It is a plane with a history to tell; Though the U.S. government originally supported the Contras at the beginning of 1980, Congress cut off all funding in late 1984; there were rumours that the CIA had mined the Nicaraguan harbors; they were afraid in case this would  turn into the next Vietnam.

Thus the Fairchild C-123 took part of one of the biggest US scandals in the mid 80’s:  The Reagan Administration worked up a strange network of arms sales to Iran in an attempt to win the release of US hostages being held in Lebanon and from this raise money in order to fund the Nicaraguan’s counter-revolutionary guerilla fighters, commonly referred to as the “Contras.”! Authentic story; and while they were artificially inflating the prices of the arms, NSA official Oliver North was able to grab the profit that in turn could be used to fund the counter-revolutionaries of the Cuban allied Sandinista government. The plane was  later on dubbed “Ollie’s Folly” because of its connection to Oliver North who had been the chief architect of the covert operation and he was solely responsible for the funding and providing military assistance.

The profits exceeded $16million, however in the end only $3.8 millions reached the Contras, nobody knows for sure what happened to the rest of the money. Amongst their purchase were the two C-123, one of which is now resting on a lush tropical hill over looking the Pacific Ocean, a place to chill out, have a bite and a few drinks! How did this happen? An air strip was built on an american-owned ranch somewhere North-West of the country. On October 5^th 1986, one of the two planes was shot down over Nicaragua. One crewman, Eugene Hasenfus, was able to escape, he was however captured by the Sandinistas. The fact that Hasenfus was alive by itself set off an infernal chain of lies and cover-ups that eventually became known as the Iran-Contra Affair. The Operation was suspended and the remaining C-123 lay abandoned in some isolated spot in Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose, and the rest is history.

Now, the C-123 is retired, a cold war relic that has taken on the title of El Avion on to a new a venture as a restaurant, bar, and coffee shop with an an unbeatable atmosphere and gorgeous sunsets. And what a better place to tell the tale of the scandal than the El Avion! It landed on one of the hottest spots of the area, with a stunning view over the ocean and some of the best food around. It also has the advantage of staying opened till the early hours, for many, the last place to go after a long night out! The place to be by excellence.

For the second year in a row, Limón’s annual carnivals may not go on. The Minister of Health, María Luisa Ávila Agüero, has determined that the municipality’s waste removal facilities cannot handle the trash produced during the festivities, which is more than double the town’s usual waste. Eduardo Barboza Orias, mayor of the city of Limón, is determined that the carnivals will go on, and plans to present a second waste removal plan to the Ministry of Health.

On September 23, Ministry of Health authorities denied Limón a permit for the carnivals. At the time, they cited insufficient waste removal facilities and also reminded organizers that dengue and malaria affect the town. The Ministry of Health is most concerned with the pressing trash collection problem, since it is a preventable factor that affects public health.

Mayor Barboza voiced his concern over the matter — both for public health and the carnival’s suspension — but indicated that he respected and understood the ministry’s decision. Barboza did mention, however, that other festivals throughout Costa Rica had been granted permits, despite the presence of dengue in the host municipality.

Junior Allen Wilson, president of the Limón Fiestas Commission, was not so demure about the ministry’s decision. Allen stated that the carnivals are important to the region, and act as a conduit for stress relief. In addition, he voiced indignation at the decision, since neighboring Pococí and Matina cantons, which also suffer from dengue problems, were granted permits, and added that Limón city had seen a 90 percent drop in dengue cases this year.

In addition, the Commission president called for the Ministry of Health to not only identify problems, but to suggest solutions. “[They should] say where there are weaknesses to suggest corrective measures. At this point we’re on tenterhooks… why should they punish a town for a problem that its local government has, which was inherited, it’s [been going on] for eight or nine years. They’re punishing the pueblo… Limón downtown does not have malaria, but the fact that they treat cases in the provincial hospital is normal and logical because it is a regional hospital.”

For his part, Mayor Barboza says that he has been searching for better waste management options for over a year an a half, but has not yet found a better solution. “Unfortunately it is a municipal problem but it involves the State and other entities. If we had a place to throw our trash, we wouldn’t have this problem. We’re the municipality that pays the most for trash removal, they’ve charged us ¢400 million ($728,600) for it, and they haven’t charged that much to any other municipality… I don’t want them to give me preferential treatment, but I don’t understand how they gave authorization to other [cantons] to build a landfill in X place, and to us no.”

The problem is clearly much larger than Limón’s carnival festivals, though many party goers are still wondering if they should prepare for a good time beginning October 10. The short answer is to hold your breath: a similar situation happened last year, and was eventually resolved. Most likely, the party will go on this year, as well.

