Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Car insurance/registration- $190/year
It’s one of the hardest decisions to make when moving to Costa Rica. Would you rather live in the mountains or at the beach? Stare out across a green valley of rolling hills or at a turquoise sea? (more…)
Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 1.1 pounds of catch of the day- $3
You can’t get fresher than this—my local fish market is right on the beach. We came across these men after taking a nice sunset stroll.
“What do you have today?” Rob asks.
“Grouper, but come tomorrow morning before 10 and we will have more things available,” the fisherman says. “It’s always fresh. Just yesterday we had lots of red snapper.”
I like the idea of buying off them directly; there are not many mom and pop operations in the states anymore. It’s one of the things that makes living here so great, supporting the local businesses and keeping the money flowing in the community.
Next time I stop by I’ll look for the guy giving me the thumbs up. I know he’ll have something great waiting for me in that blue container.
Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Half a dozen bagels- $5.25
I’ve found them…bagels. No it can’t be, I say to myself. But the closer I get, I quickly realize all my Costa Rican dreams have come true.
I grab them and huddle in a corner. Myyy Preciousss, I repeat over and over again as others reach over me for coffee filters. I’m lost in a carbohydrate trance.
Rob takes them out of my hands. “These are hard as a rock, are you sure you want them? You might need a trip to the dentist after eating one. I’m going to put them back. Let’s get the five dollar can of whipped cream instead.”
We never bought the bagels, but I know where they are. Yesss, my precious is waiting for me, but let me find a good dentist first.
Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 15 chicken eggs- $3.15
I look out at the sea and notice hundreds of heads popping in and out of the waves. They are scattered throughout the horizon, uniquely positioned like a cunning naval offense. It’s that time of year—the turtle invasion has begun.
Thanks to our friend Rolf at Hotel Luna Azul in Ostional, we were alerted to their arrival. He is the area’s turtle whisperer, “The big “arribadas” has started,” he writes. “You do not want to miss this.”
I glance down the beach and see many have already laid their eggs in the sand. Some are dragging their exhausted bodies back to the sea; each step a struggle, their bodies not designed to maneuver in this terrain. Their appendages dig into the sand and push, inch by inch, towards the ocean leaving what looks like tire tracks in the sand. They let out deep
breaths and rest for prolonged periods of time. It’s taking every last bit of their energy to return home. (more…)
Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Rebuilt alternator, new belt, fixed scooter tire, and a sharpened machete to sweeten the deal- $120
Our alternator on our car is shot, as is a tire on our scooter. This has caused a great deal of stress with my husband. “What am I going to do if something were to happen to you, if you fell or hurt yourself? You have quite the history of being clumsy. I have to make sure that we have some transportation, it’s my responsibility to take care of you.”
The next day his friend picks him up and they take the scooter and SUV to the mechanic. When they return the garage is closed for the night, but Rob insists on driving the scooter out of the shop. He blindly walks through the pitch dark garage, through an area cluttered with vehicles and parts, and then Rob—the man who needs to rescue his clumsy wife from the impending emergency that will surely befall her—walks right into an empty bay pit.
I am now playing nurse to Rob’s swollen leg.
“See that sweetie, I’m glad if anything happens to you, I can get help,” Rob says as I bring him two ibuprofens, fresh pillows, ice, the remote control, and a grilled cheese sandwich.
Yes Rob, it’s a good thing I have you looking out for me.