• ISBN13: 9780801475849
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product DescriptionMarked by its superb natural beauty, Costa Rica has the greatest percentage of preserved land of any nation worldwide; nearly a third of the country is protected in national parks, reserves, and refuges. The wildlife that abounds in these tropical areas includes a stunning diversity of more than 820 bird species. In A Bird-Finding Guide to Costa Rica, Barrett Lawson offers detailed information that makes it easy for both expert and novice birders to plan and enjoy a. . . More >>

A Bird-Finding Guide to Costa Rica

To our enemies: Mexico wins to USA. Mexico 5 – USA 0 GOLD CUP CHAMPION, Mexico Gana 5 a 0 a EUA.

The first image in the photograph to emerge was the ghost of figures, pale outlines on glossy paper, developed in a dark lab among hundreds of other snapshots of birthdays and couples beaming in front of scenic landmarks and babies taking first steps. Plunged into its chemical bath and then saved from drowning, the photograph was pulled out dripping, like a wet laundered sock, and hung to dry.

And in its chromatic, magic way, the ghosts became alive: eyes to peer in to, lips that curl a hungry happiness, hands that are almost, but not quite, moving. A photograph to prove an existence.

Perhaps it was the gingered hair of the young boys that made the photograph unforgettable. Or the rounded stomachs that belied nourished bodies. Or the clothes, worn day after day, that stretched ripped across torsos and framed startlingly snap-thin legs.

Whatever it was, Colin Salisbury, pictured then as the blond-haired 18-year-old in flip flops surrounded by five Papua New Guinean youth, was never able to shake the way his thumbs-up to the camera promised a future where everything was going to be okay.

Fifteen years later, the photograph is hanging in Colin’s office, and when he’s asked how he got into the business of people helping people, he points to it. Like the photograph with its quiet and sustained birth, so, too, was Colin’s idea for the Global Volunteer Network (GVN).

Of the six weeks he spent in Papua New Guinea, Colin says, “For a young guy from New Zealand, it had quite an impact. “

Such an impact, in fact, that GVN, a non-governmental organization born out of a compassion for people that gripped Colin like an island vine, is connecting volunteers with communities in need all around the globe to deliver on his wordless promise all those years ago.

Although Colin had been fascinated with finding a solution for the poverty he had witnessed during his travels the next decade after his first overseas experience, it wasn’t until he took a trip to Ghana in 1998 that he had his epiphany.

Colin, who has a Master’s degree in International Development, was working for WorldVision doing a literacy study in Ghana when he made an alarming discovery. Schools, lacking books and teaching materials, were also lacking the most precious resource: teachers. In a majority of classes, teachers, underpaid and overburdened, were outnumbered by a ratio of 150 to 200 students to two teachers. Colin was compelled to leave the trip with more than just empty promises.

“Long term, it’s obvious we need to train more teachers,” Colin said. “But in the short term, these kids would really benefit from an education now. International people coming in to help fill those teaching gaps seemed like the next step. So that’s when I went, ‘Wow, there’s actually a real need for volunteers. ‘”

Upon returning home, Colin continued working his full-time job while, with the help of his wife, Jo Salisbury, began laying the foundations for GVN during everyone else’s happy hour.

“It took me a year working nights to figure out how I could make this idea work,” Colin said. “I didn’t share it with anyone until I got it going. “

In his research, Colin found that other organizations charged high fees to volunteer, and vowed to make his organization as accessible as possible.

“I got frustrated with the fact that a lot of organizations just wanted people’s money and nothing else,” he said. “I wanted to give people the opportunity to get their body there, as opposed to just paying their dollar a day. “

Colin was also adamant that his organization would align with the idea of “local solutions to local problems,” working at the grassroots level to achieve their goals.

“Local people are the ones who live in those communities, so they know their needs and how best to address them,” Colin said. “What they need is support in doing that, not someone else coming in and setting up an infrastructure when a lot of those infrastructures already exist. “

Colin and Jo officially launched GVN in 2002 with a web site that now brings snickers in the increasingly computer-savvy office. And with help from the first hired staffers who worked out of Colin’s spare bedroom, GVN began sending volunteers to programs in Ghana, Nepal and Ecuador. With growth that would surprise even the staunchest GVN supporter, the organization leaped from sending just 240 volunteers its first year to 1,520 volunteers two years later.

