food – Page 2 – Happier Than A Billionaire

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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THE LORD OF THE BAGELS

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:35-04:00 December 7th, 2011|Categories: food|Tags: bagels, food, groceries|

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.

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CAN I DRINK THE WATER?

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:36-04:00 September 23rd, 2011|Categories: food|Tags: reverse osmosis filter, water|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 2 liter Coca-Cola bottle $2.60

“Can I drink the water?” People often ask me this with a tiny glimmer of fear in their eyes. It’s the look of someone who was once a victim of an unfortunate intestinal calamity while on vacation.

“I’ve been there,” is all I can say, for I too have fought in the parasitical trenches. Once you’ve marched through that proverbial battlefield, you will never look at an unassuming ice cube in your Coca-Cola again. Every icy glass of soda becomes a potential enemy. Therefore, it is understandable people ask this question when considering a visit to Costa Rica: Is it safe to drink the water? (more…)

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SAVVY SCOOTER SHOPPERS

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:37-04:00 September 2nd, 2011|Categories: food|Tags: gas, groceries, produce, scooter|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Aquafresh toothpaste-$2.27

There is no sugar coating it; the cost of gas is expensive everywhere. Currently, super gasoline costs a whopping $5 a gallon which makes filling our SUV a budget crunching $85. We all complain about the gas prices here so in order to save money, many gringos try to come up with different ideas to conserve gas.

For example, you will find most expats doing all their errands in one day. If you see Mrs. Cunningham at the bank, just say hello and don’t chat for too long. She is most likely on her way to get her driver’s license renewed, followed by a medical checkup, then off to pick up a friend at the airport. (more…)

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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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I’M A CHEAP DATE

THE LORD OF THE BAGELS

CAN I DRINK THE WATER?

SAVVY SCOOTER SHOPPERS

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Aquafresh toothpaste-$2.27

FUNNY LOOKING FRUIT

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