Progress Report

May 21-26, 2007 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #137

Contact phone numbers

Internet Phone:
New York: 315-279-6711
Toronto: 416-907-5758 // 416-461-2203

Costa Rica:
Cell: 506-305-3965
Land: 506-282-4142 Ext. 101

NOTE: the New York and Toronto numbers are "local calls" for people in the area codes; calls from outside the area code will be billed at the normal rate from the caller's area code to either the "315" or the "416" area code.

NOTE: NOW THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT IS ESSENTIALLY FINISHED, THE LOG WILL FOCUS MORE ON THE RIO ORO DEVELOPMENT. IT WILL BE INFORMATIVE TO THOSE PLANNING ON BUILDING, THOSE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PURCHASE OR TO LEASE, AND FOR THOSE WONDERING WHAT EXPATS DO IN COSTA RICA AND THE LIFESTYLE OF TWO ORDINARY PEOPLE.

The STORY: RAIN!!!!! and Timber!!!!

Pictures: none

CONSTRUCTION

Not much happened this week —frustrating to say the least but not totally unexpected. We have numerous meetings set up for next week to "kick" the consultants. I have set aside Tuesday —all day— to sit with the architect to hammer out a number of house designs and to deal with remaining issues on the site design.

We had a very large tree crash down which took out three other trees with it. The tree was growing along the stream and with all the rain, the root system gave way. Now we have to cut it up and move it out. It is in the prohibited cut section so we first have to show the authorities that our actions had nothing to do with its demise-Nature took its own course.

When we bought the property, the former owner had built about 200 meters of block wall. We are beginning to raise the height of this and that will be our focus for the next month.

The cutbacks from Los Jardines are being turned into a "vivero" —garden nursery— at El Dorado.

RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES

Landlording experiences: Last week I wrote a feature article about the experiences with expats and landlording, I received a number of comments on this feature from many people I hadn't heard from before. One colleague will use it as a base for his own article. Evidently it hit a cord. While I normally focus on positive experiences —to move forward one can't dwell in negatives— there is always an underbelly of less than pleasant experiences regardless of where one lives. Costa Rica is a great, really great country with wonderful people, and I've met many wonderful, really wonderful new friends here who have created the opportunity for new experiences and new friendships and a rich and rewarding life.

This week I want to write about experiences with construction workers and suppliers:

Note: This is a short paragraph and it should be read as a positive commentary.

I've only had a very few bad experience with any of the construction or garden mtnc. employees —either Nicaraguan or Ticos nor have I had any experiences beyond those of N. American building materials suppliers. They have all, with only one exception, been equal to or better than my N. Am. experiences. I'll work with them any day and never begrudge payday. I have heard of many bad experiences others have had; I don't have any such stories to pass along. I have had some disappointments with granite suppliers and with door suppliers and in each case, I'll be looking for new sources-but both are minor, very minor given the thousands of hours of construction work I've had done. The one exception is the electrical contractor we hired for the transformer upgrade —he cost us money, time, and aggravation...

Sales: Unit 110 closed and 118 is well on it's way —simply waiting for courier services to finish the deliveries.

Garden: the plants are happy but choking on rain water!!!!! Many plants that we cut back are used as feeder stock for the plant nursery we are developing at El Dorado.

VOIP phone: working fine with the upgrade now in place.

Rainwater Mgt. System: we've had problems with this in the past. I'm happy to say that as of now, everything seems to be working JUST FINE!!

OUR LIVES

Weather: 100% different than last year —I checked the logs— grey overcast days with substantial rains. We've seen very little sun this week and lots of rain, sometimes very heavy.

Hugo: Still waiting to see if the changed diet results in arresting the hair loss.

Texas Hold'em: another round on Wednesday; everyone had a good time.

Guests: We had two sets of return visitors each of whom where at Los Jardines about 1-1/1/2 years ago —I actually remembered each of their visits. They are amazed at the finished product and both are interested in El Dorado. In each case, we viewed El Dorado and both parties were amazed at the possibilities. I expect we will have further discussions with them as time progresses.

Paul returned from Canada and with him he brought Lita her requested perfume (he's a hero) and for me, he brought Stilton cheese —we are working our way through that along with some port wine and cigars... delicious.

Lita cooked two fantastic meals which we shared with friends —a curry with peanut butter and stuffed peppers— not only was each dish FANTASTIC, how she did it when she is blind is incredible!!!!!!!! Given the reverse, I don't think I would have her courage and determination —our friends and sometimes me as well, don't give her the credit she deserves in overcoming her personal challenge.

Brian, Lita, Hairless Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot.

Top