Is the General Cañas, the section of the Interamericana between La Sabana and the airport, an autopista or a carretera?

The answer to that question is displayed on a sign just before the toll stations listing fares, where the ministerio de Obras Públicas y Tranportes (MOPT) and the CONAVI, clearly designate the road as a “carretera”.

What is the difference??

A carretera is a “road, while an autopista is a “highway”.

Anyone who has driven on the General Cañas and highways in the United States, Canada, Europe and other civilized countries, can attest that it is no highway and simply a dangerous road that pretends to be a highway.

In fact, there are no highways in Costa Rica. Even the recenlty completed (only after 30 years in the planning and construction) the autopista San José – Caldera is nothing more than a carretera.

Having said all that, if we look at the definition of a highway by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, “a highway is a public road, especially a major road connecting two or more destinations. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a ‘highway system’, a ‘highway network’, or a ‘highway transportation system’.”

Each country has its own national highway system.

So, if we take that definition, I suppose the General Cañas, as well as the others are “highways” and not “carreteras”.

You see, traditionally highways were used by people on foot or on horses. Later they accomodated carriages, bicycles and eventually motor cars.

Highways that connect cities in populous areas like the General Cañas, usually incorporate features intended to enhance the road’s capacity, efficiency, and safety to various degrees. Such features include a reduction in the number of locations for user access, the use of dual carriageways with two or more lanes on each carriageway, and grade-separated junctions with other roads and modes of transport.

So, if you take that definition, the General Cañas is not a “carretera”.

Confused yet?

Whatever the definition, one thing is for sure, be it an autopista or a carretera, the General Cañas, Costa Rica’s busiest road and major access and egress from Costa Rica’s capital city, is a dangerous road. And driving it is a risk in a class all of its own.

Drive safely and avoid the General Cañas is you can.

During the meeting China’s Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, Costa Rica’s president, Laura Chinchilla, is following the steps of her predecessor and mentor, Oscar Arias, sticking out her hand for more money from the Asiatic giant.

China is already building the new national stadium, an us$80 million dollar plus donation to the people of Costa Rica. China has also donated some 200 new police cars made in China and for use by the Fuerza Pública and many other donations in the last three years since Costa Rica and China restored diplomatic relations.

That was done at the cost of throwing out the Taiwanese and their donations.

Hey, China is a wealth country, they can afford to give a little more. No? And we (Costa Rica) needs a new road.

Thus the presidenta hit up Jiechi for us$221 million dollars to expand the 108 kilometres of the carretera Río Frío-Limón to four lanes.

And another us$7.9 million to improve the 38 kilometres of the Río Frío-Puerto de Viejo de Sarapiquí.

René Castro, Costa Rica’s foreign minister, said the second stage of Costa Rica – China relations, the first being the stadium and other projects.

Jeichi made his way to Costa Rica at 1pm on Sunday with his first stop at Casa Presidencial, where presidenta Laura took a break from her “romeria” to greet the Chinese minister, ask for some cash and back to the romeria, this time to ask the Virgen for help to put a stop to rise in violence in Costa Rica.

Jeichi’s next stop was the Cancilleria (foreign ministry).

Costa Rica’s foreign minister said that the controversial subject of “visas for Chinese workers” was never mentioned during their talks. How could they after hitting up Jeichi for millions?

For his part, ministro de Obras Públicas y Transportes, Francisco Jiménez, explained that the priority was given to Limón which will in turn go towards the expansion of the ports in the Caribbean side of the country and the expansion of the refinery in Limón.

Oh, lest we not forget that the Chinese are interested in the refinery business in Costa Rica and that though the presidenta had to stick her hand out, the Chinese will need the road for the refinery.

In the end it works out well for everybody. At least the government and the Chinese, but the rest of us have to suffer trough road closures, mud slides, falling rocks, falling and faulty bridges, loss of tourism to areas like Jacó, Quepos and all of Guanacaste.

Ok, this is it, my mind is made up, I am not going to change it – I am giving up my addiction to the US dollar. From now I will only deal with the Costa Rican Colon.

Why, you ask?

