 6 a.m. take-off and confirming his claim that several tots before flight time made for a morning of happy flying.

Let us here observe that going from a low altitude to one higher has a multiplying effect on consumed alcohol, and being reasonably sober at 3,500 feet can become unreasonably drunk at 8,000.

During the 1948 revolution, all of the pilots with TACA and LACSA were with the revolution, or in hiding or in jail, except Snark Wilson, who sided with the government still in power - the Calderonistas.

Late in the revolution, the Calderonistas got control of a C-47 cargo plane and, with the help of Snark, rigged up a machine gun in the cargo door for the purpose of strafing the opposing forces, with the plane to be flown by Snark. In preparation for this venture, Snark spent a day or two, and perhaps nights, at Chico Sotos. On the day of the planned attack he was, with help, escorted to La Sabana, loaded onto the plane and into the left seat. Half a dozen or so men, who appeared to be banana peons in home-made military dress with antique Krag rifles, also boarded, and one took the right (co-pilot’s) seat. Take-off was normal.

Hours later, word was received that the revolutionaries had shot down the plane, which crashed. This story persists, but is erroneous.

The truth is that consumed alcohol, plus the increase in altitude, resulted in Snark passing out, slumping over the yoke and putting the plane into a fatal crash-dive without a co-pilot capable of taking corrective action. The dozen or so that were there that day, those that were familiar with his many escapades in and out of airplanes and those that had flown with him, knew that this was the reason for the disaster and the loss of the most flamboyant pilot in Central America.

Story by the late Robert Darmsted

ADIT Updates The ADIT (Development Association of Tamarindo), is moving forward with all of our proposed projects.

Don’t Be a Statistic

Learn to Identify Rip Currents

The Oneida Park is looking wonderful; last Sunday 8th of Feb we had a community park clean up, the town came out and helped us pick up leaves, rake, pick up trash and remove old and harmful equipment.

Recycling is now the first Tuesday of every month, dates being March 3rd and April 7th. Please bring the items sorted and clean as directed.

For exact details visit our Facebook page.

Lifeguards are patrolling the beach daily, we are going to be building the towers this month to aid their watch. We have placed rip current signs on the beach to help raise awareness in our locals and visitors.

Security committee has a secretary that is taking up reports to present the statistics to the correct authorities. We ask that every crime be reported no matter how big or small (if it is an emergency call 9-1-1); you can contact the secretary via email: aditseguridad@gmail.com or via phone: 7014-0408.

We have many projects we would like to accomplish in our term, but we cannot do it with out the help of the community.

If you would like to help the Association in any way, be it via donations or dedicating time to these and more projects please contact our administrative assistant Alexandria via email : aditamarindo@ gmail.com or via phone: 8319-4015 (Monday - Friday 10 am - 6pm).

Dirt Nap Weeks come.

Weeks go.

Thought it was done. Knew it was over. Coffee cups Poison pen tea Plans made Letters Written; Not a Christie plot An appointment with a dirt nap Last time: I looked again I looked around I found you. written by geretta geretta from “Pardon me while I eat my young” a collection of 100 poems and verses

R

ip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers.

They are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. Rip current speeds are typically 1-2 feet per second. However, speeds as high as 8 feet per second have been measured--this is faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint!

Thus, rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

Over 100 drownings due to rip currents occur every year in the United States. More than 80% of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents.

How to Identify Rip Currents Look for any of these clues: a channel of churning, choppy water an area having a notable difference in water color a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward a break in the incoming wave pattern None, one, or more of the above clues may indicate the presence of rip currents. Rip currents are often not readily or easily identifiable to the average beachgoer. For your safety, be aware of this major surf zone hazard. Polarized sunglasses make it easier to see the rip current clues provided above.

Never swim alone.

Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out!

Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach.

Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.

If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.

Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore.

If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.

If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help.

If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1 . Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape.

Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.

NOAA

A Slice of Life Just Over the Hill Rick Casorla

“Did you hear who just went Hippie?” I heard this phrase frequently while growing up in San Francisco during the late ‘60s. I was both intrigued and fascinated by this new movement, but I was also captain of the Football Team, so I had to look the other way.

Our team practiced at the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park. I remember during practice one day hearing all of this great psychedelic Rock and Roll. Secretly I had been listening to the first underground Radio Station KMPX which was playing this kind of music.

My mind left practice and kept drifting over to what was growing and sounding more and more like an amazing event! It was just over the hill from where we were practicing.

I wanted so badly to go and check it out but I was afraid people would say, “Did you hear who just went Hippie”?

I could hear people talking over loudspeakers, but I could not quite make out the words. I was so frustrated; I so wanted to be a part of what was going on over the hill.

All of a sudden I heard the sound of something hitting my helmet.

Reality! It was a football thrown at my head by my coach, “pay attention”!

But I just couldn’t! So fascinated I was, but I did my best to fake it till practice was over.

