El Residente 2012_03

March - April 2012 1

El Residente

ARCR Administracion S.A.Apdo. 1191-1007 Centro Colon

San José, Costa Rica(www.arcr.net)

A Publica�on of ARCR Administracion S.A. March/April 2012

El Residente 2

Contents:

President’s Message................. 3

Club Corner.............................. 4

A Call for Help........................... 7 - Martha Rollins

Wild Side of Costa Rica............. 8 - Ryan Piercy

Legal Update, Corporate tax.... 10 - Allan Garro N.

Learning the Language............ 13 - Chris Howard

A Day in the Life...................... 14 - Allen Dickenson

Costa Rica Living...................... 16 - Ana Hernández

The New Currency................... 19

Connec�on WCCR................... 20 - Stacey Auch

Dollars & Sense....................... 22 - Alan Weeks

Business Directory................... 26

The Ides of March is already coming, and with it comes our newest addi�on to the family of El Residente maga-zine from the ARCR.

At our monthly seminars one of our members always alludes to the secret of long-life here in Costa Rica. He says it is not the health system, nor the climate, and not even the relaxed way of life, but is in fact the Gallo Pinto! So in this issue we are finally bringing you some rice and beans for breakfast.

That, along with other ar�cles on the new corporate tax, the global inves�ng situa�on, something on the Bribri in Salitre, and even bats, should give you some-thing to feed your knowledge a li�le.

Every issue we work on I find I learn something new, or it even hits me with something I hadn’t even con-sidered before. So, we hope that you enjoy reading El Residente as much as we enjoy pu�ng it together for you.

Ryan Piercy

This magazine has been published every two months since 1995 as the official communica�ons media of the ARCR. Our organiza�on provides service to thousands of foreigners who have chosen Costa Rica to reside for short periods or for permanent residence.

Since 1984 the ARCR has been offering reliable SERVICES, INFORMATION and ADVOCACY to Costa Rica’s foreign residents. We have the experience and ability to help you with your residency applica�on, immigra�on, business and financial management, real estate purchases and rentals, property management, insurance, pet importa�on and much more.

If you wish to place an ad in El Residente, please contact the ARCR main office. Goods & services offered are paid adver�sements. Neither ARCR Administracion nor El Residente research the companies and take no responsibility for the quality of such goods and services.

Editor’s Note

Contact Informa�on:

Published by: ARCR Administra�onEmail: [email protected] www.arcr.netEd�tor in Chief: Ryan PiercyAdver�sing, Publicity: Cindy Solano

Office Hours: Monday- Friday, 9 am to 5 pm CRC �me GMT-6

Address: #101 Casa Canada, Av 4 Calle 40 San José, Costa Rica Tel: 506-2233-8068 Fax: 506-2255-0051

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1191-1007 Centro Colon San José, Costa Rica


President’s Messageby Mel Goldberg

Some Points of Interest

U.S. EMBASSY AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOTES: If you normally receive a Social Security payment check through a local bank account, and you haven’t received one recently, it may be because each year the Social Security Administra�on sends out a form to those receiving benefits outside the USA which must be completed for the payments to con�nue arriving. If you didn’t get the ques�onnaire, it’s possibly because it wasn’t forwarded from your U.S. address. Un�l the form is completed and received, the Social Security Administra�on will not resume payments. If that is your situa�on, it can be corrected by contac�ng the Federal Benefits Unit of the American Embassy in San Jose.

Remember, the Federal Benefits Unit (Telephone 2519-2150), which handles Social Security, Veterans Pensions, etc., will now be closed the second and last Thursdays of every month.

If you are curious about widow’s en�tlement to Social Security benefits, here’s some informa�on I just received from the Federal Benefits Unit: To qualify for Social Security benefits from a spouse’s account, and the recipient is NOT a U.S. ci�zen, and has never worked or paid in to Social Security, to receive benefits, they MUST have and lived in the USA for FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS a�er the date of the marriage. He / she must further live in the U.S. for one calendar month EVERY six months. Once those qualifica�ons are met, SS will deduct 25% of the payment for taxes. Everyone’s situa�on is different, so depending on records (and future changes to the law) the best way to determine eligibility is to call the Federal Benefits Unit and they will schedule an interview.

GENERAL NOTES: I am in possession of mail from official U.S. agencies (not the FBI in case they are worried) for two different people whose loca�on cannot be

iden�fied. I have le�ers for both GREGORY W. ADAMS and STUART A. JEDDELOH. If anyone knows either of these persons, have them contact me at 8870-6756.

By the �me you read this, ARCR will have entered into a contract with a local funeral home to provide an approximately 50% discount for crema�on of members. The discount also applies to U.S. military veterans living or visi�ng Costa Rica at the �me of their passing. A twenty percent discount is available for all other funeral arrangements. Another benefit for ARCR members. More informa�on on this will be printed in future issues.

I just received my new AARP membership card and with it came a booklet telling me about all the U.S. businesses who grant discounts to AARP members; everything from cereal to clothing to meals to theaters to flowers. If you return to the U.S. occasionally, it may be worthwhile to join AARP.

By-the-way, if anyone has the September 2011 AARP Bulle�n, I would like to see it.

If you or someone you know wants to mail books through the USPS at the special library rate, do not seal the packages before going to the Post Office – they will open them to assure there are only books inside. Apparently some persons have tried to take advantage of the low book rate when mailing other items.

OF INTEREST TO VETERANS: As promised, here is early informa�on about the American Legion Post 10 of Escazu, 2012 Memorial Day ceremony. The remembrance will be held at 11 AM on Monday, May, 10th, at the San Antonio de Escazu Cemetery. All persons are invited and a picnic will be held a�er the services. For more informa�on or direc�ons, call John Moran at 2232-1680.

The Hospital Metropolitano Pharmacy is now accep�ng prescrip�ons for pa�ents with Tricare, Champus, VA, and Foreign Medical programs – with proper documenta�on, of course. (At the present �me ONLY the pharmacy is par�cipa�ng in this trial program.) For more informa�on, call Jeane�e Varela at 2521-6565, ext. 2243, or 8382-5533.

Cover: The Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

The Tiburón Toro is Costa Rica’s representa�ve of the coral reef ecosystem, shown on the new 2000 colon note. Normally this species, which has a near-threatened status, average between 2.1 and 3.4 meters in length. In recent years however larger specimens have been found off the coasts of Costa Rica, near the southern part of the Osa Peninsula. Bull sharks are common in shallower waters, and are even known to swim into freshwater rivers for feeding and to seek protec�on from larger predators.