The Costa Rican currency has proven itself to be stable and durable. It is not affected by any outside forces, like the threat of a war. It has also proven to be strong against the greenback.

But most of all I am just tired of the ups and downs of the dollar exchange. One day it is this, the next day it is that, sometimes lower, sometimes higher, but always never the same.

Today, for instance is payday in Costa Rica. And like it did two weeks ago, and two weeks before that and two weeks before that, and so on, the dollar exchange dropped, meaning it takes more of my hard earned dollars to pay my employees and in the coming days to pay my utilities.

You see most of my income comes from US dollars, then converted to Colones to pay for, besides the foregoing, groceries, gas, etc.

So, from today on I will insist on being paid in Colones.

Sorry, the only currency that works for me is the Colon, the “rojo” (the ¢1.000 colones), the “tucan” (the ¢5.000 colones) and the rest of the notes and coins. In fact I am pretty excited to see the new ¢20.000 notes so I won’t have to carry a big wad of bills for a little amount.

This also means that those who want to pay me have to make the trip to the bank to get colones. And it will be up to them to worry about the daily fluctuations in the exchange rate as my colones will always be worth the same, like when I present a us$20 bill at the supermarket cash and the process of figuring what the day’s exchange rate.

No, my ¢10.000 colones will always be ¢10.000 colones. No less. No more.

So, for all of you who owe me money, take note, I will not accept your dollars!

Closing the San José – Caldera is perhaps a prudent move on the part of transport officials, but what are now to do, go back to the old road, the monte de Aguacate or the Cambronero? No way, I think I will stay home until they re-open ruta 27 completely.

Why you may ask?

Well, like a kid with shiny spanking brand new car, it is hard to go back to the old clunker. The San José – Caldera, although there have been numerous incidents, including one death due to the rock falls, it is still a great highway or at least a great road that can get you from the hearth of the country to the Pacific coast and points north and south in record time.

But, that’s not all, it is the fatigue and exhaustion of having wind through the Aguacate, especially the 7 kilometres from Atenas to San Mateo, which is a steep climb or descent, depending on your direction, that winds between the mountains. And lest not forget the steep drop and climb by the Rio Grande between Atenas and La Garita. And the almost to a standstill speed limit through Atenas and some of the smaller communities. And not to mention getting stuck behind a big truck or slow poke. Buses are Ok, because the drivers speed through the winding road, keeping the tire thread on the edge of the road all the time.

The Cambronero, though the climbs and descends are not as steep, is heavily transited and well, give me back the 27.

We can only hope that closure is temporary, maybe a couple of weeks or less. But, I am not holding my breath.

You see there are many who did not want this road in the first place. It took only 30 years to get it from the drawing board to actually paving the lines and the mudslides and rock falls are a great excuse, vindication if you will, for the detractors of progress.

I personally was on hand on January 27, 2010, as protestors blocked the road at Piedades, forcing the presidential caravan to weave through San Rafael de Alajuela for president Arias to make it to the ribbon cutting ceremony.

There are also those that want Autopistas del Sol to be thrown out, claiming this and that and the other. And then there is the tolls. ¢2.000 colones for a one way trip to save 30 minutes or more and wear and tear on the car and nerves? Too much, no?

I confess that driving between Atenas and Orotina I have had to be more careful, especially at night. But not so much of the mudslides and rock falls, but of the “idiot” drivers who use the cover of night not to turn on their lights, to drive at the 40 km/h minimum speed limit on the highway and to run into dividing walls and into the “cunetas”.

All in all I have driven the highway, from minutes before the ribbon was cut (followed the presidential motorcade and with a police escort at 120 km/h, before the new Ley de Tránsito) more than a dozen times in both directions. I have driven it at night, in the early hours of the morning and the in the middle of the day.

I have seen the rocks, the remnants of the debris that was cleaned up, but also the skid marks and the scrapes on the dividers.

The highway may have its problems, but the most dangerous part of the new highway and every highway, bi-way and road in Costa Rica is the “idiots” who call themselves drivers.

Please, Mr Jiménez re-open the road ASAP. Presidenta Chinchilla, I beg you don’t force me on the Aguacate. Autopistas make those changes and fast, I have change ripping a hole in my pockets for your toll operators!