Then I finally went over the hill…and this is what I saw: a large field full of flower children, 20,000 or more! Dressed in bright colors, or stark naked...singing, chanting, dancing to the music of the “Grateful Dead” and Quicksilver Messenger Service. And there were speakers Allen Ginsberg, the poet, and Timothy Leary, this is where he first said, “Tune in, turn on, drop out”. I had never seen anything like that in my life.

The date was January 14, 1967, “The Human-Be In, A Gathering of the Tribes”, as it was called. From that day forth my life was irrevocably changed. This was a movement I wanted to be a part of, and though I didn’t understand it fully, I stayed there at the top of the hill looking down on the event yet not ready to fully dive in, more like a voyeur, smelling the bouquet but not sipping from the glass just yet.

Students and teachers at my Catholic High School were later to remark and notice the slight changes in my appearance, hair a little longer, clothes a little brighter, music a lot more psychedelic.

Right before summer break I was walking down the halls at School when I heard two freshman behind me whisper “...Did you hear he just went Hippie?”

Surf Report (from page 15) This year’s Circuito Nacional Kolbi Tour has a total of seven dates included the one just completed in Puerto Viejo. At each event, the categories are Open, Womens, Junior, Junior Womens, Boys, Grommet, Mini-Grommets, and Mini-Grommet Girls. The Longboard category has been removed from these dates and added to the agenda of the SUP & Master Circuito, which started last month.

Here are the dates of the Circuito Nacional Kolbi 2015 presented by Adrenaline Rush: 1st date: Copa Unit (4 Stars) – Puerto Viejo, January 24, 25 2nd date: Copa Creatures (4 Stars) – Tamarindo, February 21, 22 3rd date: Copa Cobian (4 Stars) – Dominical, March 21, 22 4th date: Copa I Saw (4 Stars) – Santa Teresa, April 18, 19 5th date: Copa FOX (4 Stars) – Jacó, May 16, 17 6th date: Torneo Beach Club (4 Stars) – Guiones de Nosara, June 13, 14 7th date: Gran Final Reef (5 Stars) – Playa Hermosa de Jacó, July 17, 18 According to Randall Chaves, President of the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica: “The priority of Circuito Nacional kolbi 2015 will be the smaller categories. The future of our sport is with them, and that’s why every year, the intention is to provide better competitive conditions. Each season, we want to make them feel comfortable so that new faces will join.”

Please note, that after five years absent from here, the contest last month took place in Playa Tamarindo, because organizers feel that there is a large influx of under-15 surfers in the area of Guanacaste. (Shout out to the Circuito Guanacaste!)

Here is a list of national champions since the Circuito Nacional de Surf began:

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

2001: Federico Pilurzu and Lisbeth Vindas 2002: Álvaro Solano and Lisbeth Vindas 2003: Álvaro Solano and Lisbeth Vindas 2004: Germaine “Nino” Myrie and Lisbeth Vindas 2005: Gilbert Brown and Lisbeth Vindas 2006: Isaac Vega and Lisbeth Vindas 2007: Diego Naranjo and Nataly Bernold 2008: Gilbert Brown and Lisbeth Vindas 2009: Carlos Muñoz and Lisbeth Vindas 2010: Luis Vindas and Nataly Bernold 2011: Luis Vindas and Lisbeth Vindas 2012: Gilbert Brown and Nataly Bernold 2013: Jair Pérez and Lisbeth Vindas 2014: Gilbert Brown and Lisbeth Vindas And speaking of former national champions, Federico Pilurzu (photo page 37) is back in the surf news. Although he has never left the water, of course, it has been several years since the first champion of the

www.paintedponyguestranch.com The best horses on Guanacaste’s Gold Coast!

(continued page 37)

Shape Up! Wise Training Studio in Tamarindo Lynda Espada When you are ready for a new challenge and want to break out of your routine, come try a class in functional training. Be prepared to use your entire body and discover new levels of fitness. Functional Training is exercise that conditions the body for “functioning” (performing) at its best. Participants see direct benefits in their agility and speed, weekend warriors improve their game, and everyone gains in core strength and balance. This type of exercise emphasizes building strength and flexibility throughout the core, strength and flexibility of larger muscle groups that support the spine, movement of the spine in all planes of motion (front/back, side/side and rotational) and compound exercises that work several muscle groups simultaneously.

While there are many fantastic yoga studios in the area, I encounter those who are seeking a different workout that combines cardio and strength training. I discovered the Wise Training Studio on Facebook and contacted owner Monica. The studio is tucked away in the Tamarindo Garden Plaza (where the Automercado is located). Classes are taught Monday through Friday by the well-trained Monica Lujan, who has studied physical therapy but preferred to teach classes and work with clients one-on-one. In addition to her degree in physical therapy, she is a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor.

I attended the Monday morning class that had an equal number of both men and women. Monica, who is originally from San José, taught the class in Spanish but she speaks English for those who need translation as well. As I watched the class, I was thinking what a great way to workout and learn Spanish at the same time. Monica warmed the class up with some stretching followed by squats and burpees. She demonstrated each move and offered modifications to the class as needed.

As the class performed the moves, she coached them on their technique and form.

