Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

RichardBlank · Dec 13, 2007, 11:45 PM

I wanted to introduce myself to this community and look forward to sharing ideas with other forum members.

Anything to help me communicate better with my IT department.

Best regards,

Richard

rickey939 · Dec 14, 2007, 01:40 AM

Welcome.

voodoo · Dec 14, 2007, 01:52 AM

Welcome. Wow. Costa Rica is one of those places. Nice.

V

RichardBlank · Dec 14, 2007, 01:54 AM

Thanks rickey939. Nice to meet you.

voodoo.

almost eight years my friend.

irunat2am · Dec 14, 2007, 02:19 AM

A friend of mine lives in Costa Rica. She always tells me that it is amazing!

I'll get down there one day!!

Welcome to the forums!

RichardBlank · Dec 14, 2007, 02:29 AM

irunat2am

When you are ready, let me know. I may have some good suggestions for you.

Richard

moonmonkey · Dec 14, 2007, 08:22 AM

Do you have to speak spanish to work in Costa Rica?

RobOnTheCape · Dec 14, 2007, 09:43 AM

Are the Brothers up and running again?

Sherman Homan · Dec 14, 2007, 10:34 AM

Why would anyone want to live in CR?
Did you get 12" of snow yesterday in Costa Rica?
No?
We did.
Instead of basking in the warm sun, I am alternating hot packs and ice packs on my back.
And, to make it even better, we have scheduled a Nor'Easter for this Sunday. More snow, ice and wind driven rain.

ghporter · Dec 14, 2007, 10:51 AM

Richard, I've lived in Panama and Honduras-and sadly never got to visit Costa Rica. Beautiful scenery (and not just the mountains!), and a tropical climate that's not as harsh as Panama's or as "interesting" as Honduras', and a pretty nice exchange rate on the dollar (even now) make Costa Rica pretty attractive.

What is it you do there?

RichardBlank · Dec 14, 2007, 12:21 PM

moonmonkey:

That is an excellent question. The answer is no. English speakers are highly sought after and the best paid in the whole country. At my call center, they get top dollar and do very well.

RobOnTheCape

If you are referring to the "Villalobos" brothers, I do not think so. That was a nightmare that ending a few years ago and is still affecting ex pats to this day. Thank God I never invested. It didn't seem safe.

Sherman Homan

Just remember, you will always have an open invitation for when you cannot take it anymore. The advantage of where you are is a nice fire and a white Christmas. Hopefully, you find the time to hit the slopes this year.

ghporter

Just came back from a two week trip in Panama. Boca de Toro,Panama City, Isla Grande, you name it. Beautiful country.

I am a CEO of a large call center. Thanks for the interest.
Don't worry, I will not have my agents call you during dinner....

Richard

Sherman Homan · Dec 14, 2007, 12:50 PM

Richard,
I have packed my Speedo, I'll call you from San Jose International Airport.
I'll PM you my dietary requirements and health restriction, don't worry, I don't have many...
If I leave now, I should be there tonight!
Can't wait to meet you and your family!

irunat2am · Dec 14, 2007, 01:11 PM

haha

RichardBlank · Dec 14, 2007, 01:16 PM

Nice.

I am looking forward to it.

Sherman Homan · Dec 14, 2007, 01:31 PM

Seriously, I have been to Costa Rica twice and I would go again immediately. It is an amazing country. Arenal spitting out burning rocks, the Fortuna waterfall, the Tabacón hot river, the site of a pair of parrots weaving through the rain forest canopy. Beautiful country!

RichardBlank · Dec 14, 2007, 01:42 PM

I am glad you enjoyed it.

Sounds like a good time.

Jawbone54 · Dec 14, 2007, 01:57 PM

My only association with Costa Rica is a wooden sword that my parents bought for me when they visited in the 80's. I have no idea why they bought me a wooden sword; surely there's about 100,000 better items from Costa Rica they would've made better sense.

I hit my friends with it.

RichardBlank · Dec 14, 2007, 02:17 PM

Jawbone54

That is still a cool present for a boy. I may have chosen an authentic soccer jersey, but hey, at least your parents got you something!

In addition, I hope that you find the time to visit Costa Rica. You will not be disappointed.

Richard

Jawbone54 · Dec 14, 2007, 02:40 PM

I would've preferred the soccer jersey.

I'd like to go someday.

RichardBlank · Dec 14, 2007, 02:50 PM

We all would.

IceEnclosure · Dec 14, 2007, 03:40 PM

Hey Richard.

RobOnTheCape · Dec 14, 2007, 03:50 PM

I was Richard. I came close to jumping in. I spoke to so many American and Canadien expats who swore the brothers never missed a pyment at around 36% yearly return. Some claimed they were getting that return faithfully for almost ten years. I remember hearing of people selling their houses in the states and living the good life on a nice return. On a expat forum from CR their were a lot of miserable people sapping horror stories. I wondered how they did it. Was it just a huge long term ponzi scheme?

It was a business partner that steered me away, by saying "If it seems to good to be true then there is something illegal going on".

RichardBlank · Dec 14, 2007, 05:59 PM

IceEnclosure

Nice to know you.

RobOnTheCape

I am glad you resisted. I was not even tempted. Nothing is that easy and will last.

pheonixash · Dec 14, 2007, 07:36 PM

I visited Costa Rica 2 months back, on a backpacking trip. Beautiful country. Saw the Caribbean coast, and then some of the mountains. Really something amazing!

RichardBlank · Dec 14, 2007, 08:02 PM

pheonixash

Did you get a chance to spend some time in Puerto Viejo? A really hip town that has a strong Jamaican influence and some of the nicest beaches in the whole country.

Hope you make it back soon.

IceEnclosure · Dec 15, 2007, 02:56 AM

Many friends of mine have gone there surfing, always had a blast.. Also a few friends have gone there to catch tarpon and various billfish.

pheonixash · Dec 15, 2007, 03:02 AM

Originally Posted by RichardBlank

pheonixash

Did you get a chance to spend some time in Puerto Viejo? A really hip town that has a strong Jamaican influence and some of the nicest beaches in the whole country.

Hope you make it back soon.

Yea, I was in Puerto Viejo for around two-three days I think. Also we visited Cahuita and Manzanillo too. Really beautiful beaches, especially Manzanillo. Not too much touristic influence, so it was the true beauty of the beach. It was really something.

RichardBlank · Dec 15, 2007, 03:11 PM

IceEnclosure

The movie "the endless summer" was filmed here. My favorite surfing beach is right next to Jaco, called Hermosa. Very cool surfing community!

pheonixash

You were at the right place!

Shaktai · Jan 1, 2008, 07:30 PM

Just getting caught up on the forums after a time away. Richard, PM me if you like, just curious which call center company you CEO for? I just got back from a year in the Philippines for a big BPO there. Loved it, but like so many corp business decisions was called back so they could reclassify my position and hire someone cheaper.

I hear it is beautiful though and a photographers paradise, along with warmer then where I am now. I have an Aunt from Puerto Rico who used to love to vacation there.

RichardBlank · Jan 5, 2008, 08:30 PM

Shaktai

Thanks for the reply.

Always a pleasure to meet another qualified player in the industry. I am the CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center. The url is exactly how it spells.

I am always looking for individuals to join my team. Nothing like working in paradise. I believe that it comes through on each and every phone call.

Richard