Neighbors – Happier Than A Billionaire

WORLD CUP PRIDE IN COSTA RICA

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:21-04:00 July 1st, 2014|Categories: Nature, Neighbors, Uncategorized|Tags: grecia, world cup|

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: One gallon of Super Gasoline— $5.90

The roar came over the mountainside, up from the town of Grecia, catapulting over the surrounding ridges. Costa Rica advances to the World Cup quarter-finals, the first time in history! I have never, ever seen anything like this. Everyone ran into the streets, cars began honking their horns, and we all collectively celebrated this joyous occasion.

My husband and I drove down the hillside, into the traffic, and waved our little Costa Rican flag that we keep hanging over our rear-view mirror. I didn’t feel like an expat, or a foreigner, just another Tica singing into the streets.

I have experienced a million quiet moments in Costa Rica that have made my life sweeter than I ever thought was possible. Then there was this eruption of energy that all but carried me away. My gosh, how I love Costa Rica and its people, embracing me during their proudest moment, and reminding me that I too am part of it all.

Most of the time happy moments come in whispers, but on a rare occasion, it will roar toward you like a clap of thunder. It was a day I’ll never forget.

LIFE’S A BLOCK PARTY

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:32-04:00 June 20th, 2012|Categories: Neighbors|Tags: block party, neighbors, party|

Cost of Living Update: One bottle of something that resembles Windex—$3.20

My husband loves to talk about block parties he had as a kid growing up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The men would race with balloons between their knees, and kids would bob for apples. None of it was very complicated or expensive. The main goal was to get everyone together to encourage a strong community.

Living in row houses may have been congested, but if you were running low on salt or sugar, you could easily get a cup by knocking on the wall and calling out to your neighbor. Everyone helped each other out, and the evenings were full of people sitting in their yards together enjoying glasses of lemonade. (more…)

KRAMER WOULD MAKE A BETTER NEIGHBOR

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:20:01-04:00 November 22nd, 2010|Categories: Neighbors|Tags: dolores|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Visit to the veterinarian that includes an examination and several shots for a dog- $25. Consecutive visits for follow up shots- $6

Just as I am about to sit on the terrace and have my first cup of coffee the phone rings. It’s Dolores, and she is crying that one of her dogs was run over by a car.

She is crying that a car fatally hit one of her dogs. The bad news doesn’t surprise me. For someone who loves and rescues dogs, Dolores is pretty careless. She doesn’t use a leash, lead, or even confine her dogs to her yard. They run freely in the road, so this was bound to happen. In between the sobbing, she asks if Rob will help bury the dog. I turn to ask him, and as always, he agrees. Rob’s heart is as big as the ocean is deep. Even though he almost broke his leg saving her bird, he knows a sixty-year-old lady should not be digging a six-foot hole in sweltering heat. He has one stipulation: he does not want to see the dog. He just wants to do all the digging and get the hell out of there. She agrees, and I tell her we will be there after we get back from doing a few errands. (more…)