Life in Puerto Viejo

I Thought it Was Just Republicans I Did Not Like

The gringos I most resent here are the tax-protester "libertarian" types who hate all things government, and can't bear the thought of government being involved in their lives. 

So do they head for a country (like Peru or Bolivia) where government barely functions? Even better Somalia where there is no government!  Oh, no, mon ami!

They head for Costa Rica, the most heavily socialized, left-leaning, intensively governed country in all of Latin America. Why do they find this country so attractive? Because it is intensively governed! They won't pay taxes, but they're more than happy to use government services other people pay for.

I never met many of these type of people in Canada, but down here, the place seems to be crawling with them.  Most of them are from the US and claim to be quite liberal and progressive, but when questioned intensely think they need a "cowboy president" like George Bush to let everyone know who is boss.  But they will also tell you they did not vote for him (lately no one has...) or support the war in Iraq (of course they didn't... The US is loosing) Gun ownership does not seem to be optional, but mandatory.

I am involved in trying to organize some community projects (mainly community security) down here in our neighbourhood and it cracks me up at the excuses that some expats give why they are not going to get involved (we asked $25/month for each resident). 

• One wanted checks and balances and who is going to report to whom as if we were working for them. Are they going to be our treasurer?
• One ex-vet was afraid of retaliation from the teenagers.  So better let the homos and the pacifists stick their neck out.
• Many want to show up (actually they just get miffed if they are not invited) at community meetings and vent or tell you how to do things but contribute nothing.
• I have been called a "do-gooder"??  What the hell is that?  Are you a "do-badder"?
• Most constantly complain about government and lack of services and bad infastructure, would never so much as lift a finger, let alone contribute something to make it better.

I did a lot of internet research on what exactly is a Libertarian and it all seems very selfish and self-centered.  There is not much in there about your fellow man or community.  It seems to be every man for himself.  I have failed to find successful examples of of countries that were governed under these principles.  It did not appear exactly the society I want to live in or dream about.

Moving on...

I am very moved at all the people that have contacted me about the poisoning of our dogs.  I have received (and continue to receive) so many emails of people expressing their condolences.  I never knew there were so many people out there that can relate to having such a tragedy happen.  And that would take a moment to write me even thought they don't know me and most likely will never meet me.

Some people locally were even trying to find us other dogs that needed homes, but also respected that none would replace the ones we lost.  We graciously declined at first as it was too soon and I am scared to get too attached again for fear we might loose them.  Our track record is not good.  We had one stolen, one die of snake bite and 3 poisoned.

As many of you that regularly read this blog know, I had a very good friend Barbara that lived here pass away from cancer.  She was known as the "Madre de Perros" The mothers of the dogs.  She marched up and down the beach every day (sometimes twice) with her 5 dogs and whatever other neighbourhood dogs wanted to follow along.  She always told me the extras were in "Doggie Day Care".

Well, before she died, I promised her I would find good homes for her dogs and try not to break them up.  Unfortunately finding someone to take 5 mutts was not possible, so I had to break them up.  As it turned out, none of them stayed where we put them and always came back to Barbara's empty house and cried all night. 

Then we started renting Barbara's house, so we could not have guests have to deal with 5 depressed dogs so we brought them over to our place until we figure out what to do.  You probably know the  end of the story.... They are still here and seem very content.  It took me a bit to warm up to them, but, there is no question now... they are ours.  It also is so heart-warming knowing that Barbara would be so happy to have them here.

Roberto tells me that he is convinced, that our dogs are with Barbara and her dogs are with us.  I must confess, that I am not convinced of the after-life concept, but I can only hope this is the case.

And if dogs are not enough, we also got 2 beautiful kittens.  We had a problem with mice and decided the best way to deal with them was cats.  They drive us and all the guests crazy, but we  love them.

I wish I could say that for all the guests.  I had one guy recently who s o concerned about that cats.  I thought he was allergic, so I locked them up.  Only to find out he thought they were going to sneak in his room and crap.  I assured him if that happened, we would deal with it.  He then continued to lecture us on having cats in area that would be common areas with the guests.  I asked him if preferred rats? 

I heard it recently said that dogs have owners and cats have staff.  Ain't that the truth.