Enrico Cacciatore, Editor at InsideCostaRica.com.

You know Costa Rica is in trouble and the nation’s top cops are out of ways of curbing growing violence and insecurity in the country, when they turn to “Hollywood”, in the form of actor Steven Seagal, for help. Of is it just media hype?

Nothing against Mr. Seagal, he is a fine actor, a skilled martial artists on film, in addition to being a writer and producer, he is also a Reserve Deputy Chief of the Sheriff’s Office in the community of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

So, what does Mr Seagal know about Costa Rica’s problems? And does the new ministro de Seguridad (Security Minister), José María Tijerino, the same minister who the cops defied his call to hit the streets, really think that by going Hollywood the country’s insecurity will be over as the credits roll on the screen?

I enjoy watching Seagal movies, but not sure if I can live with the knowledge that I will be safer know that Steven is charge of Costa Rica’s public security.

An AFP report quotes “Rojas” – we can only assume that the refrence is being to Jorge Rojas, the head of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) – that Seagal requested the meeting. “We discussed the strategic alliance we could strike in matters such as training our special tactical units in performance, personal defence and other security-related aspects”, Rojas is quoted as saying.

And here is where matters get confusing, Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister pipes in that Seagal is looking to becoming an honourary member of Costa Rica’s ‘federal police’.

The AFP reportss says that Seagal and Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, René Castro met “to also discuss security-related” issues.

What does the Foreign Minister have to do with public security and when did he take over running the nation’s Fuerza Pública (federal police)? Does he know something the rest of us don’t?

Maybe Tejerino will better serve Costa Rica by going to the UN as an ambassador now that that post is open after the Bruno Stagno resignation this week.

Stagno was Costa Rica’s foreign minister before Castro, a public servant who never considered public security part of his job and after 20 years of a spotless public record, forced to resign his post as UN ambassador following controversy of his own appointment to the job.

The Arizona immigration law controversy is spilling into others states, like Alabama where gubernatorial candidate Tim James, in an attempt to boost his ratings in the polls, by coming out with a television ad “we speak English in Alabama”, promising that driver’s license testing in that state will be only in English is he elected governor.

This recent act of xenophobia brings out the question how does a small country like Costa Rica with the many languages spoken here.

Of course, any American visiting Costa Rica knows well that Spanish is the official language in the tiny Central American nation.

Canadians are the exception, for though there are two official languages in Canada – French and English – a barrage of other languages, though not official, are spoken. Just turn on a television set in Toronto.

In Costa Rica, there is no “official” second language, though English is common, especially in areas like Escazú. So is Chinese. Italian and French can be easily overheard at a local restaurant or coffee shop. And there is the variation in Spanish, from the language spoken in the old country (Spain), to Nicaraguan, to Colombian to Cuban, etc.

In reference to Alabama’s James, drivers license tests in Costa Rica – both written and driven – are in Spanish. The forms are in Spanish, the people behind the counter processing the license speak only Spanish. And so do the driving testers.

Notwithstanding, there are thousands of Americans and other non Spanish speaking drivers in Costa Rica, with a valid drivers license. Yes, if they have a drivers license from their home country, the process is abbreviated. Nonetheless, the abbreviated process is all in Spanish.

And although many foreigners, mainly Americans, refuse of find learning a new language difficult, you need to learn Spanish in Costa Rica to enjoy “purva vida”.

Speaking the language is important for the “official” part of living in Costa Rica, like getting a drivers license or a residency or any interaction with a government institution or agency.

The business and commercial part is different, here foreigners can choose the language of choice. Merchants, service providers, hotels, restaurants, etc by an large have included English in their daily transactions. Some specialty business cater to specific language groups.

This is all part of being pragmatic.

In Costa Rica, you don’t hear politicians, like in the recent presidential elections or up coming municipal elections at the end of the year, spouting that everyone should speak Spanish and that all services are in Spanish.

Lets be realistic, today’s world is different than that of the past. Foreign travel is part of modern life and not everyone is required to speak English to travel.