San Jose’s historic Melico Salazar theater will present a spectacular show by the world famous Belly Dancer Bozenka, who will travel to Costa Rica to perform on Aug. 8 at 8pm. Belly Dancing will overtake the stage with fire and colors, and will feature zills, little cymbals used in Oriental Dancing, fans and exotic costumes or bedlah. The show coincides with Mothers day, and mums are invited to take a course with Bozenka to learn the art of seductive belly dancing.

Bozenka has also invited other artists to her stage including the Amar Academy and its teachers, the Yemaya Academy with a teacher from the United States, and talented Costa Rica dancers Irene Dobles and Erika Zaya-Bazan, who will cover four different styles of dances from the Middle East.

The four workshops, which will take place from Aug. 8 – 10, will look at various belly dancing techniques including the Classic Egyptian Technique, the Combinations Technique and the Drum and Dance of the Veil. Belly Dancing has its origins in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, and has developed many distinctive styles as it spread from one country to another, acquiring new forms derived from various cultures, religions and beliefs.

Beladi is the Egyptian word for country or folk dance and was danced typically at weddings. Aspects of Beladi are incorporated in most shows. Saidi is another traditional dance from Upper Egypt and is also included in most dances; it is enthusiastic and fun and includes the use of sticks. Ghawazee, again Egyptian and also present in most presentations, includes many hip movements. Fellahi is more relaxed with shimmies and repetitions.

Karsilama is a Turkish dance also found in Greece; it can have many styles, performing in line as a group, and is also performed by couples. Kalegi is seen in the Persian Golf, in countries such as Bahrain, Yemen Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The costume and use of the veil is very evident in this variation on the dance.

All mothers, or “mothers-to-be” a.k.a. daughters, are invited to the workshops, which will take place in the Jivo Gimnasium in La Sabanilla, with a cost of $50. There is a special offer including the four workshops and a ticket for the show with a seat at the balcony for $200.

Born in the United States, Borenka is of Czech and Cuban descent. She has danced for Madonna, Donald Trump, Sean Connery and Enrique Iglesias. She performed in the International Festival Ahlan Wa Sahlan in Egypt in 2006, which is the most important Belly Dancing festival in the world. She has danced in the greatest capital of the world, and it is an honor for Costa Rica to have her here during the month of August when the country celebrates its mothers.

Mother’s day is indeed a very important day for Costa Ricans and what better way to honor this date than with Belly Dancing — a celebration of the strength, vitality and sensuality of women. The tickets for this event are already on sale and can be purchased in Vertigo shops and in Servimas centers, as well as on the Internet at www.mundoticket.com. Prices vary between 11,000 and 17,000 colones (between $22 and $34).

First and foremost is that unless a major blockbuster is being internationally released, we ain’t gettin’ it for ages. I’m talking months late. So keeping up with current movie news can lead to inadvertent spoilers. I think Tom Petty said it best with his line, “the waiting is the hardest part” as sometimes the wait is excruciating.

Another complaint of mine is the cultural phenomenon of cell phone use and talking not only before but also DURING movies here. I should also mention that talking on cell phones while driving is another dangerous problem here, drivers just love to chat and simultaneously make sharp one-handed turns.

But back to the theater, my final compliant is in regards to commercials before previews. When did this become acceptable? While I don’t mind the occasional well produced commercial, I didn’t come to the theater to be sold products. Unless, of course, you’re a singing bucket of popcorn! Yet, commercials have gone beyond “the sell” here, to include accusatory messages. Accusatory messages, you wonder? Yes, because of piracy. While I understand piracy is problem for all sorts of reasons, do I need be reminded? I can’t help but feel guilty once I’ve seen this ad, and then I’m looking around wondering who else feels the same. Plus, if the pirate is already in the audience, it’s not like he’s going to see the anti-piracy ad, shrug his shoulders and turn off the camera!

On a lighter more positive note, prices here are reasonable compared to the exorbitant, must-take-out-a-mortgage-to-see-movie rates in the U.S. and European theaters. Also, most theaters here have that cool option where you can pick your seats prior to entering the theater! I dig. I once heard that a movie is more enjoyable if you sit on the left side of the theater, something to do with how your brain processes the images and sounds, so of course I’m completely anal about this and must always sit on the left. With the prior seat choice, there’s no need to worry about getting to the movies hours ahead of time. Oh yeah.

Lastly, I have never been to a more luxurious theater than perhaps Terra Mall’s Cinepolis VIP theater. I’m talking black leather reclining La-Z-Boys, spiffed-out waiters (yes, waiters) and great sound and screen clarity. It’s the perfect environment to enjoy a movie, almost like having your dream home theater.

