Progress Report

May 7-12, 2007 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #135

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: El Dorado inches forward, love is in the air, and Granada!

Pictures: 5 of "El Dorado"

CONSTRUCTION

We've mostly completed the fence along the south end-at least the easy parts. We have some major work to do around the stream to extend the security fencing across it onto the other side. One of the main service roads has been widened and the culverts to a drainage ditch (quebreda) have been widened and the road surface hardened such that vehicles can manage the slopes in the wet conditions.

The meeting with the architect was postponed until Monday such that he could use the weekend to do work he didn't get done. He has sent me drafts of what is expected to be a marketing tool. I still want some revisions so am not yet prepared to post it.

RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES

Power outages: haven't had them. ICE says they have repaired the turbines that were damaged when they ran out of water. The problem is not solved; it will just recede until next year at this time. Unfortunately, I don't expect the powers to be to focus on the longer term solution.

Sales: We sold 118 this week. Closing on both 110 and 118 are yet to be determined.

OUR LIVES

Weather: Partly cloudy in the mornings with overcast and rains in the afternoons/ evenings.

Hugo: changed the diet; waiting...

Texas Hold'em: another round on Wednesday; good fun.

Gardeners: Generally, they've been doing a good job —they've sorted out their respective work areas and do them competently. They aren't perfect and I still have to give instructions but they do show promise. Having said that, this is the 2nd. time they have screwed up the fertilizing —they have burned the lawn in many places and have affected some plants. Despite prior instructions after the first disaster, and despite having a professional gardener give them instructions, this happened. I had a chat with them —hopefully they will pay closer attention to the instructions next time. In the meantime, guess we have to live with their mistakes and allow the grass to repair itself.

Love is in the Air: Lita and I started something with her son getting married that seems to be catching. This coming week will see one set of tenants married and next week will see the second set married... and we have another relationship, which, if current indications and stated intentions hold up, will lead to another wedding.

Granada: We loved it as always but had some disappointments with our usual hotel-three requests for the AC control, 4 requests for additional pillows, initially placed on 2nd. floor despite very specific instructions to be on the ground floor, cigarette butts around the pool that remained for 2 days; broken flower pots from three months ago, the ring around the pool painted dark brown from blue, no hot water —the place was not busy, in fact it was nearly empty... and the price for the AC room is now $40. I'll probably give them another opportunity but if they disappoint, I'll be out of there very fast.

The border was busy-both sides-and it took a long time. The bus —Ticabus— was about 85% full in both directions. Three movies in Spanish to Granada; two movies in English returning. There were a number of trees with brilliant scarlet red canopies along the way. The area a few miles north of Libiria all the way to Granada continues to be dry, dry, dry-the rainy season has not yet arrived there.

Between Canas and Puntarenas the bus tried to go around some obstacle in the middle of the road. It got into a soft shoulder and lost traction - we had to de-board-while a dump truck with chain pulled the bus back onto the road and away we went.

We again had fantastic food in all our usual places. One new place —Thai— was a definite disappointment and it won't see our presence again. I found several errors on the bills this time —both were either sloppy work or intentional. The exchange rate is now around 18.22 Cordovas to $1 USD.

It's been 6 months since I saw the euphoria of the election. Not a lot of time but with the exception of no blackouts, I see not other changes-no construction, few tourists this time of year, bicycles, old cars in various stages of falling apart, push carts, and motor bikes. I really don't know how expats and restaurants stock their kitchens. I don't see a food distribution system and I see very little product —fresh or packaged—, regardless of quality, to actually buy. I guess I'm missing something. I tried to buy some old rum and was surprised to see only a few bottles of liquor in each of the three places I was sent and all the bottles were rock bottom low end. Construction there would definitely be substantially more challenging than in Costa Rica where many people find it too challenging; there simply isn't the building materials available or an apparent distribution system that CR has.

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

Top