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FOURTH OF JULY IN COSTA RICA

Costa Rica Costa Of Living Update: Cover charge for 4th of July party at The Mar Vista Beach Club which also included dinner and access to pool—$12/person

I don’t often write about the nightlife in Costa Rica, but July 4th was a doozy. We went to Mar Vista Beach Club and watched a live band before heading out to Flamingo for fireworks. Americans and Costa Ricans celebrated side by side under the night sky. And this just proves if there is a party, everyone will want to grill some hot dogs, enjoy each other’s company,  and watch the sky come alive with pyrotechnics.

September 15th will be Costa Rica’s Independence Day. No doubt I’ll be rubbing elbows with Gringos and Ticos alike, eating fried plantains, and watching fireworks conscious of the freedoms that Costa Ricans and Americans share. Coincidentally, both country’s flags are red, white, and blue.

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:26-04:00 July 6th, 2013|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , |4 Comments
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THE MAIDEN VOYAGE

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: A day out kayaking and snorkeling— $0

It’s official… our bargain kayaks can float. We took our maiden voyage off Playa Conchal with our friends Ian and Sandy swimming behind. They knew exactly how to find a spectacular reef located right offshore.

I kayaked while Rob snorkeled around the coral, diving down like a seal. All at once he came up hollering, “An octopus just tried to ink me!”

We eventually headed back and stopped off at Sandy’s house. She cooked us omelets while we watched our GoPro camera footage.  It recorded my husband laughing, a sound that I can listen to over and over again. I love seeing Rob happy. His laughter levitates me and keeps me afloat, much like my second-hand kayak.

Once home, I couldn’t stop repeating how easy this excursion turned out to be. And my husband couldn’t stop pointing out how I didn’t help him load either of the kayaks into the back of our car.  Or go with him to buy them in the first place. Or hose the salty water off them that night.

He could be right about that, I don’t recall any dirty work or heavy lifting. That part is all a blur. But what isn’t a blur is the memory of that special afternoon out with my friends, where I watched my husband dive down to discover an octopus at the bottom of the ocean.

Sometimes a bargain turns out to be more valuable than you think. Where some might see a rickety, old kayak, I see years of good times and fun adventures with my friends.

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:26-04:00 May 22nd, 2013|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: , , |8 Comments
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ISLAND HOPPING IN COSTA RICA

Costa Rica Vacation

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 2 used kayaks— $65 each

Living at the beach has its advantages; there are a lot of fun activities, one of which is kayaking out to the small islands that speckle the horizon. Some are as close as 600 feet from shore. There you will find great places to snorkel and excellent spots for relaxing while you toss your fishing line into the ocean.

Renting a kayak ranges from $10-$20 an hour, so we’ve been keeping an eye out for an affordable used pair. And boy did we score. A dive shop was selling a fleet of nine, which of course makes my husband consider his next business venture: Rob’s Kayaking Tours. Because on vacation, who wouldn’t want a guy originally from Brooklyn touring them around an estuary saying phrases like, “You want to see a  howler monkey? Fuh-ged-about-it.” Or my favorite, “Don’t be a doo-ta-doo and paddle into a crocodile.”

Luckily, he only bought two and neither were the inflatable kind. They are made of hard plastic and from what I can see they look fine… except for that fact that they didn’t come with seats or oars.

This hasn’t discouraged Rob since he insists a good sturdy stick will push us through the mangroves while doubling as a crocodile whacking device. I can only imagine how we would sell this to potential clients:

Welcome to Rob’s Kayaking Tours: Come out on one of our fifteen-year-old seatless, oarless kayaks and push yourself through the mangroves. Enjoy the close-up view of a crocodile’s mouth before beating him off with one of Rob’s hand crafted sticks! Prosciutto and fresh mozzarella sandwiches included. Fug-ged-about-it.

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:26-04:00 May 14th, 2013|Categories: Cost of Living, Tourism|Tags: |6 Comments
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HAPPY HOUR & A SURF REPORT

Witches Rock Tamarindo

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Pork Chops on sale— $2.50 a pound

There is something particularly exciting about doing radio interviews. Especially the variety that covers the pressing issues of a local municipality. I was once being interviewed on a station outside New York City when we were preempted by breaking news that falcons were nesting on top of City Hall. Apparently, these birds were crapping all over the place.

Another time I was being interviewed by a Midwest station when I was cut short by live coverage of the Maple Seed Maven’s middle school basketball game. It was the finals and these girls rocked the house.

But I had the most fun on Radio Dos, one of the biggest radio broadcasts in Costa Rica. This was the big time; anyone who has traveled across Costa Rica is likely to have listened to hours of their programming. I even know their jingle by heart, singing it to Rob when there are lulls in our conversations (if given the option, I’m pretty sure he’d choose the lull).  I was nervous just thinking about doing this interview.

Happily, everything went off without a hitch. I sat in Witch’s Rock Surf Camp, watched the sunset, and was interviewed by the charming hosts. And instead of nesting falcons or middle school basketball games, their urgent news was the Tamarindo surf report and Happy Hour specials (high tide at 8AM, $2 Imperial Drafts).

I’m grateful for it all and so excited to see what happens next.

 

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:26-04:00 May 4th, 2013|Categories: Press|Tags: , , |10 Comments
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RADIO DOS INTERVIEW

Surf Report Costa Rica

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Cadbury Fruit and Nutbar (normal size)— $2

Tonight I’m being interviewed on Radio Dos between 7-9PM Eastern Time.  You can stream the show live at: http://radiodos.com/

If I’m lucky, they will let me do the infamous Tamarindo surf report.

Because we all know how well I do in the water.

(That’s not a stalker but my husband to the left… the only guy in Costa Rica who swims with his sunglasses on.)

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:26-04:00 April 26th, 2013|Categories: Utilities|Tags: , |4 Comments
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