Happier Than A Billionaire

MADE IN CHINA BUT NOT BY CHINESE PEOPLE

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: New cell phone- $50 New Soccer Stadium- $0

It is time to buy a new cell phone. My last one was purchased before the Free Trade Agreement passed and so I paid a whopping $300 for it. To my surprise the new one only cost $50 and it is a pay as you go kind. It even has an FM radio upgrade.

It’s an impressive sleek Alcatel, a brand the salesman emphatically defended as a phone made in China but not by Chinese people. The apparent hostility could be because the new Costa Rica stadium was funded and built by the Chinese. Literally…they used only 100% Chinese workers. A nice gesture except they built a parking lot for 200 cars, suggesting that each of the 35,000 attendees carpool with 172 other people.

With that in mind, I scoured the internet to find this gushing review of my new phone, “Absolute rubbish. COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!!!”

I’m not sure what China got out of building the stadium but I am guessing it was the right to sell me this crappy phone.

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:59-04:00 December 16th, 2010|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: phone|2 Comments

THEY’RE NOT SINGING JINGLE BELLS

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Marchamo, the equivalent to limited liability insurance based on value of your car- $200/year for older SUV

Holidays can be a stressful time of year. Recounting when your big sister left you tied to a tree, for 2 hours, 30 years ago always adds the perfect dash of Christmas hostility. But somehow after all the dishes are cleared and everyone is getting ready to leave, you can’t help but feel thankful that this wacky family is yours. And somehow the wackiness feels oddly reassuring in your otherwise unsure life.

Disclaimer: By no means do I wish to compare these angry howler monkeys with my lovely family. I will certainly get a better reaction when I walk through the door. That’s if my sister doesn’t tie me to a tree first.

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:20:00-04:00 December 13th, 2010|Categories: Nature|Tags: monkeys|0 Comments

BUGS THAT LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS TREES

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: 12 foot Christmas tree- $14

Costa Rica has some of the most diverse plants and animals on the planet. This little guy caught my eye as he wondered onto my terrace. At first glance I thought it was just pine needles blowing in the wind. But as his movement was slow and steady, he made me take a closer look.

His camouflage reminds me of a Christmas tree, or maybe I’m just in the holiday spirit. Either way I wouldn’t mind putting some decorations on him. Only one or two blinking lights and some garland… just enough to remind me of home.

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:20:00-04:00 December 9th, 2010|Categories: Nature|Tags: bugs|8 Comments

BE AFRAID…BE VERY AFRAID

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Can of mace-$20

It was a dark, windy night. The kind where the leaves rustle into mini cyclones before scattering away. I was quietly writing when I heard a tap at the window. I looked up, saw nothing, and went back to my manuscript.

The sounds got louder from the window so I crept closer but couldn’t see past the darkness. I reached for the camera, snapped a picture, and this is the image I saw for a split second while the flash went off.

What followed was a long and animated bout of screaming that all but proved I have not acclimated to living in the rainforest.

I have more pictures of this animal attacking another window in my Gallery or at my Facebook page Happier Than A Billionaire.

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:20:00-04:00 December 6th, 2010|Categories: Nature|Tags: animals|10 Comments

POOL HOPPING…THE ECONOMICAL ALTERNATIVE

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Total to fill up SUV gas tank- $70 Total to fill up scooter- $6 (and much more fun to ride)

Every once in a while one wishes to stay at the $350 a night resort. The ones with the state of the art fitness center, the luxurious spa, and the fancy swim up bars. But we found a way around it since $350 is too steep for us. We politely ask the manager if we eat lunch at their restaurant will they let us use the pool. 90% of the time they will say yes, especially if it slow and they want to fill some seats in the dining room.

I have floated in spectacular infinity pools, soaked in the most relaxing hot tubs, and enjoyed the greatest views. All for the price of a turkey sandwich.

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:20:00-04:00 December 2nd, 2010|Categories: Tourism|Tags: tips|6 Comments

MADE IN CHINA BUT NOT BY CHINESE PEOPLE

THEY’RE NOT SINGING JINGLE BELLS

BUGS THAT LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS TREES

BE AFRAID…BE VERY AFRAID

POOL HOPPING…THE ECONOMICAL ALTERNATIVE

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