Next, Monica set up eight different workout stations and again demonstrated the exercises that were to be performed for thirty-second intervals. At the end of the interval a whistle sounded, and the participants moved to the next station. The stations in class consisted of an abdominal exercise with a fit ball, two different drills using Rip 60 Suspension Trainers, squats with a medicine ball and the other with kettle bells, polymeric jumping drills using a wooden box. Also, the studio has heavy ropes for building upper body strength and gym climbing rope and a sled.

As the class performs the drills at each station, Monica is right there coaching and cheering the class participants. The class concluded with some additional abdominal work and stretching exercises.

Also offered Personal Training, PilatesMat and Pilates Trapeze/ Cadillac/Tower. For more information, wisetrainingstudio@gmail. com or 8839-3335 .

Word puzzle Critters

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. boaconstrictor caiman capuchin caracara coatimundi crocodile cuckoo frigatebird garza grackle harpyeagle howlermonkey hummingbird kingfisher kinkajou

kiskadee iguana leatherback macaw motmot pelican pizote quetzal sandpiper terciopela tern toucan twotoedsloth vampirebat zopilote

Our Romance... (from page 23) one true purebred horse, the Arab, which has a documented blood line going back more than 3,000 years. With the North African Barb and Spanish Andalusian they are the foundations for most the modern horse breeds. The modern horse breeds and registries were developed by man for specific human uses in just the last 500 years - from tough ponies pulling coal carts in mines, to the haughty warm bloods used for dressage and jumping competitions. There are over 160 recognized horse breeds in the world with more being recognized every day, such as the Paso Costarricence.

Unfortunately, the wild horse no longer exists, only remnant herds of feral horses which are escaped domestic breeds. Or genetically reintroduced horses like the Prezewski’s horse from the steppes of Eastern Europe. The mustang of the North American west are escapees of the Spanish Conquistadores and early settlers. They are in fact criollos as well. An interesting aside, currently, some ranchers and politicians in the American West are urging the killing/eradication of the wild horses because they compete for grazing on public lands. In reality, these horses are a reintroduced species, native to North American for they evolved there first.

Most of the US breeds, the Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walker and other gaited horse are influenced by the Spanish horse. The American Plains Indians became expert riders and breeders using the wild feral Spanish horse and others they traded for. I have a small, yet important, percentage of Indian blood mixed with my Dutch ancestry. Perhaps, I inherited the “horsey” gene, for both the Native Americans and Dutch are known for their love of horses and breeding, especially the once-again popular Friesian. We are now breeding Paints and Pasos at Finca Casagua, a wonderful blend of the comfort of the criollo horse and dramatic markings of the overo and tobiano paints.

Although papers, pedigrees and horse registries are important to many horse owners, at Casagua we are most concerned with the character and comfort of our riding horses which adapt beautifully to the beautiful trails of Guanacaste or the showy tope parades at the colorful fiestas. We want comfortable, safe horses, trained with Natural Horsemanship and Imprinting. We were criticized by locals for not “breaking our horses” the old-fashioned cowboy way, but we found that the noble criollo horse can adapt to the most novice rider to an experienced rider that wishes to feel the great gaits of the Spanish horse with the proper training.

Whether having horses for their labor or for love, they continue to be an important part of human existence. I often say that Costa Rica, like the United States, was a unique mix of immigrants who brought with them their colorful cultures. In the history of the New World, both human and horses are criollos, and I wonder, what will the new generation of native-born criollos will bring to Costa Rica’s ever-changing culture, both human and equine.

Barbara’s Pet Stories

E

Two Little Babies

nd of last January the wind was blowing very strong for some weeks, a lot of trees and branches were torn down. So comes that two tiny squirrel babies were all of a sudden without a home. Luckily that Saturday night (Jan.11th) at 8pm the electricity was still working, and the message I could read on FB was: HELP needed... more text messages went back and forth, and about one hour later a taxi showed up with a small box: two baby squirrels were delivered from Hacienda Pinilla to my house. Wrapped into a piece of soft cloth, the eyes still closed, they looked pretty comfortable. Well then, special milk for the next days, every three hours, day and night.

Fortunately, these two little squirrels opened their eyes about one week later; this meant they were around six weeks old. The teeth would grew now and in two more weeks they can eat by themselves...

Here we are now, February 15th. Two good-looking male squirrels, about nine weeks old, healthy, full of energy, playful, living in a big cage, can be released in some weeks into the wild.

barbara.s.animalrescuecenter@gmail.com

The Streets of Tamarindo

by Jeffrey Whitlow For the last few months, I have been talking about the mentoring program we put into place for the less-fortunate people of Tamarindo.

The homeless were not the only beneficiaries of this project however.

In fact, there have been great rewards for those of us who were lending a helping hand as well.