To see a list of movies and theaters in Costa Rica go to cinemania.co.cr. “Now Showing” movies are listed under “En Carteleras”.

Telephone: (506) 278-3631 / 518-0002

###

Cailey has lived and worked in Costa Rica periodically throughout the last decade after attending Country Day School in 1998. She currently contributes and helps maintain the content of Costa Rica Pages.

This haven, whose full name is Bar Cuartel de la Boca del Monte is an ever-fixed mark in Barrio La California, San Jose. Throughout the years of rabble-rousing here, Cuartel has come to be referred to by myself and those I know by such nomenclature as: Cuar-tell is like it is, Cuartsky, Cuartellis and Cuar-tell it like is isn’t.

But all jokes aside, there is no other bar in the world, that I have thus been to and others will surely attest, that resembles Cuartel. Picture this: dark lights, three different levels each replete with its own bar, two tabled areas (for dining or drinking and I should mention the food is surprisingly good), a dance floor with live music and a smaller dance floor with dj jams pumping. The interior is brick and wood, maze-like in appearance, spacious in parts yet intimate in others. The eclectic clientele ranges from foreigners to locals, from your twenty-something to forty-something. The atmosphere is one of mingling and meeting, dancing and drinking, and over all gaiety. Latin music fills the air punctuated by American and European dance classics. In not so many words: the joint is happening. My only concern for foreigners, particularly man-folk, is that some of the women in this bar may be a little “too” beautiful, in which case there might be a bill in the morning. Either way, enjoy!

Costa Rica Nightlife — Monday night at El Cuartel

Cuartel is open generally from 4 pm to 2 am M-F. Monday nights are the most popular night, however some weekends live music shows also take place.

Phone: 506 221 0327

###

Cailey has lived and worked in Costa Rica periodically throughout the last decade after attending Country Day School in 1998. She currently contributes and helps maintain the content of:
www.vacationscostarica.com

Costa Rica Nightlife — Iron Maiden coming to Costa Rica

Fans from all over Central America are taking part in the rush to buy tickets because Costa Rica is one of two stops the legendary British heavy metal band will make in the region during the Somewhere Back in Time World Tour. The tour will begin on Feb. 1 in India and continue on to Australia, Japan, the U.S., Mexico, Colombia and 14 other destinations.

The concert will take place at the Ricardo Saprissa stadium in Tibas, San Jose – the venue for the Maná concert that took place Nov. 20 with a turnout of over 20,000 fans.

Evenpro is organizing the event. Tickets can be purchased at specialticket.net, by calling 207-7770 or at Sapristore locations in Multiplaza, Desamparados, Tibas and Pavas; MasXMenos in Plaza America, Cuesta de Moras, Metrocentro and Tibás; or Hipermás locations in Heredia, Curridabat, San Sebastian and Guadalupe.

The prices range from about $14 for stadium seats furthest from the stage to $70 for VIP standing area.

 Picture courtesy of La Coctelera.com

Costa Rica Nightlife — Rapsodia Lounge

Rapsodia looks very swanky and out of the range of many budgets, but be prepared to be enlightened. Seven drinks and a lot of gossip later, my friend and I only had to fork out a mere 8,000 colones for the total bill; certainly an incentive to go back!

Although I never tried the food, I was a typical annoying customer browsing over the menu and watching other peoples food come out and from what I saw it looked amazing. They offer a lot of dishes in a large range from seafood to 3 tier sandwiches. I would be deciding for hours if I had to order a dessert, there were so many options! I would say the average main dish at around 4000 colones.  

All fixtures and fittings are kept simply lavish with the tables and chairs being basic wood and nothing fancy. The sofas are enormous and surround the lounging area. After a long day, sinking into one of those cream leather couches would be pure paradise and well deserved I am sure. The lights are classy but not fussy. They are well placed so they are not intimidating but delicate, with candles on every table that provide a romantic ambience throughout the bar. Pictures on walls and mesmerizing images popping up on a flat screen television behind the bar will captivate all that catch their gaze.

Costa Rica Nightlife — Outdoor Patio at Rapsodia

The outside area has seating and a cool setting. It is great for those humid nights escaping the city completely even though you are right in the centre. Its openness is a breath of fresh air and will make you feel like you do not want to leave!

The staff was very helpful and friendly, save our absentminded waitress who neglected to look below the ceiling as she darted around doing who knows what. Thankfully the rest of the staff was always waiting on us for more drinks and checking if we were ok. Personally I find that no matter how nice a bar is, the people and staff in it are what make the experience. At Rapsodia, you can guarantee good service, for the most part!