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Alcoholics AnonymousGroups meet daily throughout the country; �mes and places change frequently. Call for up-to-date informa�on. San José 2222-1880 (Anchor club, also serves Narco�cs Anonymous) Av 6 Calle 1, 2nd floor Maryland Building. Heredia (Laura) 2267-7466, Puerto Viejo Limon 2750-0080, Zancudo 2776-0012, Tamarindo 2653-0897, Flamingo (Don) 2654- 4902, Manuel Antonio (Jennifer) 2777-1548, Jacó (Nancy) 2637-8824, Zoo Group Escazu 2293-4322. Grecia (Jay) 2494-0578. Southern Zone, mee�ngs in English

& Spanish, 8634-9241.

Al-Anon Mee�ngsAl-Anon Family Group is for all family and friends of Alcoholics. Mee�ngs are at the Interna�onal Bap�st Church, 2nd floor, Saturday morning 10:30, located on the pista toward Santa Ana between the Mul�plaza and Guachepelin exits. For informa�on in English, please call Ken 2288-0317 and Rosemary 8993-1762; For Spanish please call Chris�ne 8840-4658. Also in Grecia on Tuesdays at noon (English), contact Cheryl at 2444-1515.

American Legion Post 10- EscazuPost 10, the oldest and largest American Legion Post in Costa Rica, meets at 12 noon on the first Wednesday of each month at Club Cubano in Guachipelin. For informa�on and map, please call Mel Goldbergat 2271-5556 or 8870-6756, or John Moran at 2232-1680.

American Legion Post 12- GolfitoMee�ngs are held 4 pm 1st Tuesday every month at Banana Bay Marina. The Golfito GOVETS have been helping Southern Costa Ricafor over 20 years. Contact Pat at [email protected] or 2775-2809.

American Legion Post 16- GoicocheaMee�ngs are the second Wednesday of the month in the Hotel of the Hospital Clinica Catolica. Lunch at 11:30 and the mee�ngs at 12:30 Contact Jim Young at 2524-1265 or Ken Johnson at 2591-1695.

Bird Watching ClubThe Birding Club of Costa Rica sponsors monthly trips to observe local and migrant birds in various areas of the country. For more informa�on contact us at [email protected]

Canadian ClubThe Canadian Club of Costa Rica welcomes everyone to join us for our monthly luncheons, and at our special annual events, like our Canada Day Celebra�on, no passport required. For informa�on visit our website: www.canadianclubcr.com

Democrats AbroadDemocrats Abroad meets on the last Saturday of every month at theAurola Holiday Inn, San Jose. Contact Nelleke Bruyn, 2279-3553,e-mail [email protected]. Join Democrats Abroad at www.democratsabroad.org. Register to vote absentee atVoteFromAbroad.org!

Li�le Theatre GroupLTG is the oldest con�nuously running English-language theatre in Central or South America. The group currently puts on a minimum of four produc�ons a year offering a choice of modern, classic, serious, and farcical plays. The group’s monthly social mee�ngs are held in the theatre on the first Monday of the month from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. and everyone is welcome. Membership: Student C2,500, Adult: C5000, Family: C8000. Also, earn your Wings, become an LTG Angel.

For more informa�on Call the LTG Box Office 8858-1446or www.li�letheatregroup.org

Marine Corps LeagueMeets at 11am the 2nd Saturday of the month, Int’l Bap�st Church,in Guachipelen. Call Bill Enell at 8812-0126.

Newcomer’s ClubNewcomers Club of Costa Rica (for women) meets the first Tuesday of every month, September through May. September mee�ng will be an interest fair. Contact: 2416-1111 [email protected] or h�p://www.newcomersclubofcostarica.com

PC Club of Costa RicaThis computer Club meets on the third Saturday of each month at Pan American school, in Belen, 830 to 11:30 am. Two months Free Trial for newcomers. For informa�on call Chuck Jennings.Phone 2266-0123 www.pcclub.net

Republican’s AbroadThe Republicans Abroad of Costa Rica meets the second Tuesday ofeach month. Contact Francis 2203-6131, or fax 2282-2150.

Radio control Sailing ClubMeets at Sabana Park Lake. For informa�on contact Walter [email protected]

Wine Club of Costa RicaPlease mark your calendars. The wine club usually meets at 1 P.M. on the last Sunday of each month. Join us to tantalize your taste buds and expand your educa�on. For more informa�on on upcoming events please contact us. Phone 2279-8927, 2257-2223

Women’s Club of Costa RicaIn 2010 The Women’s Club celebrated 70 years of philanthropy in Costa Rica. Current programs focus on educa�on, primarily through scholarships and development of school libraries for children. It is one of the oldest, con�nuously opera�ng service organiza�ons in Costa Rica. WCCR membership numbers 250 English-speaking women, represen�ng 25 countries of the world, drawn together by the mo�o: Friendship through Service. WCCR monthly mee�ngs with guest speakers are held the second Wednesday of each month, as well as regular luncheons, teas, and many interest groups. Guests are welcome and further informa�on can be found at www.wccr.org

Women’s Interna�onal League for Peace and Freedom(open to men too) Bilingual group meets in Heredia on the first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. in the clinic of Mireya Gonzalez. We work on peace and human rights issues. Call Mitzi 2433-7078 or write [email protected]

Young Expats of Costa RicaSome Expatriates under the age of 40, and currently living in Costa Rica, have formed a new social club to be coordinated through their website This club will help younger expatriates living in, or moving to, Costa Rica meet other expats in their age group for: friendship, romance, travel and ac�vity partners, and professional networking.www.YoungExpatsOfCostaRica.org

Veterans of Foreign Wars: Post 11207Mee�ngs are held at 11 am, the first Tuesday of every month, at Club Colonial Casino on the second floor. All members are welcome and veterans who served overseas may join. For info please email the post at [email protected]


El Residente 6


A Call for HelpMartha Rollins

Costa Rica Chat Groups

Costa Rica Mul�lingüe, a non-profit founda�on designed to improve the country’s communica�on skills, was launched by then President Oscar Arias on March 11, 2008. Since then it has spread its ac�vi�es throughout Costa Rica; conversa�on groups, which incorporate the exper�se of na�ve English speaking volunteers, now pepper the na�on. English speaking group leaders are now in great demand as par�cipants have come to value the rewards which come from prac�cing a new language on a regular basis. Volunteers, on the other hand, are able to establish new long las�ng friendships with Costa Ricans and o�en arrange to exchange separate prac�ce sessions in Spanish for themselves. Mee�ngs generally are one hour per week with �me and loca�on determined by the group. Because of the demand, the following areas currently are in need of na�ve English speaking volunteers:

In the Central Valley:• Santo Domingo de Heredia• San Jose Centro (using the IPEA English Center for

mee�ngs)• Barva de Heredia• Desamparados (using the Museo García Monge

for mee�ngs)• Moravia• Guadalupe• Tibas• Alajuela Central and any other Alajuela towns

Outside the Central Valley:

• Jacó (Using the Jacó library)• Limón Centro

Community Conversa�ons is one of Costa Rica Mul�lingüe’s volunteer outreach ini�a�ves. The program places English-speaking resident volunteers into conversa�on groups with Costa Ricans seeking to prac�ce their conversa�onal English (referred to here as “partners”). These partners may be public-school English teachers, other professionals, or adult students. The groups meet once per week for one hour. The program, which began in May 2009 and now has more than 35 groups mee�ng na�onwide, seeks to improve the conversa�onal fluency and cultural knowledge of Costa Ricans working on their English skills, and to create new �es between these par�cipants and the English-speaking resident community of the country.