I must admit that I came to Tamarindo somewhat bitter about my life’s experiences in the U.S. One night early last year I came home after receiving some insult from an American tourist. I was so frustrated that I came out on my deck and started screaming “I hate white people” at the top of my lungs. The next day I saw my friend Ivan, and I told him what happened. He looked at me and said, “You are always talking about gringos and how much you hate them. You are in Costa Rica now. There are no gringos here. We are all together in this. It’s time for you to let those feelings go.” I had to admit that he was right, and I made a resolution to follow his advice. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I had no idea as to how much my bitterness was eating away at my self-esteem. I thank Ivan often for making that change in me.

I have always been quick to pick fights with people, and I have a very bad temper. But working with the guys made me realize that the violent behaviors that I learned as a child are not the answer. If you beat up one person, that person will bring two other people back to try to even the score. If you love somebody, what choice do they have but to love you back? Sometimes you have to be very patient, but eventually they always break down. Working with the guys has brought so much love into my life. They are always so grateful for the smallest service. Their bright faces are like an elixir for the soul.

My wife Lynda had struggled to find her way here. It was a big change for her to go from a 70 hour-a-week job in Washington D.C. to retirement in a small town, and she felt lost. Baking cookies and bread for our boys was a great way for her to get connected. The big smiles the guys give her every time they see her make her feel like she has a place here, and she is much happier now than she was last year at this time.

For Chef Mike, it was an opportunity to reconnect with what was going on downtown at night. He set up his restaurant on the road to Villarreal for a reason. He did not want to be dependent on the tourist trade for his bread and butter. He wanted to develop a steady following among the locals, and he has been quite successful in doing that. He is so busy though, that he never has time to come into town in the evening to relax. He so enjoyed hearing my stories about the previous night’s adventures when I came to pick up the food in the afternoon. One day, I brought one of the boys out to see Mike so that he could personally thank the chef for the great salads and sandwiches. The look in Chef Mike’s eyes as he took his congratulations spoke volumes. He is a very kind man who takes great pride in serving people.

Finally, our biggest contributor, Jay at FT’s, also got a big increase in his love quotient. He always smiles when I see him, and he loves the compliments the guys give to his casados. You would think that they would get tired of eating the same thing every day, but they love his food as much today as they did on Day 1. I’ve asked them several times if they want to change, and they always say no.

Thanks again to all of you who are helping us with this work. We still need a roof for three guys though, so we still need some help. Next month we are going to begin a discussion about how to increase the financial security and well-being of the working people of Tamarindo.

Selected Poems from “Tell me about the telaraña”

by Diana Renee Pescadora the hook sets with a quick yank like zap no sientes nada solo un cosquillito you are mine now swordfish, salmon the rest is art reeling in, giving and taking slack para que vengas playfully - diving, dancing dando vueltas.

Take a fast free Zodiak boat ride up the river at Tamarindo estuary to Seven.

Take in a Jazz dinner show with Saxophone Joe, and an after-party with Glasseye live in the cave bar.

Friday is live Reggae and BBQ. i will search for my joy under stones in tree tops in the bellies of clouds

Sunday is live jazz and BBQ. (Sundays - all main courses $10)

Tuesday is live Reggae jazz and BBQ,

i will sort through the stars until i find it.

Free Boat Ride the wind has come to take you away from me i will hold on my kite my pretty flag

“Tell Me About the Telaraña” is available at Jaime Peligro’s Bookstore in Tamarindo.

Karina and Wilbert await you.

For reservation and boat ride call 2653-0236.

Playa Grande Wil-mart Supermarket in Playa Grande open every day 7:30 to 9:00

Beef • pork • chicken • fish

Your Stars in March

Aries: 21 March - 20 April

Libra: 23 September - 23 October

The month has much to offer in terms of love, lust, action and change with three planets in your sign, Venus, Mars and Uranus. Mars has the advantage of being in the sign it rules but the wild card is the Uranus/ Pluto square bringing some potential for an upheaval. There is still support for stability with trines from Jupiter and Saturn, so you if you’ve been adapting along the way the past two years, you may not need to be radical with your adjustments. Best days for you include 20th and 21st.

Still lots of action in your seventh house of partnership this month with Venus, Mars and Uranus sweeping through that house. Defer any agreements or document signings till after the 20th when the Uranus/Pluto square is moving apart from each other. The universe is reorganizing things big time this month so go with the flow and trust the process. Venus moves into Taurus on the 18th which boosts its power and helps you along the way.

Things go your way on the 7th and 8th.

With three planets in your solar twelfth house at the beginning of the month, you might feel a need to retreat from social activities to regain your center. The middle of the month is volatile but you get a boost from Venus entering your sign on the 18th, bringing some comfort and joy in your life. Saturn retrogrades in your solar eighth house creating a need to adjust something involving taxes, investments, insurances or your partner’s income. The 22nd and 23rd are favorable for you.

Your ruling planet, Mars, is in Aries giving you a boost in power and drive.

This is a good month to establish new health routines and habits so you can enter the spring season with renewed strength and vigor. Watch your words and actions around the middle of the month when the Uranus/Pluto square brings some volatility into the mix. Relationships get easier after the 18th as Venus moves into Taurus and your seventh house. Time for romance! Good days for that are the 9th, 10th, and 11th.