“I had no idea how well it would go,” Colin said. “It was kind of like, let’s set it up and put our marketing in place and hope it will take off. And it really did. As demand grew, we added more programs, and we’ve basically been doing that ever since. It was good timing with the Internet becoming available; it meant that we could provide lower cost volunteer opportunities than other organizations that were around before the Internet that have different cost structures. “

And with the growth of GVN came a proper office and an expanded staff team of 20 people to help administer volunteer applications and coordinate country programs. The map on the wall of the meeting room now has 19 pushpins denoting GVN’s programs in Alaska, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, India, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda and Vietnam. Volunteers, who work anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months, are involved in programs at orphanages, schools, wildlife sanctuaries, nature reserves and refugee camps.

And the GVN network continues to expand. The GVN Community Fund was established in 2004 to support the work of GVN’s partners with resources so they are able to continue and enhance their work in their local communities. The Community Fund plans the fundraising treks to Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Everest base camp, Machu Picchu and New Zealand’s South Island. The treks, a mix of adventure sport and humanitarian aid, add a new twist to the “sponsor my walk” fund-raiser, with every dollar earned going to support a project in the foothills of the peaks, such as a new school in Uganda.

The Office

It’s an odd day if Colin’s four-year-old daughter isn’t riding her tricycle around the office, weaving in and out of desks as if they were traffic cones. Staff members enjoy Ping-Pong breathers, take hot drink orders and get infuriated during Sudoku competitions.

“Our partner in Vietnam just sent us pictures of his baby,” Program Coordinator Graham Fyfe announces to the office, who crowd around his desk and croon. Out the window, only a few feet away, young guys work lackadaisically on a line of cars waiting to be washed and waxed. The office, like a best-kept-secret noodle shop, is tucked among several non-descript warehouses and a car wash.

“People often think we’re a big American conglomerate and that we have offices in every corner of the world,” said Anna Wells, the program coordinator for Nepal, China and Romania. “I think if people realized that we were in the back blocks of Lower Hutt, they’d be quite surprised. “

It isn’t all sack races and bean bag throws in the office; GVN gets over 400 e-mails a day and program coordinators are busy sifting through travel questions-Should I take Malaria pills?-to taking phone calls from worried moms.

Most of the program coordinators have been volunteers themselves at one time, so their exclamations of volunteerism are genuine.

“Volunteering really shows you what a huge difference one person can make in a relatively short period of time,” Anna said. “You can learn so much about a culture by working alongside a community. It’s something you can’t experience any other way. “

Erin Cassidy, GVN’s office manager, volunteered in Uganda for three weeks last year with her five-year-old son.

“I saw firsthand what volunteering does and how it helps communities,” Erin said. “It really opens your eyes to how much you have and how much you don’t need. It’s impacted even the way we operate at home. I don’t run the water when I clean my teeth at home. I know that’s just a small thing, but I’m now aware of just how precious that resource is. “

For Charisse Gebhart, the program coordinator for Ghana, South Africa and Uganda, the six months she spent volunteering with GVN in Nepal changed her worldview.

“I was barely aware of the poverty and suffering that was out there,” Charisse said. “I’d see the commercials by Sally Struthers, but that was about the extent of it. Witnessing it for yourself is very different from just knowing it’s out there. “

And GVN offers a variety of ways to witness it for oneself, from standing up for the first time in front of a classroom filled with giggling Ghanaian students, to giving dinner to a rescued gibbon at a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand, to baking a cake with an orphan in Romania.

“No matter what your skill sets are, there are places where you’re needed and you can contribute,” Graham said. “Volunteering is not a one-way thing. It’s not just going to change the people you’re working with. It’s also going to change you. You’re going to gain more awareness of yourself, of what you’re capable of and what you’re passionate about. It’s worthwhile to put yourself in that position. “

A Catalyst for Change

Volunteerism isn’t all journal writing and introspection. The communities where volunteers work are often deeply affected by their presence. After all, it isn’t everyday that someone gives up the comforts of their daily life to pay to work long hours in a new and often demanding environment.

“One of the main factors of development is self-esteem and national pride,” said Hanna Butler, an administration staff member and fundraising trek organizer. “When I volunteered in India, sometimes it felt like I really wasn’t doing that much. But in some places, where we were the first foreigners to come there, people realized that they weren’t forgotten. They thought, ‘We’re worth being helped. ‘”

It’s often this feeling of self-worth, of recognition during a time of hopelessness, that can jump-start a community into action. When volunteers arrived in India to work in a community gutted by a swift reach of a wave-children separated from parents and homes exploded by a salt-water bullet in the time it takes to brew a pot of coffee-they found many people still stunned and unresponsive.