WHAT’S THE GOAL?The program seeks to improve the conversa�onal fluency and cultural knowledge of Costa Ricans working on their English skills, and to create new �es between these par�cipants and the English-speaking resident community of the country. WHO PARTICIPATES?Volunteers: any person fluent in English who lives in Costa Rica, is over 18, and can commit at least one hour per week (plus travel �me) for sessions in his or her community. No teaching experience is required, because these are not English classes - they are conversa�on groups.Partners: any person over 18 with at least an intermediate level of English (B1 or above on the Common European Framework). We are giving top priority to English teachers with the Public Educa�on Ministry, but some groups include partners who are not English teachers (non-teaching staff at schools, other professionals, adult students), depending on demand and volunteer availability. WHERE DOES IT TAKE PLACE?We set up conversa�on sessions at any loca�on in the country where we can organize a group of at least two volunteers, and at least two conversa�on partners. The sessions take place in donated space - a classroom at the local school, a municipal building, a community center, for example. WHEN ARE THE SESSIONS?The sessions are once per week for one hour, at a �me agreed upon by the par�cipants and communicated to Costa Rica Mul�lingüe.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or would just like more informa�on, please visit the website: h�p://www.crmul�lingue.org or email Kristen Woodruff at: kwoodruff@crmul�lingue.org.

El Residente 8

Wild Side LXVIRyan Piercy

Beware- Vampires

It is interes�ng to see people’s reac�ons when one sees or men�ons bats; immediately they think of blood suckers, even though the vast majority are not. As explained in a previous ar�cle, most bats, which are mammals, live on a diet of fruits, insects, and/or rodents. On the other hand, vampire bats do, in fact, exist, and are quite interes�ng to study.

There are three different species of vampire bats, all in the family desmodon�nae, and Costa Rica is home to all three. These include the Common vampire bat, the White-winged vampire bat, and the Hairy-legged vampire bat.

These animals are small creatures and grow up to about 9 cm long with a wingspan up to about 18 cm. They can be found living in colonies in very dark places such as caves and hollow trees.

Vampire bats are the only known mammal to exist solely on blood and can die if they go more than two days without food. They feed only a�er it has become completely dark, loca�ng their quarry using specialized sensors which detect the heat from blood near the surface of the skin of their prey.

An important misunderstanding is that vampire bats suck the blood from their hosts. In fact, they use their fangs only to bite and open the skin of their vic�m, then lick the wound. It is believed that a special substance in their saliva prevents clo�ng of the blood. Though bat bites can hurt, it is thought from observa�on that the prey feels no major pain when the bats are feeding, as the animals show no signs of discomfort.

In general, vampire bats are difficult to dis�nguish from

other types, unless caught. One difference, however, is that they have fewer teeth than those of other species, who have thirty or more. This is because vampire bats actually use their teeth less for feeding. A visual trait that differen�ates this type of bat from others is that their face is more fla�ened and M-shaped and their nose is more pig-like.

The Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) is found mostly in agricultural areas and tends to prefer feeding on livestock, though some apparently prefer different kinds of prey. This group seems to have a strong social bond, even apparently “adop�ng” orphaned bats in their group. They will most commonly inhabit caves and cavi�es in numbers up to 2,000, though colonies are more frequently less than 100 individuals. At night they will follow a river or stream to find livestock to feed on, where they will land, then crawl on feet, wings, and elbows, almost like a spider, to approach their target. Of their twenty-six teeth, the lower incisors are most important for feeding, not the large canines.

White-winged Vampire Bats (Diaemus youngi) are considered rare, and locally are found on slopes up to about 1150 meters. They have twenty two teeth and, though they prefer bird to mammal blood, will some�mes feed on livestock, probably depending on availability. Not much is known of their social habits, but they have a tendency to roost in caves and similar spots in small groups up to thirty.

Probably the most specialized of the group, the Hairy-legged Vampire Bat (Diphylla ecaudata) is believed to prefer feeding specifically on birds, as that is all that the cap�ve specimens have been found to accept. They have twenty teeth. They are uncommon to rare and are different from their cousins in that they roost individually in tree hollows or small caves. Though several may inhabit the same place, they will not be in contact with one another.

Being deeply nocturnal mammals, as well as being fast and small, it is difficult for the common observer to watch and study these fascina�ng creatures. S�ll, it is possible to find them in their habitat on occasion or, if you happen to be near their feeding grounds at nigh�me, to spot them hun�ng.

Vampire bats very infrequently a�ack humans, so the more one comes into contact with them the easier it is to dispel the myths and fear that accompany their image. They are, in fact, quite majes�c.


El Residente 10

by Allan Garro N.

New Corpora�on Tax in Effect

Consequences of the financial crisis that affected the world during the last three years are s�ll visible everywhere. The latest news coming from Europe reveals the Euro is not as strong as expected, clearly showing that the possibility of a new crisis is s�ll alive and kicking. Because of this many countries have seen their tax revenues severely reduced due to a decrease in general business ac�vity. Their immediate reac�on has been, ironically, to raise taxes. Costa Rica is not an excep�on.

The Government has been trying to get a general tax package named “Fiscal Plan” approved in Congress, but is finding a lot of obstacles, mainly because of the tough opposi�on by some poli�cal par�es that believe it is not smart to raise taxes during a crisis, especially when Public Ins�tu�ons are reluctant to cut their budgets even in unnecessary areas. While this power struggle con�nues a new tax against corpora�ons, of which many people are unaware, was approved.

In what might be considered a clever move, on December 27th, 2011 the IMPUESTO A LAS PERSONAS JURÍDICAS, or Tax on Corpora�ons, appeared in the official gaze�e as law #9024. By clever, we mean it was rammed through during those days when most people are focused on the Christmas / New Year celebra�ons and not many people stay in touch with governmental ac�vity. Coincidence or not, a few years ago another tax package named LEY DE CONTINGENCIA FISCAL or Fiscal Con�ngency Law was published on a similar day.

