Progress Report

November 20-25, 2006 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #111

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.

CONSTRUCTION

Pictures: none

The Story: Change in seasons and two re-sales in progress

Weather: The change in seasons occurred this week. This change is usually preceded by 1 to 2 weeks of heavier than normal rainfall followed by several days of high winds. The winds came on Tuesday and lasted for several days. It turned cold (for here) and was reported to be the coldest in San Jose (54 degrees) for 25 years and the strongest winds in the past 15 years. The winds caused more than 700 power interruptions; we were without power numerous times on Tuesday and Wednesday and along with that, internet service was also down. As of Saturday, it seems to have returned to more normal weather-light breezes and 75-80 degree F / 23-27C.

Irrigation system: I'm waiting for two design proposals.

Satellite TV system: The new system / technology went down but was reprogrammed as it is suppose to be.

Telephone lines: In the past years, we acquired telephone lines from various people -some known to us, some unknown. This was the method as ICE didn't have any numbers so when a friend was moving elsewhere, you bought his/her number and used it. ICE didn't care. We knew we would never be able to get 29 phone lines so we installed a PBX system which, with only a few numbers, would be sufficient at Los Jardines. ICE made some changes that resulted in the PBX system not being able to cascade through the numbers searching for a vacant line. We checked with ICE; they had some numbers available in our area so we decided to give up some of the numbers we had and get some other numbers, in our name and which would work on the PBX system. We're nearly there after 4 trips and numerous hours waiting. ICE has to program their end and we have to program our end-hopefully by this time next week, we'll be where we ant to be phone wise.

Unit 126: The cabinetry is mostly installed as is much of the granite. It will be finished by the end of next week. It's going to be a cute little house and several people have commented on it in those terms.

Rio Oro Development: Construction of the warehouse continues. A septic system is in progress for the present plus future workers.

House Resales and Rentals: Two re-sales inch along. Each purchaser has their respective documents; we'll see what happens next week.

Rentals: We have one 1,300 sf 2 bedroom/2bathroom unit available for lease-fully furnished at $1,350 mo or partially furnished at $1,250 mo. An agent has advised that this unit it taken but we haven't seen any money yet so we'll have to wait and see. Regardless, I am proceeding to finish off the furnishings.

OUR LIVES

One of the owners initiated and organized an American Thanksgiving party for Thursday. Others contributed various things. We enjoyed ourselves by the pool and went on to have leftovers the next night with only slightly fewer people-Lita got the ball rolling again on that one!!

The golfers on site are in heaven. Two tournaments each well organized, good golf, inexpensive, with lots of goodies-drinks, food, entertainment, prizes, gifts, etc. Us non- golfers hear the stories of the day's events which forms part of the evening's entertainment. I don't hear any complaints; only complements on the tournaments.

When Lita returned from the Philippines she brought with her a number of hand rolled cigars. The story included a statement like I bought a bottle of ????? and my family members began to roll a few cigars. What I have are "interesting" cigars which defy more definitive description. Size and shape vary considerably.

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

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