“A lot of people were still in shock,” Colin said. “There wasn’t a lot of action happening. But [the volunteers] just got in and started rebuilding the wells and ensuring that there was good water and everything. And as soon as they started, the locals just came and joined in, and in some places, took over because they were better at it than the volunteers. The point being is that volunteers often act as a catalyst. Local people often think, ‘If these people are going to fly half way around the world and pay all the money just to help us, than I think we can help too. ‘”

If GVN considers the organization a success, it’s only because of the difference they’ve been able to make in other communities.

“In Nepal, we’ve been able to take them from basically zero in terms of volunteers for their projects to 20 or 30 a month,” Colin said. “What that’s meant for them is they’ve been able to have a fantastic impact in providing teachers for the schools and the orphanages. So part of our success is the success that’s meant for others. “

Colin continued, “In Ecuador, GVN supplies half the number of volunteers that the organization has. Since they’ve started working with the volunteers-it’s not always all better instantly-it has had an impact on the environmental policy on the country and the local attitude toward conservation. “

And while volunteerism creates many tangible changes for communities, from new school buildings to cleaner streams, it also helps to bridge a divide left behind by decades of Western imperialism, colonization and exploitation.

“Quite often you hear about developed countries taking advantage of developing countries,” Michelle said. “But volunteerism allows developing countries to see that there’s another side to people, and how people want to be in the world. “

The GVN Difference

Asking a GVN staffer to tell you the difference between GVN and another organization doing similar work is like asking a child what they want for Christmas; they just can’t stop listing things.

“I think that one of the best things about GVN’s programs is that volunteers have a lot of space to use their own initiative,” said Michelle, the program coordinator for Kenya and Tanzania and the administrator for GVN’s travel insurance option. “I think our programs work for someone who has a lot of enthusiasm, energy and wants to see things get done. “

While GVN doesn’t just send volunteers out with a map and a compass, they do allow volunteers to make many of the decisions about how they want to spend their time volunteering.

“Other organizations send a guide out with their volunteers and it’s all very set and concrete,” Graham said. “And while that ensures a certain consistency in the program, it’s also really limiting in terms of what you can get done. With GVN, you’re given support but there are no prescribed guidelines. “

Although GVN is a relatively small organization, Graham believes its tight-knit office is actually one of its strengths.

“We’re quite responsive and can turn around and gets things done if changes need to be made,” he said. “We don’t have ten layers of administration that you need to go through to get things done. “

And unlike other organizations, GVN’s programs don’t require a second mortgage to take part. Volunteering in Thailand for four weeks costs only $650.

“Volunteering is expensive,” Michelle said. “You’ve got to take time off of your own life, but still keep it going. Things just don’t stop when you go overseas. So you want the best value for your time and money. “

Choosing a Partner

Being popular isn’t always easy. GVN gets at least two queries a day from organizations that want to partner with them. The task of deciding which partners to invest in is a long one.

“We look at the impact that those projects are making,” Michelle said. “We make sure that they’re worthwhile projects, that they’re up to GVN standards and that they make a good impact on the local community. “

Understanding that business practices, cultures and even ethics run the gamut when working with international partners, GVN instituted The Ten Steps of Quality to ensure consistency. The steps, actually a checklist, help GVN set standards as they work toward excellence in all of their programs.

“Sometimes partners we work with are really eager to help but they’re not used to running a business the same way we are,” Graham said. “So the Ten Steps of Quality just gives them the tools to be able to do it effectively. “

There are times, however, when opinions differ and partnerships become more exacting rather than symbiotic. GVN, always careful about whom they’re working with, sometimes has to make the tough decision to cancel a partnership.

“We had a previous partner in Nepal in the beginning,” Colin said. “Things changed in regards to the way they were working and there was some question as to the use of finances. We had to decide that we couldn’t be involved if that sort of thing was going on. We had to pull the plug. “

Volunteer Expectations: Where’s the Air Conditioning?

“I need to change the Info Pack for the Philippines,” said Annika Lindorsson, the program coordinator for India, Philippines and Vietnam. “I think it’s confusing for people to find the taxi from the airport using it. “

Annika had just returned from a five-day trip to the Philippines to meet with one of GVN’s newest partner organization and assess the program. Following the path that a volunteer would take, she discovered a glitch in the directions.

“Going to the Philippines has made all the difference in my ability to do my job,” she said.

