Things are a changin...

Well got into CR and so far so good. Have to say the airport is so much nicer with the remodel. Anyone that hasn't been down here just could appreciate how much of an upgrade that is. Cab drivers are still trying to rip you off everywhere you go though

The people I have chatted with so far have been mid-level managers or below, guys that seem to have lost some of the enthusiasm from before. They are pissed that the media and the Pacheco crowd are badmouthing them and I have to agree. Last time I was down, about 2 years ago, I think a lot of Ticos in the business were proud of the jobs and opportunity they gave and gladly told others that. Now they feel like they almost have to lie to people when they ask what they do. They and some gringos I have talked to say that fortunately the newer people that drift into town and the business seem more serious and not the head to the Del Rey first night in town kind of crowd, which is a positive meaning that the talent that is flowing is probably more useful down the road in terms of trying to run real businesses down here. That leads into a conversation I had with another guy, a marketing guy I talked to last time I came down, and he said that professionalism is definitely been raised. While you still get stupid shit from the owners and a few managers sometimes, most people have come to realize that outside of the line managers and marketers, the other staff have to treat this much as it were any other kind of business, meaning hiring competent people at all levels, not just friends of theirs or some hot chick to be eye candy when her English is terrible. And lets face it, in that regard CR has been much different. The UK guys and the Australia guys are very professional, the business has been around a long time and they realize that the bottom line comes from talented people in all positions adhering to smart business plans. I don't think that was the case in CR for a long time, but maybe with the experience of the more talented people who have been through the battles the conclusion will be made.

As for everything else, well been taking it easy so far. Went to dinner and drifted to a bar with my buddy and two of his friends that aren't in the business as well as one guy that is. And my archenemies, the cab drivers tried to get me again last night. We agreed on a fare of 600 (negotiated by a Tica friend) and I get to my destination and the guy starts talking fast in Spanish and I only caught some of it, but I think he was saying that he was going to have to pay the owner of something (the bar maybe?) a fee for dropping me off so he wanted 1200. Ridiculous! I gave him 700 because I didn't have change and just walked away. He shouted a couple insults at me and then left and I never turned around. What is it with these guys, must they always try to rip me off???

watch out for the cabbies. they will get you if you cannot "habla espanol senor gringo".

Never had a problem with the cabbies. The anuses who sell fake cuban cigars outside the del ray tend to piss me off. Good post Bill.

Second that = thanks for the post, WB - if you can, it would be interesting to know what the consensus is down there concerning any impending U.S. crackdown, if it is indeed to come any time soon. How do they feel about it, do they think it's inevitable?

Anyhow, hitting the sack, GL down there

p.s. Now you know how Midwesterners feel in an NYC taxi

Let me re-phrase that for Jazz. Not "how they feel about the pending US political headaches we are facing"

but.....


WHY they are not worried about it at all and why they act like they are not worried. I think if you can post an opinion on that, it would be great.

No one is worried one bit. They laugh at the thought actually. Most say that they get maybe 2 or 3 requests a day for CCs tops, and 90% of the time they get the business anyways by other means, often a CC with Western Union. Lets just say there is probably 5 times more worry about books going under and the whole Shrink thing from last weekend is still on people's minds, as well as the whole WSEX charade. 99% of the people are real pissed and say they see this type of scammer all the time, they are all certain he was out to scam and say that WSEX is at fault for being asleep at the wheel. How they could not have checked their system against such an obvious thing and not have at least a mid-level manager around to make sure it didn't happen is beyond them. They say if you play overnight, you might as well tell the world you are a 24-hour operation and having a tech guy and low level guys only in the building is just plain asking for trouble.

Bill, you and Cecil appear to have two VERY different opinions on the state of things in CR. You ought to put your heads together & see how much you two can gain from each other.

Its not really opinion, I am just relaying what I hear. My opinion happens to be very close to it, but for different reasons much of the time. I talked to a few people that act afraid, but I think they read Oldmantime too much

Have to say it feels kind of funny because this definitely feels a world away from home, yet I get here and we all talk about the same crap we do everyday and we all know the same peoople, well at least by posting names. Everyone at a table next to us was bitching about JJ Gold, now that was just too funny!

That's great you dropped in Bill. Sometimes it is easy to forget how many people actually read what you write on these places. "Next table bitching about JJ". LOL.

Thanks for the updates, I look forward to reading your thoughts.

WB DID IT GO SOMETHING LIKE THIS OYE SENOR TU TIENES QUE PAGAR ME 1,200 DOLARES POR ESTE VIAJE TIENGO QUE PAGAR AL HOMBRE DE LA SINGA BARRA DEJA QUE YO COJA A JJ GOLD ESE MARICON ME LA VA PARGAR

Wild Bill do us all a favor and stay down there for good. How are the dirt roads??

Wildbill..nice read thank you for the insite into your trip to CR

I was taken aback the first time i walked through the exit doors of San Jose airport. Crazy f*cking cab drivers but you learn to deal with them as they are only trying to make a buck.If you do not act like a sucker you will not get treated like a sucker as WildBill showed us.

Hey Wild Bill--Thanks for the good exposure!LOL

As for credit cards (legislation), that is pretty much a total joke anyway. I haven't been able to use a cc in who knows when!

My No. 1 worry at this point is Neteller. I think they are great and worry for their safety!
Have a good trip-700?? What would that be in US bucks. I would get fleeced. At least in NY the cabbies spoke English when I was there 30 years ago!

Good stuff Wild Bill,

VIVA LA COSTA RICA BABY!!!

You seem to have left out the Del Rey?

Great live report. Would love to see more of this stuff around here. Thanks Bill, sure appreciate it.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by THE SHRINK:
Good stuff Wild Bill,

VIVA LA COSTA RICA BABY!!!

You seem to have left out the Del Rey? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think that is the point about professionalism and all. We don't need anymore owners or managers who spend 5 nights a week drunk at the del rey.

Good post WB.