The Costa Rican tourism board, although officially speaks Spanish, it does provide a number of services and guides in English. The practical approach of the tourism board if to offer a place where tourists, be it English, Chinese or Italian speaking, can obtain the basic information to get gas, food, lodging and medical attention.

We are not advocating that Alabama adopt a language other than English as the official language. It should be up to foreigners to learn English, like Alabamans coming to Costa Rica learn Spanish.

This xenophobic approach by states and countries goes against a “unified” world, where people, races and cutlures come together.

Speaking a common language is important in bringing these groups together. So, in Costa Rica, we speak Spanish. But we don’t need politicians to tell us or reassure us of that.

With the obsessive traffic fines and sanctions, foreigners living and/or working in Costa Rica are best to get a Costa Rican drivers license and avoid getting fined for driving without a license, for you see any foreigner outside of their “visitors” visa is required to do so. The fine for not following this regulation is ¢68.100, plus 30% for PANI (Children’s welfare agency) and 3% a month late fees.

The rules for foreigners calls for anyone outside of his or her “visitor” stay (90 days for North Americans and Europeans, 30 days for most others), they are required to obtain a Costa Rican drivers license and the changes to the traffic law of March 1, 2010, exposes those who do not or fail to carry a drivers license with them to the above mentioned fine.

If you do not plan to stay in Costa Rica more than your “visitor” status, then no problem: a passport, showing the date of your entry into Costa Rica and your drivers license from your country of origin will do.

But, if you need a Costa Rican drivers license, read on.

It is very important to keep in mind that the traffic rules and regulations change without notice, or reason for that matter of fact, and always ensure that, before heading out to the drivers licensing centre, your information is current.

The following is the basis of the steps in getting a Costa Rican drivers license, and although there may be some changes, the core of the system has been in tact for some time.

But, before please keen in mind that the process is, although not rocket science complicated, you will need to have lots of patience. If you are an impatient person, then be prepared to be stressed out. We suggest a “chill pill” before heading out to the COSEVI (Consejo de Securidad Vial), Costa Rica’s version of the DMV.

And before you even start to line up, make sure you have your “medical certificate”, a very important part of the obtaining a Costa Rican drivers license. And, all licenses issued to foreigners has to be done so at the La Uruca, San José licensing offices.

To get the medical certificate you can locate any one of the many doctor offices located around the COSEVI, some set up in parking lots. The exam included an eye exam, blood pressure (a blood test is now part of the exam) and lots of questions about your physical and mental. The exam is not to determine you are healthy or not, just that your healthy enough to get a drivers license.

The process takes little time and costs between ¢10.000 and ¢15.000 colones.

You could go to your family doctor, but this is not generally recommended as “your” doctor may not have the required form or be current with the regulations, meaning it will take more time and more costs. In the alternative, some pharmacies have not gotten into the medical certificate game, providing the service while you are buying aspirin for the headache that is ahead.

Now, with your medical certificate in hand, your passport (very important that you must not be over your “visitor” stay) and your foreign drivers license (not important if it was issued from your home country or some other country).

Having a foreign drivers license is very important as it will eliminate the need for the written and driving test, since Costa Rican officials feel no need to be tested if you have a license from a country that strictly enforces its traffic laws, like the United States, Canada, Europe, etc.

The hard part in this process is making your way in the line. But, once that is done, and you have paid the fee to the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) branch conveniently located in the COSEVI installations, you are almost done, with the last step getting your mug shot and waiting for the printer to finish.

Whatever you do, don’t smile.

For some reason, MOPT officials do not want smiles in the drivers license photos. We do not know the reason for this, but smiles are frowned upon.

Drivers licenses are issued for the first time for only two years (up to five years on renewal), at which time you will have to go through the whole process again.

This process can take anywhere from under an hour to the whole day, depending on a number of things like the number of people getting a license that day, if the equipment is working, you have all your documents and don’t have to make line again and well just about any other reason public officials can think of for you to have a “memorable” day at the licensing office.

Now, with drivers license in hand, you are ready to “legally” drive in Costa Rica and subject to fines and sanctions like a Tico (Costa Rican), which if unpaid will stop you from renewing your drivers license in two years.

