There is so much to write, and so little time, but I’ll guess I’ll put off what I need to do until manana. Why not? Everyone else does here! Yes, it has been about 7.5 weeks since I last updated my blog, so this could be a lengthy one! I did not purposely avoid writing my blog however. As some of you know, I had some surgery in the states and was not allowed to fly for one month. So, I knew I’d be in the states for about that time. However, what I didn’t know then is that I’d develop [View Full Entry]

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While I was told this by many people before arriving in Costa Rica, you have to experience it to know it and, that is this: Living in a foreign country is much different than being a tourist in one. Sounds obvious, but until you do it, you just don’t know what is in store for you. So, today’s blog entry is devoted to some of the routine things one does in a foreign country to get things done. First, several of you have asked about our adopted dog, Jack. Well, despite our best efforts, Jack is a roamer. He left over [View Full Entry]

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[I have not updated my blog in about 10 days for a variety of reasons which you’ll read about. Also, PLEASE NOTE: Some of this week’s entry is rated “P.G.” (not so bad really—but you are forewarned!] I took a short break from Angel Valley Farm B&B for five days to do a Pacific Coast road trip. I traveled with new friends Joe and Jen (not quite married yet), and Jen’s Uncle Ed. Joe and Jen started on July 4, managing “Vida Tropical,” our sister B&B in Alajuela, near the airport. Jen’s Uncle Ed is considering retiring here. There a [View Full Entry]

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My friend Randy asked in an email recently how I was dealing with communication issues here. In other words, how are we getting along given Beth and I don’t speak much Spanish (that’s a huge understatement!). Well, so far we have been getting by okay. What I try to do, right or wrong, is to listen for key words I understand like “trabajo” (work) or “precio” (price) or “bano” (bathroom!) and then haphazardly put together what a Tico is trying to explain to me. This method seems to work for me but it certainly isn’t enough to be a full t [View Full Entry]

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The first two weeks in Costa Rica have been good. We’ve had five guests and actually hit my revenue target for the month (okay, the target was mucho low) but all the same, it gives us hope for the coming months and in particularl the high season starting in December. This week was not as rainy as first week, thank God. While Beth doesn’t mind the rainy season (they call it the “green season” for “touristico” purposes), it is taking me a little bit to get used to it. On Thursday, we saw our last guests off until Sunday night when [View Full Entry]

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It’s almost 11pm now on Monday night. Beth has gone to bed—early for her but we did have a busy day. The two guests we have tonight through Wednesday night are asleep now too. Beth cooked a great dinner of bok choy (sp?), something akin to filet mignon, but we’re not quite sure, topped with a refreshing salsa mix. I must say she has been a real trooper so far. For someone who wanted to stop cooking for a while, she’s cooked numerous breakfasts for guests—even just for me on occasion—and several dinners. All of them have been terrific, particularly give [View Full Entry]

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[We actually live in Los Angeles Sur or Angel Valley, hence “Angel Valley B&B.” Los Angeles Sur is about 5km from San Ramon, the main town in these parts] I have focused a good deal on the landscape of the Angel Valley B&B area including the amazing vistas, the animals and so on, but have neglected until this point, to focus on an equally interesting landscape: the people that live here. Now, I am not referring to the ex-pats. While they are interesting in their own right and I may describe them in a later entry, what I have found most [View Full Entry]

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Day 1 in Costa Rica: Today truly is the first day of the rest of my life. We made it to Costa Rica (meaning me and my friend Beth/co-partner in crime at the B&B) and are ready to start this new adventure. First, getting here…. Getting to Costa Rica was not so bad. We had about 15 pieces of luggage between us, nine of which we checked, so getting here was not as inexpensive as expected! Between overweight bags and too many bags (and I won’t assign blame!), it cost us a few extra colones (the Costa Rican currency). Surprisingly, it [View Full Entry]

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One week to go!!! Okay, a week from today, Saturday, I'm heading to Costa Rica! By this time next Saturday I'll be sitting on a hammock in front of the B&B I'll own a few days later. Check it out and email me if you want to stay, it's great! http://andresz.com/REAL%20ESTATE/VARIAS/ANGELVALLEY/angel_valley_farm_and_guesthouse.htm Where did the time go?!? I'm very excited though. Not really apprehensive though. Why would I be? I'm moving to a new city for the first time in 15 years. I'm moving to a foreign country that could be considered third-world (though at the very high end) and I d [View Full Entry]

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I guess I'm just a bit bored before leaving for Costa Rica on June 4. It has been like waiting to starting one's life a new. I haven't worked in like 7 months or done much of anything, really, except plan for this new life. So it'll be great to get started in a new land, a new business and with new friends (not that I'll ever forget the old ones). Those friends are: Leika Andrew Jim Basem Brian David (2 of 'em!) Jody Beth Suzanne Debi Randy Theresa Jon Steve Barbara and more! And family: Ted Peter Kay Kristy Stephanie [View Full Entry]

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