Should You Get a Lottery Attorney If You Win the Jackpot?

You have probably dreamed all your life about winning a big lottery jackpot. You probably know exactly what you will do and what you will buy when you finally do win. That's because you've played the scenario over and over in your head. It will be great, won't it? It most likely will! However, there could be unforeseen problems, problems that getting a good lottery attorney could help you deal with.

Probably the biggest challenge with winning the lottery is the fact that you become rich suddenly. Most people that are rich have built the wealth over time and, so, learn what to do with their money and how to protect it. When you get sudden riches, there is no learning curve - You go straight into unknown territory. A good lottery attorney, one that specializes in asset protection and estate planning, could help you immensely because he has the experience and you don't.

Actually, it is probably a good idea to seek the guidance of a lottery attorney even before you go to claim your jackpot. Consider this example: a man by the name of Seguro Ndabene won a $17 million lottery jackpot from Western Canada Lottery Corporation in January of 2009. However, prior to getting his money, another man called in and advised that he and Seguro bought the winning ticket together and, thus, should share the jackpot. This was not true and Seguro denied this allegation. True or not, the lottery corporation must investigate things like this prior to paying out. They did investigate and the case actually went to court. Seguro Ndabene won the court case and ended up getting all of the money that he won. However, it took 10 months. That's 10 long months of waiting that probably wouldn't have happened had Seguro sought the advice of a lottery attorney prior to making the claim.

Sometimes, it might even be possible to claim big lottery winnings anonymously too, as many people have done in the United States claiming through a trust company. Situations like this, claiming anonymously, would not be possible without a lottery lawyer that specializes in trust law.

Of course, there are many more ways that lottery attorneys could help you if you win the jackpot one day. The above examples are just the tip of the iceberg.

Tino writes a blog about lottery winners stories. It includes stories about people from around the world that have won big jackpots in countries such as The United States, England, India, New Zealand, Russia, and Canada.

Port Seguro, Brazil - A Portal to So Many New Worlds

As a single young mother of a 2yr old son and traveling alone. I set out with some apprehension on my journey to the North East Coast of Brazil and a place called Porto Seguro, which by the way means safe port in English.

My first impression on arriving was one of comfort as I had been harboring a nervous fear that I had kept hidden from friends and family for fear they would try to discourage my adventurous spirit.

Porto Seguro is a charming port alive with vibrancy and colors that only extreme sunshine is able to compliment. The people are warm and inviting and it is this inviting nature that lead to me discovering the even more beautiful lands that lay beyond Porto Seguro.

Just a short ferry ride away and you land on a peninsula that houses many other towns some of which are very rustic in flavorsome living. Trancoso de Bahia, Arraial D'ajuda just to name a few of the delights that open up with a little further exploration.

During my time in this charmingly peaceful place, I was fortunate to meet some really wonderful people and should you ever decide to visit check out Poussada Romona... wow a place to go if you need to recharge your batteries.

Head into the town center and find your way to the historic white church that stands proudly in prime position in the middle of the green grassed area of town and just on the edge of the cliff that leads down towards the sea. Standing in the center of the large green doors that opens up into the body of the church and you will feel the sea breezes as they wash over and cool your body. A glance over your shoulder will reveal an array of brightly colored cabanas that house various shops selling everything from daily groceries to arts and crafts for the foreign visitor.

It has been many years since I last visited this place, my son is now 15yrs old but I will never be able to erase from my mind the memories of a truly God Blessed place.

I have been lucky to have been able to travel extensively during my 20s and 30s. If you are thinking of doing some travel to far flung places then maybe the link below will help you go further a field as it will show you ways to save lots of money on those air fares. Go to my squidoo page and see more information.

http://www.squidoo.com/Brazil-and-Travel

I have recently used this method and it really does help you save sometimes upto $200 on one trip. Money that can be used for meals out, days on the beach drinking cocktails or just a room with a decent shower right.

The Merchant of Copan [In English and Spanish]

Advance: The ballgame at the Honduras courtyard in Copan, the year was 480 AD, Copan's 3rd ruler, Mat Head, whom succeeded Quetzal Macaw, whom was the founder of the city is now the new ruler. Mat Head, was a female, the spouse of Quetzal Macaw, and here is where the story begins.

There was a main ballgame ready to start, the competition was extremely high, as usual you might say; that being, if the game was not played the world would end, so they believed, and so rain or shine it was to take place.

The opposing team had eleven players, all ornately dressed and painted for the competition. They had leather padding around their waists, over their shoulders, about their arms and legs; able to withstand the blows of the solid rubber ball. The weight of the ball was one kilo. The ball was now thrown into the play, and each player knew they could not let it touch the ground or their hands.

Mat Head was watching the game with intensity, knowing her sister was part of a bet of which, if the opposing team won, she'd be [she being: her sister] the property of a local merchant, a very wealthy merchant, the most wealthy merchant in all of the Copan Valley; she would be his property, to do with as he pleased; but if the merchant lost, he would lose all his properties to the brother-in-law, riches, and be vanished from the city of 27,000-inhabidents, Copan; perhaps to the Yucatan. It was not uncommon for such wagers; it was deadlier than the exhibitions at the Roman Coliseum, in Italy. That being, the losers of this game would forfeit their heads.

But the Merchant of Copan, as I have said, was very rich so much so, he provided flint, lime, and pottery to the elite of the city, the whole city and thereabouts. And the Brother-in-Law of Mat Head was married to her sister, the most beautiful young woman in Copan.

The Merchant of Copan, had watched her at a number of previous games, and could never take his eyes off her beauty, her shape, and lusted after her with eyes like a hawk's. To him, it was worth the chance to bet on the game, all or nothing; he didn't know how much Mat Head's brother-in-law cared or didn't care for his wife, but he knew he was insatiable, and made the bet nonetheless and he accepted it; thus, his instincts were correct; for he could not longer withstand the burning pain he had inside of him watching her walk among the temples of Copan, and wishing she belonged to him, at any price, and a hungry soul will do most anything to impede that hunger.

--The ballgame had started, as I had already said, and the ball was in the air; some of the players were kicking their feet, and thrusting their hips, as they knocked the ball back and forth, in the I-shaped field, 25-meters long, 10-meters wide; all the players not wanting the ball to touch the ground, which would end the game, and eleven-heads would be severed.

All of a sudden the game stopped...a silence took hold of everyone, eyes were being shut by eleven players; oh it was a great thing to die, to be sacrificed for the game, but on the other hand, it would have been better to have to do it at a later date, I'm sure most of the players felt that way.

The spectators took in a deep breath to see who won and lost. History would not favor the brother-in-law today, unfortunate for his wife to be sure. Yes, yes, fortune smiled on the Merchant of Copan; I'm sure my readers are now downtrodden on this matter but it is as it is what I can say.

Thus, the lucky fella grabbed her like a wild monkey grabbing a banana out of the feeder's hands, and rushed her to his domicile. He threw her on the bed like an animal pelt, his eyes sparked with lust and passion, and he melted into her body like heat on ice; if anything, she was hurt beyond all understandings.

'How could he do this?' she moaned as this fat, ugly and rigid man pouncing on her. Yet she told herself, at least he wanted her. He was willing to give all his money for her; whereas, her husband sold her for a game ticket, and a bet. It was beyond her youthful comprehension.

Several years passed, and the fat old merchant got fatter and older, but other than being over lustful over her, he was a good provider, and gave her all she wished for. She became well known as a business woman, and at his 67-birthday, he died on the bed, as I suppose he wished it to be. Consequently, she was now the inheritor of the estates he once own, for there were no children involved.

She then made a deal with her ex-husband, knowing he liked to gamble, and wanted money. She made the same bet, well almost, a similar kind of bet anyway with him, as the Merchant of Copan had done before; she bet all her properties on the next game, that her team would win, and should he lose, her ex-husband, he'd have to give up his head, like the losing team had to. Well, he felt he could win her back should he lose the bet or win, and thus, took his chances and made the bet. But again, life did not favor him, he was not meant to be a gambler for sure, and after losing he begged her for his life, to take him back, saying in essence, they both could enjoy the riches she acquired, and their old position in the kingdom.

Oh gosh, she was such a caretaker, and told him she'd go home and think about it and make up her mind tomorrow. Well, he thought that was fine, at least it seemed better than losing his head today, and just the fact she was thinking about it was enough to enlighten him, feeling he would have the final victory, and that was the one that counted, he'd have her back and the treasures, what more could he ask for.

But as I had told you before, fate was not always in his pocket, that night the ruler, Mat Head, asked for the head of her Brother-in-law, being he had lost the bet. He begged for her to wait for her sister tomorrow and she'd strengthen it all out, but she said:

"A bet is a bet...and it must be paid."

Can't remember what else she said but his head was off within a heartbeat.

Upon Mat Head's sister's return the following morning, she asked for her ex-husband, and found out by her sister, the Mat Head, she had beheaded him. She cried a tear, a very big tear, and then smiled at Mat Head.

Dedicated to Jorge, 7/3/05

Spanish Version

Versión en Español

El Mercader de Copan
[480 Después de Cristo]

Avance: Juego de pelota en el patio de Copan en Honduras, el año era 480 después de Cristo, el 3er gobernador de Copan era Mat Head, quien sucedió a Quetzal Macaw, quien fue el fundador de la ciudad ahora el nuevo gobernador. Mat Head, era una mujer, la esposa de Quetzal Macaw, y aquí es donde la historia comienza.
Había un juego de pelota principal listo a comenzar, esta competencia era extremadamente interesante, como siempre podrías decir; esto es, si el juego no era llevado a cabo, el mundo se terminaría, o eso era lo que ellos pensaban, y entonces lloviera o soleara éste debía jugarse.
El equipo contrario tenía once jugadores, todos adornadamente vestidos y pintados listos para la competencia. Ellos usaban algo acolchado hecho de cuero alrededor de sus cinturas, sus hombros, sus brazos y piernas; que les permitiría soportar los golpes de la pelota de caucho sólido. La pelota pesaba un kilo. La pelota ahora fue lanzada en el juego, y cada jugador sabía que no podían dejar que ésta tocara tierra o sus manos.

