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The following is a forum entry by Peter
Christopher on
Central America Forum. Enjoy & ponder...
So, you are thinking of living in Central America?
Five years ago, at Sky Meadow in Vermont, I met someone who became an important influences in my life, Miles Sherts. I was one of the students at the first meditation course he offered, and it was my first mediation course. He handed out several sheets of paper before we started the weekend of meditation, including some words of advice he had written for us. I still have those sheets of paper, with a short description of Buddhism alongside Miles's personal statement. Miles wrote: "As we begin to experience ourselves and the world through direct observation with calm focused awareness, we become free of conditional habits which have kept us limited and caused us to suffer... I encourage you to bring yourself to retreat as if it were your last chance to find what you have been seeking so long and hard. I invite you to trust for a moment this process laid out by Gotama Buddha and risk setting aside your doubts and fears. You may become something new in the process."
If you come here hoping to keep your old assumptions intact and have a pleasant experience, it probably won't work. Most people, a month or a few years after arriving in Central America, reflect that it seems like a disaster zone, especially compared to a utopian dream. This place may seem too hot, too cold, too windy, too dusty, too wet, too dry, with too many insects, too many thieves living nearby, etc, etc. Oneself may seem too slow, too stupid, too poor at speaking Spanish, too ugly, too bad at cooking, etc, etc. Everything outside and/or oneself may seem worthless.
But perhaps what we experience (making those judgments about the place and oneself) is only the way our mind often behaves, and not the only way the mind can behave.
I can image that there are some people who already have achieved enough clarity that when they arrive here, that their frustrations will not be great. Yet, experience suggests they are a lucky few.
As Miles wrote, "I create and hold a container for you to explore the nature of your own mind, and realize your own truth. I believe this will set you free, and it is for this that you have always longed." Sounds appetizing, huh? In my experience it didn't work out so nice in practice. That meditation retreat "container" seemed more like a hell-ball. Miles created that by making us sit for hours and hours and hours until our bodies ached. I don't think I was the only one who wanted to slide out to the parking lot and sneak out in my little car. But for whatever reason, no matter how much I wanted to leave, no matter how much I hurt, I didn't leave. Neither did anyone else. (Thank you, Miles, for offering the challenge and the support that appealed to us and supported us.)
When you move to a new place (or do anything new I suppose), Miles won't be there intentionally creating a container for you. Maybe the experience, if you take on the challenge, can provide the same reward. You can come to contact the demon you have been running from and have a chance to dance with it, become its lover instead of running in what seems like another direction.
On the other hand, maybe you don't need to come to Central America to have that experience, to be a happier and better you. Perhaps you could find a group of people who are open to growth in your local community. Or maybe sitting there in your chair, you could realize that any frustration that arises, is just the work of your mind. Maybe no other people are required. You could save some money and resources by just staying at home. The story goes that the Buddha ultimately found what he was seeking when he went off to the woods and meditated alone; he didn't find it in another country or at a retreat with other people.
But if you're like us, and for some unknowable reason your heart tells you that Central America may be your home now, you might have to come anyway.
I'll rewrite one of the quotes from Miles in a way that makes more sense to me in this context here: "Maybe you can bring yourself indefinitely to Central America as your chance you have earned for yourself to find what you have been seeking so long and hard. I invite you to trust for a moment the process that follows naturally when you trust yourself, when you pursue your instinct to live your dreams, and when you stick with your dreams beyond the inevitable escape desires you encounter to run on to the next thing. You may become something new in the process."
-Peter Christopher
Homepage:
PeterChristopher.com
Central America Forum:
Central-America-Forum.com
I have nothing to add ... for once 
Playa
Manuel Antonio - Pacifico Central, Costa Rica
Today is a special day here at Costa Rica Blogger.
One year ago today on November 26, 2007 was the first entry on www.CostaRicaBlogger.com.
The 11/26/07 blog entry was simply and appropriately titled: ¡Bienvenidos!
Since the initial post we have successfully moved to Costa Rica, obtained Permanent Legal Residency, my son has completed his first full year of private bilingual education and we have come to appreciate the differences between where we came from and where we now live.
The following are some brief Costa Rica Blogger statistics from the last year:
68 blog entries
-
5 Most Read Entries
-
Top 5 Categories
-
5 Most Printed Articles
245 comments
Traffic and Search Statistics
I would like to personally Thank the thousands of Costa Rica Blogger site visitors ... especially those that contributed with content,
comments or just kind notes of encouragement.
Enjoy the holidays and please continue to check back for more updates from here in Costa Rica.
¡Muchas Gracias y Pura Vida!
Many people, especially younger visitors to Costa Rica
wonder what the legal age is for drinking alcohol, buying cigarettes, etc.
