Quitting My Job And Living In Costa Rica

DO YOU HAVE A TWENTY?

Posted on May 5, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: One week’s worth of produce—$19.68

This is what we brought home today. A week’s worth of produce for under $20. We will use the vegetables to make plenty of homemade stir fry dishes. The mangos and the big bag of oranges will be our fruit for the week.

For another dollar, we could have bought a pineapple but they were a little too green. I like them when they are more yellow. If you catch them at the right time, they are so sweet they taste like Jolly Ranchers.

I feel good eating this way. Now that my diet is full of fruits and vegetables, I feel younger. Furthermore, when I feel younger I start to believe I look younger.

And to think… I did that without any Botox.

(Remember to follow me at https://www.facebook.com/happierthanabillionaire where I post new pictures everyday!)

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Posted in Cost of Living | Tagged fruit, groceries, vegetables | 3 Comments

COOL JOBS

Posted on April 22, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 2 foot handsaw—$5 (my husband said the men would like to know this)

I’m running into the most interesting people lately, people who have decided to change their profession into one that includes making a living off the things they enjoy doing.

I watched this photographer—his tripod vicariously positioned on the rocks— take pictures of surfers darting in and out of the waves. It turns out this is his job; tourists purchase these snapshots, happy to pay for a professional picture that they can show off to all their friends and family. I know if I caught a good wave, I would love a photo as well.

This guy was cool (as I am finding lots of photographers are) and he gave me tips on what cameras work well in this salty environment. He smiled a lot while telling me he is living his dream every single day. “This is what I was born to do,” he said.

I’m glad I walked out onto those rocks to introduce myself, even if my wedge sandals got stuck in a tide pool. No souvenir photos were taken of that.

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Posted in Cost of Living | Tagged photography, surfing | 10 Comments

THE HOWLER MAGAZINE

Posted on March 29, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 4 brand new, Chinese engineered tires—$600

Holy Toledo! I’ve been reviewed in the March issue of The Howler Magazine (page eleven for all you inquiring minds). I can’t tell you how happy this makes me, because The Howler Magazine is one cheerful periodical.

The Howler gives you precisely the right amount of current affairs one requires while living in Costa Rica. Who needs to know about the Republican Primaries when the best frozen daiquiris are being served at Chillerz in Tamarindo? Or that high tide is 9:08 tomorrow morning, a perfect time to get out that boogie board and get some exercise?

I remember reading an issue before I moved here and thinking, it would be so awesome to live like this. Now I’ve been reviewed in one, next to an advertisement for Las Brasas Steak and Pasta Restaurant (closed Tuesday, reservations preferred).

I feel like I made it. I think I’ll celebrate with a frozen daiquiri.

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Posted in Cost of Living | Tagged happier than a billionaire, review, the howler magazine | 16 Comments

FAMILY & FRIENDS IN COSTA RICA

Posted on March 22, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Yogurt—$1.25

I never knew how popular I was until I moved to Costa Rica. My friends and family were concerned about the move at first. Like most, they wondered if it was safe to live in Central America. But after a few years, they all eventually get the bug to visit. I suppose I sent too many pictures of spectacular wildlife and one too many pictures of me having fun in the surf. Who can blame them? If I wasn’t living here, I would want to visit as well.

When catering to guests, it’s always good to know what they like to do. Are they adventurous or do they just like to lounge at the beach? Do they want to hike a volcano or snorkel in the Caribbean Sea? I sound much like a travel agent, planning excursions and orchestrating flights. However, I love to share this country with my friends the way the Ticos have shared it with me. Continue reading “FAMILY & FRIENDS IN COSTA RICA” »

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Posted in Tourism | Tagged Osa Peninsula, Playa Negra, punta uva | 17 Comments

MOJITOS AT SUNSET

Posted on March 14, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Mojito with an ocean view—$3

It’s fun living in a place where everyone is happy and looking to have a good time. I love when I overhear tourists discuss their vacation plans over dinner.

“How about an ATV tour?” I hear them say. “Or a zip-line adventure, that sounds awesome!” Eventually, the conversations always seem to drift to, “Could you imagine living here, selling it all and living under the palm trees?”

I can’t help but giggle when I hear this. Because I did imagine it…and I did precisely that. Or I could be giggling because I’m drinking a frozen Mojito that glows like an emerald in the sun. It’s so pretty I want to wear it as a necklace.

I watch the tourists walk down to the water for a better view of the lavender sunset. The sky lights up in vibrant pastels and it reminds me of the colored chalk we used as kids to draw on the sidewalk.

Maybe they will decide to stay. A lavender sunset is pretty persuasive.

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Posted in Tourism | Tagged mojitos, sunset | 6 Comments

I’M A CHEAP DATE

Posted on March 2, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Lunch on the sand—$2

There are a lot of mom & pop businesses in Costa Rica. It’s one of the things I love about living here and I especially notice their hard work on the beaches.

A man walks past us yelling, “Pipa frio…pipa frio aqui.” We wave him over and he unloads his large Igloo cooler off his shoulder. He opens it up and takes out two cold coconuts. With one strike of his machete, he chops off the top and sticks a straw in. They cost one dollar each.