GVN isn’t shy about sending its employees to investigate their programs. For Annika, she brought back more than just a suntan: first-hand knowledge of how her program runs, what accommodation looks like, what volunteers are fed and the general logistics of getting around a country most volunteers have never been to before.

“It’s really helpful to see the logistical things, like the airports where the volunteers arrive,” said Graham, who traveled to Vietnam, Ecuador and El Salvador last year to check on his programs. “It’s a lot easier to give advice when you know where they’re going. “

Sharing a meal with a GVN partner also helps to build a relationship that had been solely Internet and phone based.

“It really makes it a lot more personal,” Anna said. “You have quite a close relationship with the people you’re working with over there. So to actually meet them makes it a lot more real. “

By seeing the country the way a volunteer would, program coordinators are able to ensure volunteers’ expectations are realistic; there really is no air conditioning in Uganda. Program coordinators also try to relay to volunteers that their trips will be nothing like a backpacker’s excursion to a dude ranch.

“Some of the volunteers will think the trip will be a real adventure,” Colin said. “Others think that in the month that they go, they’re going to dramatically change the place. Some views are naïve, some are more realistic and some view it as a holiday. So we try to get people’s expectations in line with reality without deflating them too much. “

Unlike some travel holidays where tourists can view poverty like a circus tent-circling around, pointing, but never joining in-volunteering with GVN makes acclimatizing to the environment a necessity.

“For the India program, for instance, accommodation has been selected that is not luxury accommodation,” Michelle said. “You’re actually learning to live another way without the comforts that you’re used to. At the end of the day, we want volunteers to gain a true experience of the country, rather than a tourist view. “

And while volunteers will have the opportunity to explore the country, there’s no mistaking that they work hard.

“I think a lot of people think it’s going to be really nice, like wiping sweat off people’s brows,” Hanna said. “But its long, hard work. Sometimes you feel like you’re not getting much done. And some days you think, ‘And I’m doing this for free? What am I doing?’”

Would she do it again?

“Yes,” she said.

Making the Big Leap: Just Go For It

“I was terrified,” said Charisse, of her first days volunteer teaching in Nepal. “I had no teaching experience. I was scared about having a classroom full of kids to myself. I didn’t know if I would be able to fill up all the class time and if I would be able to keep them under control. “

And how did it go?

“The way you’d expect it to,” she said. “There were some rough days, but it was great. “

The fear that gripped Charisse-How do you command a class full of children who don’t speak the same language?-is universal among volunteers stepping into situations that would make even the most experienced travelers blanch.

“Other volunteers have gone feeling the same way,” Charisse said. “In fact, every volunteer will have felt the same way. And you probably don’t always get that from the journals on the web site. But that shouldn’t be a reason to stop you. “

It’s this fearlessness, this nerve and heart and patience that a volunteer embodies that helps to push against a global current of hopelessness, despair, inequality, greed, racism and xenophobia.

“There have always been people in need, and unfortunately, I think there always will be,” Anna said. “You just have to help people one person at a time. I’d like to say that the end result is that GVN helps so much that they make themselves obsolete. But all throughout the history of the world, there has always been people who have nothing and people who have something to give. “

The act of giving, of taking on a responsibility for humankind, of declaring that a person whom you have never met has the basic and fundamental right to a life free of suffering, is incomparable to any other gesture.

“Yes, it’s tough,” Erin said. “And often there is culture shock. No one can ever prepare you for that. I don’t think you can be totally prepared for it. I’d seen pictures, watched videos, but in the end, the reality was different. But after the first few days, when you get over the jetlag and the change, I can’t see how you would ever regret it. I just can’t. “

And in the passing of a brick, in the chalk-dusted writing of a word, in the gentle rocking of a lonely child, a new world is forged where the universal truths are love, compassion and generosity; a world where photographs-a glimpse, an eye blink-become inspirations become ideas become endeavors become legacies.

David Fernandez Vs Johnathan Sanchez. May 20, 2006.
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Image taken on 2008-03-30 12:48:24 by mdverde.

Los Angeles is loaded with things to do – but when you’re looking for a really special date idea, not just any place will do! If you really want to wow him or her, you’ll want to find ideas that are out of the ordinary. Whether you live in LA or are just flying into LAX for a weekend adventure, here are some of my personal top picks for great romantic ideas in and around Los Angeles.