Taurus: 21 April - 21 May

Gemini: 22 May - 21 June

Scorpio: 24 October - 22 November

Sagittarius: 23 November - 21 December

Much of the action of this month happens in your houses of profession, gains/losses and networks and friendships. Learn who your allies are and be aware that things can change radically during the middle of the month with the Uranus/Pluto square aspect. Your ruling planet, Mercury, enters Pisces on the 14th and is at a disadvantage. Get advice from someone you respect between the 14-20th before you make any big changes. Your best days are the 24th, 25th and 26th.

Saturn goes into its retrograde motion phase in your sign on the 14th, giving you a chance to review what has taken place in your life since November.

If you don’t like what is going on, this is the time to make the changes you need over the next six months. What looks like a setback could actually be the appropriate catalyst for necessary personal changes. This month sets the stage and next month you begin the transformation. The 12th and 13th are beneficial days for you.

Partnerships get a jolt in the middle of the month with the Uranus/Pluto square aspect that could set off a big change involving your professional life as well. Keep calm and try not to worry about security too much as when Venus enters Taurus on the 18th you get some relief coming in. Work on your mental state as well as your belief system regarding abundance and lack of the same. Springtime will boost your spirits as well the lunar position on the 1st, 27th and 28th.

With your ruling planet, Saturn, going into its retrograde motion phase on the 14th and Pluto in your sign squaring Uranus mid-month you will have some upheaval surrounding your home, how you feel about yourself and with some of your relatives or siblings. Things have been building up for awhile but there’s a finality to events at this time. Renewal is possible, after all, spring is coming and new growth is always of theme of that season.

Best days are the 14th and 15th.

Cancer: 22 June - 22 July

Leo: 23 July - 23 August

With Jupiter retrograde in your sign you are reviewing your current situation and thinking about how you can change things for the better.

The Uranus/Pluto square aspect mid-month could shake up a few things in your belief system and daily routines so that you feel a need to take effective action regarding physical health. Great! Saturn retrogrades in your solar fifth house bringing in concerns about children, creativity and joy. The 2nd, 3rd, 29th and 30th are good days to make positive changes.

Virgo: 24 August - 22 September

This is a good month to release your need to control or organize every detail of your daily life as the Uranus/Pluto final square in the series of seven over the last couple of years alters life as you know it. Hard as that may be to do, you simply must go with the flow and wait till after the 18th to restore order. The full moon on the 5th happens in your sign, signaling an end of a cycle so that you can find renewal at the spring Equinox. Good days for you are the 4th, 5th, 6th and 31st.

by Jeanne Callahan jeannecallahan007@gmail.com

Capricorn: 22 December - 21 January

Aquarius: 22 January - 19 February

Mercury is in your sign through the 14th, giving you a boost in social activities and your desire to socialize. You will be hearing from people from your past over the next six months and may want to re-establish stronger connections with them. There’s a bit of volatility around the middle of the month so take care if traveling even short distances. Things smooth out after the 20th. Good days to reach out to others are the 16th and 17th.

Pisces: 20 February - 20 March

With the Sun in your sign until the 21st, you are poised to feel vital and alive at this time. There’s a solar eclipse happening on the 20th at the very last degree of Pisces so something is coming to a big end. New beginnings are what springtime is about so whatever has not born significant fruit can be released from your life. The 18th and 19th are days to get something new started or at the very least get excited about a new goal.

Namasté Visit Jeanne’s site at CelestialAdvisor.com

Now Begins the Study of Yoga Chakras

C

hakras (from the Sanskrit root, car, meaning wheel) are the psychoenergetic vortices or energy centers in our body.

Although there are many of them in our body, Hatha and Tantric schools of yoga work primarily with six of these centers, with the seventh center considered to be one that transcends earthly existence.

to perceive the world is clarified, and allows our consciousness to reflect this clarity. The reverse is true if these centers of energy are not open and functioning fully. When these energy centers are blocked, our perceptions and actions based on what we perceive are clouded and changed. The physical location of the chakras relate to different physiological components of our body, as well as to different psychological attributes. Our mental, physical, and emotional levels are all affected by the health of the chakras.

Although the chakras are part of the subtle energy body, they do have corresponding nerve plexus locations, yet are not a part of our physical anatomy. While they are not a physical attribute, such as our nose, the chakras do have a great deal to do with how we perceive and bring in the world and in how we express ourselves in the world. They can influence us in many ways, from the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. The chakras are locations in which many of our lines of energy (or nadis) come together, thus the strong energetic component in each of these locations. Each of the seven major chakras has a specific location in the spine and body from the base of the body to the crown of the head. The second through sixth chakras also have kshetrams, which are reflections of the chakras and are located at front surface of the body at the level of the chakra.