 I will quite happily try out new places and give most places a chance and Rapsodia is one of those places I will definetely be returning to. It offers a good time for all people; from the romantic couple wanting dinner or just a group of friends wanted to listen to music and have a few drinks. It is a bar to please all needs and I would not hesitate to recommend it.

The location is perfect and so easy to find; just 100 meters behind the Esso Gas station at the end of Paseo Colon, or to the left of the huge Paseo Colon building where Vertigo is. The outside fades into the night with its dark exterior, and I could just barely make out the name on the geometric facade above the outside dining patio.

Got an evening spare? Rapsodia is great for a chilled evening… Enjoy!

According to InsideCostaRica, one home that was raided ran classes for prostitutes, who were brought in from the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Nicaragua, and many were married to Costa Ricans they never met to gain residency.

The group of men and women from the Dominican Republic that ran the school were apparently charging thousands of dollars for women to take the classes. Once a woman graduated, the residency process would be taken care of and they were put to work on the streets as Costa Rica escorts.

Police officials spoke with over 50 other women in Jaco and will be reviewing the legal status of nine in particular who they believe are working illegally as Costa Rican escorts. The majority of these women were from the Dominican Republic, which came as a suprise to immigration officials.

One woman said the school would charge $3,500 to come to Costa Rica for the classes. Anyone without a Costa Rican visa would go to Nicaragua or Panama first to enter the country.

While prostitution is legal in Costa Rica, the illegal immigration of women to the country to become prostitutes is a huge concern for immigration officials.

Director of Immigration Mauricio Zamora explained that with Costa Rican residency, which many of the women are close to obtaining, they can travel throughout the European Union without a visa. If the trend gets out of control, those countries could end up placing travel restrictions on all Costa Rican residents. Residency status in Costa Rica is also valuable because Costa Ricans are more eligible for visas to the United States than most other Central American and Caribbean countries.

Zamora said that one possible solution would be to define stricter laws prohibiting organized marriages, which is a common tactic used by foreigners to obtain residency in Costa Rica.

It’s Saturday Night in San Jose CR!!!!  There is always loads of fun bars and clubs to go to in big cities, and usually the biggest clubs promote by having celeb appearances which bring in big crowds, and Cha Ching $$!  One of San Jose’s premier upscale bars, Utopia, will be hosting Rock legend Tommy Lee where he and other DJs will be mix’n it up on the 1’s and 2’s all night. 

 Located in Santa Ana, an outskirt section of the city, doors open at 9, but you’d better have a ticket for this event otherwise you’d better have a good plan B tonight.  The party is planned to continue bumping beats hasta 4 por la manana, meaning that red bull and vodkas will definitely be needed in the drink lineup. 

Hope to see everyone out there tonight,

Rock on!

San Jose’s Retrovisor bar and live music venue was filled with Rockers ready to relive the music of their favorite band Rage Against the Machine last Thursday night.  After playing to a capacity crowd just a month earlier the demand and need for an encore was mandatory.

I arrived early, not knowing what type of crowd to expect, which my die hard Rage fan entourage along with a local rock photographer.  Recalling the sardine like crowd from the previous show we were happy to have breathing room as we entered the main floor… an hour passed…then another… the band still wasn’t warming up and the room was half empty… at this point our hopes of a triumphant show began to diminish.  Like most parties and bars cool people are likely to show up late, so I guess the majority or Rage fans are really “cool” … the room was filled just after the guitarist struck his first chord.

Passion was exhibited by Battle of Chepe for their love of Rage’s classic music, the vocals were unreal, my ears rung through the next day and I’d bet a night at the bar that the singer’s throat was more swollen than pregnant woman’s uterus.  The guitar and bass were on point, and the drums hit hard.  The energy is what sold the show though,  the lead singer was giving double what the crowd gave him, in response the crowd would up his ante with moshing, crowd surfing, jumping around, and loads of head banging, with a sea a air guitarists along the edges of the crowd.  At one point the guitarist got so into the moment that he threw himself off stage with guitar in hand, then face planting onto the floor ( Rockstar status). 

This event made you feel as if you had seen Rage live at a venue where you could actually hear the music instead of at a 100,000 person festival where you are so dehydrated and far away from the stage that you’d rather have a bottle of water in an un-air-conditioned car listening to a cassette tape of Rage.  El Retrovisor had a great ambiance, the people where true fans and were there to have a good time, after a good mosh during Bulls on Parade people shook hands and hugged, everyone with smiles, one person even returned my hat which had fallen off my head.

Hands down great band, venue, beer (Pilsen rojo), and show!