Progress Report

September 24-29, 2007 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #155

Contact phone numbers

Internet Phone:
New York: 315-279-6711
Toronto: 416-907-5758 // 416-461-2203

Costa Rica:
Cell: 506-305-3965
Land: 506-282-4142 Ext. 101

NOTE: the New York and Toronto numbers are "local calls" for people in the area codes; calls from outside the area code will be billed at the normal rate from the caller's area code to either the "315" or the "416" area code.

NOTE: WHEN I STARTED RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES, I STARTED WRITING A WEEKLY NEWS LETTER—DEETERMINED TO TELL ALL THE GOOD, BAD, AND THE UGLY. I KNEW SOME READERS WERE INTERESTED IN THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS. OTHERS WERE INTERESTED IN HAVING INSIGHT TO THE LIFESTYLE OF TWO PEOPLE WHO HAD DECIDED TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE BOX. FOR OTHERS, THE ADVENTURES OF LITA, THE PARROT AND THE CAT TOOK ON AN ENTERTAINMENT SAGA ALL ITS OWN.

RESIDENCIAS LOR JARDINES IS FINISHED. WE PERIODICALLY HAVE RESALES AND RENTAL AVAILABILTY. SOME READERS MAY BE INTERESTED IN THIS INFORMATION.

MORE AND MORE, THE CONTENT WILL BE DOMINATED BY EVENTS OF OUR NEW PROJECT, “EL DORADO” FOR SHORT. WHILE THE FUTURE IS ALWAYS UNCERTAIN, I AGAIN AIM TO TELL IT LIKE IT HAPPENS—THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY, AND THAT IS WHAT FOLLOWS:

EL DORADO

The STORY: cleaning up the details and selection of legal counsel and where did 15m go?????

Pictures: none. View previous pictures of El Dorado.

Architect: Friday was the day for cleaning up lots of little details. We aren't completely finished with all these but should be by Tuesday. I've also asked the architect to come up with a solution which divides one large space into two units. I've suggested some direction. The problem from our perspective was that we had four houses that were simply too large for what we felt is the target market. So we I've asked him to divide the space into smaller bite sized chunks. Now that I've given direction, I'll let him work his magic.

Experience has taught me never to relay entirely on the drawings; I always want to check the physical space. We got the dimensions we needed to do so and woops!!!!!!! We seem to be missing 15 meters-an entire lot. This has to be addressed before we go to market. Structural Engineer: we've signed the contract for this work and are promised a solution in two weeks. At that point, I'll review the tentative floor plans with the architect and we can proceed to finish the Mayan tower. It should be quite impressive if the drawings we now have can be extended to their conclusion.

Additional Land: We have decided not to buy the additional 2250 meters because it is too difficult to access and to build on. In addition, the vendors kept increasing the price. We walked away; It simply doesn't make any sense. This allows us to build a different type building on what now amounts to a decent sized lot —the old adage that when one door closes, another opens.

Well Application: we continue to wait.

Quebrada: this land fill is nearly completed-another week and it will be finished. We had to excavate some area and back fill with compactable aggregate in order to get a firm enough base for the road.

Fence: this work continues.

Web site: the text is now in the hands of our Argentinean people who will translate it and move it to the website. Jan, the marketing manager, and I have to finish lots of information so it too can be moved on the website.

Marketing: We're reviewing billboards on Tuesday. We've contracted for three additional renderings from professionals who do this work. This will be of the stream with it's finished landscaping and two of the social/recreational areas. We'll get those in a couple weeks.

Legal counsel: We finally settled on a law firm. It was recommended by our architect. His price was the best so far, we feel comfortable with him, and he is conveniently located. This was a longer than expected process; I'm glad is resolved.

RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES

For Sale: nothing available at the moment.

For Lease:
Unit 121 for the month of October — $ 1,550
Unit 106A immediate through Nov. 30 — $ 950

OUR LIVES

Weather: rain almost every day but not has hard as in weeks past-beautiful, clear mornings.

Lamb: I love lamb and whenever I can find fresh CR lamb, I buy it. I did this week and I invited other lamb lovers for a feast. For others, I had a separate offering. I continue to be amazed at how good it is here; it is certainly equal to (in my opinion) Ontario spring lamb and both are far superior to NZ lamb ...Greek salad, Greek roasted potatoes, good wine, Stilton cheese/grapes and cigars and good company —life is great in the tropics!!!

Free Trade Agreement: On October 7, CR votes on acceptance/rejection of the proposed trade agreement amongst many Central American countries and the USA. The debate seems similar to that in Canada re NAFTA agreement between Canada/USA/Mexico. At an all Tico family party to which we were invited on Friday when conversation was lagging, I asked the politically charged question of how each saw this issue. We had an interesting discussion-members of the family were divided which I think reflects the country's dilemma. As of now, it seems to be anyone's guess as to which way the vote will go.

Brian, Lita, Hugo, irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot, and the newbies- Chico and Chica.

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