Our seven major chakras are: Mooladhara (the root chakra), Swadhistana (translates as “one’s own dwelling place), Manipura (city of jewels), Anahata (heart chakra), Vishuddhi (throat chakra), Ajna (“command center”), and Sahasrara (crown chakra). The chakras are symbolized by representations of lotus flowers. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika states that lotus flowers are used because the ancient yogis saw the chakras as such in their meditations. The number of petals in the chakra’s symbol relates to the number of major nadis that extend from that place. Some of the best ways to bring about purification of the chakras is through a regular and complete practice of yoga, including asana (the postures), pranayama (the breathing practices), kriya (cleansing practices), and meditation. If you would like to understand your world better, perhaps moving beyond the illusions our past places in our energy centers, practice your yoga and clean out those chakras!

The chakras are like filters that affect how we experience the outer world and also how we express ourselves into the world. As the chakras are opened and expanded, our ability

Namaste, Mary 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

Surf Report (from page 24) Circuito Nacional was up on the podium taking 1st place in an event.

In one of the best waves of the area, Pilurzu won the COPA Tiki Hut of the Circuito Guanacasteco de Surf presentado por Creatures in Marbella.

Federico Pilurzu

Photo - Alfredo Barquero The Tamarindo local beat out some big current names in the Open Final, including Olman Morales (Santa Teresa), Anthony Fillingim (Malpais) and Jason Torres (Jaco). The cash prize was over $500 for his efforts.

“I am pleased to return to win a tournament,” Pilurzu explained. “But more than that, I liked seeing so many children surfing from an early age.

That’s a scenario you would not have seen anywhere 10 or 15 years ago.”

COPA Tiki Hut Marbella, February 14, 15 Open 1. Federico Pilurzu 2. Anthony Fillingim 3. Jason Torres 4. Olman Morales

Boys 1. Dean Vandealle 2. Malakai Martínez 3. Tiago Carrique 4. Andy Chacón

Women’s 1. Leilani McGonagle 2. Cassidy McClain 3. Zualy Martínez 4. Emily Gussoni

Girls 1. Serena Nava 2. Leilani McGonagle 3. Coral Wiggins 4. Emily Gussoni

Masters 1. Red 2. Adolfo Gómez 3. Alex Gómez 4. Noldan Zuñiga 5. Keiner López

Mixed Groms 1. Orion Eshel 2. Josh Dawson 3. Tiago Leao 4. Nicolás Paulet

Juniors 1. Leonardo Calvo 2. José López 3. Sean Forester 4. Malakai Martínez Junior Women’s 1. Leilani McGonagle 2. Emily Gussoni 3. Serena Nava 4. Coral Wiggins

In her debut on the Guanacasteco, Leilani McGonagle of Pavones, does what she does best by winning both the Women’s and the Junior Women’s divisions.

Dolphins (push in) 1. Kai Williams 2. Kalani Abrahao 3. Isaiah Dawson 4. Charlie Herman 5. Pietro Garmatz 6. Sean Toman Longboard 1. Adolfo Gómez 2. Alex Gómez 3. Noldan Zuñiga 4. Keiner López

This month, the Circuito Guanacasteco de Surf presented by Creatures, will take place in Santa Teresa.

It seems like Noe Mar McGonagle (photo right) of Pavones and Carlos Muñoz just finished their runs on the Qualifying Series of the World Surf League (new name for the Assocation of Surfing Professionals or ASP).

For the first-time every, both Costa Ricans are participating in the opening dates of the QS in Australia. At the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing in New South Wales, McGonagle passed Round 1 yet not Round 2.

“Unfortunately, I was dismissed in Round 2 of the Australian Open of Surfing,” he reported from Australia. “I did not have much good luck with the waves, but now I can only continue working for the next competition.

Thank you very much to everyone for your support.”

Because of his high-ranking position at the end of last year, Muñoz was seeded for Round 2 and passed his heat to face in Round 3: Alejo Muniz and Jesse Mendes of Brazil, as well as Kai Hing of Australia. He did not secure another pass, but he did finish 25th out or 148 competitors in his first Australian Open.

And finally, Andrea Diaz, a national legend of surfing, has signed with Camelo Bikinis, a Costa Rican bathing suit line.

Noe Mar McGonagle

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.

For the first time ever in the history of Costa Rica, the National Selection has been placed at No. 13 in the world, according to FIFA list of Febrero 12.

Surviving

C hapter CCCXVII

COSTA RICA

J

am Sessions have become all the rage as far as live music goes here in the Greater Tamarindo Metropolitan Sphere of Influence, in most cases due to the obvious fact (at least to club owners) that you don’t need to pay people who are willing to play for free, and now on any given night you can find some musicoriented bar and/or restaurant that’s hosting its own version of the Open Mike Jam Session.

In case you’re not familiar with this phenomenon we’ll go over some of the basics: The idea is to have a musical forum for whoever feels like performing. This format is sometimes on a raised stage and quite often on various sandy beaches and the occasional kitchen, and, although usually musically-oriented, can often feature visiting poets, comedians and politicians.

Who can forget last year’s banjo-playing Tea Party evangelist who ran off half the audience at Joe’s Sax Jam in a record two songs.

