Expat Files - 12/20/13

-By popular demand…more tragic expat stories of utter failure. Some expats are sitting ducks! Get ready for some truly unbelievable stories of how expats can get taken advantage of big time. Yes, I get a steady trickle of sad stories like this one .. and 95% of them come from disgusted gringos who settled “on the gringo tourist trail” and got stiffed. I repeat- the overwhelming majority of hard luck tales come from North Americans "ON THE GRINGO TOURIST TRAIL". So it should surprise no one that so many get taken for a ride …

 

-A truly revolting human organ harvesting racket was very recently uncovered in Costa Rica. Worse yet, crooked surgeons were in cahoots with a Greek owner of a pizza parlor- a place where doners were recruited and paid 6 grand or so to give up a spare kidney. Now, if that doesn't make you want to pass on the pepperoni…  

 

-Just a few observations concerning the very wealthy gringo/expat set (there’s always a few very rich gringos scattered here and there). Inevitably, they and their families can’t help but hang out with or get personally involved with the wealthy Latin crowd...especially if the upscale gringos have school-aged kids . Here’s little snapshot of how that scenario can sometimes work out. 

 

-There are some very weird subtleties about the Spanish language that never seem to get taught in Spanish language courses. You really have to be in Latin America quite a while to pick up on the strangeness of it all. Though once certain contradictions have been pointed out everyone can have a good laugh… but don't think you'll always be laughing at the locals... sometimes you'll be laughing at yourself!       

 

-My January 2014 “Expat Wisdom” seminar is almost filled. To get one of the last 2 spots available, check out the agenda and the signup details by clicking on the Latin American Seminar link on the top of the www.ExpatWisdom.com mainpage.

 

-Follow the link on the main page at www.ExpatWisdom.com to schedule a private consultation with me. If you want to discuss the details of living, working, playing, doing business and/or retiring in Latin America, now you and I can talk about your situation one on one.