Talk about sensory overload. I don’t remember the last time I’ve learned so much in a 24 hour period. It’s been amazing. Today, Mike and I had our meeting with our residency lawyers, Jorge and Romulo, and began our residency process. Even though I’ve heard quite a few horror stories, we have had an extremely smooth experience. Granted, we did a lot of running around today and without Mike’s fluency in Spanish, the experience would have been more difficult but regardless, the inefficiencies I’ve heard about over and over again, did not seem to be an issue [View Full Entry]

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3am came incredibly early this morning. It was one of those mornings where you feel like you only just closed your eyes and suddenly the alarm clock is going off. For a second you think you must have set it wrong. Personally, I know it’s way too early when even I don’t want a cup of morning java. I could hardly form sentences when Mike’s mom asked me if I’d like some coffee and toast. I think all she got out of me was a very weak head nod. I had spent the previous night in the hospital with my Aunt [View Full Entry]

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Yes, it’s true. Before embarking on my corporate career, I was in fact a zookeeper. I spent most of my career working in the rainforest exhibit at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. The exhibit covers 1.5 acres and is about the size of an 8 story building. They don’t call it the world’s largest indoor rainforest for nothing! The animals I worked with at the zoo are the same ones I’ll be seeing in their natural habitat in Costa Rica. Our hope is that we can give educational tours to our B&B guests (hopefully on horseback) and be able [View Full Entry]

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I really do love coffee however love doesn't seem to capture exactly how I feel about a good cup of Java. There is something to be said for the slow brewing process that makes the perfect cup. The longer the process, the more I am truly satisfied. Mike calls me a Coffee Purist considering I shy away from the all-inclusive grinder/drip methods. Once I went French Press, I never went back. My co-workers have seen this morning ritual all too often. My French Press waits for me each day. Boil the water, allow the fresh grounds to get absorbed, all essential [View Full Entry]

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Most people assumed Mike and I had either bought a B&B that was already up and running or at the least, that we had already bought property in Costa Rica. Neither of which are true. We feel strongly about ensuring our B&B is in the right location. That will definitely require us to be in-country for a period of time while looking at areas. Research is the only way to accomplish this and my two week vacation from work every year simply wouldn’t cut it. We feel the best way to buy property in CR is to first rent in areas [View Full Entry]

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Moving to Costa Rica has involved a lot of research and number crunching. We’ve had to determine not only the cost to move our goods overseas but also the import taxes versus buying items new over there. It’s quite a formula and the formula never seems to be exactly right. As most of you know, Mike and I have been selling off our household goods for a few years now in preparation for making this move. Believe me; you never know how much “stuff” you have until you actually go to sell it. Take a look in just ONE of your [View Full Entry]

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I’ve been asked about when we are leaving for Costa Rica. Our plan is to go down once at the end of June for about a week and wrap up our residency process. We’ll then be back in the States to settle on our house on July 17th and plan on being in Costa Rica by the end of July. Speaking of residency, I never realized how much paperwork is required to live in another country. Costa Rica is a country that functions on paperwork and process. Good thing I like both! Haha…the frustrating part can be when you don’t understand [View Full Entry]

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Only four weeks left before all this planning becomes a reality and I’m off to start an exciting new phase of life in Costa Rica. My husband Mike and I first went to Costa Rica together back in 2004. At that time, we were simply boyfriend and girlfriend traveling around and checking out this beautiful country which Mike could not wait for me to see. Mike had lived in Costa Rica before during his master’s program and grew very close with his host family - the Delgados - who are among some of the most open-armed people, I have ever met. [View Full Entry]

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