But, wait, if you get a ticket driving with your foreign license and don’t pay it, it won’t affect you. Not yet, anyways. But that’s a topic for another day.

At 9am this morning, Tuesday, May 4, 2010, Oscar Arias, with only a few days left in his presidency, will be placing the cornerstone of the new Casa Presidencial building, which is to be located across from the Asemblea Legislative.

But, there is one catch.

The government has yet to purchase the land made of 13 parcels that is still in the name of the original owners, according to a verification by the La Nación and confirmed by the government’s press office, that negotiations for the purchases is still ongoing.

The project to build a new Casa Presidencial got the go ahead in 2007 by the Contraloría General de la República and to be financed with a us$42 million dollars by the Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica (BCIE), on a 15 year lease with a purchase to buy option.

The BCIE has proceeded to negotiate the purchase of the land, hiring the Canadian real estate firm, Collier’s International, to negotiate the deal.

Collier’s Aris Stamatiadis confirmed that to date not one parcel has been purchased.

La Nación says it has talked to some of the land owners and yes, they are interested in selling, but most are still waiting on an offer.

Inlcuding, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) – state institution – who is the owner of one of the parcels says it will not sell until it can find a solution to the relocation of placement of the radio bases on the site.

Located currently on the site, besides the ICE tower, is a bar, a university, three parking lots, a mechanic school, a soda (restaurant) and various other businesses and the former Bellavista hotel, which is empty.

So what is going on today?

In reality, Oscar Arias will be placing a plaque where the future Casa Presidencial building may be. Or not. Because only once all the parcels have been purchased can construction really happen.

The BCIE expects that the construction phase will take two years, but Alfredo Ortuño, BCIE director, would not say how long it will take to make the buy.

In the meantime, Costa Rica will officially have a new Casa Presidencial, even if it is only an idea, a dream and a possibility.

But then, this is the way of Costa Rica. And Oscar to have his name on a building that may or may not be built.

The workers of the state telecom, ICE have joined the national strike today by teachers of the APSE and municipal workers, all without notice or fanfare. The doors to the ICE agencies are closed, no one can get a new telephone line or make changes to the existing. No, it is a day rest for ICE workers, as if they don’t have enough already.

Odd is that, during the live television broadcasts and photo ops by various print media, there was not one yellow shirt – the symbol worn by ICE workers in past protests – to be seen anywhere.

So, why are the ICE agencies closed today?

The INS is open. The AyA is open. So are many other, like ICE, state institutions.

It has been known for a long time and by most in Costa Rica that ICE workers are one of the laziest (there are other descriptions, but lets stay with this one) and opportunistic bunch to join in any type of protest or strike that gives them the day off.

It will be interesting to see if this attitude will continue, if and when, the competition finally arrives. I say if, for although the law was changed to allow for an open telecommunications market and a regulator was set up and operating, ICE continues to be the only cellular operator in the country and will be for more time than it was imagined by most.

The Chinese these days are busy building sports stadium, in Costa Rica and now China’s largest sports park in. Construction began in December for what will be China’s largest sports park, the Hangzhou Sports Park.

It’ll be green, sustainable, and will span around 400,000 square meters.

Did I mention how it looks like a space city?

The mind boggles as to why this wasn’t built in time for the Beijing Olympics two years ago, but with a completion date projected for 2013, I guess these things can’t be hurried.

Foto courtesy of Gizmodo.com

http://gizmodo.com/5526160/chinas-largest-sports-park-under-construction

The design layout for Costa Rica’s new stadium being built by the Chinese in the La Sabana park in San José.

Click on link to for a 360 view of the construction of the new stadium in Costa Rica

http://www.360cities.net/image/new-national-stadium-costa-rica-central-america#283.60,-1.10,82.0

The new stadium in China is scheduled to be finished in 2013, while Costa Rica’s stadium, costing us$82 million dollars, will be handed over to Costa Rica in the first quarter of 2011. The stadium is a gift from the people of China.

Not a bad gift in return for kicking out the Taiwanese in Costa Rica. Hey, China, I have a mother in law to kick out, can me made a deal??