The basic rules established by this new law are simple:

• The tax is on ALL CORPORATIONS registered in the Na�onal Registry, whether they are established as Sociedad Anónimas –Sas-, Limitadas –LLCs-, EIRLS, En Comanditas -Silent Partnerships- or Sociedad en Nombre Colec�vo - Collec�ve Name Company. It also includes foreign corpora�ons that obtained a corporate ID number at the Registry for their Costa Rican divisions.

• The annual amount of the tax is 50% of a salary base, which is currently approximate 180.000 colons or USD $360. Those companies classified as inac�ve by the Revenue Ministry will be required to pay half the tax, about $180. Inac�ve companies are those without commercial ac�vi�es or income, generally used as holding companies.

• The tax will be due in January each year, except in 2012, when it will be due April 1st in order to give Registry a chance to create the technological pla�orm to collect the tax at Na�onal Registry offices. Interest and fines apply for late payment.

• Those companies dissolved by their stockholders before April 1st, 2012 won’t have to pay the tax. If assets need to be transferred into another company’s name they will be exempted from paying transfer taxes for 6 months star�ng January 1st, 2012.

The criteria are not yet clear as to how a corpora�on will be classified as ac�ve or inac�ve. Hopefully the process won’t involve lengthy procedures or huge lines to obtain a cer�fica�on from the Revenue Ministry to present to the Na�onal Registry. It would be logical to have this kind of informa�on online, however, experience over the years has warned us not to expect logic.

The law also contains some rules we believe are against the Cons�tu�on, therefore it is likely to be challenged in Cons�tu�onal Court:

• It creates a personal liability for the legal representa�ves of companies. They can be held personally responsible for the tax. This

Legal Update


contravenes the Code of Commerce and other exis�ng tax laws.

• If payment is delayed the Registry will not register any amendments or provide any cer�fica�ons related to the corpora�on. This last point violates the principle of Public Informa�on Rights that rules the Na�onal Registry.

• In case no payment is received for over 3 years the Na�onal Registry will dissolve the company. No other tax law in the country has such a penalty for non-payment, so it could be considered a confiscatory measure.

• Those companies opera�ng small businesses registered as PYMES in front of the Economy Ministry are exempted from paying the tax. The list of requirements to become a PYMES can be found on www.meic.go.cr and the registra�on process needs to be renewed every year.

Most expats residing in the country have one or more corpora�ons, usually to protect proper�es, cars and other assets. It is strongly recommended to maintain only those that are necessary and think about dissolving the others. In order to reduce the number of companies we recommend merging them. For example, if a person has three corpora�ons and only requires one, they can be merged instead of dissolving two. This reduces the cost.

It seems things are changing regarding having a company in Costa Rica. It is necessary to do the homework to ensure everything is in order to avoid future surprises. Be certain to hire a professional that understands the

process well, and to include a few more dollars in your annual budget to cover this new expense.

A SIDE NOTE. A law recently approved by the United States’ Congress named FATCA will force Banks, Stockbrokers and other Financial Ins�tu�ons in Costa Rica to send informa�on about investments and bank accounts held by US Ci�zens straight to the Internal Revenue Service in the USA. If you ques�on how the United States can enforce a law in Costa Rica the answer is they can’t. However, the US Government will retain 30% of all interest or other income sent from the US to any Financial Ins�tu�on in Costa Rica that appears to be reluctant to provide the reports they demand. Only COOPERATIVAS or Coopera�ve Associa�ons and Complementary Re�rement Funds are exempted. The rule is to start being applied in the middle of 2013.

ALLAN GARRO N. A�orney at [email protected]

El Residente 12


by Chris Howard

Sunny Expressions

As we all know Costa Rica is a very sunny place, especially during the early part of the year. This is a great �me to get out and enjoy our perpetually warm weather, and many take the opportunity to get to the beach.

This is also the peak season for tourists to visit for the same reason. Because it is known as such a warm sunny place, it should come as no surprise to find a number of Sunny Experssions to go along with its reputa�on.

Soleado – sunnyAdorador de sol – a sun worshiperAl sol – in the sun. Estoy al solEstoy bajo el sol – I am in the sunArrimarse al sol que más calienta – to know which side one’s bread is bu�eredBajo el sol – under the sunBaño de sol – a sun bathBrilla el sol – the sun is shinningDe sol a sol – from sunrise to sunsetJosé trabaja de sol a sol – Joe works from sunrise to sunsetEl lado brillante de las cosas – the bright side of thingsGafas de sol – sunglasseslentes de sol – sunglassesGirasol – sunflowerHace or hay sol – it’s sunnyInsolación – sunstroke Insolarse is the verb to get a sunstrokeLuz solar – sunlightSol – the sun or a term of endearment said to one’s loverNo dejar a ni sol ni a sombra – to not leave someone alone or to keep a constant eye on them. No dejar en paz is also used.Ponerse el sol – to set (the sun)Atardecer – sunsetPuesta del sol – sunset or sundownQuemadura de sol – sunburnRayo de sol – a sunbeamReloj de sol – sun-dialAmenecer – sunriseSalida de sol – sunriseSol de media noche – midnight sunSol naciente – the rising sunTomar un baño de sol or asolearse – is to take a sunbath

Tiquismos (Costa Rican expressions) of the week:Broncearse los glúteos – to tan one’s buns (bu�)

Comprar el sol – used in Costa Rica when someone is wearing sunglasses when it is not sunnyNi el sol me calienta – inconsolable or despondent

Learning the Language

El Residente 14

A Day in the Lifeby Allen Dickenson

Rice and Beans

Periodically I find the need to write about food. Disregarding my tale of a�emp�ng to grow an avocado tree, I think the last �me was when I lamented the lack of sweet pickles here in Costa Rica, a situa�on that has since been resolved, thanks to readers of this column. But it has now come �me to speak of food again, this �me about rice and beans.

Rice and beans are staples in Tico’s diets, a preference that seems to extend across all economic and social levels. To many Ticos any meal without rice and beans just isn’t worth bothering with, a cultural predilec�on which is similar to some na�onali�es’ desire to have potatoes with every meal. They are such a staple for Ticos that even the restaurants rou�nely include them with most dishes. (I haven’t had the opportunity to try any “finer” Costa Rican restaurants, but it would not surprise me to find them there also.)

Recently a Gringo friend of mine, who like me is married to a Tica, men�oned that he’s sooo �red of rice and beans. “There are only four ways to serve them: rice with beans, beans with rice, rice AND beans, and rice and beans with something else,” he complained.