Sailing and Boating Adventures

Spending some time on the beautiful Pacific Ocean is one of the very best ways to enjoy California’s magic. There are many different types of beach atmospheres in LA – from the outrageous Venice Beach to more subtle and relaxing atmospheres. Marina del Rey is one of those ‘hidden gems’ that is off the beaten path – a perfect location for a romantic.

Marina del Rey is weekend dating paradise loaded with romantic activities. If you’ve got experience sailing (or a sense of adventure!) you can rent a sailboat by the hour. If you prefer to leave the driving to someone else, the weekend dinner dance cruises are amazing! You and your date are served a three-course dinner on a luxury ship before heading back to one of the many peaceful Marina del Ray hotels for a romantic evening.

Just 4 miles north of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Marina del Rey is the perfect solution for travelers who are flying in for the weekend. After a plane ride, the last thing anyone wants to do is travel far to a hotel room. At the same time, it’s nice to have some distance between your hotel and the airport, especially when the stay is supposed to be a relaxing vacation trip. Marina del Rey hotels and attractions are close enough to LAX to make travel to and from the airport a cinch, but far enough away to offer a more peaceful and inviting setting.

Santa Monica Third Street Promenade and Pier

Visiting the Santa Monica Beach & Pier is often considered one of the most romantic things to do in Los Angles. Exploring the Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian-only mall, is a fun way to spend a relaxing afternoon date. Enjoy the collection of shops, bars, restaurants and street entertainers as you and your date casually stroll through the mall.

A short walk west of the Promenade sits the Santa Monica State Beach and Pier with its famous boardwalk, seaside Ferris wheel and amusement park. Throughout the summer, every Thursday night on the Pier features their “Twilight Dance Series” which showcases concerts from popular performers in every musical genre.

Santa Monica is in close proximity to Marina del Ray hotels, giving you a whole new place to explore after your evening on the water. After a day of dining, entertainment, and enjoying the beach, you can hop back in the rental and use side streets to navigate back to the Marina del Rey hotels beach area and escape the LA weekend freeway traffic.

Dining and Music

If you’re flying into LA for the weekend, be sure to book a late afternoon flight. Before heading back to busy bustling LAX, make time for lunch at Fisherman’s village. Every afternoon this beachside restaurant plays host to a live musical concert featuring R&B, Latin, Pop, or Blues. Depending on which of the Marina del Rey hotels you choose, you won’t even need to take advantage of the 2 hour free parking validation – just stroll down the beach and dine and relax as long as you’d like.

If you know how to navigate Los Angeles area, its easy to enjoy the best of this great metro area while avoiding the downsides – particularly LA’s maze overcrowded freeways! Whether you live in the surrounding area or are flying in for the weekend, Marina del Rey hotels are just a stone’s throw away from LAX, Venice, and Santa Monica, yet secluded enough to provide a setting for a romantic weekend getaway.

About the Author: Jon Buschlen is an author for the Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau, a compressive resource for LA travelers searching for things to do in Los Angeles and great deals on LAX hotels