Mat Head miraba el juego con intensidad, sabiendo que su hermana era parte de una apuesta en el cual si el equipo contrario ganaba, ella (su hermana) pasaría a ser propiedad de un comerciante local, un comerciante muy rico, el comerciante más rico en todo el Valle de Copan; ella pertenecería a él para hacer lo que a él le antojara. Pero si el equipo contrario perdía el comerciante perdería todas sus propiedades, que pasarían a manos de su cuñado, sus riquezas, y sería expulsado de la ciudad de 27,000 habitantes, Copan; quizás a Yucatán. Esto no era raro en esta clase de apuestas; esto era más mortal que las exposiciones en el Coliseo romano, en Italia. Esto era, los perdedores de este juego perderían sus cabezas.
Pero el Comerciante de Copan, como ya lo había dicho, era muy rico tanto que él proporcionó sílex, cal, y cerámica a la elite de la ciudad, a la ciudad entera y sus alrededores. Y el cuñado de Mat Head estaba casado con su hermana, la joven más hermosa en Copan.
El Comerciante de Copan, la había mirado en un número de juegos anteriores, y nunca podía sacar sus ojos de su belleza, su forma, y lujuriaba detrás de ella con ojos como de halcones. Para él, era valiosa la posibilidad de apostar en el juego, todo o nada; él no sabía cuánot el Cuñado de Mat Head se preocupaba o no se preocupaba por su esposa, pero él sabía que él era insaciable, e hizo la apuesta sin embargo y él la aceptó; así, sus instintos eran correctos; por que él no podía soportar más el dolor ardiente que sentía dentro de si mismo al mirarla caminar entre los templos de Copan, y deseando que ella le perteneciera, a cualquier precio, y un alma hambrienta hará algo más para impedir aquella hambre.
-- El juego de pelota había comenzado, como ya lo dije, y la pelota estaba en el aire; algunos jugadores estaban pateando, y empujando sus caderas, mientras ellos golpeaban la pelota hacia adelante y hacia atrás, en el campo de forma de "I", de 25 metros de largo, 10 metros de ancho; todos los jugadores queriendo que la pelota no tocara el suelo, el cual terminaría éste, y once cabezas serían cortadas.
De repente el juego se detuvo...un silencio se apoderó de cada uno, los once jugadores cerraban sus ojos; ah! era una gran cosa morir, ser sacrificado por el juego, pero por otra parte, habría sido mejor tener que morir más adelante, la mayoría de los jugadores sintieron de esta forma, estoy seguro.

Los espectadores respiraron profundamente para ver quién ganó y quién perdió. La historia no favorecería al cuñado hoy, lamentablemente para su esposa por seguro. Sí, sí, la fortuna sonrió al Comerciante de Copan; estoy seguro que mis lectores están ahora oprimidos sobre esta materia pero esto es como es, que puedo decir.
Así, el muchacho afortunado la agarró como un mono salvaje agarrando un plátano de las manos del alimentador, y apresuradamente la llevó a su domicilio. Él la lanzó sobre la cama como una piel de animal, sus ojos brillaban con lujuria y pasión, y él se derritió en su cuerpo como el calor sobre el hielo; si algo, ella fuera herida más allá de todo entendimiento.
'¿Cómo podría él hacer esto?' Ella gimió, mientras este hombre gordo, feo y rígido se le echaba encima. Sin embargo ella se dijo que al menos él la quería. Él estaba dispuesto a dar todo su dinero por ella; mientras que su marido la vendió por un boleto de juego, y una apuesta. Esto estaba fuera de su joven entendimiento.

Varios años pasaron, y el viejo comerciante se volvió más gordo y más viejo, pero aparte de ser lascivo sobre ella, él era un buen proveedor, y le dio todo lo que ella deseaba. Ella se hizo conocida como una mujer de negocio, y en su 67 cumpleaños, él murió sobre la cama, como supongo él deseó que esto fuera así. Consiguientemente, ella era ahora la heredera de las propiedades que él una vez tenía, porque no habían hijos implicados.

Entonces ella hizo un trato con su ex-marido, sabiendo que a él le gustaba jugar, y que quería el dinero. Ella hizo la misma apuesta, bien casi la misma, una clase similar de apuesta con él de todos modos, como el Comerciante de Copan había hecho antes; ella apostó todas sus propiedades sobre el siguiente juego, que su equipo ganaría, y si él perdía, su ex-marido, él tendría que ser decapitado, así como el equipo vencido. Bien, él sintió que él podría reconquistarla así perdiera o ganara la apuesta, y así él acepto la apuesta. Pero otra vez, la vida no lo favorecería, él no fue hecho para ser un jugador, por seguro, y después de perder él la rogaba perdonara su vida, que lo aceptara de nuevo, diciendo en esencia, que ambos podrían disfrutar de la riqueza que ella había adquirido, y su vieja posición en el reino.

Ah ¡mi Dios!, ella era tan cuidadosa, que le dijo que iría a su casa y que pensaría en esto y lo decidiría al día siguiente. Bien, él pensó que esto estaba bien, al menos eso le pareció mejor que perder su cabeza hoy, y solamente el hecho de que ella lo pensaría era bastante para iluminarlo, sintiendo que él tendría la victoria final, y que era él quien contaba, él la tendría de vuelta y los tesoros, que más podría él pedir.
Pero como ya lo había dicho antes, el destino no siempre estaba en su bolsillo, esa noche el gobernador, Mat Head, pidió la cabeza de su cuñado, como que él había perdido la apuesta. Él pidió que ella esperara por su hermana hasta el día siguiente y que ella lo arreglaría todo, pero ella dijo:
"Una apuesta es una apuesta...y ésta deber ser pagada".
No puedo recordar que más dijo ella, pero su cabeza fue cortada en un segundo.
Cuando la hermana de Mat Head volvió a la mañana siguiente, preguntó por su ex-marido, y descubrió por su hermana, Mat Head, que ella lo había decapitado. Ella gritó un rasgón, una lágrima muy grande, y luego sonrió a Mat Head.

Dennis Siluk, you can see his most recent book "Spell of the Andes," at most of your internet sites, like http://www.abe.com; it will be featured in the Huancayo, Peru Correo, newspaper, July 9, a review of the book, and on the internet for those interested; [http://www.Correo.com] - It will presented at the Ricardo Palma House, in Lima in October, by Luis Guillermo Guedes, Director. Dennis lives both in Lima, and Minnesota part of each year and is working on another book called, "Curse of the Abyss Worm."

Plant Spirit Shamanism - The Seguro

Andean shaman, Juan Navarro, was born in the highland village of Somate, department of Piura. He is the descendant of a long line of healers working with san pedro and with the magical powers of the sacred lakes known as Las Huaringas, which have been revered for their healing properties since the earliest Peruvian civilization.

At the age of eight, Juan made a pilgrimage to Las Huaringas and drank san pedro for the first time. Now in his 50's, every month or so it is still necessary for him to return there to accumulate the energy he needs to protect and heal his people.

Healing sessions with san pedro involve an intricate sequence of processes, including invocation, diagnosis, divination, and healing with natural 'power objects', called artes, which are kept, during the ceremony, in a complicated and precise array on the maestro's altar or mesa.

Artes may include shells, swords, magnets, quartz crystals, objects resembling sexual organs, rocks which spark when struck together, and stones from animals' stomachs which they have swallowed to aid digestion. They bring magical qualities to the ceremony where, under the visionary influence of san pedro, their invisible powers may be seen and experienced.

The maestro's mesa, on which these artes sit, is a representation of the forces of nature and the cosmos. Through the mesa the shaman is able to work with and influence these forces to diagnose and heal disease.

Always on these altars are seguros - magical amulet bottles filled with perfume, plants, and seeds gathered from Las Huaringas.

According to Juan Navarro, a seguro is a "friend" or "ally", someone you can turn to for advice and information, who will listen and share your problems.

Less poetically, a seguro is a clear glass bottle which contains perfumes, sacred water and, of course, a selection of plants chosen for their specific healing and spiritual qualities.

These bottles are kept on an altar, in sacred space, and regarded as objects of great power. Whenever the person who has a seguro requires help with any practical or spiritual problem, he will take it from the altar and sit with it against his heart, speaking with it as if to a friend. The seguro will absorb and transform the energy of his problems but, more importantly, if he listens carefully, the person who seeks its advice will hear the answers he needs from the spirit of the plants themselves.

A seguro can help you maintain and deepen your link to the sacred because, of course, it contains your plant ally. If there are other plants you have journeyed to or would like to learn from, these can be added to the seguro as well and, when you know the language of your ally, this plant spirit will communicate your desire to the other plants, which will also offer their healing and support. You therefore gain access to the natural world and its powers more widely.

To create a seguro, you will need a glass bottle, approximately 5" high, which can be sealed. Fill this 1/3rd full with perfume of your choice and top up with water. In Juan Navarro's seguros, this is water from the sacred lakes of Las Huaringas, but mineral water (as pure as possible) can also be used.

Once this base is prepared, meditate for a while on the qualities you would like in your life and which plants might bring you these things. Be informed in this by your work with the doctrine of signatures - heather for luck, honesty for truth, goldenrod for wealth, and so on.