Admi�edly, being married to a Tica, I eat them a lot and can too some�mes get a li�le �red of them. Back

in my former life in the EEUU, I ate rice maybe twice a year. And red beans were something found in chili. (OK Texans, I know that to you true chile has no beans, but I grew up in a different part of the country, so don’t write me, OK?) Anyway, neither were a staple in my diet. But now I have come to love some varia�ons of rice and beans, like gallo pinto (guy-o pinto) for breakfast, or as a part of a casado for lunch or dinner.

Originally gallo pinto was a “poor people’s” food and consisted of yesterday’s rice and beans s�rred together in a frying pan with some other ingredients like diced onion, peppers, culantro, salsa, and / or anything else available in the larder. The dish has become so widely popular that innumerable recipes abound; there are nearly as many varia�ons as there are people who eat it. I have seen it with everything men�oned above as well as with diced carne (beef) and other things incorporated. It is a standard entry on the menu of most sodas or restaurants and can come as fiery hot as peppers can make it, though less spicy is more common. Some recipes are absolutely delicious, others, to me, less so. I like my wife’s version


– with onions, a li�le culantro, and mildly hot salsa blended in.

Gallo pinto is good, but occasionally I’d like to have a “tradi�onal American breakfast” – some scrambled eggs with cheese, a side of bacon or sausage, hash browns, some wheat toast or maybe some pancakes with maple syrup . . . (The last is beyond my wife’s concep�on – she equates pancakes with arepas, a pancake made with maize flour, which is definitely not for breakfast in her book!) So, when I have that overpowering urge for a “tradi�onal American breakfast” I’m stuck with sneaking out to Denny’s. I don’t do that very o�en though, as it makes me feel guilty – like I was somehow chea�ng by not ea�ng gallo pinto.

For those who aren’t sure what a casado is, it is a plate that contains, well what else would you expect, generous por�ons of rice and beans, plus a small serving of some kind of meat or fish, and a li�le salad. (Salad in Costa Rica! Now there’s a subject for a future piece!) Maybe a slice of avocado or a fried egg is also included. The casado is considered a “working class” meal and some restaurants will sell essen�ally the same dish, maybe dressed up some, but call it a plato execu�vo or plato de dia (plate of the day) to avoid the class dis�nc�on. Either of those, however, might get you something completely different, like spaghe�.

By-the-way, the word casado shouldn’t be confused with casada, which means a married woman. So, be careful how you say it when you order – you don’t want to be like a friend of mine who was told he needed to grow some more muscles before he started ordering “married women” for lunch.

My family follows the Tico tradi�on and we eat a lot of rice and red beans. Not because we are poor (well, we do have to watch food expenses, what with five, always-hungry kids and ever increasing prices) but because it’s so ingrained (no pun intended) in their diets that it’s virtually impossible to have a meal without at least one, if not both, being included. About the only thing I can think of that they will accept without at least a side of rice, is pizza. (I fixed spaghe� once, using expensive, imported, Ragu brand sauce. They loved it – but I was asked, “Where’s the rice?”)

In any case, it looks like I am stuck ea�ng lots of rice and beans. The good thing about that is that I have lost over 40 pounds (probably the result of too many trips to the Denny’s of the world in the past.) Admi�edly, I was a li�le overweight, so I’m not suffering nor am I am ea�ng less, I am ea�ng be�er. And look be�er!

Hey, there’s an idea! Maybe I could make a gazillion dollars wri�ng a diet book – “Lose weight with the Costa Rican Miracle Diet!” First three pages: 1) Move to Costa Rica, 2) Marry a Tica, 3) Learn to say arroz y frijoles, casado, and gallo pinto. . .

Allen Dickinson is a member of ARCR. A�er serving 23 years in the US Navy he se�led in Pensacola, Florida, where he resided for 24 years. In 2006 he re�red from opera�ng his own licensed mortgage brokerage business and relocated to Costa Rica. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the State of New York and a Master of Arts degree from the University of West Florida. He can be reached via email at: [email protected].

El Residente 16

by Ana Hernández

Global Efforts in Costa Rica

Par�cipa�ng as a volunteer in trying to build a be�er world in any remote region is not only hard work, it is also a lot of fun.

I work with students from interna�onal U.S. universi�es every year, helping them complete a part of their required global service learning assignment. Since our group of students is studying in Costa Rica, we provide them with exci�ng opportuni�es to volunteer in communi�es that are o�en off the beaten path. So, in March we travel to small rural communi�es where we hope that, by the end of our assignment our contribu�on, albeit small, is going to make a difference in the lives of the people there.

Our goal last March was to spend two weeks working in Salitre, which is Bribri territory in the Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. We traveled to this Indigenous region, located near the City of Buenos Aires in the province of Puntarenas, by bus, a five- hour trip. On the way we scanned the faces of everybody in our group wondering if their bright smiles were going to last once they had been confronted with the many hours of hard and dirty work ahead of them.

There are a total of fourteen towns that comprise the autonomous, indigenous district of Salitre, which are inhabited by about 300 Bribri. Although rural, this Indigenous reserva�on has an aqueduct with water that is safe to drink, electricity, and a small health dispensary (EBAIS). Doctors make regular visits to the communi�es and there is also a hospital only thirty minutes away. A

five kilometer unpaved, bumpy road, which separates Buenos Aires from Salitre, is accessible by car and rural taxis, but it is a be�er idea is to go there in a 4X4 vehicle.

Although far away and very rural, the region of Salitre is not the most economically depressed nor the area in the region most in dire need of outside help. It did, however, offer us several projects that were realis�c enough for us to complete in the two weeks we were planning on being there.

One project was to work on a makeshi� high school (just thin walls and a �n roof) that needed lots of infrastructure improvement. Because of the noise, it was nearly impossible for the teachers to conduct the lessons and for the students to concentrate while class was being taught. Addi�onally, we helped with other interes�ng projects such as preparing the soil for a vegetable garden in a tough patch of jungle (in very hot and humid condi�ons) and building an area to keep compost materials.

While on loca�on, we met with the leaders of their main local organiza�on; the Bribripa Kaneblo. They expressed concern about how the Bribris had lost touch with their autochthonous culture and how most people there had forgo�en the na�ve Bribri language. Also, because of the strong influence of other religions, they worried that the people have lost the concept of Sibö, the Bribri´s Supreme Being.

