Episodes
Monday Nov 28, 2011
The Expat Files
Monday Nov 28, 2011
Monday Nov 28, 2011
-Those pesky emblem thieves and the thriving underground market for stolen chrome auto emblems. And if you have a nice car, your chrome auto emblems! -A trip to the big city “terminal”. It’s a very chaotic (but special) place where you can buy everything and anything. Where buyers ask no questions and get no receipts, where things are so cheap that it’s like garage-sale heaven 1960’s style though on a super grand scale. And though it’s wild, crazy, a lot of fun and highly recommended, there are some definite do’s and don’ts. For instance, you should never, ever, go alone! And buy the way, the “terminal” is also a huge bus terminal too. That’s why they call it the “terminal”; its where all the lower classes and the sweaty masses gather to catch the buses (and shop on the cheap). -Tips on parking your car. The do’s and don’ts -Encryption hints regarding your travel and personal documents -The continuing saga of Expat Eddie. Chapter #17; Eddie goes to the “terminal” to buy back his own stolen car parts. And when he proves they are stolen, the thief offers him a discount! -Another Expat business opportunity; the parking lot business
Friday Nov 25, 2011
The Expat Files
Friday Nov 25, 2011
Friday Nov 25, 2011
Monday Nov 21, 2011
The Expat Files
Monday Nov 21, 2011
Monday Nov 21, 2011
Wednesday Nov 16, 2011
The Expat Files
Wednesday Nov 16, 2011
Wednesday Nov 16, 2011
Tuesday Nov 15, 2011
The Expat Files
Tuesday Nov 15, 2011
Tuesday Nov 15, 2011
-When Gringos “go native”. What happens to that certain small percentage of Expats in Latin America who decide to abandon the most of their 1st World baggage (and standards)? -The weird truth about the those 60’s style hippies and retro-hippie clusters you may encounter in some way out parts in Latin America -The somewhat annoying downside to the “Gringo advantage”, (i.e., that positive stereotype Latins hold that nearly all 1st Worlder’s are smart, savvy, wealthy and can do no wrong) -“Neither a Lender nor a Borrower Be” - Bennie Franklin or, how I got stung for $25000 by my own Costa Rican lawyer; the many, many reasons why you should never lend money to a Latin, no matter how good the interest rate seems or much collateral he offers!
Wednesday Nov 09, 2011
The Expat Files
Wednesday Nov 09, 2011
Wednesday Nov 09, 2011
Tuesday Nov 08, 2011
The Expat Files
Tuesday Nov 08, 2011
Tuesday Nov 08, 2011
- A word on Googling the major daily newspapers in your Latin country of choice (they’re in Spanish of course) and how to easily translate them. But they also have English language ones. And here’s the scoop on those rags! -In tourist areas like Costa Rica and Panama, certain very telling news articles (in Spanish) never hit the English papers because they unmask local governments for what they really are, malignant. The advertisers figure prospective tourists mustn’t have too big a reality dose, it would hurt business. -DYK that during election time Latin American candidates not only get the usual crank phone calls and death threats (like they do in the 1st world)? They actually get kidnapped in large numbers and a few get murdered (by the opposition party)! Candidates take elections very seriously down here not because have any desire to help their country; rather, everyone knows the guy who wins has a license to steal and seriously enrich his friends and family. -The bureaucratic saga of one nice lady who tried her damndest to donate blood to a public hospital in Lima Peru, to no avail. -Another surefire Expat business opportunity explained. One with a very low capital outlay and with guaranteed 1st World profits
Wednesday Nov 02, 2011
The Expat Files
Wednesday Nov 02, 2011
Wednesday Nov 02, 2011
Tuesday Nov 01, 2011
The Expat Files
Tuesday Nov 01, 2011
Tuesday Nov 01, 2011
-The real truth on product pirating; it’s a lot like the drug trade, it’ll never stop and 9 out of 10 Latins don’t care either way or believe there’s anything wrong with it. And though legit LA retailers say they abhor it, nearly all of them continue to buy and download pirated DVD’s and other stuff for their own personal use! -The truth about the war on drugs from this side of the battle south of the boarder, and how billions in tax dollars (your tax dollars) sent every year to equip and train forces down here actually do more harm than good (no matter how the US State department or DEA spin it). -At a popular expat bar, Expat Eddie befriends a tipsy DEA helicopter pilot (with loose lips) who’s working in LA on contract to spray coca and marijuana fields. This is one story you’ll never hear on FOX or CNN! -The laws of supply and demand in the real world - Expat Eddie (and the helicopter pilot) go head to head on the cost and availability of street drugs down here versus getting them in the 1st World, -How local Latins gouge tourists looking for party drugs (but tourists don’t complain since they’re still 80% cheaper, and at least powerful, as the best street stuff back home).