There is usually a “Host”, the only paid participant, whose many duties include determining who goes on and for how long. The host has to constantly deal with the existential conundrum of needing to get anyone who wants to on the stage, but not having said participant run off the crowd. Of course, in the old days the host was provided with a large extended hook and audiences usually arrived with buckets of overripe fruits and vegetables, but these are gentler times and the host now needs to worry about hurt feelings and possibly the fact the guy up there ruining the night is also a probable serial killer on the lam in Costa Rica.

Jam Sessions

experience of driving at night here. I can still taste the fear the first time I made that twentyfive-minute drive from Villareal. A buddy of mine visiting from Texas had been to the jam the previous month and told me how he had commandeered some pots from the kitchen to plays drums, sounded like my kind of gig.

I’ve been coming ever since.

The Pasatiempo Wednesday jam session, hosted by The Leatherbacks, is still going strong today and I’m usually one of the participants, if I can stay up late enough.

I sometimes wonder what the occasional twenty-something thinks when he pulls into the club and witnesses all these people his grandparent’s age jumping up and down and dancing the way senior citizens shouldn’t.

The next night I visited the Shack over in Surfside/Portrero to check out Charly Lopez’s long-running jam session. My partner Jax and I had a long-running invite to participate and after a short wait we got onstage, where we found out that about seven or eight drummer/percussionist/pot bangers would also be joining us. We received an enthusiastic if somewhat chaotic accompaniment and seemed to be appreciated by a very wild (i.e.

Canadian) crowd, who would also never be referred to as “Joven” We were followed by a host of red-hot guitar players who apparently preferred playing without a bass player and finished the night with Jax and Charly singing “Sweet Home Costa Rica”.

With this in mind your intrepid columnist decided to take in a whole week’s worth of the various and sundry jam sessions, starting with the first and longest running of ‘em all at Pasatiempo.

Bradley Brown, songwriter and singer-front man for the Glass Eye band has been hosting transient jam sessions on Tuesdays, sometimes in a hostel and sometimes on a beach. I caught him one night on the beach at El Pescador. Brad is a great guitarist and singer and has always been very generous with sharing his stage.

My first musical experience in Costa Rica was at Pasatiempo sometime in the waning years of the previous millennium. It was also my first

One thing Bradley is not is a stern disciplinarian. Things were pretty loose to say the least.

Bradley showed up late because earlier that

Story by Jesse Bishop owlhumm@hotmail.com

day someone had stolen his car and the police had decided to let the thief keep the car…at least till the next day. It had been decided earlier that instead of an available concrete stage the assembled group, a drummer, bass player, a couple of guitars and yours truly on a Phantom Mando-Guitar would be setting up near the beach on the sand. We played a lot of reggae-oriented tunes, many of them being written on the spot and, after an appropriate length of time a break was called for the obligatory forty minute fire dance.

By this time it was way past my bedtime so I packed up and left. It is my understanding that Bradley’s jam went on for another four hours.

And then there was a short-lived jam session for musicians only that was held at a little known Italian Restaurant called “La Tripe” that was located on a dark lonely road somewhere near Matapalo. The idea was to have a jam session where those pesky audiences would not have to be put up with.

I talked my thespian friend Brian into driving out there in his wife’s car and after much navigation by the stars we found the joint that lived up to its reputation of being in the middle of nowhere. It was however pretty well-attended by the local music crowd. No less than three electric drum sets were set up within a circular ring of amplifiers with attendant electric guitars while the whole affair was directed by a large German bass player.

I soon found out the only vocal mike present was apparently meant for me and over the next few hours we covered every classic rock song ever written. If I remember correctly some of it actually sounded pretty good, while others… not quite. It eventually turned into free-for-all with the guy with the loudest amp, who correspondingly was usually the least accomplished on his instrument, winning the volume wars and ending the night. It wasn’t like I wasn’t trying; it’s just sometime you just don’t have sufficient wattage.

The Road(s) to Nowhere Tom Peifer tompeifercv@gmail.com

Sometimes you just don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Case in point, a recent news item.

The brand spanking new highway from Veintesiete de Abril to Villarreal has been diagnosed with a case of ‘sub-par substrateitis.’ The nice smooth asphalt was apparently applied over a cementicious base that failed to meet subsequent laboratory testing. It is already being “batch” repaired. Oh, one other detail, it hasn’t even been finished yet. Several bridges are lacking, sidewalks are taking their sweet time and the finishing touches such as centerlines, reflectors, etc. are waiting their respective turns. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for. You may just get it, but, as it often turns out, only ‘kinda’ sorta’.

The highways and byways of Pura Vida land have been somewhat of an ongoing subplot in the unfolding tragicomedy of national democratic governance. For a country that has pretensions of achieving “developed world status” in the near future, when it comes to the road infrastructure, you simply have to wonder who is behind the wheel.

At one point in the last week or two, both the Interamerican Highway south of San José and the main highway to Puerto Limón, were out of action. On the Limón side, it was blocked for a while due to yet another in the infinite series of landslides in the super steep sector of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Meanwhile, near Cerro de la Muerte, 200 yards of the Interamericana Sur simply went downhill in a landslide.

