Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 5.3-ounce bag of Raisins—$1.60 (with the weirdest Chinese writing stamped all of over it)

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a book signing at Marie’s Restaurant in Flamingo, Costa Rica. It warmed my heart to see so many people come out to show their support.

When I left my hectic life in the United States, I was optimistic about finding a happier one. It wasn’t always easy, but I never gave up and kept working toward my dream. Like those Blow Pop lollipops I enjoyed as a kid, I knew if I could get past that hard candy coating, a bubble gum surprise would be waiting for me in the center.

The other night was something I could never have predicted. If someone would have told me at the airport five years ago—when my cat peed on my husband while walking through the metal detector—that I’d be signing books under palm trees, I would have thought you hit the airport bar a little too early. So I can’t thank all of you enough for following my story and making my book a success.

As I sit on my terrace this morning and watch the baby monkeys in the trees, I think back to all the crazy experiences my husband and I have had since moving to Costa Rica. Even with all of the challenges, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I think I finally cracked through that hard coating and found the bubble gum I was searching for. And what a wonderful surprise it is.