Live, Laugh, Love In Costa

Living the Expat Life in Costa Rica? Got Skype? Get Paid!

 

Today's Expat Life in Costa Rica consisted of Buying the Christmas Tree. 

Get a check for sharing what you know about life and living in Costa Rica.

Dear Readers:  I received this inquiry from a writer who is working on an article about international living.   It's always great to pass on your wisdom and experiences of living abroad.  Many shared their wisdom with us long before on-line research was so readily available over 10 years ago. If you are a skype user and live  in Costa Rica (see details in this post)  You will be paid $25.00 for your interview time about life and living as an expat in Costa Rica.

Thanks Jan and good luck with the article:  PS:  I'm en route to the Netherlands on Monday.  Any Tips>

 Comment:
Hello Rosemary, I wonder if you could pass the following message on to your readers ? I am seeking expats in Costa Rica who are willing to be interviewed by Skype/phone (reasonable charges reimbursed) about their experience of expat life. You will receive $25 USD in payment for the interview, which will take around 25 - 40 minutes. The interview will be used as the basis for an article to be placed on a website for current/prospective expats. You would need to be one of the following: 1. Foreign professional 2. Student 3. Entrepreneur 4. Senior Citizens / retirees 5. Housewives / partners of the first 3 Please contact bondjf@gmail.comfor more information. I am an Australian teacher who has lived as an expat for the past decade in Hong Kong, mainland China and Thailand. I currently live in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I work as a freelance writer/editor/educational consultant. You can learn a little more about me through my husband's website at http://chinarice.org. Regards, Jan Following is the information I send to people who express interest in being interviewed: Thank you for your interest. The interviews will be written up as articles to appear on an informative website for current/prospective expats in various countries. (The site's not up and running yet but if you ask the site administrator he may let you look at what's there at the moment. His email address is in the "agreement" file I am attaching.) The idea is to get the wisdom of those who know from personal experience the positives and negatives of their chosen country and provide helpful advice. I am also attaching a file of the type of questions I would ask. My job is to set up and carry out the interviews, then write articles based on the information the interviewees provide. The organisation is TUR B.V. and my employer is a gentleman in the Netherlands. Don't hesitate to ask if you have further questions. If you decide you'd like to proceed, complete and send the agreement form, and contact me to set up a mutually convenient time to do the interview. Please note that I am currently interviewing a limited number of exapts. However, I will keep contact details for everyone who has expressed interest so I can recontact you next year when more interviews will take place. Regards, Jan "©2008 TUR B.V. All rights reserved"
Commenter name: Jan
Commenter email: bondjf@gmail.com
IP address: 125.24.148.48
Authentication: None

Say Cheese! Costa Rica--This Cheesemaker from the Netherlands Creates a Popular Local Brand!

 

"The Romancing the Stone Costa Rica ------Casa Punta Banco, Costa Rica"

 

A Secluded Villa in Costa  Rica opened my Eyes to Nature and Adventure in Costa Rica!

One of my fondest memories of Costa Rica is traveling to the  southern tip of Costa Rica and staying at the Vacation Villa at Casa Punta Banco (CPB).  This open air house with miles of  beach and tide pools may not be easy to get to, but may very well be the travel adventure of a lifetime.  Granted, we are not typical tourists.  My husband and I crave nature, unspoiled beauty and rather adore the  "Big Chill Communal Feeling of a shared house verses solo hotel rooms". 

In fact, we rather like that we have our own private waterfall and our luggage is transported via horse, because the last 1/2 mile is beach-front and not passable at high tide.  HUA! We are proud that we actually have a reason to consult the tide charts!  Our Own Romancing the Stone Adventure in Costa Rica!   

This year,  very special friends are arriving over the New Year's Holiday  and we are returning with them to again experience what I consider to be the "Real Costa Rica." She's  a certified laughter leader and he's a runner.  Perfect for CPB.   It was in this magical  place many years ago that I experienced my first moon setting with a companionable group of friends  who took time, turns  and care in setting a dinner table each night with big fern leaves, candles  and tropical flowers. I think it was over those tropical evenings in paradise,  that we discovered more about ourselves and more about each other.  We became in essence a "Tribe"  .   Nature, Community & Breathaking Beauty.