Honeymoon Nation-Best Honeymoon Ideas

Papagayo—it is as romantic as it sounds! It is a place, where virgin beaches wait for your footsteps. It is a place, where azure sky provides the perfect backdrop to an aquamarine Pacific! The tropical mountains bordering the shoreline make pretty picture and flying seagulls give the finishing touch to the artist’s canvas that Papagayo is for the global travelers. Papagayo, lying on the Northern stretch of Costa Rica is all about spectacular views and breathtaking beauty of unadulterated nature. No wonder, the region has immense real estate opportunities to offer. Known as ‘Gold Coast’ of Costa Rica, Papagayo is considered real estate investors’ paradise. Sprawling villas, ocean front Costa Rica condos, luxury lots or raw lands—you name them and you will get them in this part of Costa Rica. There are also opportunities for investing in the region’s several commercial developments.   And if you happen to be a golf enthusiast, then a Costa Rica golf-resort would be the right place to invest your money. In short, in Papagayo, you will find variety of real estate tailored to your unique needs. The region has some of the world’s finest virgin beaches and Playa Hermosa, Playa Ocotal, Playas del Coco and Playa Panama are some of them. The Costa Rica condos here perfectly blend with the beautiful nature that surrounds them. These low-rise, eco-friendly condo properties are perfect as vacation homes, where you can find the Caribbean at her best. Being a diving hotspot and world famous sport-fishing center, Papagayo’s beach front Costa Rica condos allow you to indulge in an array of beach activities. Even if you are not keen on water-sports, you can still enjoy the spectacular ocean view right from your condo home. Costa Rica condos here are specifically designed to offer you the breathtaking views of white beaches and clear blue water. The mountain lovers don’t have to complain either; Costa Rica condos are also available in Papagayo’s tranquil mountain areas. There is no dearth of sophisticated projects in the region as its beauty has lured world famous developers to invest their money. As a net result, Papagayo, Costa Rica now falls in the bracket of one of world’s luxury destinations. Four Seasons Hotel stepped in the market back in 2004; the $120 million project with 150-room. Regent Hotel was also announced a little latter. Ritz Carlton group is on its way to build a hotel along with an 18-hole golf course and a 200-slip marina, near Zapotal Beach. Steve Case, the founder of the internet giant America Online, is all set to open an $800 million beach resort just south of Playa Hermosa, which is going to feature two boutique hotels. With so many luxury projects focused in the region, it is on its way to emerge as one of the world’s luxury tourist hubs. The global investors are too smart to overlook the trend and Playa Hermosa, Playa Panama, Playa Ocotal and Playas del Coco are attracting huge global attention. From the leading hoteliers like Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton, to the individual home buyers—everybody seeks to purchase suitable property in the picturesque region of Costa Rica. While big names in the industry are obviously attracted to the lands in bulk;  the individual property buyers are eyeing Costa Rica condos. A segment of property buyers are buying Costa Rica condos with an objective of retiring in this tranquil part of Costa Rica. In any form, Papagayo, Costa Rica condos make good investment choice. If you are in your prime, it will be the best time for you to buy a property here. You can secure your investment through the assured, year long rental incomes. By the time you reach the retirement age, you will have your own piece of heaven in one of the world’s most prestigious resort destinations. If retiring in Costa Rica does not map in your present scheme of things, then also it makes sense in investing in Costa Rica condominium—you can rest assure that your investment real estate in Papagayo will continue to appreciate through the years.

… Reggae RED DE COLES DE COSTA RICA Google Chrome2
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What is the currency exchange rate in Costa Rica,and what is the best way tomake purches(i.e. credit cards?)?

I live in Costa Rica now. We are getting as high as 500 colones for $US1. That is a little high, but it usually is around 490 colones.

Smaller places will add a surcharge if you use a credit card, but many places will not. Just ask before you make your purchase. The big thing is to be prepared for the tax and tip included in you bill. Rarely do you need to tip, as we do in the U.S., unless the service is very good, then a small amount extra is nice. Tipping taxi drivers is good.

It is easy to get money here from the ATMs, but before doing a lot of that, check with your bank about charges for international withdrawels. That can be a surprising extra expense!

The other thing is that most everything here is very reasonably prices, except tourist stuff which is more mid-range. But great food in restaurants is very affordable.

Pura Vida!

Exchange rate in Costa Rica

Hotel Cariari – 06/06/2008
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Does anyone know where I can buy tickets for the Uruguay vs. Costa Rica game to qualify for the world cup?

Im looking for tickets to watch the game at Costa Rica on November 14. Please help. Thanks!

i think its sold old. get them from scalpers

New Moon News:[EXCLUSIVE] NewMoon worldwide releasedatess + New Moon PIcture PROMO’S!

Get your sports gear on people! If you are wondering why I am posing such a request then you need to wake up! Puerto Vallarta is the place to be this summer. And for all those people who do not think so this is a reminder: You would not find a better and more enjoyable place to be in! Puerto Vallarta hosted the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier CONCACAF for the second successive time. Yes! You read correctly, the beautiful, the magnificent and the picturesque Puerto Vallarta really hosted this energetic tournament! This year the FIFA Soccer World Cup took place at the Agustín Flores Contreras Sports Stadium which is situated in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The tournament began on the 17th of June 2009 and continued till the 21st of June. And want to know what the most exciting thing about it was? Admission of all the people – be it the locals or the tourists was absolutely, completely, 100% free of charge! Now tell me, which is the most amazing place to be? Well, Puerto Vallarta, the beautiful paradise of course! 6 nations were lined up in order to attain the most envied two berths which were at stake at the Unidad Deportivo Agustín Flores, sports stadium. This will lead to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 to be hosted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from the 16th of November till the 22nd. The tournament was opened by the United States on Wednesday, the 17th of June. They played against the Bahamas in Group B. This match was played at 5 p. m. Mexico the host, then faced Canada in Group A. This was the second game of a doubleheader, and it began at about 6:15 p. m. Furthermore Costa Rica which was in Group B and El Salvador which was in Group A began their play the next following day. Lastly there was a round-robin play which concluded on Friday; consequently, ending before the semifinals and finals which took place on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Want to know an interesting fact? Well, The Bahamas made its debut in this glorious CONCACAF championship. And Canada returned to this tournament after an absence of two years. The schedule of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Match started from Wednesday, the 17th of June and ended on Sunday the 21st of June. The schedule was grueling but the teams were powerful and strong. They were all geared up to be their best and that was what all the spectators really needed. They were expecting to watch a great entertaining match and that, is exactly what they got! This was the worlds most prestigious and entertaining beach soccer showdown! This tournament was really very exciting and a large number of locals and the visitors enjoyed every moment of it. All the supporters were there to support their team. If you are seeking for a resort city that brings that hosts such magnificent tournaments that brings the spectators to the edge of their seat, look no further, Puerto Vallarta is the place to be where you can enjoy amazing adventurous tours, festivals and beautiful landscapes.

