Since I haven't attempted to publish this blog in any serious way it's doubtful anyone would have noticed my absence. I am a resident of Costa Rica and there are certain criteria that must be met in order to remain so. The trouble is, they keep changing the rules, or forgetting to let you know that you will need to produce certain documents in order to get a renewal.
The first time I needed to be renewed, I was scammed by someone claiming to be a paralegal specializing in immigration issues and I was illegal for about 2 years. When finally I got my new "cedula", it got run through the wash along with my passport. At that point, I needed a new cedula and passport. the passport was easy enough but immigration was out of card stock and I had to make do with a stamp in my passport that declared me a legal resident. Now, my normal time for renewal has always been April 24th. For whatever reason, that devil stamp re-set the renewal date for Dec 31, 2008 which I did not discover until April, 2009. Now I was illegal again!! I made an appointment with immigration - best they could do was Aug 27th.
I went to the appointment on Thursday armed with everything I could imagine I might need to get my status as a permanent resident without work restriction. I was promised this status 5 years after attaining temporary residence back in 1999. But things change and I am still waiting. And b'y did I do some waiting on Thursday. First, processing at Immigration, then over to the bank to obtain certification that sufficient funds had been converted into local currency. Then back to Immigration to be further processed and photographed. Then a trip to the nearest post office to arrange to have the card itself prepaid for pick up in 5 days. All in all, it required an entire day. But it is done and I am legal again.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Picking up where I left off...
I somehow managed to lose my post from yesterday. I was attempting to describe the climate here on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Ecologically speaking, it is classified as dry rain forest. Practically though, we have two seasons - six months of dust and six months of mud. We are slip-sliding into the muddy season now. I was just beginning to vacuum the pool yesterday in beautiful, warm sunshine when the rain started. I have deep inside me a primal instinct to find shelter from rain, presumably because I have lived in cold climates (Quebec, Alaska, Newfoundland) for most of my life and I can't seem to shake the concept that getting wet can lead to hypothermia and possible death. So I ran for the house. Through the window I watched my neighbor walking bare chested and bare-footed through the rain which by this time had become a solid downpour - myth exploded!
The rainy season, or as I prefer, the (b)rainy season is my favorite time of year. It produces a lush, green Costa Rica that all too few folks get to see and lots of downtime to get creative. The runoff can be a problem and there is occasional flooding but that just provides a challenge. I live in a primarily ex patriot community that expands and contracts like a medical-assist breathing device but does in fact inject prosperity into the community at peak times when the rest of the world is on holiday. I am always (or never) on holiday depending on whether you are half-full or half-empty.
Personally, I believe I'm a half-full guy and we are enjoying a glorious sunny morning here in paradise. Maybe I will get the pool vacuumed today finally. I'm pumped because a deal I have been working on for the community water supply for more than a year is finally closing out. What a nightmare Costa Rican bureaucracy can be! But that's also part of the charm of life in the third world, isn't it. Almost anything can become a bureaucratic delight - from opening a bank account to getting a driver's license - it can take days.
Well, I notice the day is more than half gone and I still have things to do..like breakfast.....
Had a major, scrambly day today concluding the water association business and when happy hour came around I was ready to put the half-full half-empty paradigm to the test. After raising a few with my friends at Perla's Bar, I went to listen to my friend Charly Lopez playing classic rock and blues. He invited me to join him for a few tunes in the last set and it was wonderful to be back on stage. More of that later.
So far, today has been relaxing and not overly productive, although I did get the pool vacuumed. Tomorrow, with luck, it gets a rubdown and I have a grill session. Sunday has been a pleasant day....lots of housework and grocery shopping. It is mercilessly hot here today so I may jump in the pool and walk the dogs to the beach. My routine needs a lot of refinement.
The dogs loved the beach..they always do. It always amazes me to walk on a 4-mile stretch of warm, Pacific Ocean and find it virtually deserted. But that's how it is here...except on holidays..and don't let's start on that subject. I have never lived anywhere where there are more holidays in the run of a year...it's amazing.
But the dogs and I had fun. I did jump in the pool when we got back and theoretically lowered my core temperature. Then it was fire up the barbecue, roast some local beasties and the rest of the evening should be a piece of cake. And it was.
Today has been a lovely, sunny, on-call day. I have been locating and emailing documentation to support our ongoing negotiations with AyA, the National Ministry responsible for the water supply. AyA is currently engaged in an attempt to draw together the many rural water distribution associations - a major undertaking. The association of which I am administrator has been in place for some thirty years and works seamlessly. Therefore we have chosen a somewhat circuitous route and have applied to become a kind of self-sufficient sub-office. We are hopeful this process will conclude in the very near future.
Major breakthrough today thanks to my daughter. I was having serious difficulty moving, changing and sizing photos. Her experience and suggestion did the trick. Now it's time to think about prepping dinner.
The rainy season, or as I prefer, the (b)rainy season is my favorite time of year. It produces a lush, green Costa Rica that all too few folks get to see and lots of downtime to get creative. The runoff can be a problem and there is occasional flooding but that just provides a challenge. I live in a primarily ex patriot community that expands and contracts like a medical-assist breathing device but does in fact inject prosperity into the community at peak times when the rest of the world is on holiday. I am always (or never) on holiday depending on whether you are half-full or half-empty.
Personally, I believe I'm a half-full guy and we are enjoying a glorious sunny morning here in paradise. Maybe I will get the pool vacuumed today finally. I'm pumped because a deal I have been working on for the community water supply for more than a year is finally closing out. What a nightmare Costa Rican bureaucracy can be! But that's also part of the charm of life in the third world, isn't it. Almost anything can become a bureaucratic delight - from opening a bank account to getting a driver's license - it can take days.
Well, I notice the day is more than half gone and I still have things to do..like breakfast.....
Had a major, scrambly day today concluding the water association business and when happy hour came around I was ready to put the half-full half-empty paradigm to the test. After raising a few with my friends at Perla's Bar, I went to listen to my friend Charly Lopez playing classic rock and blues. He invited me to join him for a few tunes in the last set and it was wonderful to be back on stage. More of that later.
So far, today has been relaxing and not overly productive, although I did get the pool vacuumed. Tomorrow, with luck, it gets a rubdown and I have a grill session. Sunday has been a pleasant day....lots of housework and grocery shopping. It is mercilessly hot here today so I may jump in the pool and walk the dogs to the beach. My routine needs a lot of refinement.
The dogs loved the beach..they always do. It always amazes me to walk on a 4-mile stretch of warm, Pacific Ocean and find it virtually deserted. But that's how it is here...except on holidays..and don't let's start on that subject. I have never lived anywhere where there are more holidays in the run of a year...it's amazing.
But the dogs and I had fun. I did jump in the pool when we got back and theoretically lowered my core temperature. Then it was fire up the barbecue, roast some local beasties and the rest of the evening should be a piece of cake. And it was.
Today has been a lovely, sunny, on-call day. I have been locating and emailing documentation to support our ongoing negotiations with AyA, the National Ministry responsible for the water supply. AyA is currently engaged in an attempt to draw together the many rural water distribution associations - a major undertaking. The association of which I am administrator has been in place for some thirty years and works seamlessly. Therefore we have chosen a somewhat circuitous route and have applied to become a kind of self-sufficient sub-office. We are hopeful this process will conclude in the very near future.
Major breakthrough today thanks to my daughter. I was having serious difficulty moving, changing and sizing photos. Her experience and suggestion did the trick. Now it's time to think about prepping dinner.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
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