Add these plants to your bottle, arranging them as attractively as possible (some seguros are so beautiful they are works of art in themselves), then place your plant allies in the bottle so they can act as mediators for all others. Before you seal the bottle, blow your dominio (intention) into it three times, and then put on the lid.

Place the bottle on your altar and reflect on its qualities often. Whenever you are in need of advice, sit with your seguro and speak with it. Then notice how things change for you.

Ross Heaven is a therapist, workshop leader, and the author of several books on shamanism and healing, including Darkness Visible, the best-selling Plant Spirit Shamanism, and Love?s Simple Truths. His website is http://www.thefourgates.com where you can also read how to join his sacred journeys to the shamans and healers of the Amazon.

Brazil Bahia Real Estate: Bargains in a Tropical Paradise

It's not "The" paradise, but there are thousands of paradisiacal beaches, which permit exceptional residence conditions and vacations all year round.

The temperatures are extremely pleasant all year round (without the excesses of some tropical climates), the people are extremely friendly, and the real estate prices - for vacation properties or for rental income - are true bargains by North American and European standards...

Bargains of how much?

Well. It depends and varies, of course. There are modest properties between 30.000 USD, or 40.000 USD. And double, up to 100,000 USD, for luxury... Bargains, even so...

And where is this place?

The place is a vast zone of the North eastern coast of Brazil (the longest tropical beach coast of the world). It's located mainly in the Brazilian state of Bahia, near small towns such as Praia do Forte, Itaparica, Ilha da Comandatuba, Costa do Sauipe, Porto Seguro, and others nearer the city of Salvador.

And the downsides, you may ask? And the safety issue? And are the people as friendly as mentioned before?

Yes. Brazilians are a peaceful and extremely friendly people. Brazil doesn't have terrorist activities or political violence. Brazil is a very big country, and as a whole offers safe conditions for investing and travelling. Safety problems - namely robbery - are in the big cities...

Safety problems are extremely rare in Bahia State. Even robbery and petty crime are largely unknown in most of Bahia.

You will notice some beggars in Salvador da Bahia, but in most of the coastal places - and we are speaking of a coast with many hundreds of miles...- even this problem is not sensitive.

You just need to test. Go to Brazil, go to Bahia... See the conditions, see the stock and the prices of local real estate. If you want to benefit from current prices, do not wait too long!

Present prices will not last for long. There is a growing international interest in Brazilian properties. The natural conditions offered by the coast of Bahia will promote tourism and real estate to the tops of international demand. It's just a question of time.

As mentioned above, think of places such as Porto Seguro, Itaparica, Praia do Forte, Costa do Sauipe... They are small villages with an extremely safe and friendly atmosphere, where you will also find nearby luxury resorts, a large supply of properties, and natural conditions that you will not find elsewhere.

So... book a flight to Brazil. Brazil - and Bahia especially - deserve your visit.

Eduardo Reisinho publishes Brazil-Travel-Guide.com

( Brazil Travel Guide), a website where you can look for more information on real estate, and other themes and travel information involving Brazil.

The Alabama, Goatman [In Spanish and English Now]

"He sat in the bookstore--pen in hand, thought about goats--don't ask me why, goats Mr. Soderman that is what he was doing, and he was looking at some magazines, and talking about building a goat ranch.

"He signed the paperwork for the purchase of 4000-acres in Alabama; he's also going to build a fence around it, its all on paper though, at the bookstore, on napkins first he wrote it out, then he pulled out some official papers from his briefcase, yup, that is exactly what he did, Mr. Soderman," said Mark Costello.

"He never seen the land I do believe, picked it out of a magazine, the one I think that was by his side, it had a few pictures of it, of the land in Alabama that is, he underlined the the words 'land,' called on his cell phone, talked to someone, ordered a fence to be built around it. As if everything would take care of itself thereafter. He lives here in Minnesota, and the land is in Alabama, unbelievable.

"His drawings on the napkins kind of helped him know what kind of fence he wanted I suppose, because it is what he ordered, described to the person over the phone. I noticed the table was green, and very clean, not sure why I noticed that, and I noticed he was eating a piece of coffeecake, with a strong looking latté, funny I wasn't hungry, I just kind of looked; anyhow there I was at his green table, and here I am talking to you, and there he was looking at all this stuff, sight unseen, and I asked him: 'How can you do this--buy a goat ranch, sight unseen; how do you know things will be ok, work out as you are planning them? I mean, perchance, this is land the devil himself doesn't' want, did you ever think of that?'

"That is what I told him Mr. Soderman, loud and clear, and he just, just looked at me as if I was not even there, not a worry in his face, not a moved eyebrow, or twitches of his nose, or deep sigh. A flat look, and here again I say, pen in hand, and he started writing out checks. Yes indeed, checks for the land, and the goats, and the fence.

'Here,' he says to me. Combining all the checks together, and handing them to me."'

"What did you do?" asked Mr. Soderman.

"Do, what did I do, what could I do, I was his lawyer, I took the checks; do you think I'd get out of bed at 2:00 AM, run down to this café and not--I mean...?"

"Changing the subject Mr. Lawyer, why are you telling me all this?"

--Mark sat back, facing the window at Mr. Soderman's back, his obvious humorous back.

"Is that all you have to say Mr. Costello?" said Soderman.

"Sure," he spit out, adding, "he had them goats in his mind and he knew they were...actually, he lived this before he said, yes that is what he said, it was a repeat, now I remember, that is what he said, a repeat, his life, that is what he said, a repeat! He had to live it over and over until he got it right--so he said.

"What then does that make you and me if he is living a repeated life, over and over until he gets it right?"

"Dead," said Mr. Soderman--

Mark looked at him, fading: pale, a fainted look, fogy like, he became, right in front of him, then said,

"He must have gotten it right this time"; Mark still looking out the window, everything around him fading now, melting into nothingness, even himself.

Written at the bookstore, while having coffee and coffeecake, 1-11-06, Roseville, Minnesota.

In Spanish

Translated by: Nancy Penaloza

El hombre de las cabras de Alabama

"el sentado en la librería-lapicero en mano, pensando acerca de cabras- no me pregunto porqué Cabras El señor Soderman eso es lo que el estaba haciendo, y el estaba mirando algunas revistas, y hablando acerca de construir un rancho para cabras.

El firmo el papeleo para la compra de 4000 acres en Alabama; el también iba a construir un cerco alrededor de esto, esta todo sobre el papel pienso, en la librería, sobre servilletas primero, luego el extrajo algún papel oficial de su portafolios, Si, eso es exactamente lo que hizo el Sr. Soderman", dijo Mark costello.

El jamás vio la tierra yo creo, lo eligió desde la revista, la que estaba a su lado pienso, había pocas fotografías de esto, de la tierra en Alabama, el subrayo la tierra, llamó a su teléfono celular, hablo con alguien, también ordenó un cerco alrededor. Como si todo podría tomar cuidado por el mismo. El esta aquí en Minnesota, y la tierra esta en Alabama, increíblemente.

"El esta dibujando sobre las servilletas, una forma de ayudarse a saber que clase de cerco quería, porque esto es lo que el ordenó, describió a la persona en el teléfono. Yo noté que la mesa era verde, y muy limpia, no estoy seguro porque note esto, yo note, que el estaba comiendo un trozo de pastel de café, con un late de apariencia fuerte, gracioso yo no estaba con hambre, yo solo miraba en cierto modo; de toda maneras allí yo estaba en su mesa verde, y aquí yo estoy hablando contigo, y allí él estaba mirando toda su mercadería, visión a ciegas, y le pregunté: "Como puedes hacer esto-comprar un rancho de cabras, a ciegas; ¿Cómo sabes que las cosas estaban bien? ¿Salir bien como tu estas planeando? Es decir, posiblemente, esta es la tierra del diablo, que el mismo no quiere, ¿alguna vez pensaste en eso?".

"Eso es lo que yo le dije al Sr. Soderman, en voz alta y claro, y el solo, solamente me miró como si yo no estuviera aun allí, sin una preocupación en su cara, ni un movimiento de sus ceja, o movimiento nervioso de nariz, o mirada profunda. Una mirada vaga, y allí nuevamente digo, lapicero en mano, y el empezó a extender cheques. Si de verdad, cheques para la tierra, y las cabras, y la cerca.

"aquí tienes", el me dijo. Agrupando todos los cheques juntos, y entregándome a mi.

"que hiciste tu" pregunto el Sr. Soderman.

"hacer, que hice yo, que podría hacer, yo era su abogado, tome los cheques; tu crees que yo saldría de la cama a las 2.00 AM, correr hacia el café y no- ¿así, dije?.

"cambiando de tema Sr. Abogado,¿Porqué me estas diciendo todo esto?"

-Mark se volvió a sentar de cara a la ventana a la espalda del Sr. Soderman, su evidente gracia regresó.

"esto es todo lo que Ud. Tiene que decir Sr. Costello?" dijo Soderman.

"Seguro", el escupió, agregando, "el tenia esas cabras en su mente y el sabia que ellas estaban... actualmente, el vivió, esto antes dijo él, si, eso es lo que él dijo, esto fue una repetición, ahora recuerdo, eso es lo que él dijo, una repetición, de su vida, eso es lo que él dijo, una repetición el tenia que vivir esto una u otra vez hasta que el consiga hacerlo correctamente- así el dijo.

"¿Que es lo que hacemos entonces Ud. Y yo si él esta viviendo una vida de repetición,

Una y otra vez hasta que el consiga corregirlo?".

"la muerte", dijo el Sr. Soderman.

Mark lo miro, descolorido: pálido, una apariencia fantasmal, como nublada, el se volvió, directo frente a el, luego dijo.