• ISBN13: 9780822333722
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product DescriptionLong characterized as an exceptional country within Latin America, Costa Rica has been hailed as a democratic oasis in a continent scorched by dictatorship and revolution; the ecological mecca of a biosphere laid waste by deforestation and urban blight; and an egalitarian, middle-class society blissfully immune to the violent class and racial conflicts that have haunted the region. Arguing that conceptions of Costa Rica as a happy anomaly downplay its rich heritage . . . More >>

The Costa Rica Reader: History, Culture, Politics

National Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated for 39 years on September 17, 2007. Enacted into law on that day in 1968, this Public Law set aside a week to honor our Spanish-speaking citizens. When the 100th Congress enacted a new Public Law, the celebration period increased to 31 days, from September 15, 2008 to October 15.
The initiative for National Hispanic Heritage Month is an acknowledgement of the over 45 million Americans of Hispanic origin. The 31 day observation period honors the Independence Day for many Latin American countries including El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras which celebrate September 15 as their Independence Day. September 16th is the Independence Day for Mexico, September 18th for Chile, September 21st for Belize and El Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) is October 12th.
Celebrating and bringing to life this special time for children who have parents of Hispanic decent is important along with exposing our Anglo children to how other cultures celebrate various occasions.
Cooking is a social time in Latin American families, and making these quesadillas is a fun way to get the party started. Quesadillas are Spanish and Southwest in origin. The ones we experience in restaurants here in the United States are fine but are not true depictions of how the real Mexican quesadillas are made. Quesadillas in Mexico can be found outside movie theaters, stadiums, and special events with the most popular quesadilla being made with potatoes, cheese, chorizo, beans, green peppers (rajas) and other ingredients.
Following is a simple recipe for quesadillas that allows you to easily involve your children in their preparation. Cooking is a social time in most Latin American countries, and you can make it a social time with your family too!
Quesadillas Ingredients:
3 six-inch flour tortillas
Vegetable cooking oil
2 cups shredded Colby/Jack mixed cheese
One half cup finely chopped tomato
Cilantro
Directions:
Lightly fry each tortilla in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil until crisp and golden, turning once. Sprinkle with combined cheeses and top with tomato. Put lid on pan and turn heat to low. When cheese is melted, fold tortilla in half. Cut each tortilla into quarters. Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve warm with salsa if desired.
We read the statistics on obesity among our young children here in the United States. We realize the many benefits derived from learning a second language during our early years. For this next activity we suggest using a song that is from Latin America or a bilingual song that features both Spanish and English during its play.
This activity appeals to kinesthetic, auditory and visual learners as it encourages following the leader, very similar to Simon Says. Use an older child to be the leader, and have him direct the children on what to do to match the song. Depending upon the song you choose, it could be body part wiggling or chicken movements! Watch the young ones delight in their grasp of a new culture with new music and perhaps a new language.
This next activity is a Language activity, and it comes to life as the children create their own bilingual number book. The children will make a book/un libro that helps them learn the Spanish words for the numbers one/uno to ten/diez. Reinforcement is the key to all learning so find a cool bilingual song for kids that introduces these numbers in both languages if you can.
Depending upon the ages of the children you might offer pre-made blank books out of brightly colored construction paper that measure a finished book size of five by seven(a total of six pages stapled or bound together is needed for this activity). If the children are old enough they can participate in the making of the blank book first. You will also need markers, crayons, magazine pictures or newspaper food ad pictures, age appropriate scissors, and glue sticks.
Procedure:
Guide the child in making a cute front and back cover for this bilingual number book. Use examples from books from the library or ones you have purchased over the years. Each page should have the numeral (1), the English word (one), and the Spanish word (uno) for the number you are working on. Assist the child in finding a picture that depicts the number of a
certain item (one banana, two dogs, three pencils and so on). Glue the picture onto the page that corresponds to that number.
The English-language number words in sequence order are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten while the Spanish language number words in order are uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, and diez.
And this last activity is about appreciating the culture of Spanish speaking countries. Children learn about maracas, an instrument from our Hispanic friends. In this activity the children make their own maracas and celebrate to music.
Maracas help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the culture and music of Spanish-speaking countries. Using old cardboard tubes, jelly jars, plastic soda bottles (anything that you can put a lid on and shake!) makes this project inexpensive and fun. Find different materials and different sized containers to create a wide range of musical sounds that will allow the
children to create their own band.
This activity is suitable for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary aged children (with adult supervision). As you make these together put on some upbeat bilingual music or Latin American tunes and party!
Materials needed:
Containers with tops/lids to hold dried beans or rice in. (jelly jars, plastic soda bottles, cardboard tubes with paper glued on as lid)
Dried beans, rice, small shell pasta
Construction paper or white computer paper
Paints, markers, glitter, glue, Spanish/Mexican theme stickers
Procedure:
Allow each child to choose their own maraca container and filler. For soda bottles you can insert a cardboard tube that has been cut and wound tightly to fit into the top of the bottle in order to create a handle. Secure the top to the handle with quality masking tape. Pour approximately twenty dried beans, grains of rice or pasta shells into the container (amount based on size of container and filler chosen). Secure the lid back onto the container. If no lid is available, make one with paper and secure tightly with quality masking tape or transparent packing tape. Wrap paper around the container as desired for decorating purposes.
Some children may simply want to decorate the container with stickers. Encourage the children to customize their maraca with markers, glitter, stickers and imagination. Once complete, have fun singing, dancing and playing with the children to various songs that represent the Hispanic culture and bilingual songs that will introduce the Spanish and English languages to these young children.
Being bilingual is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with your family or your class allows you to show the children in your life that you value other languages and cultures. Set a good example for an open mind and open heart as we bridge children together from all walks of life.