Aware of the erosion of their own culture, the leaders have organized with the purpose of regaining some of their lost ethnic heritage. They have worked hard to build a small village with indigenous-style houses

Costa Rica Living


of tradi�onal Bribri architecture – tall thatched roofs made with palm leaves – to show how the people lived in the past. This small complex has a classroom to teach the Bribri language, an ar�san shop, kitchen facili�es to serve tradi�onal lunches, and three thatched-roof cabins which they rent to tourists. Most importantly, they have built a temple known as the “Usure” which they share with the rest of the community to celebrate the Bribri cosmovision, Örkö Sauk. Another important project is the reforesta�on of a 450 hectare area of forest land they have set aside in the tall mountains surrounding their reserve.

The Bribri´s main economic ac�vi�es are the plan�ng of corn, beans, and yucca (an edible root) and they raise chickens and pigs, which they use for their own consump�on. Many Bribri men and women work as farmers in nearby pineapple fields, ge�ng exposed to dangerous chemicals and earning minimum wage. Pineapple, grown primarily for export, is a controversial subject in the region due to the con�nuous deple�on of the soil and the use of pes�cides and agrochemicals that pollute local water sources.

Our group of seventeen students, the majority of which were from small towns in Wisconsin, were great troopers a�er all. They got exposed to sweltering heat and humidity and hordes of mosquitoes that bite viciously in early morning and late a�ernoon. They had to share quarters with frightening looking (although not highly poisonous) scorpions; watching for these creatures was something they had to keep in mind every �me they put on their shoes and clothing in the morning.

Despite the strenuous physical work and the hardships they encountered, the students really enjoyed the interac�on with the people in the community. The Bribri of Salitre are a joyous, friendly group of people who were great hosts. They organized various cultural ac�vi�es with typical dances, fes�ve meals, music, and bingo so the volunteers could interact with the community. Wood was gathered from a nearby forest and chopped by the young volunteers. Corn tamales were made by all and later cooked on a roaring fire over bricks placed on the dirt floor. Our group of volunteers danced with the local kids, played soccer with them, gave them English lessons, and lived with them in their households for two weeks. At the end, our volunteers and the Bribris of Salitre, learned a great lesson from each other; that cultural differences can be erased with a good laugh, hard work, and lots of human understanding.

To learn more about the BRIBRIPA KANEBLO organiza�on in Salitre, please visit: facebook.com/n/?pages/Centro-Cultural-Bribripa

El Residente 18


Take Note of the New Currency2000 Colones

The second of a new series of Costa Rican currency bills, the 2000 Colon note went into circula�on on June 20th, 2010. It was released in conjuc�on with the new ¢1000 bill, and following a new set of specifica�ons, is of a different size to make it easier to dis�nguish it from the other bills. All of the new currency will be of different sizes in fact. The new bill features the image of Mauro Fernández Acuña on the face. Don Mauro, who was born on December 19, 1843, was chosen because of his considerable influence on public educa�on.

Don Mauro’s father had died as a result of a cholera epidemic and his mother ins�lled in her son all the educa�on she could; at age eight he spoke English and French, had read the classics, played piano, and sang. The culture and the love he received in his childhood prepared him for what would later become his considerable accomplishments; in 1869 he received a law degree, and later became co-judge, prosecutor, and judge of the Supreme Court. Don Mauro also served his country as deputy to the Cons�tuent Assembly in 1888, and further on as a member of Congress of the Republic, Professor of Forensics, and Minister of Finance.

Where Don Mauro truly le� his mark was as Minister of Public Instruc�on during the Government of Don Bernardo Soto. In 1886 he was instrumental in the passing of the “Common Educa�on Act”, an ini�a�ve that focused na�onal educa�on in fundamental and scien�fic ways, with a prac�cal orienta�on. The reforms included the prepara�on of teachers, implementa�on of modern teaching methods, and the organiza�on of curriculum. The Act also established and regulated the Treasury School.

In 1888 he went on to establish scholarships for Sec�on Normal College for Girls and to adopt textbooks. In 1889 he approved programs for degree examina�ons for higher educa�on and professional schools and regula�ng the Na�onal Schools.

Don Mauro Fernández Acuña, who died July 16, 1905, was truly a major influence on Costa Rica becoming the country it is today.

The reverse side of the bill features the Costa Rican coral reef ecosystem and depicts a Bull Shark and other sea creatures, as listed in the cover page descrip�on.

Brief wri�en by: Osvaldo Valerín Ramírez.

Characteris�cs of Costa Rican Two Mil Bill:

Size: 132 x 67 mmSubstrate: 100% co�on fiber paperPredominant Color: BlueMo�f: Superior High School for GirlsPersonage: Mauro Fernández Acuña (1843 – 1905)Ecosystem: Coral ReefFeatured Species: Bull shark Starfish Sea pens

El Residente 20

by Stacey Auch

Empowering Professional Women in Costa Rica and Assis�ng Those in Need

April 27 and 28 are going to be very important days for professional women in Costa Rica.

Through the hard work of the Professional Women’s Group of the Women’s Club of Costa Rica, local women will have access to one of the top female leaders of the USA as well as the opportunity to meet the ac�vist, leader and feminist, Gloria Feldt.

Feldt is an expert on leadership and women’s rela�onship with power. Her years of experience come from being a teenage mother from rural Texas to being a CEO of such organiza�ons as Planned Parenthood.

Feldt will be coming to Costa Rica to offer her first workshop in La�n America on April 27th. The workshop will be based on her most recent book, No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power. During the course she will work with a�endees to share inspira�on and the prac�cal “Power Tools” she has developed during her personal career, research, interviews and life experiences. Feldt’s inten�on with this workshop is to explain why women have been able to break the glass ceiling, but s�ll find themselves struggling to fill more ideal posi�ons of leadership at home, work, and the community.

Women will have the chance to meet and learn from Feldt on three different occasions.

A Business Connec�ons Recep�on will be held on Friday, April 27th from 6 p.m. – 9p.m. A�endees will have the opportunity to meet and network with Ms. Feldt and many of the top female leaders in Costa Rica.

Saturday, April 28th, The Professional Women’s Group will be host to Feldt’s unique Power Workshop which will open though�ul dialogue and idea sharing. A�endees

will be equipped to leave with real tools to help them live with inten�on in their lives to reach parity, from the boardroom to the bedroom.

There will also be an Exclusive Power Dinner which will also offer a�endees the special opportunity to meet this dynamic and influen�al icon during the evening of Saturday, April 28th . There will be only a limited number of spaces available at the table, so please watch for �cket informa�on.

These special events will not only provide an opportunity for professional women in Costa Rica to connect, learn, and find support systems with each other, but to benefit those women in the country who do not have the abili�es to par�cipate.