On the good news/bad news front, the government is ready to throw a ton of dough at the highway to Limón, to widen it and make it less deadly, but at the same time there are concerns that “technical issues have not been adequately addressed.”

If that sounds like a recipe for disaster, just take a look at the vertical cuts looming high over the road surface on the fabled Ruta 27 from Puntarenas to San José. “Fabled” because it was the showpiece of the Oscar Arias administration’s attempt to demonstrate solid leadership and progress in dealing with the daunting issues of the nation’s roads.

My own first hint of possible ‘problemitas’ came in the form of a phone call from Steve Gordy, a long-time local landscaper with whom I’d collaborated on some extensive erosion control projects on steep slopes in the hills behind Lagartillo. Just after the highway was opened, Steve called me from the base of one of the vertical-cut slopes. “This is gonna’ be way, way worse than the highway to Limón,” he stated matter of factly.

Although Steve may be lacking a graduate degree in highway engineering, he evidently understood enough about soils, rainfall and the law of gravity to make an accurate prediction. The highway has been plagued by landslides, ‘sinkages’ and the slight embarrassment that it is already too narrow and crowded for the volume of traffic.

The latest hubbub over Ruta 27 came in the form of words from President Solis to the effect that the contractor/concessionaire of the project should do something to fix “those steep slopes.”

Oscar Arias, widely considered to be maneuvering for a reentry into politics in the next presidential campaign, was quick to defend his masterpiece. He posted a dashing photo on his Facebook page proclaiming his pride at having built “this marvel of a highway.” Like the rocks tumbling out of the slopes along Ruta 27, Oscar Arias was unable to foresee the consequences of his braggadocio in the wild world of social media.

Within a matter of hours, a post by one of the victims of, shall we say, ‘ engineering negligence,’ went viral on Facebook. As it turns out the guy’s car and his body were squished by a onemeter diameter rock that tumbled out of one of the walls and landed on his car. The post, cleverly pasted over a denial of responsibility letter from Autopistas del Sol, the concessionaire on the project, called Arias to task over his role in the project and outlined the grim details of the author’s personal Calvary: a year and a half in the hospital, gruesome wounds and a ruined life and career. But for a temporary burst of recognition on Facebook, just another statistic in the interlocking worlds of political expediency and lucrative highway building. And, in Costa Rica, lucrative it is.

(continued page 40)

March ( a l l

t i m e s

2015 l o c a l )

Sun

1st - rise 5:58; set 5:54 15th - rise 5:50; set 5:54 31st - rise 5:41; set 5:54

Full: Last quarter: New: 1st quarter:

Moon

5th 13th 20th 27th

12:05 p.m.

11:48 p.m.

3:36 a.m.

1:43 a.m.

....

The Road(s)...

(from page 39)

A recent article in the online journal elmundo.cr revealed that the construction cost of Oscar Arias’ marvel came in at a tidy 19 times the cost of highways in Western Europe. As it turns out, overcharging is the norm in any number of Latin American countries, but is worst in Costa Rica, ditto for the quality of the finished roads. The reasons are a complex mix of rigged bidding, bureaucratic foot dragging, collusion between government officials and contractors, lax oversight and a long litany of etceteras. The bottom line, in the absence of fundamental changes, is a lifetime of not-so-happy motoring for drivers while for road builders it’s the gift that keeps on giving. The missing millions during the ‘state of emergency’ construction of the northern road paralleling the border with Nicaragua, is just another addendum in the file on slipshod roadwork and dinero down the drain.

The panorama presented above does not augur well for a country that continues to break records in importation of new vehicles while at the same time professing its goal to achieve carbon neutrality in the not-so-distant future. As a Chinese proverb puts it, “If we don’t change direction, we’re likely to end up where we’re headed.” In the urban areas that could be summed up by one word, “gridlock,” while out here in the campo, probably just constant bitching about the potholes punctuated by the occasional senseless tragedy.

In a recent conversation about the sad state of the roads, an engineer friend from ICE told me “you think things are bad now, just wait until the next real rainy year.” My response, “We’ll be back to the oxcart before the turn of the century.”

Any bettors out there?

Tom Peifer is an ecological land use consultant with 20 years experience in Guanacaste. 2658-8018. tompeiferecv@gmail. com El Centro Verde is dedicated to researching and promoting sustainable land use, permaculture and environmentally sound development http://www.elcentroverde.org/

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 Wednesday: 10:30 - Open Meeting Thursday: 5:30-6:30 - Open Meeting Location: Behind Pedro’s Surf Shop Contact: Ellen - 2-653-0897 / Steve - 8377-1529

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power

Abraham Lincoln

Playa Potrero MerKdo Supermarket

C.Comercial Pacifico

Nathalie Lecerf Tel: 2537-2175

Every Day 8 am - 8 pm merKdo

C. Comercial Pacifico (was Vista Verde)

Playa Potrero

Stores

for

Rent New manager

Nathalie Lecerf

Tel: 2537-2175

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