Expat Focus

Portugal: Problems? whats your story

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:57:16 GMT

I have inserted a picture of Father Christmas from a wanted poster. Perhaps my friend in Gois could use the picture to scare of a naughty wild dog. Peter[/quote] I have received a number of PM's asking for Elvis's exact location in the Gois mountains which I have had to decline. As you can see from the photograph the past 34 years have taken there toll. Although now only 74, he looks many years older and his failing mental state prevents him communicating beyond an incoherent mumble.

Portugal: Car Clubs

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:54:42 GMT

Where I live in the UK [London] there are a large number of Car Clubs, like Streetcar, Wizz, City Car Club and so on. These car clubs are an extremely cost efficient means of using a car. Instead of owning one, one "borrows" it from the Car Club, the car which you "rent" by the hour, with discounts for whole day and whole week usage. See http://www.citycarclub.co.uk/ http://www.streetcar.co.uk/ about these pay-as-you-go systems. I could not find anything like the same happening in Portugal. Do such institutions exist? Are any planned? It seems to me that this kind of system would be particularly beneficial to expats, especially those living in large urbanisations.

India: Stringent laws needed to ensure fair play

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:51:12 GMT

‘Benami’ societies getting registered in fictitious names and then trading in land and multistory flats is a malaise that needs to be nipped in the bud. The results of the inappropriate Rent Control Acts, Cooperative Housing Acts, Apartment Ownership Acts and Urban Land (Ceiling & Regulation) Act, have unleashed the evil forces of capitalism like never before. The extent to which these have widened the schism between the rich and the poor is unimaginable. State financial supports for cooperatives have therefore been very minimal. A simple and liberal State aid policy does not bring up the development to an appreciable level. Development cannot take place unless cooperatives base themselves on solid foundations of local self-reliance and self-help. By simply offering a few financial and other concessions, the government has made the cooperatives ‘facility minded’ rather than ‘development minded’ . . . in a majority of the cases, it has been found that cooperatives are organized to avail a few facilities from the government . . . . The highly limited success of the cooperative housing movement in India has thus been an outcome of the state inability to translate its thoughts into actions. Absence of community involvement in cooperative housing has been the obvious outcome as well as the cause for further limiting its success. This argument could be justified by taking a look at the Urban Community Development (UCD) projects implemented in the late 60’s. When considering the present developments in Real Estate Kerala state as a whole, is witnessing the march of the market forces. The market forces control practically each and every real estate development in every nook and corner of the state. Thus the major developments have now caught the attention of the investors and other people from other destinations.

Hungary: How about long-term renting?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:35:29 GMT

Just to give you an idea of what we've got near Eger....One bedroomed house 2.5 kms up through the forest with a 50 sqm covered terrace 600 sqm of garden. Amazing views overlooking Eger, forest all around...and our only utility bill is 300-400 huf per month for electricity :o).....and it cost us £8,500 :o) :o) We've just rotavated part of the garden ready for planting veg next year and we've got 14 fruit and nut trees to make our own wine from. Next year we'll also have chickens so our running costs will be minimal.

Egypt: Expat Meetup November 13th at 8pm

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:39:26 GMT

extremely well put, PBB and Shorouky !

Egypt: Herbs of Egypt - Basil

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:34:02 GMT

thanks for that info Fatima. I need to get more into herbs and learning about their properties.