Rob and I dine on the refreshing milk and scrape the curd off the sides with our straw. It’s the most refreshing treat you can have while sitting in the hot sun. It’s sweet and the curd has a consistency of coconut cream pie. Gilligan’s Island comes to mind as I’m finishing it.

Soon an old woman walks up selling little bags of cashews for a dollar. We each buy one and enjoy the rest of our day watching children build sand castles and couples hold hands in the water.

Sometimes it can be challenging living here, especially when I go to the store longing for Half and Half to find it costs $5 a carton. But then I have a day like this and I feel good that I contributed to the local economy.

Hey…I wonder if coconut milk tastes good in coffee?

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Posted in food, Tourism | Tagged beaches, pipa frio | 17 Comments

EYE TO EYE WITH A COATI

Posted on February 24, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: New Battery for Car—$152

It’s one of those days. My electricity went out and when I try to drive to the bakery to get a cup of coffee…the car won’t start. I’m in a bad mood. The type of mood that only happens when I have been decaffeinated for over 15 hours.

But when I’m just about to go on a tangent on how unreliable the electricity is, or how crumby the car mechanics are….this guy comes my way. An adorable coati who walks straight up to me, gives me a sniff, and continues on his path.

This often happens to me. Right on the heels of a tantrum, a magical moment occurs. And after it passes, I can’t remember for the life of me why I was in such a bad mood in the first place.

It’s easy to forget your problems when a coati looks you straight in the eyes.

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Posted in Nature | Tagged car battery, coati | 15 Comments

CAPTURING LIFE THROUGH A WIDE ANGLE LENS

Posted on February 15, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 1 Cucumber-55 cents

Photography is an interesting hobby that I never quite understood. I enjoyed taking pictures at memorable moments: a birthday, vacation, or wedding. However, I could never imagine carrying a tripod and taking thirty minutes to set up a shot.

It’s not uncommon to see people strolling around with a big, multi-thousand dollar camera tethered to their neck. It looks heavy and cumbersome, and I watch as they reach around into their backpack and change lenses with the delicacy one would use to pass an infant into a father’s arms. Who are these people and why would they choose a hobby that requires so much of an investment? And doesn’t it interfere with living in the present moment if one is constantly viewing their surroundings through a wide angle lens? Continue reading “CAPTURING LIFE THROUGH A WIDE ANGLE LENS” »

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged camera, photography | 15 Comments

AN INTERVIEW WITH SUITCASE ENTREPRENEUR

Posted on February 11, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Package of bacon—$5.60

It’s amazing how many cool people are out there doing really great things with their lives-like Natalie Sisson from the Suitcase Entrepreneur. I was approached by Natalie and for a podcast interview.

Ms. Sisson is quite the woman. Her writing is featured in Forbes.com, Huffington Post, and a dozen other sites. And if that wasn’t intimidating enough, she enjoys pastimes like riding her bicycle across Africa for charity (yes…the continent) or breaking records for Dragon Boating across the English Channel.

I, on the other hand, write blogs chronicling hot topics like my husband’s hernia surgery and my athletic endeavors include pouring coffee and watching howler monkeys outside my window.

Natalie is truly an inspiration to others and I’m excited that she chose me to interview. When I started writing my book, I had no idea of all the blessings that were in store for me.

I’m so grateful for them all.

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged interview, Natalie Sisson, podcast, Suitcase Entrepreneur | 13 Comments

WILL SMITH IN COSTA RICA

Posted on February 8, 2012 by admin

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 5.6 ounce Can of Light Tuna- $1.90

Will Smith and M Night Shyamalan are in Costa Rica filming After Earth. I hope they are reading my book. Maybe there is a slight chance since it is the number 1 book in Costa Rica and Central America. I’ve created an imaginary scene of us hanging around the pool, and I dream the conversation would go something like this:

“Is it true your husband maced himself in the eye and accidentally fired his gun into your water pipes? Uh… you better get some sunscreen girl, I think your skin is on fire,” Will says.

“Nadine, you truly captured the thrill of moving to a foreign country and your story is just what a famous director like myself is looking for. Plus, you’re so attractive, I have to have you playing yourself,” M Night says. We all get so excited we jump in the pool and play Marco Polo.

I’m not sure if this conversation will ever happen, but I am happy they are filming their movie here. You can’t get a better location and the people are the friendliest in the world. Hmm….maybe I’ll stop by and see if they could use a hand—I’ve read they need snake wranglers. I guess you got to start somewhere.

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Posted in Tourism | Tagged m night shyalaman, will smith | 7 Comments

Quitting My Job And Living In Costa Rica

DO YOU HAVE A TWENTY?

COOL JOBS

THE HOWLER MAGAZINE

FAMILY & FRIENDS IN COSTA RICA

MOJITOS AT SUNSET

I’M A CHEAP DATE

EYE TO EYE WITH A COATI

CAPTURING LIFE THROUGH A WIDE ANGLE LENS

AN INTERVIEW WITH SUITCASE ENTREPRENEUR

WILL SMITH IN COSTA RICA

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