Here's a short list of the "Legal Ages" here in Costa Rica:
- Legal age to rent a car = 25
- Legal age to vote = 18
- Legal age to purchase or consume alcohol = 18
- Legal age to purchase or consume cigarettes = 18
- Legal age to obtain a drivers license & drive = 18
- maturing past 18 is not required, adolescent driving is the norm in Costa Rica ;o)
- Legal age of consent with another adult = 18
- Legal age to join the military = none
- Costa Rica has no military!
- Legal age to enter into a legal contract = 18
- Legal age to view Rated "R" movie = 18
- Legal age to obtain credit (ie: consumer purchase on credit) =
16
- Legal age to scan groceries = 16
- Must be 18 to scan a customer's purchase of alcohol
- Legal age to give blood = 16
- Legal age to marry without permission = 16
- Legal age to marry with parental permission = 15
- Legal age to view Rated "PG-13" movie =15
- Legal age for employment = 15
(restrictions on types, hours per day/week, etc.)
- Compulsory age of education = 15
- Legal age of consent between minors = 15
- Legal age to be dispensed birth control pills = 14
- Legal age to view Rated "PG" movie = 12
- Legal age to view nudity & "X" rated television = no
minimum age
- Legal age to view Rated "G" movie = no minimum age
- Legal age to pick coffee = no minimum age
(not verified)
This may seem silly, but as the father of a 10 year
old boy the most frustrating part about the above list is our inability to go
see movies together. In the U.S. we really enjoyed going to the movies and
I as his father could determine which movies were appropriate - regardless of
the movie rating 'recommendation'. In Costa Rica the movie rating system
strictly prohibits viewing based on age. The fact that my son is small for
his age doesn't help. Unfortunately most comedies and action movies my son
and I enjoy restrict minors below the age of 15 - this despite nudity and "X"
rated programming being a regular part of Costa Rica basic cable. I have tried
multiple times to get my son into movies I felt were more than adequate for his
maturity level like an Adam Sandler film - without much success. The
exception being that last Batman movie ... I refused to take "no" for an answer
and the 18 year old looking multiplex movie manager finally put my son in the
theater before I went completely 'Joker' on his a$$.
There I vented. I feel so much better! ;o)
¡Pura Película!
Costa Rica has been the point of destination for retirees world-wide due
in part to
its wonderful climate, favorable cost of living, quality and affordable health care, etc.,
etc. But Mexico City appears willing to fight for these same retirees.
Although Mexico City can't offer the same beautiful vistas, clean air and
nearby beaches ... it can offer, well ... you'll have to read it to believe it:
Mexico City to give out Viagra to men 70 and older
MEXICO CITY (AP) ? Mexico City is giving out free Viagra and other impotence drugs to men 70 and older.
Mayor Marcelo Ebrard says the city is implementing the plan because sexuality "has a lot to do with quality of life and our happiness."
City Health Secretary Armando Ahued said Thursday that the government will start handing out doses of one or two Viagra, Levitra or Cialis pills on Dec. 1
[2008].
They will be distributed at three centers that specialize in sexual health for the elderly. The men will receive medical examinations before receiving the pills.
Ahued says an estimated 112,000 men 70 or older live in the Federal District, which has a population of 8.7 million.
Some 20 million people live in the greater Mexico City area.
So there you have it ... the line's been drawn in the
retirement sand.
Current and future retirees now have another factor to consider when making their
retirement location decision.
¡Pura Vida! -o- ¡Viva Viagra!
... the choice is yours
With tourism being Costa Rica's largest industry, hundreds of
thousands of visitors get a taste of this beautiful country. Many of those
that visit think about staying in Costa Rica on a more permanent basis.
A reoccurring question by mostly younger non-retirees
considering Costa Rica extended stays or permanent relocations is; "What type of
employment is available?" or "How do I find a job in Costa Rica?". Unfortunately I don't have good news for those seeking a move to Costa Rica
that involves finding a job.
Costa Rica actively encourages tourism and investment as
these are both in its best interest. Foreigners can visit and enjoy this
beautiful country with a valid passport from most countries. The
passport entry stamp grants
visitors 90 days to remain in-country as a tourist. For those looking
to invest, Costa Rica laws allow foreigners to purchase real estate, invest in
industry and conversation, and even gain residency status if
the person can prove they have independent sustainable income (ie: pension, social security, etc.).
However, tourist status does NOT allow the visitor to work or earn money
... and Costa Rica Migracion strictly enforces this policy. The steadfast view is that no foreigner should take a job that can be performed by a Costa Rica citizen. With Costa Rica having a highly educated, bilingual work force - this does not leave many jobs that can qualify for a foreign worker exemption.
