On 12 Sep 2005 10:42:44 -0700, "Johnny Thunders Jr."
magnanimously proffered:
>I just came from a wonderful 2 week surfing trip to Costa Rica.
>
>I'm from USA, and sadly to say, it pains me to think what will happen
>to this country in the near future.
>
>Expect to see Home Depot, Wall Mart and Costco monster stores all over
>the place. The small hotels on the Pacific side will be replaced by
>huge Aruba-like eye sores.
>
>This is exactly what happened in Puerto Rico and Hawaii. A crime
>against nature IMHO.
>
>I truly hope that the Costa Rican people will have the ability to
>somehow control the US (and other foreign) commercial expansion.
>It is such a beautiful country, full of kind people.
>
>Sadly yours,
>US Johnny.
I was living and surfing in Costa Rica in the early 70's when the
first McDonalds was opened in San José. I happened to be driving by
with some friends and saw the place crammed full of wealthy Ticos
dressed as if they were going to the opera. Tuxes, dresses with
sequins, hair piled up on heads, fur coats - the works! It was one of
the most bizarre scenes I've ever witnessed. And Costa Rican TV was
sullied with all sorts of violent American shows that portrayed the
culture in ways that embarrassed me then and now. The American
influences were huge and have only increased. After leaving Costa Rica
I returned a few years later and although the cities had changed, the
country hadn't. I wonder if that's still the case ...
"The difference between a jet ski and a vacuum cleaner is the location of
the dirt bag." - anon.
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Wax-up & drop-in on Surfing's Golden Years:
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