"El debió haber conseguido corregir este tiempo". Mark aun mirando fuera de la ventana, todo alrededor de el nublándose ahora, mezclándose dentro de la nada, aun él mismo.

Escrito en la librería, mientras tomaba café y pastel de café, 1-11-06, Roseville Minnesota.

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com see Dennis' new book "Images out of Peru," at http://www.abe.com

Trancoso Real Estate: The Perfect Resort Property In Bahia

Trancoso is a small town near Porto Seguro located in an area of white sandy and in some cases semi deserted beaches set against cliffs. You can swim in the natural swimming pools which form at low tide due to the reefs which protect it from the open sea.

Trancoso, a rectangular shaped village besides having a famous village green has other attractions like coconut groves and the tropical rainforest. If you are looking for a holiday home for commercial or investment purposes, Trancoso real estate should be on your destination list.

This group is looking for a place where they can settle down and work. Naturally, most of these people prefer areas near the major cities or towns which are well connected and have good quality infrastructure suitable for day to day living, for example, good roads, schools, shopping facilities and hospitals to name a few. Most property investors in Bahia can be divided into two categories. The first group consists of people wanting to buy property exclusively for their own use.

The second category consists of people who are looking for a holiday home which they can occasionally use and rent out for the rest of the year. The requirement of this group is a calm peaceful place away from the urban rush with good tourist attractions and activities.

Trancoso provides the perfect match for these requirements and this is the main reason for Trancoso real estate being so much in demand.

Trancoso, An Easy To Reach Resort Town

Trancoso lies on the coast to the south of Porto Seguro in the southeastern Bahia region which is popularly known as the Discovery Coast (Costa de Descobrimento).

Trancoso which comes under the Porto Seguro municipality is about 40 minutes from the ferry connecting Proto Seguro to Arraial d'Ajuda and about an hour's drive from the Proto Seguro international airport. Porto Seguro is a port city and is well connected by air and road to all other parts of the country.

Trancoso has all the makings of a good resort town with beautiful beaches, controlled development and the right infrastructure. The village which retains its old style houses is rectangular and the village square is known as the Quadrado. Just near the square is the catholic church of Saint John the Baptist which was built sometime during the sixteenth century.

History And Culture

Trancoso is included in the government's environmental protection area which is aimed at limiting the development in the region to protect its biosphere. This is a good thing for people wanting to invest in Trancoso real estate for holiday purposes as they can rest assured that lopsided development will not spoil the charm and quiet of the place.

Trancoso is in the area where the Portuguese first landed in Brazil. The population has the typical Brazilian mix consisting of descendents of the natives, Portuguese and African people. The last few decades have seen people from other parts of the world settling down here.

There is a festival held every year on January 20th at the village square where people celebrate and honor Saint Sebastian by singing and playing musical instruments.

Great Places To Visit In And Around Trancoso

• Beaches: The Mirror Beach, Palm Tree Beach, Local Beach and the Big Rock Beach are among the most famous beaches of Trancoso. The mirror beach is half an hour away and is accessible only on sunny days by a dirt road. The Palm Tree Beach got its name thanks to a group of beautiful palm trees located near it. It has facilities like restaurants, beach bars and resort hotels.

• The Quadrado and the church next to it.

• Monte Pascoal National Park.

Property Options Available For Trancoso Real Estate Seekers

There are many residential and commercial real estate investment options in Trancoso. Farms, land, hotels and houses are available. Here is an idea about the cost involved going by current real estate listings:

• Houses are available from $101,300 to $1,800,800 at an average price of about $600,230.

• Land is available from $56,275 to $3,376,500 at an average price of about $816,340.

Whether you are looking for a holiday home or buying a property for rental income or other commercial purposes, you are sure to find something perfect for your requirements in Trancoso. For people looking for property in a resort town, Trancoso real estate presents an ideal choice. With perfect weather and natural attractions, Trancoso is a hit with tourists and is gaining in popularity as time passes.

Search over 500+ Brazilian properties; houses, apartments, farms, land and development opportunities to make an informed Trancoso property investment. Brazil Bahia Property are the largest real estate agents in the Bahia region and cover all areas of the market offering real world advice if you're looking to buy Brazilian property.

This article comes with reprint rights. Feel free to reprint and distribute as you like. All that we ask is that you do not make any changes, that this resource text is included, and that the link above is intact.

Living Abroad - Spanish National Health System

Are you covered by the Spanish National Health System?

If you are in Spain as a tourist, you will probably have brought along your copy of

the E111 form obtained from the national health service in the UK, or you may have

taken out private health cover with your tour operator. In either case, you will be

covered for accidents and urgent illnesses during your stay. The E111 form will only

cover you for emergencies, not for treatment of chronic illnesses or for undertaking

an operation in Spain that you would have to wait a long time for in your home

country. If you run out of or mislay your regular medication whilst in Spain, your

E111 form can be used in any pharmacy to obtain a replacement.

You will have to use the doctors, surgeries or hospitals of the Spanish national

health services, called INSS. If you go to a private doctor or hospital, they will ask

you to pay, so if you are unfortunate enough to need to call an ambulance whilst on

holiday, make sure the driver knows that you need to be taken to an INSS hospital.

There are many private hospitals along the Costa Blanca, and you may find yourself

arriving at one of them as the driver has assumed you had private health cover. If

this happens you should communicate this to the INSS within 24 hours. The

personnel at the private hospital will assist you.

If you have contributed to the national health services of your own country, and that

country has an agreement with Spain on health services, you can also be covered if

you stay for longer periods in Spain, or become a permanent resident here. Then

you need to bring a form E-121 in two copies with you to Spain, and register it with

the Spanish health authorities. The registration is with the local Centro de Salud.

They will keep one of the copies of the form, and fill in and stamp the other one, to

be kept by you.

After a while you will receive in the post a card identifying you as a person with

certain rights to use the Spanish national health services. On it will be given the

name of the doctor you are to visit in case of illness, as well as the address of the

next INSS health centre. If you go on visits to other countries from Spain, you must

remember to get an E-111 from your local health centre, to be covered as a tourist

abroad, even in your home country.

If you are not included in the national health services of your home country, you

may have contracted a private health insurance there. Find out with the insurance

company if they will pay your medical bills in Spain as well. If you are completely or

partly without cover abroad, and a travel insurance does not fill the gap, you should

take private health insurance. Some foreigners feel more comfortable with private

insurance in addition to the public one, because they like to choose their doctor and

hospital, or because they doubt the quality of the state health services. To the last

point we can say: The national health services in Spain are of a very high standard.

You do not have to make appointments in advance to see a doctor, you turn up at

the surgery early in the morning, sign your name on the list, and wait your turn. You

may have to wait a couple of hours before being seen, but the receptionist usually

tells you roughly what time your turn will be based on how many are in front of you

in the queue so that you can go away and have a coffee and come back. As with any

country, there are waiting lists for operations, but not nearly as long as in the UK.

I

have known of cases whereby people have been diagnosed with terminal cancer in

the UK but been refused treatment because of budgetary or time constraints. Those

same people have then moved to Spain to spend their last days in the sun, have

been advised to visit the local doctor and then been admitted to hospital within days

to have life saving treatment.

If you do wish to opt for private health cover, there are a number of private Spanish

or foreign health insurances offered to the foreigners in Spain. The most popular

ones being Adeslas, Asisa, La Estrella, DKV Seguros, Sanitas and Winterthur. Today,

all insurance companies have their "Defensor del Asegurado" (ombudsman for the

insured) who you can present your complaints to if you feel the company is not

dealing correctly with you. If that does not work, you can approach Dirección

General de Seguros (phone 91-339 72 00) in the Ministry of Economy.

If you decide to take up employment in Spain thereby making contributions to the

Social Security system, you will obviously be covered by the Spanish national health

service. Your gestor will assist you in filling out the appropriate forms and register

you in the Spanish Social Security system. Currently, as a self employed person, the

monthly contributions are 220 EUR per month (£146.81), and it is your responsibility

to ensure they are paid. Once you are in the system, the authorities will track your

contributions and if you do not advise them of a change in circumstances, they will

expect you to pay the contributions. Failure to do so will result in fines and

eventually, a withdrawal of health services.

Everybody should keep, next to the phone, the name and phone number of a doctor

speaking your language, or of the local health centre, as well as a company

providing ambulance services, and the closest hospital where you would want to go

to in an emergency (depending if you are covered by the National Health Service or

rely on private services).

Karen Milacic is a graphic and web designer living as a British expat on the Costa Blanca for the past five years. Visit her other web sites at: [http://www.villa-angels.com]; [http://www.thedesignbusiness.co.uk]; http://www.costablanca-webhosting.com

Telling Everyone, "I Need To Win The Lottery?" Use The Seguro Ndabene Formula

Are you going around telling everyone, "I need to win the lottery?" They may be getting tired of hearing it, and you're probably tired of saying it. One way of turning that tired old saw into a something new like, "I won the lottery," is to apply the Seguro Ndabene Formula.

Have you heard about Seguro?

He's a man who has won five Canadian lotteries. He has won $1 million in the Western 6/49 in 2004; $100,000 in the Super 7 Extra in Calgary in 2006; $1 million and $50,000 in the Western 6/49 in Airdrie, Alta., in 2008; and $17 million in January 2009.

The last one was disputed because no one could believe he could win legitimately that often, but Seguro finally settled and got his winnings. Because he did win legitimately. You know why?

Because he didn't need to.

That's the short answer, and it's the key to the formula.

But here's the longer answer.

Seguro knew he was going to win before he won, but even though he knew that, he also knew that if he didn't win, that was okay too. Seguro was okay with how things were. He was secure. He felt abundant.

And so, of course, he created more security and more abundance.