All profits from the events will go towards helping the Women’s Club of Costa Rica fund addi�onal scholarships for female university students. These scholarships help these bright young ladies with basic material and travel costs, in addi�on to the professional English and job experience training the Professional Women’s Group offers.

Full details for event �mes, loca�ons, �cket sales, and sponsorship opportuni�es will soon be available at www.WCCR.org and on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Professional-Womens-Network-Womens-Club-of-Costa-Rica/134514626592466. Please email [email protected] with any comments or ques�ons. To learn more about Gloria Feldt’s visit, www.GloriaFeldt.com.

PWG is a new interest group of the Women’s Club of Costa Rica which has been ac�ve for 70 years serving local communi�es. PWN has been developed specifically for women of all na�onali�es to encourage personal and professional development through networking with other professional women, and to develop programs to contribute to all women in Costa Rica. PWN is an English speaking group and beginner level English is welcome. For more informa�on email [email protected].

Website: h�p://wccr.org/professional-womens-group/ Twi�er: h�p://twi�er.com/PWNWCCR,Facebook: http : //www.facebook .com/pages/Professional-Womens-Network-Womens-Club-of-Costa-Rica/134514626592466?ref=ts.

Stacey Auch, ChairProfessional Women’s GroupWomen’s Club of Costa Rica

Connec�on, WCCR


El Residente 22

Dollars & $enseby Alan Weeks

Capitalism & Innova�on for Growth

Whatever the imperfec�ons of free-market capitalism, no regime that has tried replacement, from Fabian socialism, to Soviet-style communism, to the Chinese Sta�st privileged class system, has succeeded in mee�ng the needs of the majority of its people for long.

As one journalist (1) expressed it: America became the wealthiest country because for most of its history the basic principles of economic freedom were followed: property rights, freedom to trade interna�onally, minimal governmental interven�on in business, sound money, rela�vely low taxes, the rule of law, entrepreneurship, and the freedom to fail. That is called capitalism. And, he pointed to the success of economic freedom in increasing human prosperity, extending our life spans, and improving the quality of our lives in countless ways, as the most successful global story of the past 200 years.

What is objec�onable to most people is the prac�ce of “crony capitalism”. Crony capitalism is a very unsa�sfactory state of affairs when government leaders, in exchange for poli�cal support or lucra�ve lobbyist jobs a�er leaving office, rou�nely bestow favors on private-sector individuals, businesses, or unions. That is not capitalism. It is called corrup�on.

Washington and Wall Street strayed far from capitalist principles a�er provisions of the Glass-Steagall Banking Act of 1933 were repealed in 1999. This Act had separated investment banking, which issued securi�es and riskier financial instruments, from commercial

banking, which made money on deposits.

Greed and avarice appeared to have abounded therea�er in the U.S. financial sector and new financial instruments were created to maximize reported profits and to gain personally there from. However, when the financial crisis occurred, those huge reported profits were shown to have been illusionary and much of what was done seems to have been unethical. Moreover, we have been le� to wonder why the huge personal gains from these illusionary profits remained private, while the enormous losses were “socialized” at taxpayer expense. Some of us perceive this as an example of government by the elites for the elites.

COMPARING ECONOMIC SYSTEMSControlled experiments with economic systems are not feasible for a na�on to undertake. However, the side by side development of East and West Germany a�er the Second World War provided a stark contrast between the poli�cal and economic systems of central planning and control vs. market capitalism.

Remember, both countries started with the same culture, language, history, and value systems. Then, for 40 years they competed on opposite sides of a Wall. This real-life experiment came to an abrupt end in 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall and East Germany was exposed as an economic ruin, rela�ve to the market-oriented West Germany.

Much of the third world at that �me absorbed the lessons of this economic “tutorial” and converted quietly to market capitalism.

Func�oning in newly opened compe��ve markets, China and much of the developing world unleashed explosive economic growth. The IMF es�mated that by 2005 more than 800 million members of the world’s labor force were engaged in export-oriented and therefore compe��ve markets; an increase of 500 million since the fall of the Wall.

While central planning may no longer be a credible form of economic organiza�on, the intellectual ba�le for its rival, free-market capitalism, is far from won. At issue, the dynamic defining capitalism, that of unforgiving market compe��on, clashes with an inbred human desire for stability, and for more civility.


However, the assailed greed and avarice o�en associated with capitalism are in fact characteris�cs of human nature, not of market capitalism, and these are found in all economic regimes. And, the legi�mate concern of increasing inequality of incomes reflects globaliza�on and insider cronyism, not capitalism.

There is li�le ques�on that capitalist prac�ces need adjustment and sound regulatory oversight. However, bureaucrats, whether encouraged or le� to their own devices, are very prone to expand their “empires” and increase their regulatory control.

IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN SILICON VALLEY (2)

A good example of a place in the U.S. where there remains a “bubble of prosperity” is in Silicon Valley. It is a world in which: “companies can’t hire people fast enough, young people can work hard and make a fortune, homes hold their value, and the Occupy Wall Street issues are not part of its daily reality”.

In fact, turbulence in the rest of the world may actually be helping Silicon Valley, as wealthy Russians and Chinese send their kids to school there, and compete to “park” their riches in the region’s most promising startups.

As one former lab director expressed it: “With easy access to venture capital and sophis�cated scien�fic tools, the future looks blindingly bright for entrepreneurs and researchers. So it’s stunning to see how cynical everybody else is. The cynics are looking at the world through a rear-view mirror, trying to preserve the past as opposed to seizing the moment and moving forward with greater imagina�on”.

INVENTION and INNOVATION for ECOMOMIC GROWTHOne reason “dismal science” aptly describes economics is that it o�en winds up in a zero-sum trade-off of diminishing returns. That gets depressing when the global economy is in such a sorry state.

Many economists and poli�cal leaders view the economy as a “fixed size of pie that needs to be divided up and shared when �mes are tough”. They fail to understand that the real need is to “grow the size of the pie” so that the benefits are greater and more widely shared. The fact is that Business is not a “zero-sum game

struggling over a fixed pie”. Instead businesses grow with economic freedom, making the total “pie” larger and crea�ng value for all its stakeholders, including employees and communi�es.

We believe that fundamental innova�ons will be the founda�on of new industries, which will generate more growth in the future. And, even in the toughest �mes, innova�on has helped differen�ate companies and lead to successful growth. This was true in the 1930’s, in Japan since 1990, and as well as during the recession of 2009.

As one researcher and development leader (3) put it: “Yes Virginia, there is a magical engine for economic growth. It is inven�on – the process by which the human mind creates new ideas with prac�cal consequences. Inven�on is magical because the magnitude of the output can exceed by almost infinite measure the magnitude of the inputs. Inven�on is, directly or indirectly, a primary source of the value we call growth.”