Hungary: Hungarians Have Mixed Feelings About Collapse of Communism

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:29:56 GMT

. This is an interesting article but I think it also applies to the people I speak to in Romania. The collapse of the Berlin Wall, in November, 1989, was preceded earlier that year by the opening of the Iron Curtain in Hungary. Now, 20 years later, a new survey by Ipsos - a global online research group - indicates only one Hungarian in five believes their country has changed for the better since 1989 and that 56 percent of Hungarians say their country has lost more than it gained since Communism collapsed. Economic hardship Hungary began dismantling the Iron Curtain in May, 1989. Nearly three months later, hundreds of East Germans who had crossed into Hungary continued on to Austria when Hungarian authorities opened the western border on August 19. For the first time, citizens of a Communist Eastern European country had escaped to the West without fear of being shot or risking their lives in mine fields that dotted the frontier. Former border guard Gyula Szemerics welcomes the freedoms won by Hungary, but says life after Communism has been filled with economic hardship. Szemerics says that now, as hardships come one after another, he feels - as a father - that things are getting worse and that the results Hungarians expected did not happen. Freedom has its price Zoltan Rezsnyak was 52 when the Iron Curtain collapsed. He worked as a machine fitter in a large textile mill in Budapest. Rezsnyak, a committed Communist, says he misses the security of those days. He says Hungary's new freedoms have come at the expense of the homeless and unemployed. Rezsnyak says Hungary today no longer subscribes to the idea of an eight-hour workday, followed by eight hours of play and eight hours of rest. He says people are working instead for 12, 14 and 16 hours, if they are working at all. There are 600,000 unemployed in Hungary. At the industrial complex where Rezsnyak worked, railroad tracks leading to the gate are overgrown with weeds. His former mill is showing signs of decay. Much of the complex has been privatized. Among those who bought a building there is 47-year-old entrepreneur Zsolt Cserhalmi. He is the owner of Plastiprint, a small business that produces signs and logos on T-shirts, cups, pens, and even beauty salon aprons. Cserhalmi says that, from a broader perspective, perhaps it is a pity such a big factory went bankrupt, but - from his point of view - it was good, because he was able to buy a building for a good price to run his business. Cserhalmi notes that his shop would have been impossible under Communism, which strictly prohibited private ownership of copying machines and printing presses. Cserhalmi notes everything he does is related to duplication, an activity that became free with a change in the system. He says that enabled access to materials and the whole printing industry became liberated. Benefits of collapse With the collapse of Communism, freedom exploded in Hungary. Hungarians can now vote in multiparty elections, travel abroad at any time and own property. Former border guard Gyula Szemerics says the free market system has not solved the country's social problems. Nonetheless, he welcomed the Communist collapse. Szemerics says Hungarians thought the change of government would turn their country into a land of milk and honey, but there is no milk and honey now. He is quick to add that, in comparison with what it was once like, at least Hungarians are now free. Most Hungarians agree. But a recent survey shows a majority of them believe they have lost more than they have gained since the Iron Curtain lifted, which means the dreams and aspirations of many Hungarians remain unfulfilled. Paul_RO

China: yiwu buying

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:26:30 GMT

Hi, Contact me through my mail. sameerkhatri1@hotmail.com

Property for Sale/Rent in Bulgaria: Building plot with mountain views near Karlovo. REDUCED!!

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:47:37 GMT

Charlie wrote: The price of this property has been reduced to 9,500 euros. Land slide?

Property for Sale/Rent in Malaysia: Luxury Apartment for Rent in KLCC Area for Expats/Diplomats

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:52:16 GMT

Sri Kia Peng Condominum This sumptuous and sunny luxurious low density apartment is located in the heart of KL’s golden triangle district. Spacious and tastefully furnished, this 3 + 1 bedroom and bath is suitable for expatriates who appreciate a private quite sanctuary amid the hustle and bustle of KL city. Details: *Available immediately, ideal for expat family *Beautifully renovated, fully furnished *2500 sqft *3 bedrooms, 1 study, 1 maid's room, and large outdoor barbeque courtyard *Ready to move in condition *Fully Air conditioned *Complete home and kitchen appliances *3 covered car parks *In the heart of KLCC but private, and quite locale *Low density apartment, only 68 units but high expat population especially diplomats *Option of continental car (Mercedes Benz Compressor) can be included in the rent Full condo facilities: *Swimming pool *24 hour security *CCTV monitored elevators *Fully equipped gym *Children’s playground This luxury condo is easily accesible and within walking distance to the twin towers, medical centres and other shopping malls, restaurants, pubs and clubs. A really good apartment, please grab this option fast. It will be open for rent to expats/diplomats/attaches first, then only advertised locally. To get exact location, you can try google maps and search for Sri Kia Peng. For pictures, and other location details please e-mail me at graesapp@hotmail.com. Or call me at +6016-2540062. Amelia Nathan