Seguro Ndabene's mindset and feelings creates the winning formula:

Feel the way you want to feel. Add to that, knowing that you will win. Add to that, enjoying life the way it is now. And you get lottery wins.

So the formula is: Feeling good + knowing + accepting = winning.

So how do you go about filling in the parts of the formula. How do you feel secure and abundant when you don't feel that way?

How do you feel it when you're facing bankruptcy or you're working four jobs or your house is in foreclosure or you're eating beans every night because you can't afford anything else?

You take every opportunity you have to retreat from physical reality and enter the reality of your mind.

Did you know that your subconscious mind can't tell the difference between images in your head and the real thing?

If you feel, in your imagination, like a happy, content, secure, abundant person, your subconscious mind things that's what you are. And it will start seeing the world accordingly.

The way your subconscious mind sees the world determines what you notice or don't notice. When you're subconscious thinks you're secure and abundant, you'll naturally begin to notice all the things that make you feel that way. You don't have to have money to feel that way. You can feel secure in love and in other ways.

When you begin using the power of your mind to create the mindset that attracts things like lottery wins, you access the power of the Seguro Ndabene formula. That's when you'll stop saying, "I need to win the lottery," because in your mind, you already have. And in no time, your physical reality will match up with your mental reality.

Discover more lottery winning secrets. Discover how one woman used a positive attitude to win $112 million. Learn about the Lottery Black Book strategy that can teach you the systems you need to know to win.

Troy Burroghs: Water [Now in: English and Spanish]

I was watching TV a few days ago and it just come to my mind, one of them flashbacks you hear about I suppose--you know, PTS: those Post Traumatic Stress flashes.

Anyways, the guy was talking on TV, calm like, mildly well dressed in his early '30s style attire, representing an insurance company. Maybe he knows about my flash backs, I thought, maybe he has flashbacks, he's selling insurance, so perhaps this has something to do with it.

I was now wondering about my flash-back potential a while ago, and this trigger it again, it gave me the willies.

Well, he was standing in this apartment you see, and said on the TV screen, "Water, yes it can save you when you are hungry."

(Get to the damn point, my subconscious was trying to penetrate through the smoke screen in my mind.)

Then he just looked straight at me and said,

"No kidding." Can you believe that? Then he goes on to say, "Just drink water, it will file you up until your insurance money comes to you."

Then this creep adds, "We pay a few days early," not sure where he is going with this, but I hope you don't have to drink water that long to collect.

Now he says, "Don't go away, I got more."

This jellyfish is giving me flashbacks. Now he is walking outside of the apartment to a front lawn. What is this guy up to, and was he really talking to me, I mean--really?

He picks up a water hose with one of the adjustable spouts, turns it up, "Fuel up," he says, with excitement. Boy, this fish is way out of water I tell myself. Now I don't know if he's selling water or insurance, maybe the hose. You ever see those commercials it takes forever to tell what is being sold, well, this was one.

That was it, I had to turn the TV off and go talk to my wife. This guy made no sense, plus he irritated me; I had to take calm down pill. He could have told me to make ice cubes, and it would have make more sense than 'now you can fuel up,' something like that, that would have been better than a hose being shoved in my face in front of my TV. The ice cube was my flash back; I think, yes, yes, yes indeed, the ice cube. Yup, when I was eighteen-years old, I was so hungry, I had to eat ice cubes, and I was thinking about robbing a boy scout of his candy one night but couldn't, and this guy says fill up with water; no way Jose that was my ice cube flashback.

In Spanish

Translated by Nancy Penaloza

Troy Burroughs: Agua

Yo estuve viendo TV hace pocos días, y justo vino a mi mente, una de esas escenas retrospectivas acerca del que oíste yo supongo-Ud. sabe, PTS: esos destellos de tensión Post-traumáticos.

De cualquier manera, el muchacho estaba hablando en TV, tranquilo como suavemente, bien vestido en su atavió estilo de los tempranos años 30, representando a una compañía de seguros. Talvez el conoce acerca de mis escenas retrospectivas, yo pensé, quizás el tiene escenas retrospectivas, el esta vendiendo seguros, por lo tanto talvez esto, tiene algo que ver con esto.

Yo estaba ahora preguntándome, acerca de mi potencial recuerdo retrospectivo hace un rato, y esto lo activó otra vez, esto me dio las inquietudes.

Bien, el estaba de pie en este apartamento que usted ve, y dijo en la pantallas de la TV, "El agua, si esto puede salvarle cuando Ud. esta con hambre".

(Póngase al punto maldito, mi subconsciente estaba tratando de penetrar a través de la pantalla de humo en mi mente).

Entonces el justo miro directo hacia mí y dijo,

"no me digas".¿ Puedes tu creer eso? Luego el continuo diciendo,

"solo bebe agua, esto te mantendrá hasta que tu indemnización de dinero llegue a ti".

Entonces esta persona desagradable agrego, "Nosotros pagamos unos días adelantados", no seguro a donde estaba yendo él con todo esto, pero yo espero que tu no tengas que beber tanta agua por mucho tiempo.

Ahora el dice, "no te muevas; yo tengo mas"

Esta medusa esta dándome escenas retrospectivas, ahora el esta caminando fuera del apartamento al césped del frente. Que esta tramando este muchacho, y estaba realmente hablándome, yo creo- realmente?

El tomo una manguera de agua con un pico ajustable, lo doblo, "impúlsalo" el dijo, con entusiasmo, muchacho, este pez esta fuera del agua, me dije a mi mismo. Ahora yo no se si el esta vendiendo agua o seguros, talvez la manguera. Tu alguna vez viste esos comerciales que toman una eternidad decirte cual esta siendo vendido, bien, este fue uno.

Así fue, yo tuve que apagar la TV. E ir a hablar con mi esposa- este muchacho no tuvo sentido, mas él me irritó; yo tuve que tomar pastillas calmantes. El podría haberme dicho para hacer hielo en cubos, y esto podría haber hecho más sentido que "ahora tú puedes impulsarlo", algo como eso, podría haber sido mejor, que una manguera siendo empujada en mi cara en frente de mi TV. El cubo de hielo era mi recuerdo retrospectivo; yo creo, si, si de verdad, el cubo de hielo, yup, cuando yo tenia 18 años de edad, yo estaba tan hambriento, que tuve que comer cubos de hielo, y yo estaba pensando privar a un boy scout de su caramelo una anoche pero no pude, y este tipo dice, se llenan con el agua, de ninguna manera José, ese fue mi cubo de hielo retrospectivo.

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com See Dennis' books at http://www.alldirect.com.

How to Conjugate the Spanish Verb Ser Versus Estar - Beginner Spanish Grammar Lesson

In this article you will learn how to conjugate the Spanish verb "ser" vs. "estar."One common mistake for beginners, is the tendency to confuse the use of the two verbs "ser" and "estar." Despite the fact that both these verbs mean the English word "to be" and that both verbs are irregular in the present tense, if you use "ser" when you really mean to use "estar," you can completely change the meaning of your sentence.

In a nutshell, the verb "ser" is normally used when speaking about permanent and inherent qualities. The verb "estar" is used to speak about temporary qualities or qualities that can change with time.

But there are certain words where you can completely change the meaning of a sentence depending on your choice of "ser" and "estar." Let me give you some examples.

1a. ser rico/a (to be rich)

Soy rico.

(I am rich)

1b. estar rico/a (to be delicious)

La comida está rica.

(The food is delicious)

While "soy rico" may be a line a guy may use to impress a "muchacha," saying "estoy rico" may get him slapped.

2a. ser aburrido/a (to be boring)

Ella es aburrida.

(She is boring.)

2b. estar aburrido/a (to be bored).

Antes de la fiesta, estuve muy aburrido.

(Before the party, I was very bored.)

This one reminds me of a story that an American friend told me about a native Spanish-speaking woman who he was dating. The first time that they went out she said to him more than once in English "you look very BORING."

Actually, what she meant to say in English is "You look very BORED." Well, that's what my American friend hopes that she meant to say. The point I am making is that native Spanish speakers also make similar or related mistakes when learning English.

Here are some more examples of how your choice of "ser" vs. "estar" can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

3a. ser listo/a (to be smart)

El muchacho es listo.

(The boy is smart)

3b. estar listo/a (to be ready)

El muchacho está listo.

(The boy is ready)

4a. ser malo/a (to be bad)

Cuando yo era pequeño era muy malo.

(When I was little, I was very bad.)

4b. estar malo/a (to be sick/to go bad)

Hoy el juez está mal.

(Today the judge is sick.)

5a. ser seguro/a (to be safe/secure)

Tus diamantes están seguros en la caja fuerte.

(Your diamonds are secure in the safe.)

5b. estar seguro/a (to be sure)

Estás seguro que mi avión llega a las seis?

(Are you sure that my plane arrives at six?)

So keep these examples in mind if you want to know how to conjugate the Spanish verb "ser" vs. "estar."

Alejandra K. Legarda is a free lance Spanish instructor. She is also a contributor to the Learning Spanish Like Crazy course and the Verbarrator Spanish verb conjugation software. If you want to test-drive a free online demo copy of the Verbarrator and learn how to conjugate Spanish verbs as easy as uno, dos, tres then go here now: Verbarrator.com

Por un tazon de sopa (For a Bowl of Soup ((in Spanish/Revised))

He considerado aconsejable cambiar los nombres de los caracteres principales en esta historia; un pecado venial a lo mucho. En cualquier caso, los nombres importan poco si la fuente de la historia refleja la verdad que reside bajo la situación, y el lector seguramente reconocerá a los caracteres, la identidad verdadera que ellos deberían desear.

