Dear Mervyn Thank you very much for your delightful email. I have returned back to the daily grind in a bright, sunny and very comfortable 21C after a stint in freezing Chilly Philly.
My interest in both the issues mentioned by you is purely academic. I am enjoying the input of Marshall Mendonza. Thus far, he appears to be right on target. Later on tonight, I might prod him a wee bit more. He is in the field and is able to do the appropriate research. In his most recent email, he has included a very interesting comment - one which I believe hits the nail on its head. I am happy to see our Goanetter friend contest from Panjim. I hope sensible people work together to collate the anti-corruption votes...whatever the final result. I agree with your advice of not purchasing land (home) in a country one does not live in, esp a Third World country. In Goa, it is particularly challenging for all sorts of reasons. best jc On 4 February 2015 at 12:16, Mervyn Lobo <[email protected]> wrote: Doc Colaco, I am replying from Toronto where the temperature outside is -10 C and there is 10cms of snow on the ground. I am in Toronto because I have already lived at sunny, “Zimbabwe by the Sea.” In fact, one of the first “Zimbabwe’s by the Sea” as one fine morning in the1960’s, I woke up to find out that the Tanzanian Govt had nationalised our house in Zanzibar. A house with all the legal documents from the govt and which had been in the family for 50 years. Ever since, people have fled Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, etc., etc. to places where there is law and order. People who make the trek in the opposite direction, taking their assets from places of law and order and investing in corrupt places, are of little interest to me. I know what is going to happen next. Given the history of corrupt practices in the developing world, I find it difficult to sympathize with them when they return with their laments of misadventure(s). Such people need to go directly to their govts for help, and in the case of Britain, I feel that the British Govt is doing an adequate job representing them. For example, the Brits have sent a clear message to the corrupt in Goa that they better think twice before fooling with British citizens there. What IS of strong interest to me, however, is how those living in Goa have to battle corruption. One of our Goanetter’s is currently running for elections in Panjim. His platform is to clean up govt. I am more interested in his efforts than the crying of any British citizen. Lastly, to answer your question, I would advise anyone who asks, not to invest outside the country where they reside. In fact, don’t even think about it.
