Nadine Hays Pisani

COOL JOBS

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:32-04:00 April 22nd, 2012|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: photography, surfing|

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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THE HOWLER MAGAZINE

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:32-04:00 March 29th, 2012|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: happier than a billionaire, review, the howler magazine|

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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FAMILY & FRIENDS IN COSTA RICA

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:32-04:00 March 22nd, 2012|Categories: Tourism|Tags: Osa Peninsula, Playa Negra, punta uva|

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. (more…)

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MOJITOS AT SUNSET

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:33-04:00 March 14th, 2012|Categories: Tourism|Tags: mojitos, sunset|

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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I’M A CHEAP DATE

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:33-04:00 March 2nd, 2012|Categories: food, Tourism|Tags: beaches, pipa frio|

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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About Nadine Hays Pisani

COOL JOBS

THE HOWLER MAGAZINE

FAMILY & FRIENDS IN COSTA RICA

MOJITOS AT SUNSET

I’M A CHEAP DATE

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