Veinticinco años han pasado desde que esto tuvo lugar. Para informarme más sobre esto, hablé con el psicólogo que estuvo implicado con el caso, y le pregunté por qué él hizo lo que él hizo, y su respuesta fue, "Por un tazón de sopa, cambié mi carrera". Bien echo, pensé entonces. Ya que después de que él mató a su paciente, no hubieron más asesinatos en Lima, Perú. Pero me estoy adelantando a mi historia. Voy a volver veinticinco años atrás más o menos, y producir una narración de histórica-ficción (una promulgación de lo que pudo haber ocurrido antes de su detención).

Este era uno de los días calientes de verano en Lima, Perú, en los últimos l970s, no estoy seguro por qué estaba allí, un lugar que podría ser, supongo tan bueno como cualquier otro. De todo lo que me enteré era de una serie de asesinatos, y que la policía estaba encontrando partes de cuerpos por todas partes de la ciudad. Esto no tenía nada que ver conmigo, pero yo podía al menos preguntarme ¿cómo podría ser esto?, es decir, ser cortado en pedazos vivo y enterrar las partes de cuerpo por todas partes de la ciudad, y de repente, alguien encontrar un brazo o una pierna y decir: ¡"Hepa, mira aquí!". Todos ellos hablaban de este asesinato de masas, ellos lo llamaban: "El Descuartizador de Lima".

Confieso, que yo no podía pensar en nada peor en el mundo.

Seguí enterándome sobre "El Descuartizador", en la radio, televisión, en los cafés; y leí sobre él en los periódicos, como si no habría ninguna otra noticia más. Él era la estrella de Lima, una celebridad. Nada tan asombroso que yo no podía concebirlo en mi mente.

Lima tenía sus propios problemas,sin este tipo, que yo pensé ya era bastante. Era como a las 11:00 de la mañana en que desperté de un sueño sudoroso; tan macabro como ellos te ponen. Fui a tomar un taxi para ir a comer en el café al que normalmente voy en Miraflores, las calles estaban tan calientes como una pistola que recién había disparado un tiro. El polvo del viento estaba siendo arremolinado y lanzado en mi dirección.

Yo tenía huevos y tocino para el desayuno; y detrás la cara de Maribel, mi camarera-una madre joven con dos hijos gemelos, era demasiado para ella, que temblaba como la mayoría.

Abrí el periódico para ver los actos sucios que "El Descuartizador" pudo haber hecho la noche anterior. Moví el papel un poco, no miré fijamente en ello, pensando que otra gente pensaría que me gustaba leer la porquería horrible, aunque todos hacían los mismo. Así, que no dejé la pagina exponiendo sus hechos sucios demasiado tiempo.

Yo sabía que algo andaba mal, mis sentidos me lo decían, me decía que esta cadena de asesinatos era demasiado incómoda para mí, para solamente dejarlo ir; pero la ciudad entera aumentó su interés en ello. Así, anduve en el área del parque en Miraflores, como yendo a la deriva, e hice lo mismo en la Plaza de Armas unas millas más lejos, tratando de pensar si buscaba a mis amigos en el hotel para sondear más sobre este asunto.

Estaba supuestamente gozando de unas largas vacaciones, y una especie de trabajo también. A menudo ponía ambos en uno--juntos. Estaba tratando de terminar de escribir un libro y realmente no era concerniente a un caso de asesino de masas. Pero sin embargo, este se volvía una preocupación para mí. Conseguí alguna exposición por ser un escritor americano en Lima, y una presentación de mi libro anterior en una librería local. Así, yo tenia alguna cobertura en el periódico, con una entrevista de televisión, y una conferencia rápida en una universidad. Esto llamó la atención de mis compañeros o colegas en el hotel, y especialmente en el bar, los escritores y reporteros quienes se suponen eran los que deberían cubrir este caso: esto es, del "Descuartizador de Lima".
"Solamente sé que continúa en este país", dijo uno de los clientes en el bar del hotel. "¡No podemos andar en las calles de noche nunca más" dijo otro. Realmente no quería entrar más en este asunto ni tener lástima, no por mí, ni por ellos. Solamente quería seguir mi camino; tú sabes, de la máquina de escribir a la máquina de escribir, del hotel al hotel. Dejar la materia espantosa para ellos.

Eramos seis de nosotros en el hotel, entre escritores y reporteros a los que llegué a conocer. En cualquier caso, hablamos del tema al alcance de la mano, "El Descuartizador". Que esto sería una buena noticia, si uno de nosotros averiguaba quién era él y exponerlo.

Por mí, los dije, no quería aprovecharme de las ventajas de su descubrimiento. Ninguno de ellos pareció impacientarse en la investigación de este caso de muy cerca, aunque todos sus gastos fueran pagados por su patrón: dos muchachos de ciudad de Nueva York, otro de Chicago, y todavía otro de Detroit; y todavía había otro de Lima misma; y yo del conservativo San Pablo, de Minnesota.

Así que eramos seis, nosotros en el hotel en el mismo piso; de cuarto a cuarto, tres cuartos sobre un lado y tres sobre el otro. Esto me recordaba los cuarteles del ejército: camas y cuartos amontonados uno al lado del otro. De una manera extraña, este era un hotel donde mujeres, mujeres solas no estaban en el mismo piso que nosotros. Y los ricos estaban arriba de nosotros. Yo los vi, mientras salí a la azotea del hotel, bostezando y estirándome, tratando de borrar la noche de borrachera.

Díaz

Sucedió que Díaz me preocupaba. Nunca conocía a un hombre como él. No estoy seguro de donde vino él, quizás era peruano. Él tenía una cara delgada, una lengua larga que siempre parecía bloquear su respiración, y cuando él abría su boca, su lengua estaba allí antes de que sus dientes aparecieran. Él tenía el pelo negro brillante. Su boca tenía una clase de mofa arrogante, como si el mundo fuera más mudo que él, y él podía sacar hacia fuera el ingenio ellos, si así lo deseaba en un memento dado.

Díaz me escogió enseguida cuando llegué al hotel. Él amablemente me hizo sentir más importante que el resto de los reporteros y escritores en el hotel. Él se sentaría a mi lado en la barra como todos lo hacíamos para hablar de las noticias que eran dignas, y él me diría bajo su aliento, como una clase de susurro, de alguna observación ingeniosa sarcástica.

Él estaba consciente, como los demás que no era capaz de encontrar a este asesino de masas, y sin embargo criticó como si él pudiera--debería intentarlo. Pero él era tan indolente como el resto. Pero no dije nada al efecto, no le prestes atención, me dije. Déjame repetir, él no estaba impresionado como todos en el hotel, incluido yo, él dijo una vez, "...tú eres toda la decadencia complicada que es atraída al minino de vida" Ah tal vez él tuvo razón, me dije. Parecemos ser algo magnéticos cuando se trata de gángsteres y asesinos, haciéndolos famosos, si no héroes en algún sitio a lo largo del camino. Como dije, me marché solo, y solamente me pregunté si él caería en su propia categoría. O él estaba muy cerca de la montaña para ver la realidad.

Él tenía una risa interesante, que se adhería a él como una especie de fuerza fascinante. Esto me recordó de un predicador carismático que puede cambiar el sermón a su capricho.

"Sabes mi amigo", diría él, "A nadie le importa un comino, cómo terminará esta historia, mientras todos tus gastos sean pagados".

Díaz encendió un cigarrillo, soplo el golpe de humo en mi cara, el que alejé de un movimiento brusco.

"Ves qué fácil es hacerte mover" dijo él con un excitado velo de gusto.

"Apuesto a que tu ex-esposa puede controlar cada movimiento que haces", él añadió con una seguridad en su semblante.

-La ciudad y el verano no hicieron mucho para obtener un bronceado, parecía tan severo como cualquier gringo podría ser, tan blanco es decir tan blanco como un fantasma. Muchas conversaciones con Díaz me hicieron un poco cínico, si no, francamente ingenioso con los que se mofan de la sabiduría de mis consejos de vez en cuando.

Yo no sabía que iba a pasar a lo largo del camino, pero sabía perfectamente bien que Díaz haría algo, llámele intuición militar. Él mostró tendencias raras hacia el peligro, él andaba a través de las calles como si ningún carro podría atropellarlo. Él se sentaba en el alféizar como si él fuese capaz de caerse de ellos. La lista continúa pero él tenía sangre fría realmente pienso.

Mañana en el Café

Una noche no me uní a Díaz en el bar, y mientras leía el periódico de la mañana en mi café familiar en Miraflores la mañana siguiente, mis adentros fueron de repente entumecido, y la mirada sobre mi cara debe haber sido doblemente mudo. Maribel me despertó, queriendo saber si yo deseaba ordenar el desayuno, mientras me senté atrás en mi silla afuera del café-de-manera-informal; sus ojos siguieron el mío detrás el papel, estaba abierto de par en par sobre la mesa, yo estaba mudo. Ella me echó un vistazo después de mirar y comenzó a reírse.

La risa debió haberme dicho, pero dije, "Qué es tan gracioso?"

El tráfico alrededor del café era lento, música siendo tocada como era costumbre, pero realmente no oía mucho de esto. Yo me sentía apretado.

"Bien", comenté.

"Este es su amigo Díaz-" El es "El Descuartizador"! Pude ver que Maribel estaba interiormente en pánico.

En estos días no puedo recordar lo que dije, o incluso si reía. Pienso que lo intenté, lo cual es casi tan natural en mí. ¡Todo lo que recuerdo era el silencio terrible que palpitó dentro de mí, hasta que alguien dijo, "Oiga Usted!" lo que despertó tanto a Maribel como a mí, y nos saco de nuestro estado de trance.