It's been over 10 years since my first visit to Casa Punta Banco in Costa Rica  and while all those present on that first trip may not be together-- due to time and circumstances, the memories of this magical place in Costa Rica and our time together remains , I believe ,  with each of us.

I use CPB as a retreat location for small private groups and families to Costa Rica --because of it's unique and secluded  space and place in the tropics.  I also use it as a creative retreat center for writers.  More than one novel has been written here.

   

Sunset in the Tide Pools at Casa Punta Banco, Costa Rica.

  Write me at rosemary@gowildgogreat.com for information and recommendations on secluded group and or personal retreats or visit   http://www.costaricacpb.com/ and or www.retreatscostarica.com

Little Theatre Bravo for Love Letters!

 

Last night we went to the opening night of "Love Letters". WOW!  Don't miss this one.  Elegant and Pulitizer Prize worthy writing combined with incredible acting by veteran and "real life husband and wife acting team" of Tom Humes and Lisa Defuso.  The pair aged their letters and characters skillfully and brought tears to the audience in an emotional final scene.  Different couples will be stepping into the roles and I think each will lend a unique interpretation to this "love story of letters"

Since we tend to write letters only when we're first in love, it is waming to the romantic's soul to see  letters and love  endure over 40 years in such an elegant performance.  Bravo to Director Sally O'Boyle. Love Letters is a Pulitzer Prize for Drama nominated play by A. R. Gurney. The play centers on just two characters, Melissa and Andrew. Love Letters was first performed in 1988 in New Haven, Connecticut.

Directed by Sally O’Boyle and starring: Grady Bruce, Laurie Blizzard, Margie Davis, Lisa DeFuso, Tom Humes and Harry Towne.

Contact Little Theatre Group Costa Rica for Tickets

See You At The Women's Club Holiday Show Tomorrow! Escazu, Costa Rica

 

      Women love their diamonds and they love to shop every year at what has become a community tradition in the Central Valley of Costa Rica.  The Women's Club Bazaar from 10 to 3 p.m. at Escazu's Country Day School.   It's a chance to shop for the holidays and meet and greet fellow community members.

See you there!

Rosemary

Beginning Birders Learn the Calls in Costa Rica

 

Living with the beauty of Tropical Birds flying  overhead is one of the the many joys of living in Costa Rica.   Once you know what to look for and listen for, birding becomes even more enchanting. 

Heads up Tweeters:  If you have rather felt intimidated, by the knowing Tico Tweeters, there a course for beginners coming up in the New Year.

The Basics of Birding- Saturday, January 17^th

The Birding Club of Costa Rica invites those who would like to learn about birds, binoculars and birding … to an introductory session, Saturday, January 17^th at 7am at the pond of the University of Peace grounds in Cuidad Colon,.

The course will be conducted by Patrick O’Donnell, member of the Club and birding guide for many years in the USA and Costa Rica. Other members of the Club will then work with you as you practice birding on the grounds of Upeace, and along a nearby road. At 11:30, Krysia Peterson, owner of a horse farm in the area has invited us for a BBQ.

Cost for the course and lunch - $20.00. Cash bar.

Bring a notepad, binoculars and good walking shoes.

Please reserve by January 10 at lynfred@racsa.co.cr or 2282 1146.

Guanacaste Kayaking Adventure with a Yoga Twist--December 3rd - 6th

 

Yesterday I ran into our friends at Adventures Under the Sun, who told me about a fabulous trip they have coming up December 3rd-6th in Guanacaste, Costa Rica   This is an all inclusive package with tours, all meals (beer and wine included).  I have had friends go on this trip in the past and they say it's amazing.  One of the joys of living here  is the opportunity to take part in planned weekend adventures like this one  to explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica. 

Join an experienced team to explore secret coves and practice yoga on beautiful white sand beaches, snorkel reefs full of marine life; witness mating sea turtles and breeching whales; eat good food and drink and camp under the stars.

