Nadine Hays Pisani

OFF LINE IN COSTA RICA

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:35-04:00 November 12th, 2011|Categories: Tourism|Tags: canopy tour, ziip line|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Cartagena Canopy Tour- $35/person (negotiated for a party of three)

My phone and internet line are still down. So I’m finding lots of things to do…fun things.

I’ve been zip-lining a few times in Costa Rica, and each ride feels thrilling. I believe these adventures help me stay out of a rut, and flying through the air attached to a cable is a great way to get out of your comfort zone. And don’t we all need those moments when we challenge ourselves and do something adventurous?

So it turns out being off-line is the best excuse to get on-line and zip through the jungle. Just make sure you don’t look down.

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Baby Monkeys Outside My Window

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:36-04:00 October 31st, 2011|Categories: Nature|Tags: internet, monkeys, phone|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Price to fix my phone/internet line-???????

The rain is here and the once peaceful skies have transformed into a stormy battlefield. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but even the shape of the clouds look menacing: dragons and daggers pierced by fierce bolts of lightning. It casts a shade of gray on everything below; it’s easy to want to hunker down and stay inside.

Along with the bad weather come a number of unpredictable issues. I have no phone or internet and the prospects of getting it fixed anytime soon looks unlikely. The phone company (which is also the internet and electric company in most areas of Costa Rica) claims their line is good. I foresee many trips to the internet café and the phone company’s office in the future. (more…)

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BLAME IT ON THE MOON

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:36-04:00 October 15th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: doctors, health care, hospitals|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 1 kilo (2.2 lbs) potatoes- $1.25

Today we have an appointment for a follow-up visit with Rob’s surgeon. His hernia has healed but he is getting some discomfort near the incision. Rob feels that he should have no pain and be able to go back to his Herculean work-out regimen. Even though other people have said it will take a while, my husband believes his superior Italian genetics should allow him to heal faster than the average mortal.

It’s no surprise that when we arrive at the hospital the waiting room is filled with people. However, today I come prepared with a few things to keep me busy: Sudoku puzzle, WWII history book, and a roll of toilet paper. I have learned all three are invaluable while visiting this Costa Rican hospital. (more…)

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COFFEE IN SUITCASES

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:36-04:00 October 6th, 2011|Categories: Tourism|Tags: coffee, tourists|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: One pound of REALLY good Costa Rican coffee- $5

Last Thursday was International Coffee Day. I’ve never heard of his holiday and can’t remember ever getting a day off from school to celebrate. However, with such a global love for this product it would seem reasonable to have a day set aside to reflect on this incredible bean. Since I live in Costa Rica, I don’t have to go far to appreciate it.

Costa Rica is known for harvesting some of the finest coffee in the world. Many of the beans are grown at altitudes ranging from 1200 to 1700 meters, the perfect conditions for a good product. Everyone who visits the country falls in love with it. In fact, your flight back from Costa Rica will most likely smell like Starbucks since most tourists cram a few pounds of packaged coffee into their carry-on bags. With this kind of love affair, the Costa Rican tourism board should consider new ads like, “come for the wildlife, stay for the coffee” or “our monkeys are not caffeinated but you will be”. But one that I believe best describes the experience is, “drink a cup and keep it simple”. (more…)

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BEACHES, FRIENDS, & PIRATE CAVES

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:36-04:00 October 1st, 2011|Categories: Tourism|Tags: dogs, friends, Pirates, Playa Grande|

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pafAT26ABK4&feature=player_embedded
Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Large lobster and shrimp platter served at a restaurant right on the beach-$30

Road trips are one of the best things to do in Costa Rica. It’s inevitable you will find something out of the ordinary, whether it be finding an artist’s pottery store on the side of the road, or just finding yourself stuck in the mud on the side of the road. Nevertheless, it always ends with a great story at the end of the day.

Today, we decide to check out some of the beaches in Guanacaste. We drive towards Playa Grande where we see a sign for Pirate’s Bay. (more…)

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About Nadine Hays Pisani

OFF LINE IN COSTA RICA

Baby Monkeys Outside My Window

BLAME IT ON THE MOON

COFFEE IN SUITCASES

BEACHES, FRIENDS, & PIRATE CAVES

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