Dennis Siluk, Author/Poet
http://dennissiluk.tripod.com
(Translated by Nancy Penaloza)

Arraial D'Ajuda Attractions And Property

Arraial d'Ajuda is part of 'The Discovery Coast' and a short ferry ride across the river from Porto Seguro, Arraial d'Ajuda forms part of the municipality of Porto Seguro, which has the nearest commercial airport. Arraial d'Ajuda is very much like an upmarket European tourist resort, without the associated expense. Fashionable, modern, vibrant and unspoiled.

Arraial d'Ajuda is a historical town situated on a plateau above the coast and is aimed at the discerning tourist, rather than the mass market approach of Porto Seguro. A major tourist destination in its own right, the town is much more charming than Porto Seguro.

History And Attractions

Arraial's earliest recorded history dates back to the 16th century and the discovery and conquest of Brazil. There are processions and festivals here the year round.

This city is famous for it's religious parties, some of the most traditional are St. Sebastian (20 January) and St. Cosme and St. Damian (September 27). The largest celebration is on 15th August, for St. Nossa Senhora d'Ajuda it attracts thousands, tourists and locals alike.

The nearby National Park of Monte Pascoal and Indian reservation and the white beaches and lagoons annually attract international tourists.

A peaceful tourist village with indisputable appeal, it's narrow paved roads and dusty lanes wind beneath large, shady trees, with lovely pousadas and open air restaurants hidden among the greenery. Solid, brightly painted façades surround its plazas, and the air remains tinged with the scent of tropical vegetation.

In the evenings the place to visit is "Broduei" (pronounced "Broadway"). Here you can find bars and restaurants with all kinds of food (from Acarajé to Sushi to Mexican) and live music. You can also find locals offering their handicrafts as souvenirs. A second popular area is the Estrada do Mucugê, a bustling artery lined with boutiques, bars, and restaurants that magically spring to life come sundown.

The Beaches And Activities

There are many beaches here but the most popular are Araçaí, Apaga Fogo, Canoas, Mucugê, Tororão e Pitinga, some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere.

The Town offers numerous activities, if you are interested in scuba diving there are operators there, they'll take you to dive in Abrolhos (one of the most famous diving spot in Brazil). You can also take Lambada classes and follow trekking trails as well as learn regular surfing and kite surfing.

Property And Development

Arraial d'Ajuda today has a thriving international community, a number of chic shopping centres, an amazing array of restaurants and bars, more than you can count, a nightlife which will extend to 24hrs if you want it to and access to some of the best beaches in Brazil.

There is an enviable quality of life and no doubt it's desirability will increase exponentially over the coming years to become one of the most desirable spots in Bahia and indeed Brazil.

Property development space is limited and demand is high, so expect prices to rise further. This area also features Club Med as well as one of Brazil's most prestigious resorts in TerraVista.

Search over 500+ Brazilian properties; houses, apartments, farms, land and development opportunities to make an informed Brazilian property investment. Brazil Bahia Property are the largest real estate agents in the Bahia region and cover all areas of the market offering real world advice if you're loooking to buy Brazilian property.

This article comes with reprint rights. Feel free to reprint and distribute as you like. All that we ask is that you do not make any changes, that this resource text is included, and that the link above is intact.

Playa Grande Building Information

For those folks that are building somewhere else, other than Playa Grande, you can use this information as a guide. Most likely it will be easier to go through the Costa Rica building experience in your area, than it is in Playa Grande.

The following steps will help you understand what it takes to start and complete a project in the Playa Grande, Costa Rica area.

Step 1

Contact A Realtor

It is wise to use a realtor in Costa Rica. Most likely they will know the area and may even know important information about the property that interests you.

Be aware that in Costa Rica anyone can be a realtor. There is no licensing. There are no standards. There is no recourse if you get scammed. Do your homework before you take any persons word for anything in Costa Rica, especially real estate.

Here is a warning that appears in every issue of the Tico Times...

Warning to Our Readers - Investment Alert

"Please be aware that many business and investment opportunities in Costa Rica are neither regulated nor approved by any financial regulatory agency. Also, remember that the regulations governing investments in Costa Rica are not as strict as they are in other countries. While legitimate opportunities exist, so do scams and extremely risky ventures. Investing in Costa Rica can be much like gambling, and readers should keep that in mind and invest accordingly."

Step 2

Visit & Investigate the Property

There are many issues to investigate before purchasing property in Costa Rica, especially in the Playa Grande area.

These are the types of issues you should pay attention to, before you make an offer to purchase the property:

Re-Survey The Property: in Playa Grande, Costa Rica you will find that most property pins are light metal stakes or re-bar placed in concrete cylinders marking the boundaries of individual parcels of land or lots. These pins can be easily moved or removed altogether.

Find the existing property pins and verify them to ensure they match the "Catastro Plano". Once you locate the pins, mark the property perimeter so that you can visually see the boundaries.

If you decide that the property suits your purposes have the property surveyed and property pins location verified or re-established, if missing.

Check for Basic Services: that are available such as water, electricity, telephone, internet, road access, areas for septic systems. Drainage is important in Costa Rica. Make sure there is a place for the water from your lot to run into, that will not affect your neighbors' property.

There are properties in the Playa Grande area that are below grade of the roadway. These properties may be subject to water problems if not raised to an appropriate level. This is something you should consider before making an offer, as bringing the lot to the appropriate grade to prevent water problems, may be expensive.

Make Sure You Can Build On The Property: ownership of property in Costa Rica is guaranteed by the constitution, but nothing guarantees that you can build on the property. Before you make an offer check to make sure you can build on it.

This can be difficult in areas such as Playa Grande. No one can guarantee that you can build on a piece of property in Playa Grande as each application to build must be reviewed by the environmental department called SETENA. (SETENA is the abbreviation for National Technical Secretariat Of The Environment Ministry.)

This process is not easy and must be approached with each detail of your project thoroughly thought out and drafted. Wording on applications is extremely important.

Most architects and other professionals in Costa Rica are not familiar with these processes which can cause the property owner problems and long delays in their application process. Using the right people will help move your applications through the permitting stage.

Do not rely on your architect for coordinating environmental issues. You can obtain a list of approved environmental consultants directly from SETENA. There are more than 1600 registered consultants approved by SETENA which gives you many to choose from. You can also check their track record at the SETENA office.

Check With: the Ministry of Public Works, for future road construction projects. Also check with, the Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Housing and Urban Development and the Municipality of Santa Cruz, just to make sure there are no plans in the works, that will adversely affect the property you are considering.

So far in the Playa Grande area there are no issues affecting most properties, however each property should still be investigated for any type of issue that could affect it. Don't take the word of realtors, developers, lawyers, architects or anyone else regarding the property that interests you.

Check For Environmental Issues That: could affect the property. There may be some special requirements, depending upon what type of structure you are intending to build. If your project requires an environmental impact study duly approved by SETENA, the process to obtain a construction permit may take longer.

Many property owners in the Playa Grande area have been required to provide SETENA with some type of review or study before granting permission to build on their property. In some cases permission to develop property has been denied.

Be aware that SETENA and National Parks have a supreme authority over where and what is built in Playa Grande, Costa Rica. If you start without their permission, they will shut you down, some times permanently.

Once again, do not take any persons word regarding what is required by SETENA.

Step 3

Making An Offer On The Property

Use the services of a realtor to negotiate the price and terms according to your instructions. If you are outside of Costa Rica, a faxed offer is acceptable.

Step 4

Hiring A Lawyer

Be careful of which lawyer you hire. Rumors have it that there are lawyers who are no as forthright as they claim to be.

You could use Stewart Title who has an option with their services to guarantee title. You can have them form companies and process real estate transactions.

Step 5

Wire Transfer Your Money

In most cases you wire transfer the funds for your purchase to the lawyer. Your bank in your home country can handle this for you.

Step 6

Receive Property Legal Documents

This is an important step, because in Costa Rica you get the original property legal documents and company books in your hands, physically. Have your lawyer keep the documents for you or have someone you trust keep them. You need copies of these documents for approvals and permits.

Step 7

Project Design Hire A Costa Rican Engineer

Now that you own the property and you know exactly where the property pins are located, you can hire an architect or engineer.

You can obtain a list of architects and engineers in Costa Rica from the CFIA, the governing body of these Costa Rican professionals.

Make sure you have the professional you choose design the project exactly the way you want it completed. This is your opportunity to turn your ideas into reality.

Construction Plans and Permits Phase

Construction plans and technical specifications remain one of the most important steps in the overall construction project since the successful execution will depend upon the quality and accuracy of these drawings. Once you agree on the layout and design of the building, work can begin on the drafting of these plans.

In Costa Rica, a complete set of building plans should include a site plan, distribution plan, elevation and transversal and longitude perspectives, roof design and drainage, design of footings and support beams, structural plans, electrical design, mechanical and sanitary system design, as well as a plan that details all of the interior finishing of the construction.

It is only when the construction plans are completed that your professional can begin preparing a materials list and construction budget.

The permits and permissions stage is very important in the Playa Grande area. Your professional must work with SETENA, MINAE, SINAC, Health Officials, water authorities, Seguro, INS, ICE, Municipality of Santa Cruz and other government departments to obtain permits and permissions as quickly as possible. You want to obtain permits as fast as you can, as regulations and policies in Costa Rica change quickly.

From each of these government authorities, you are requesting their permission to build on your property. Every request, every document, every construction plan, must be accurate and complete which will allow your applications to move through these processes quickly.

The Control and Execution Phase

The control and execution phase involves the actual construction and project supervision. The assigned architect or engineer will visit your construction site once a week to view the work that is in progress. His inspection will be recorded in the proper book required by Costa Rica law.

