Nadine Hays Pisani

FUNNY LOOKING FRUIT

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:54-04:00 May 23rd, 2011|Categories: food|Tags: guanabana|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 1 Guanabana Fruit-$6.50

My husband decides to buy this fruit which cost about $2 a pound. “It can’t cost much, it feels pretty light,” he says. Three pounds and six dollars later, we have this…guanabana

[gwuh-nah-buh-nuh]. A really ugly fruit with a name that is reminiscent of a Muppet character.

It has a creamy/coconut flavor with a hint of strawberry thrown in. Most take the pulp and blend it into a drink. It’s believed to help your liver, prevent naseau, and…get this… treat bloody urine. Unfortunately, I doubt a smoothie will be on my mind if ever faced with that morning surprise.

But it’s nice to know I’m one refreshing smoothie away from happy times again.

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TAKE A BREATH

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:54-04:00 May 17th, 2011|Categories: Nature|Tags: sunsets|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 16 oz bottle extra virgin olive oil- $7.88

There were times in the office my chest got so tight I had to remember to take a breath. It’s strange that something as involuntary as breathing was something I had to remember to do.

Stress does strange things to your body, not the least being holding your breath. It also makes you forget things…like kissing your husband when you get home from work, or calling your mom to ask how her day is going, or giving the older man in the supermarket your space on line.

You also forget that the sun rises and sets in a spectacular display everyday. And it seems that whenever I pause to pay attention to its brilliance, I am kinder to the people around me.

Take a break…catch your breath…and watch a sunset. You might be surprised how good it makes you feel.

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SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:54-04:00 May 10th, 2011|Categories: Nature|Tags: scorpion|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Stick of butter- $1.25

Yesterday I awoke with an inflamed, reddened mark on my inner thigh. It later swelled into a shape of a heart, which would make this story cute and adorable if it didn’t itch like nobody’s business. I soldiered on throughout the day but later that night I checked my mattress to make sure nothing was hiding under the covers. My thorough investigation revealed this beast in my bed…a scorpion.

“DO SOMETHING,” I yelled to my half comatose husband. And with the chivalry that is so characteristic of him, he grabbed a tissue off the nightstand, rolled over, and squashed the scorpion. And with the chivalry that is so characteristic of him, he handed it to me, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

I knew there would be creepy, crawly things in Costa Rica. I just didn’t know I’d be sleeping with them.

Scorpions – Rock You Like a Hurricane – 1984 Album: Love At First Sting

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THE TWENTY-FIVE DOLLAR BILLIONAIRE

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:54-04:00 April 28th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: hotels, sugar beach|

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Gallon of super gasoline-$5

Today we decided to go to Sugar Beach Hotel for lunch. It’s located on a lovely beach with expansive views of the ocean. Our friendly waiter helped us with our choice; I had the fish fillet sandwich while my husband ordered the curry chicken wrap. Deciding on saving some money, we both shared one Orange Fanta.

The meals were excellent and the bill (including tax plus tip) came to under $25. We then asked a worker if we could go for a quick dip in their pool. Of course we wouldn’t pass up that.

Twenty-five dollars is the perfect price for a place with a killer view and an equally killer infinity pool. I’ve paid more at Macaroni Grill to wait 45 minutes just to get a table…and I never once wore my bikini.

I may not be a billionaire but love the idea of living like one. That is, with a budget of $25.

14

OPERATION INFILTRATION

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:55-04:00 April 25th, 2011|Categories: Tourism|Tags: hotels|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Two drinks at Reserva Conchal Private Resort-$8

We are all good at some things. Lucky for me, my husband is good at getting us into any private luxury complex to snoop around. And snooping can mean swimming in their pool, enjoying their beach club, or checking out the rooms.

Our mission is to bring you any interesting tidbits on these escapades. What was the most impressive to what felt like a ripoff.

It’s a job I am more than qualified to do, since floating in an resort pool while drinking a margarita is the perfect amount of energy I like to burn on a hot day.

Of course, it’s all for a good cause…right?

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About Nadine Hays Pisani

FUNNY LOOKING FRUIT

TAKE A BREATH

SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY

THE TWENTY-FIVE DOLLAR BILLIONAIRE

OPERATION INFILTRATION

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