Foo - Power run amok

Ah yes, Finca Leola (our reforestation company) has been growing very rapidly this year. It seems a day can't go by without buying something. I don't normally even like the idea of buying things - but there are exceptions.

One is - machinary. Well, we have a lot of work to do that requires.... wait for it... a backhoe. :D It is hard to get one to come over, and then they want at least a week's worth of work. Well, we just located a very good one (4 wheel drive no less), 2003 for 42,000 dollars - which is a steal. We had our mechanic check it all - it looks very, very good.

You guys can have your fancy titanium bikes - I will have a backhoe Friday. :eek: The world is not going to be safe - you do know that, right?

There is so much demand for a backhoe too that with the backhoe we are hiring a full-time operator. The backhoe will pay for itself in between 6 to 8 months I figure.

I can't believe I am going to have a backhoe to play with - that has to be the ultimate toy...

http://blog.makezine.com/img413_754.jpg

a young crtreedude at play.

Does a backhoe operator make enough money to support a family of four in Costa Rica?

Does a backhoe operator make enough money to support a family of four in Costa Rica?


Cost of living is MUCH lower in CR...

East Hill

Does this mean you are now a backpimp?

Does a backhoe operator make enough money to support a family of four in Costa Rica?

Yes - they do very well. What is interesting is that my wife and I added up (tis tax time you know) how much we actually spend on ourselves - aside from travel and other business related things, we spend less than the people who run our various parts of the business make.

Our life style is very similar to middle class Ticos. It is very cheap to live here if you live like the Ticos. Now, if you want to live like a Gringo - it might actually be more expensive.

niiiiiice. Looks like business is moving right along. Did the other guy from CR ever contact you? He said his company had worked with yours. I gave him your e-mail.

http://blog.makezine.com/img413_754.jpg

a young crtreedude at play.

Nice picture! I think we need to make one of those!

Yes - they do very well. What is interesting is that my wife and I added up (tis tax time you know) how much we actually spend on ourselves - aside from travel and other business related things, we spend less than the people who run our various parts of the business make.

Our life style is very similar to middle class Ticos. It is very cheap to live here if you live like the Ticos. Now, if you want to live like a Gringo - it might actually be more expensive.

elaborate on this. What is living like Ticos?

niiiiiice. Looks like business is moving right along. Did the other guy from CR ever contact you? He said his company had worked with yours. I gave him your e-mail.

Really? When did you tell him to contact me? I get lots of correspondance so it might have been someone.

Cost of living is MUCH lower in CR...

East Hill

Yeah, but it'd be a bear to try to replace my wife's income, not to mention talk her into moving to Costa Rica. Of course if I approached it right ("Honey, you've brought home the bacon long enough, and since I want to that burden off your shoulders, I've found an opportunity for me to be able to make us as good a living as you do. We're moving to Costa Rica.") I could maybe pull it off. But she's got a Master's in Network Security, a clearance higher than the Pope, and 20 years of experience in the field. It's going to be tough to match that, even in the relative terms of Costa Rica. I had to ask.

Fun with a Hoe (http://www.militantplatypus.com/blog/archives/date/2007/04/13)

You guys can have your fancy titanium bikes - I will have a backhoe Friday. :eek: The world is not going to be safe - you do know that, right?

Be afraid.

Be very afraid.

:)

Fun with a Hoe (http://www.militantplatypus.com/blog/archives/date/2007/04/13)

Demetri Martin is hilarious....

Yeah, but it'd be a bear to try to replace my wife's income, not to mention talk her into moving to Costa Rica. Of course if I approached it right ("Honey, you've brought home the bacon long enough, and since I want to that burden off your shoulders, I've found an opportunity for me to be able to make us as good a living as you do. We're moving to Costa Rica.") I could maybe pull it off. But she's got a Master's in Network Security, a clearance higher than the Pope, and 20 years of experience in the field. It's going to be tough to match that, even in the relative terms of Costa Rica. I had to ask.

I hate to encourage you but... I worked in Costa Rica as an consultant for companies all over the world. When we decided it was time to move here, I walked into the VP of engineerings office and said I was leaving in 3 months to Costa Rica. He said, "Does that mean you are quiting?" I said, "Only if you stop paying me" He walked me down to HR who took from me the details of where to send the checks... :lol:

If she is that good, she can work anywhere - and my work was VERY sensitive. I was a world expert in recording people's phone calls.

Living Tico means that you don't have a huge home, you eat the local stuff (instead of imported food) and you don't think shopping is a sport.

You also pay for everything with cash instead of running up credit cards. And you pay for your house cash - and live in the size of house you can afford.

The secret to getting your wife to love it here is simple. Full-time housekeeper and cook. :D This would be under 400 dollars a month. Not exactly like living as a Tico, but if she is working, she deserves it.

Living Tico means that you don't have a huge home, you eat the local stuff (instead of imported food) and you don't think shopping is a sport.

You also pay for everything with cash instead of running up credit cards. And you pay for your house cash - and live in the size of house you can afford.

The secret to getting your wife to love it here is simple. Full-time housekeeper and cook. :D This would be under 400 dollars a month. Not exactly like living as a Tico, but if she is working, she deserves it.

That doesn't sound much different than what I do right now. No credit cards. Forgive me if this sounds extremely ignorant, but are there paved roads in the city portions?