Written Contract

Once you agree on the requirements of your project, have your lawyer draft a written agreement for our architectural design and engineering services. All details and costs for services should be clear to both parties before the final document is signed. Once the final agreement is signed, work should begin work on your project.

Step 8

Construction Plans

This first step in drawing the construction plans is to position your buildings and other features on a "site plan". The site plan is very important, as it shows exactly what and where buildings and features will be placed on your property.

In the beginning you simply "rough sketch" concepts that may suit your needs and work with your professional to add or eliminate features.

After working back and forth you will come up with a plan the suits your needs. Your professional will begin drawing the preliminary drafts for your review. You make the changes that suit you best and keep adjusting the preliminary drafts until you are satisfied that the details of the project.

Make sure you get a copy of the draft and final plans. It is a good idea that you obtain a copy of every document relating to your project.

Step 9

The Building Permissions/Permits Stage

There are many permissions and permits required to develop property in the Playa Grande area.

The following is an overview of what we do to obtain the permissions and permits for your project:

>> Obtain Certification Of Water Availability

You must obtain a letter certifying that water will be made available to your property. You can do this locally in Playa Grande. All permissions and permit applications require this letter.

This letter will be copied and notarized. A copy will be posted on your website.

>> Obtain A Letter From Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas

Obtain a letter from Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas officials stating that your property is either "inside of the park" or "outside of the park". SETENA requires this letter.

Physically travel to the park office located in Playa Grande and submit your request for an inspection. Park officials will travel to your lot and make a determination. You can pick up the letter at the park office once the inspection has been completed.

This letter should be copied and notarized. This letter does not have to be notarized in most instances, however, having it notarized eliminates any doubts about its originality, which could be questioned somewhere in any of the application processes.

>> Make Application To SETENA (SETENA is the abbreviation for National Technical Secretariat Of The Environment Ministry.)

Have your environmental consultant travel to San Pedro, which is a suburb of San Jose to "hand deliver" the application to the SETENA office. SETENA will date stamp a copy of your application, as have being received.

Get a copy of this receipt from your consultant.

>> Wait For SETENA's Determination

An inspector from SETENA must physically attend your lot and review your requests. This could take many months as these inspectors are responsible for similar applications throughout Costa Rica. There are few inspectors and many applications. Your environmental consultant must work with the assigned inspector on a regular basis to see if he/she can get him to inspect your property.

Once the SETENA inspector, inspects your property, it takes about 30 working days, sometimes longer to receive a written determination called a "resolution" from SETENA regarding your application. If you do not receive a determination within the 30 working days, your consultant should start contacting the inspector regularly to keep your project fresh in his memory.

He should be contacted by telephone and in person. Keep on your consultant to do this.

When you receive the determination from SETENA, it will state exactly what SETENA requires to process your application further.

In most cases the determination will be made by SETENA that you require some type of environmental impact review or study. In any case, their letter will clearly state what you require to satisfy their requirements.

>> Environmental Review/Impact Study

Have your environmental consultant, who needs to be registered with SETENA, conduct the work necessary to satisfy the requirements of SETENA. Hire a consultant that has the experience of doing other studies in the Playa Grande area.

>> Submitting The Review/Study

Have your environmental consultant physically travel to the SETENA office and submit the required documents, receiving a stamped copy indicating that SETENA has received the documents.

>> SETENA's Approval Process

Your application and environmental review/study remains in the SETENA office until it is reviewed by the inspector who initially inspected your property. He will review your study and make a recommendation to a committee that will either approve or not approve your project, with certain conditions.

This process can take many months, years for some property owners in Playa Grande. The time it takes to process your application solely depends on who you hire to manage your project and the environmental consultant used to process the required documents.

It is important to use "the right people" from the beginning, because you need someone to "push" at every stage in the application process, to make sure your best interests are at the fore front.

>> Cerificate Purchase - Before Receiving SETENA's Approval Resolution

Assuming your project is approved and before a final resolution is issued, you will be required to purchase a certificate from the Banco National. The cost of this certificate is about one percent of your estimated project's value. This certificate is similar a bond to ensure you comply with the SETENA resolution. Failure to comply with the resolution could mean that SETENA would be able to cash the certificate and keep your money. If there are no infractions during the construction of your project, you can cash the bond and keep the money.

This certificate must be purchased through the head office of the Banco National in San Jose. You need to references to open an account at the Banco National. Have your lawyer help you with this.

>> Receiving SETENA's Approval Resolution

Once you receive SETENA's final resolution, you can use the required resolution to obtain other permissions and permits.

>> Permission To Remove Trees

If your project requires trees to be removed, permission is required from the MINAE office in Santa Cruz. You need to hire a forestry consultant that will conduct a review of your project and catalog all of the trees on your property. He uses a GPS system to do this. Every tree is numbered.

He then identifies which trees you want to remove so that your project can be completed. You have input into which trees you want to keep on your property. It is important that you request all the trees you want removed during the initial application, as obtaining permission and physically removing trees after construction has started is difficult.

Once the consultant makes application, the MINAE inspector usually travels to Playa Grande on a motorcycle, however, there may be times when he requires transportation to and from your property. Your forestry consultant should provide the transportation for the MINAE inspector and accompany him to your property.

After reviewing your application to remove trees, a resolution will be issued indicating the results of the MINAE inspector's recommendation.

This resolution states, by number, which trees can be removed and which trees cannot be removed.

Note: Rumors have it, that it costs hundreds or thousands of dollars to remove trees in Playa Grande. This is not true. There are no fees charged by MINAE to remove trees in Playa Grande. When property owners proceed through the proper application and approval process, no fees are charged. This can always change. Have your lawyer check before taking any action.

>> Health Department Approval

Your architect or engineer needs to physically carry your documents and plans to the Health Department in Santa Cruz and apply for approval to install a septic system and construct your project.

>> INS Insurance Requirements

Property owners must obtain an INS insurance policy for their project, before applying for a building permit at the Santa Cruz municipality. This policy is similar to workers compensation. The cost is about 2-3 percent of the projects value.

Use an English speaking INS in representative that will meet with you and explain your options. You can also purchase other types of insurance from him or her. If you are not in Costa Rica, have your lawyer obtain the insurance for you.

Your insurance policies are valid for one year. It is best to purchase the INS insurance just before applying for building permits at the Municipality of Santa Cruz.

>> SEGURO

SEGURO is government medical insurance for employees. You must register with SEGURO in Santa Cruz. It is important that property owners realize that the "patron", meaning the property owner, is solely responsible that the SEGURO for all workers is reported properly every month and monies paid as required.

Many architects and contractors say that they will pay SEGURO, however, SEGURO only recognizes that the "patron' is responsible for reporting and paying the SEGURO payments for all workers. Nine percent is deducted from the employees pay, twenty five percent is paid by the property owner. A total of 34 percent must be paid to SEGURO monthly.

Many foreigners who trust their architect or contractor is properly reporting and paying SEGURO, get a surprise somewhere down the road, when they find out from SEGURO that nothing has been reported or paid. This will result in the property owner being required to pay thousands of dollars to SEGURO. Do not get caught in this situation.

>> Applying For And Installing Temporary Power

Make sure your architect or engineer applies for and installs a temporary power pole at your property, that will be used during construction. Better yet, have your architect build your permanent power pillar and use it during construction. This will save you the time and hassle of moving the power from temporary to permanent once the construction is complete.

>> Applying For Municipal Building Permits

Your architect or engineer should physically attend the Municipality of Santa Cruz building department and submit the required documents and architectural plans. It usually takes five to ten days for building plans to be reviewed and approved.

Have him/her check with the building department at five, seven and ten days after submitting your documents. If you have not received permits by day eleven, have your professional physically visit the building department and investigate the disposition of your application. Have him continue with these physical visits until permits are received.

>> Application For A Water Meter Installation And Connection

You should submit the required information and make a second application for a water connection to your property. This usually takes two or three weeks. You should work with the water authorities to have your water meter and connection, installed as quickly as possible.

Step 9

Hire A Building Contractor

You should request "bids" to construct your project from three different reputable building contractors. Once you receive their bids, which must include their proposed contract, have your lawyer review their package with you and your professional to ensure your best interests are at the forefront. A word of caution... "everyone in Costa Rica claims to be a builder". Be careful of who you hire.

Step 10

Write An Agreement

Experience has proven that reasonable, topic by topic agreements will help the project progress smoothly and result in a fair working relationship for all involved. Details and payment schedules are spelled out so that all stakeholders know exactly what takes place at every stage in the entire process.

Step 11

Begin Construction

Once the written agreement is in place construction will start on your project. The builder will start setting up his equipment and materials to begin construction.

Step 12

Changing Your "provisional power" to "permanent power"

First you go to the downtown ICE office in Sanata Cruz. You apply for an electrical inspection. It costs 450 colones. They do an inspection, then you go to the main ICE office on the highway and pay another 150 colones. In about 3 days someone will be out to change your power over.

Maybe your architect or contractor can have this done for you. It would be a good idea to mention it in your contract.

Step 13

SETENA's final inspection

Have your consultant make an appointment to have SETENA send an inspector to do the

final inspection on your project. It takes about 8-24 months to get the inspection and go through the process of getting yoru deposit money back.

Required Documents

The following documents are used throughout each permits/permissions stage:

1. Representation Document Of The Company

2. Company Registration Number

3. Client's Passport

4. Residency Status

5. Residency Card

6. National Park Letter

7. Recent Registry Study

8. Certificate of Taxes Paid

9. Certificate of Social Services

10. Certification of Water Availability

11. Land Use Letter

12. Proof of INS Liability Insurance

13. Cadastre Plan

14. Contract of Professional Services

Bill Stilwell
Playa Grande, Costa Rica