HOW TO CRANK UP AMERICA’S ECONOMIC DYNAMO (4) The author being paraphrased in this sec�on is a U.S. business school dean. He believes that the dynamism of the U.S. economy can be restarted, delivering produc�vity, growth and raising living standards. His concept consists of three parts: Innova�on, Investment, and Inclusion.

A. Innova�on, he said, comes in two forms: 1. “Non-destruc�ve crea�on” – the development of en�rely new products and business models. Policies that support this include basic research and financial sector regula�on that encourages lending as well as financial stability.

2. “Crea�ve destruc�on” – the other form of innova�on, he contends, is also vital. It is important to recognize that in dynamic economies, both crea�on and destruc�on are high. And, he pointed out that in the 20 years before the financial crisis, annual job crea�on in the U.S. was consistently higher than annual job destruc�on. He believes that, in order to foster crea�ve destruc�on, it needs to be easier to replace failing management and to re-allocate labor and capital. The author addressed the support for employees caught in the changes in a policy of inclusion.

El Residente 24

B. “Investment is the second driver of dynamism.” Policies should ensure that both domes�c and foreign capital go to produc�ve use. Broad tax reforms are needed that be�er allocate resources for investment. Ge�ng rid of loopholes for favored businesses and implemen�ng a broader, fair tax system would provide a sounder financial base for the future.

C. “Inclusion”It is vital that economic policy emphasizes broad inclusion in the gains from growth. A top priority is to support individuals caught in the change that is the byproduct of American dynamism. He favors personal re-employment accounts and increasing affordability for re-educa�on and retraining over outmoded Federal programs.

CARPE DIEM (5)

A great story was blogged recently with economic lessons in private property rights, compe��on, entrepreneurship, and the triumph of the individual over the State. Here are some excerpts:

“In 1978, the farmers in a small Chinese village called Xiaogang gathered in a mud hut to sign a secret contract. They thought it might get them executed. Instead, it wound up transforming China’s economy in ways that are s�ll reverbera�ng today.

“The contract was so risky — and such a big deal — because it was created at the height of communism in China. Everyone worked on the village’s collec�ve farm; there was no personal property. ‘Back then, not even one straw belonged to the group,’ said one of the farmers in that village in 1978. ‘No one owned anything.’

“In theory, the government would take what the collec�ve grew and would also distribute food to each family. There was no incen�ve to work hard — to go out to the fields early, to put in extra effort. Thus, he said: ‘Work hard, don’t work hard - everyone gets the same, so people don’t want to work.’

“There was never enough food in that village and the farmers o�en had to go to other villages to beg. Their children were going hungry. They were desperate. So, in the winter of 1978, a�er another terrible harvest, they came up with an idea: Rather than farm as a collec�ve,

each family would get to farm its own plot of land. If a family grew a lot of food, that family could keep some of the harvest.

“This is an old idea, of course. But in communist China of 1978 it was so dangerous that the farmers had to gather in secret to discuss it. Despite the risks, they decided they had to try this experiment — and to write it down as a formal contract, so everyone would be bound to it. By the light of an oil lamp, the contract was wri�en out and hidden inside a piece of bamboo in the roof of one house.

“The farmers agreed to divide up the land among the families. Each family agreed to turn over some of what they grew to the government, and to the collec�ve. And, crucially, the farmers agreed that families that grew enough food would get to keep some for themselves. The contract also recognized the risks the farmers were taking. If any of the farmers were sent to prison or executed, it said, the others in the group would care for their children un�l age 18.

“The farmers tried to keep the contract secret, but when they returned to the fields, everything was different. Before the contract, the farmers would drag themselves out into the field only when the village whistle blew, marking the start of the work day. A�er the contract, the families went out before dawn. ‘We all secretly competed,’ he said. ‘Everyone wanted to produce more than the next person.’

“It was the same land, the same tools, and the same people. Yet just by changing the economic rules — by saying, you get to keep some of what you grow — everything changed. At the end of the season, they had an enormous harvest: more, it was said, than in the previous five years combined.”

It was also my personal experience that small companies which gave employees the freedom to be entrepreneurial, as well as offering profit-sharing or a piece of the ownership, proved to be much more dynamic, innova�ve, and resourceful.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this ar�cle are solely those of the writer. For more informa�on

and reference details please contact Alan Weeksby E-mail: [email protected]


El Residente 26

Exchange rate of the Costa Rican ¢ to the US Dollar

August 516.77September 519.87October 521.11November 512.10December 518.33January 514.91

Basic Interest Rate

August 7.25 %September 7.75 %October 8.00 %November 8.00 %December 8.00 %January 8.75 %

Exchange rate of other currencies to the US Dollar

Giro 1.55108Canadian Dollar 0.99890Euro 1.31700Swiss Franc 0.91460Nicaraguan Cordoba 23.05800Danish Krone 5.64480Norwegian Kroner 5.81990Swedish Krona 6.76070Honduran Lempira 19.05500Bri�sh Pound 1.57720Argen�ne Peso 4.33350Columbian Peso 1,805.40000Mexican Peso 12.93460Dominican Peso 38.93000Brazilian Real 1.73870Guatemalan Quetzal 7.78450Korean Won 1,123.26000Japanese Yen 76.27000Venezuelan Bolívar 4.29470Hong Kong Dollar 7.75570Taiwan Dollar 29.57300Bolivian Peso 6.93000Chilean Peso 487.95000Russian Rouble 30.18000Peruvian Sol 2.68950Polish Zloty 3.20350Australian Dollar 1.06570Chinese Yuan 6.30820

Libor Rate

1 month 0.26475 %3 month 0.54235 %6 month 0.77825 %12 month 1.09570 %

Prime Rate 3.25 %


Holidays of Costa Rica

Monday, March19thSaint Joseph’s Day- Observance

Monday-Friday, April 2nd-6thEaster Week- Na�onal Holiday

ARCR Closed

Sunday, April 8thEaster Sunday- Na�onal Holiday

A Touch of Wisdom

“Give the devil his due.” - English proverb (c1589)

“If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the

philosopher’s stone.” - Ben Franklin (1706-1790)

“No one should be judge in his own cause.” - Legal maxim

A Bit of Fun...

Hospital regulations require a wheel chair for patients being discharged. However, while

working as a student nurse, I found one elderly gentleman

already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his

feet.

When I offered my assistance, he insisted he didn’t need my

help to leave the hospital.

After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let me wheel him to the elevator.

On the way down I asked him if his wife was meeting him...

‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘She’s still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital

gown.’

El Residente 28

El Residente 2012_03

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