That said; there are many, many foreign corporations that operate in Costa Rica. Persons considering a move to Costa Rica may benefit by seeking their employment via one of these established companies.
Some U.S. companies that have operations here in Costa Rica include:
- Microsoft
- General Electric
- Abbot Laboratories
- Continental Airways
- Intel
- Lucent Technologies
- Maersk Sealand
- Proctor & Gamble
- Cutler Hammer
- Eaton
- Sykes
- Merck
- Citigroup
- Dole
- Del Monte
- Century 21 Real Estate
- Bristol Myers Squibb
- Manpower International
- CISCO Systems
- American Airlines
- Equifax Credit
- Wal-Mart
- etc., etc.,
There are also many work abroad, study abroad and missionary opportunities in various industries such as tourism, travel
and education that may allow for extended, income earning stays here in Costa Rica in order to determine if a more permanent move is desired.
NOTE: The company or program should have all necessary immigration and
work permit paperwork lined-up prior to your Costa Rica departure.
Resources:
Hopefully this information is useful.
I have wanted to write on this subject for some time ? but Costa Rica Blogger is not about
fiction or rumor.
When seeking input from local Realtors, I have been routinely
told there is no down-turn in Costa Rica home sales and that properties continue
to hold their value. But I had my serious doubts.
Having spent the last 10 years in real estate finance, I was all to aware that the current U.S. mortgage market crisis
had to effect Costa Rica real estate being as most foreign investors are ?cash buyers? with the ?cash? often being generated from sales or equity from existing real estate (ie:
cash-out home mortgages or equity lines)...
Owners cut holiday home prices up to 40%
John McPhaul, Reuters Published: Saturday, November 01, 2008
The U. S. mortgage crisis has hit Costa Rica's once-booming vacation home market, with sales plummeting as Americans who dream of buying a tropical getaway struggle to find financing.
U. S. retirees and vacationers often pay for beach homes along Costa Rica's jungle-fringed beaches by taking out mortgages on their homes in the United States, but trouble in the banking sector has made that more difficult, real estate agents say.
Prices for some vacation houses and condominiums in the Central American country have dropped as much as 40% from their peak a few years ago and sales have slumped at least 30% over the past six months, they say.
"Most of the sales to Americans are in cash after they take out a second mortgage on a property or mortgage a property they have clear title to," says real estate broker Iris Mailloux.
"I've only had seven sales that were [locally] financed in the 15 years I've been here."
Real estate agent Sabastian Pecher says sales are particularly slow for less expensive condos in the US$100,000 to US$200,000 range, which typically have two bedrooms and are strolling distance to a beach.
"On the lower end we're down at least 50% to 60%," says Mr. Pecher, who sells older homes as well as new condominiums.
Homeowners in the United States are facing foreclosures at a record pace, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
As a result, U. S. banks, many of which have been burned by lending to clients with poor credit histories, have tightened lending rules to reduce risk.
Home sales in Costa Rica are still strong to visitors from Canada and Europe, where banks have been less affected by the U. S. mortgage industry slowdown, says Ms. Mailloux.
Developers selling new condominiums in Costa Rica, which has a reputation as a peaceful paradise, are trying not to cut prices, even if that means holding on to empty buildings, says real estate agent Murray Greer.
Agent Mark Price says realistic sellers are cutting prices 20% to 40% compared with three years ago, when the Costa Rican market peaked.
He gave an example of a three-bedroom house in the beach town of Tamarindo selling for US$490,000, down from an asking price of US$650,000.
As many as 60,000 Americans live in Costa Rica, according to Linda Solar, executive director at the American Chamber of Commerce.
The northern Pacific coast in the province of Guanacaste has become particularly popular since an international airport was built in the city of Liberia five years ago.
Last year, foreigners invested $664-million in Costa Rican real estate, according to the country's construction industry association.
Although I don?t agree with every word of this
article, the overall picture is much more reflective than some would have
potential investors, relocations and retirees believe. In fact, I'm sure
feedback from those involved in Costa Rica real estate sales will not be overly
appreciative of this published information.
Bottom line: The allure of owning part of this
beautiful country can be intoxicating. But realize the current world-wide credit market is affecting real estate
everywhere. Do your homework when shopping so as not to pay top dollar ...
even if you can afford it :o)
Also, be very prudent if considering the many versions of
'builder' or 'owner' financing options that become popular during such real
estate cycles. The stories I can tell on trying to rescue buyers out of
such 'private financing' situations are appropriate for this day after Halloween
in that many were truly haunting!
¡Pura Hogar!
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Blog Added: September 21, 2008 08:34:17 PM
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