If you are thinking of buying a piece of real estate, regardless of where it is in the world, you probably already have in your mind what you want to achieve. Knowing your goals will help you make better and wiser buying decisions. You can seek out professional advice from financial advisers or real estate consultants if you like. These professionals will help you work on the details on how to get to where you want to go.
For example, you may be thinking of buying a property for investment purposes. Or you may be thinking of buying a piece of property for retirement purposes. Whatever your goal is, be clear about it, and don’t be easily swayed. Make a list of what are some of the must-have elements of the property. This will be your primary list. Then make a second list of not so important elements. These are good to have, but you can live with it if they are not there. These two lists will help you a lot when you are looking out for potential properties to buy. Must the property by near water? What are some of the facilities that you would like to have? If you don’t have them, can you live with it? Ask yourself these questions.
You may have observed that knowing your goals will help you draft out what you want, and what you don’t want. For instance, if you’re buying a property solely for investment only, then your selection criteria will be very different, compared to buying a property for retirement or for vacation. When you’re solely looking to buy a property for investment, you would be more concerned about rental. What will make the property more attractive to potential tenants? Are there many students or executives around looking to rent? If so, what are some of their needs? You then put aside your own list of wants for the property, and focus on what the tenants want. On the other hand, if you want to buy a property for retirement, you may then look at what are some of the facilities available, and what are some of the activities that you will enjoy.
Whatever your personal or financial goals, Costa Rica may have something to offer that’ll help you achieve your goals. Condo projects that are near beaches certainly look promising. There are various activities to suit the needs of everybody – from the adventurous to the mild mannered. The more adventurous crowd can try sports fishing, scuba diving, mountain biking and more. While the milder people can try bird watching, butterfly garden tours and others.
For sure, the landscape and surrounding environment is as important as, if not more important than the price of the property. When assessing a Costa Rica property, you should certainly pay more attention to the unique landscaping and the natural environment of the Condo project. Seek out the experience in real life instead of depending on pictures on brochures if time permits. Doing so will most certainly help you look way beyond just dividing the asking price by the number of square meters. After all, it’s the human experience that we all seek. And hopefully, Costa Rica possesses something that will help fulfill your dreams.