That doesn't sound much different than what I do right now. No credit cards. Forgive me if this sounds extremely ignorant, but are there paved roads in the city portions?

Yep - and we even have them out here on main roads - the really positive thing is the nearest traffic light is 60 kilometers away. (yes, that would be nearly 40 miles!) I love not having to touch the brakes...

Those who come here expecting to have the USA cheaper are very disappointed. Those who come to enjoy nature, the climate and the people tend to have a really good time.

Come down as an "Ugly American" and I promise you will suffer.

Construction equipment looks fun. Too bad no one will let me near any.
Give me a bulldozer, a back hoe, a monster dump truck, a crane, etc... fun times will be had by....me.

Or just give me a jackhammer.

When I was about 15, there was a huge snow storm in Rochester NY and my brother and I rented a small bulldozer to clear the parking lot. You have no idea how much fun it is to run a bulldozer till you do. Can you imagine now someone renting a bulldozer to two teenagers? What were they thinking?! (they were thinking we had money...)

Yep - and we even have them out here on main roads - the really positive thing is the nearest traffic light is 60 kilometers away. (yes, that would be nearly 40 miles!) I love not having to touch the brakes...

Those who come here expecting to have the USA cheaper are very disappointed. Those who come to enjoy nature, the climate and the people tend to have a really good time.

Come down as an "Ugly American" and I promise you will suffer.

Hey, as long as I can longboard, ride a bike, and occasionally use the internet, I'm happy. I just thought of how easy it would be to do organic gardening. I bet it's super easy to get composted material.

Man, if you were me, I would see a dirtjump set in my future :D..

congrats

Man, if you were me, I would see a dirtjump set in my future :D..

congrats

Man, don't get me started - can you imagine the MTB trails I could make with this bad boy...?! :D

Man, don't get me started - can you imagine the MTB trails I could make with this bad boy...?! :D

I can imagine yes.

Well actually it would be very poor at making trails, it would make em to damn wide to be any fun :D...dj trails and pump tracks hmmm hmm good though :)

Dude, there is too parts to the backhoe, you don't have to use the wide bucket, you can use the shovel. But, being semi-old, I don't mind wide paths... Nothing nicer than zooming through the plantations just after we have graded all the roads.

Man, don't get me started - can you imagine the MTB trails I could make with this bad boy...?! :D

BMX track! Think of the burms, the whoop-de-doos and the ramps you could build. Get some cheap used bikes shipped in from here in the US and let the kids have at it. Would be a blast to watch them, and their parents would probably be quite thankful to you for giving the kids such an outlet.

BMX track! Think of the burms, the whoop-de-doos and the ramps you could build. Get some cheap used bikes shipped in from here in the US and let the kids have at it. Would be a blast to watch them, and their parents would probably be quite thankful to you for giving the kids such an outlet.

What is interesting is that the kids here like most to show up on Saturdays and help their dads while they work for us - I kid you not. And they like throwing things for our dog to retrieve too. Given that we live on the edge of the frontier, you have to be brain damaged not to find cool things to do. Fishing, hiking, swiming year round - riding horses, etc.

I doubt a BMX would compete.

What is interesting is that the kids here like most to show up on Saturdays and help their dads while they work for us - I kid you not. And they like throwing things for our dog to retrieve too. Given that we live on the edge of the frontier, you have to be brain damaged not to find cool things to do. Fishing, hiking, swiming year round - riding horses, etc.

I doubt a BMX would compete.


I wasn't speaking of little kids. I was hoping it would be built by the time I get down there someday:D

Dude, there is too parts to the backhoe, you don't have to use the wide bucket, you can use the shovel. But, being semi-old, I don't mind wide paths... Nothing nicer than zooming through the plantations just after we have graded all the roads.

Isn't the backhoe itself wide ;)...

This is an old photo, but this is the entrance to the original plantation - you can see the kind of terrain. This is all trees now, but the road is still there.

http://www.fincaleola.com/images/fotos/PA166%7E43.JPG

Well folks - it is real. Bought the Orange Monster today. Of course, I haven't even got to play with it - but that will be tomorrows "chore". :D

I think the ponds need to get bigger - what do you think? :lol:

Well folks - it is real. Bought the Orange Monster today. Of course, I haven't even got to play with it - but that will be tomorrows "chore". :D

I think the ponds need to get bigger - what do you think? :lol:

Nice! :D

Does a bike rack fit on a backhoe? :D

edit: I think your home needs a moat and drawbridge.

Just think of the damage I can do to cagers with this bad boy!

Just think of the damage I can do to cagers with this bad boy!

:roflmao::roflmao:

But, would my dog ride in the back.............hoe ?

This is not a picture of the actual machine - but it is almost the same, ours is a little newer I think.

http://www.bragancaclassificados.com.br/pictures/7353_3.jpg

Oh, and ours is 4-wheel drive too.

This is an old photo, but this is the entrance to the original plantation - you can see the kind of terrain. This is all trees now, but the road is still there.

http://www.fincaleola.com/images/fotos/PA166%7E43.JPG

That looks like a great place to commute.

http://www.fincaleola.com/Nature%20shots/DSC01259.JPG

I know it is a hard life, but someone has to use these roads other than cows...

Man...I am so there.

In spirit.

Someday I will have to come there in person.