See how it works
Book Karl with Paydesk
Make your booking securely through paydesk for these benefits:
1
Preferred Booking Channel
Karl is more likely to commit to assignments booked through paydesk, as it is a trusted platform that validates the seriousness and legitimacy of each engagement.2
Insured Bookings for Peace of Mind
We provide basic insurance coverage with each booking on paydesk, giving both you and the media professional confidence and protection while they work for you.3
Effortless Online Payment
Paydesk offers a payment protection system to ensure payments are only finalized when you are satisfied with the job completion. Freelancers trusts our process that guarantees their efforts are rewarded upon successful delivery of servicesStill have questions?
Check FAQAbout Karl
Hola! I'm a professional writer, editor and translator with 30 years of experience in journalism. I spent 25 years working at California's Pulitzer Prize-winning San Jose Mercury News, where I started as a copy editor and departed as national editor. I spent two years as travel editor of Costa Rica's English-language Tico Times and one year as senior writer at Costa Rica's Howler Magazine. I'm also the author of "Frommer's Costa Rica 2017," part of the renowned series of Frommer's guidebooks. I have extensive experience in newsgathering, reporting, writing and editing both news and features for print and online. I'm 100% bilingual in English and Spanish, and I once interviewed the president of Costa Rica. I live on Lake Arenal near the town of Tilarán, but I've traveled to and written about every major tourist destination in Costa Rica. My specialties include travel, real estate, adventure, profiles, local controversies, crime and all kinds of narrative nonfiction. In 2015, I was awarded top honors from the American-Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce for producing the best work of journalism in the country in any language that year: ******
English
Spanish
Portfolio
Sarah Palin Rallies Conservatives in San Jose
Sarah Palin, the former vice presidential candidate, spoke at the Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose, a city known for its Democratic majority. Sponsored by the conservative Liberty & Freedom Foundation, Palin addressed a crowd of 1,400, advocating for conservative values such as lower taxes, reduced government spending, and smaller government. She criticized President Obama's healthcare reform and the 2009 stimulus bill, while also touching on local issues like the water cutoff due to the delta smelt. Despite her popularity among conservatives, Palin faces unfavorable opinions from the majority of Californians. The event also featured a VIP reception and dinner. High-profile speakers like the Dalai Lama and Michael Moore also visited the Bay Area during the week. Palin's speaking fees are undisclosed, and she is set to attend a Republican National Committee fundraiser in Anaheim.
My book, “Frommer’s Costa Rica 2017.”
El Mangroove
The article discusses the architectural design of a hotel in Costa Rica, designed by the country's most prominent architect, Ronald Zurcher. The design philosophy is described as 'casual luxury,' which emphasizes comfort over materials and finishes. The hotel's aesthetic is characterized by simple rectangles, clean lines, and a notable sculpture of a happy man with large toes. General manager Jose Monge provides insights into the design concept. The article focuses on the visual aspects of the hotel and the underlying design principles.
Hell Hotel: San Lucas Prison
The article describes a tour of the San Lucas prison island in Costa Rica, which is notorious for its brutal past. The prison, operational from 1873 to 1991, was known for its harsh punishment methods, including 'the hole,' where prisoners were subjected to standing in water for extended periods, leading to death or insanity for some. The tour guide, Vigdis Vatshaug, shared these disturbing details with the author's family. The island is also famous for being the setting of the novel 'La isla de los hombres solos' by José León Sánchez, a former inmate. The article paints a picture of the stark contrast between the island's dark history and Costa Rica's reputation as the happiest country in the world.
The battle to save the Pacuare River
The article discusses the 10th anniversary of the 2005 plebiscite in Turrialba, Costa Rica, where 97% of voters opposed the construction of hydroelectric dams on the Pacuare River. Despite the plebiscite and a 20-year moratorium declared by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) in 2009, activists believe ICE still intends to build a dam, threatening the indigenous Cabécar community, the environment, and the rafting industry. A festival, JAKÜII/PACUARE+10, was organized to raise awareness, and negotiations are underway for President Luis Guillermo Solís to sign a decree to protect the Pacuare and Savegre rivers from hydroelectric projects. Experts and locals, including a filmmaker, a rafting company owner, indigenous representatives, and a rafting guide, express their opposition to damming the river, citing environmental, cultural, and economic reasons.
Sámara: When kayaking meets thunderstorm on desert island
The article recounts the author's experience with Ticos Surf School during a kayaking trip from Sámara to Isla Chora in Costa Rica. The trip took an unexpected turn when a thunderstorm hit, causing the group to seek shelter. The guide, Francisco 'Paco' Goldenberg, demonstrated his expertise and crisis management skills, ensuring everyone's safety. Despite the initial beautiful weather and anticipation of rain, the group was unprepared for the severity of the storm, which included lightning strikes and a rockslide. The group eventually found warmth in the ocean and waited out the storm before safely paddling back. The article also mentions a previous incident with Italian tourists who encountered trouble when they ignored safety advice. The experience highlighted the unpredictability of nature and the importance of listening to local experts.
Furious Ferguson; what witnesses saw; calorie labeling rules; some pricey bourbon
In Ferguson, Missouri, a grand jury's decision not to charge Officer Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown led to a night of unrest with dozens of arrests and injuries. The National Guard was called up as the Brown family criticized the handling of the case. The St. Louis County Prosecutor's Office released grand jury testimony, including conflicting witness accounts of the shooting. The FDA announced new calorie labeling rules affecting establishments with more than 20 locations. A bottle of bourbon from Boundary Oak Distillery sold for $28,000 at auction, potentially setting a record.
The Wire: World Trade Center reopens; ISIS atrocity; spaceship’s brake failure; Austrian kangaroos?
The World Trade Center reopened on November 3, 2014, with Condé Nast employees among the first to occupy the new building. ISIS executed 36 Sunni villagers in Iraq, continuing their targeting of the Al Bu Nimr tribe. The Virgin Galactic spaceship's braking system was found to have been unlocked early and activated without command, leading to its disintegration. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon mistakenly thanked Australia instead of Austria at a conference in Vienna, later correcting his error.
×
Karl's
confirmed information
✓
Phone number
Verified May 2019
✓
Joined
May 2019