For information/reservations call 2289-0404 or e.mail info@adventuresunderthesun.com

Tell them Rosemary at Retreats Costa Rica  recommended them.  www.retreatscostarica.com

The All inclusive trip price including transportation on private bus from Escazu, Costa Rica 1 night at the Hotel Bahia in Playa Potero and camping gear is   $585.00 with Kayak.  $495.00 without Kayak $495.00

Women's Retreats in Costa Rica! Getting a Life Lift!

 

  I just talked this morning with my friend Kelli, (yellow blouse) who was with us on a recent week-long Women's Retreat  hosted in Costa Rica through www.retreatscostarica.com.   Kelli lived here in Central Valley  for 3 years on a corporate assignment before heading south for Buenos Aires for 3 years  and is now back in the U.S.  In this photo, some of the group is preparing to fly above the trees of the rain forest in a Zip-line across the forest canopy. 

Want to discover your Inner Jane?  Ziplining across the jungle when visiting Costa Rica is perfectly safe but requires a bit of faith, competent guides of course  and facing one's fears.  Once you've made it to the first platform, indeed like most challenges in life, you feel a growing confidence.  Kelli and I chatted fondly about the friendship that developed between the women during their week long personal retreat and vacation  in Costa Rica. The difference one week can make in life!   For these highly caring and skilled women it was a  week away from   taking care of everyone else to take care of themselves. A week away from being wives and mothers and daughters.  A week to combine both vacation and learning/self awareness with  bit of pampering in the tropics.  A week to relax, to think, to renew. A vacation for women who far too often do too much or now wonder what's next?

Who attend's Women's Retreats & Learning Vacations  in Costa Rica?  Many of our clients are women suddenly at a cross roads and transition.  Women whose children have gone off to school wondering what their next chapter will be;  women who perhaps after many years find themselves without a partner due to either death or divorce;  women who simply are bone tired and need a life lift of mind, body and spirit:. Women who want to jump-start their personal health and  wellness goals or new chapter in life  in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

 "They are indeed Rainforest Butterflies"

Are you  or do you know of a  Woman who is suddenly Divorced, Widowed or at a Crossroads in Life? Are you planning a learning adventure with a group of female friends?  Consider Costa Rica.  It may be the most important item on your to Do List for 2009.  

 Why not   A "Week of No to Others and a Week of Yes for You" on Retreat in Costa Rica Paradise?

Visit www.retreatscostarica.com or write faculty coordinator, Rosemary Rein, Ph.D, Author of "Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life" and "Blueprint for Success"

 www.costarica.org.com

Morning Walks and Murals in Costa Rica's Central Valley

   

A Morning hike in San Antonio de Escazu this morning.   There is something magical about walking out your door and having  mountains, fauna and colorful murals depicting village life present a never-ending visual delight.

 We understand from the locals that these murals which depict "typical payasos" used in barrio festivals are representative of local citizens in San Antonio.

 

Pura Vida!  Have a Great Saturday Costa Rica

 

 

 

Costa Rica? Who Lives Here and Why?

 

Having lived  in Costa Rica for over 13 years now and toyed with the idea,  years before that  while on vacation in  paradise, I have watched people come and go to the Switzerland of the Americas.   What prompts someone from the Northern United States or Europe to leave their home country and set forth on a tropical adventure? "  If you live here, I hope you will write me with your reason.  If you dream about it, write me why.

My husband, Barry has a theory about the "Vibrant Attraction Factor of  Costa Rica."  Amidst rain forestgreen, there is a magnetic pull of the eye and energy to this special land.  I read a book and decided to move here long before my first visit.  Go figure.  I have met others who came on vacation and never went home.  Others plot and plan for years.

Vibrancy and Social Life in Costa Rica

Why  does it seem that so many people we meet here are  so creative and interesting?  In New York City, a party could be a party, some more memorable than others but somehow in this tropical paradise, a dinner party is like a Felini movie.  There is often a cast of characters that dazzles the imagination--each cast member having a different story of how they got here.   Deciding which story is truth and fiction is for your own discernment.

While they come in all shapes and sizes, I have found people who are willing to leave the comforts of their own country are not "your average day to day" and seek to add a bit of adventure and vibrancy to life.  Like this flower

What do you think?

www.costaricaorg.com

www.dreamincostarica.com