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Published: January 29th 2009
SunRise!
Took this about 5ish a.m. Fitting that this should be my opening to this my final blog!Hello all,
Sorry for the delay in writing what has turned out to be my last blog. It is hard for me to believe that a year has passed since I left! Many have asked "why did you leave paradise?" So this entry is an attempt to explain why I left and what lead up to that decision! It has taken many attempts and this being my 20th to get it where now I think I can type what I want to say without it sounding …
Let me start by saying that I had an amazing experience in Costa Rica. The people I met, the things I did would have never happened had I not emailed Andrew and asked him if I could come for a visit! Even though I had joked with a friend about moving and running the B & B, it was just a joke. But since most of my moves have started with a joke so this one should have been no different!
A brief history:
Andrew and I knew each other socially prior to my moving. We had friends in common but other than a few social functions over the years
The Pooches!
Osita & Reigna...I hope they are at a home where they get the love and attention lacking at Angel Valley! we had little or no interaction. I remember it irritated him when I referred to him as Marge! Not sure if I meant the Simpson version, but for some reason it seemed to fit. It wasn't until Jim mentioned that I might want to visit Andrew in CR since I was pulling up stakes in DC that I thought about going - so that is how my move came to pass. Guess it is Jim's fault…LOL
A tale of two A's -
The first A - Andrew:
As for why I left, well let's just say it was easy for me to buy a bill of goods while floating in the Caribbean!!! In a nutshell what we talked about while on my vacation and what came to pass after I moved were two very different things. In addition to how he treated me from a business standpoint, I did not like how he dealt with the different vendors we used. It was becoming a "guilt by association" situation and even though most knew it was not my fault, it still did not sit well with me. That coupled with his business associates, Preston, actions towards me and
Traffic Jam or Rush Hour!!!
Choose your routes very carefully! others made me uncomfortable! But as far as his properties & tours go, he provides 1st rate information, service and to the best of my knowledge everything is above board. I, however, was in a unique position see how he dealt with things behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis.
To sum it up, had I known how Andrew was going to be prior to my move, I would not have gone, end of story. Had that happened, I would have missed out on some INCREDIBLE PEOPLE & EXPERIENCES. So Andrew, even though I do not like you, I do thank you, because of what I experienced away from you was life altering!
The second A - Alex:
Alex was someone I met prior to moving. We had a nice click and kept in touch over the time I was away. Thanksgiving 2007 he came for a visit and I played Julie McCoy, Tour Guide. We had a great time as I took him to all my favorite places. When he left I realized that although I loved being in Costa Rica - something was missing!
In the beginning I thought it was Alex! But upon
Raising Cane!
More like the burn before the harvest! my return to DC and his subsequent enrollment into the "I only meant what I said at the Exact Moment in Time I Said It Relocation Program", it was then I realized that the piece missing was what he represented! Funny how saying what you mean and meaning what you say are only relative to a short time frame after you have said them, at least in some circles!
Some things just aren't meant to be I suppose! Although I have only seen him once since my return I don't regret the time spent together and I do owe him a thank you!
What I Miss -
I miss the B & B, the animals, the views and the guests, even the nutty ones. Osita & Reigna (dogs) were sweeties with bite. When they went out on there nightly tours you never knew what you would find in the yard the next morning! Amigo & Gringo (horses) were great and I was saddened to have had to bury Gringo and happy that I found Amigo a home where he would be cared for properly. Honorable mention to the chickens…if I never clean out a chicken coup again,
Front Porch!
Neighbors and guest chillin out! it will be toooo soon!!!
I heard through the grapevine that my 1st replacement lasted all of 2 months and left without telling a soul. The 2nd lasted about the same and the 3rd, a neighbor, whom at one point before I left was organizing a petition against Andrew regarding the dogs which now I hear have a new home!
I miss my neighbors Joe & Leslie, Kathy & Richard, Dave & Mary, Trish & Ernesto, Steve & Kathleen, Joanna & of course Mark. Mark was building a house during my time there as used the B & B for his quarterly check-ups. Top billing goes to Joe & Les were my salvation on a regular basis and Les played OnStar Chef & courier on more than one occasion. Y'all were my family while I was there and a place I could go when I needed to go! Just know that I miss you all and you are in my thoughts!
As for Rob and our time in Watzi - what an amazing project we attempted to do! Although our original proposal was downsized it still was a great experience! They are some of the nicest, welcoming
Favorite Guest!
Stayed long...not demanding! people I have ever met! Roughing it in the jungle has never been more fun…Honorable mention to Julie of Arizona - she got the house with the only indoor plumbing~~~ As for Mexico…I’ll think about it!
To all my friends in San Ramon who made me learn Spanish via text message, I miss you! Edgar, Giovanni, Ronald, Alonzo and all the rest, you made my time in San Ramon fun. Special thanks to Edgar for being more than a friend but FAMILY! And to Giovanni, who with such insight for a 28 year old (once or twice removed), one night asked me what I was doing there (in Costa Rica) and that started the ball rolling! On my last night in town, Edgar, Alonzo & Giovanni took me out for drinks - one of the nicest gestures was from 2 of the bartenders at a place I occasionally went to, Secretos (forgive spelling) when they found out I was leaving, each bought me a shot to say good-bye!
Land Developers -
Although not many tours came to pass - the ones that came through or I had contact with were great and I enjoyed every minute! Thank
Festivale of Angels
Happens in July before my birthday...many gather to honor the virgin, drink and be merry!!! you for broadening my experience!!! All my tour associates were great - Best in Show goes to Loek VanMook of Atenas! One of the nicest, most through, non-pressure real estate person I have ever dealt with! If interested in any type of property in the central valley of Costa Rica - Look him up!
Bridging Worlds Realty S.A.
http://www.bridgingworld.com/
Tel: 011-506-814-1323
Costa Rica
Some have great properties - pretty views - developed nicely but … have alienated most of their vendors and gone back on their word to several people, Honorable mention to Sam, Jane & Gayle. Sorry you got the runaround but things typically work out how they are supposed to! There are other developers who for example, lay electrical poles down and tell perspective clients that they are about to be installed but in reality are not! A few it seems like to buy cheap from the Ticos (locals), sell high to investors or clients and then get irritated when the land owners (ticos) want to sell at informed prices.
Vida en Estados Unidos!!!
Well all I can say is that I came back with a different set of eyes, a bit more Monet
Lounging...
A fab hotel just north of San Jose! (fuzzy), but clearer at the same time. I took some time to reacquaint myself with DC and looked for work! Anytime this past year was not a prime time to move back or look for work but … what is life without a challenge or two?
So for several months I worked for a friends business that needed temporary help. Timing was perfect…it was not a long-term solution but it had flexible hours that allowed me to interview and I just recently secured a great position with growth potential and a boss who thinks I am FAB!!! It is strange for me to work for someone who expresses their appreciation for the work I do on a regular basis. So at the moment all is good and I am just taking it a day at a time!
Although I loved the casual life that Costa Rica provided, I have to admit that I had missed getting dressed up! I was a bit of a tie whore before my move and I seem to have taken up where I left off!!! The brighter and wilder, the better! LOL! The next step is to get my own place once all
Road to ...
Manuel Antonio ... the inaugural hoopla dies down I will start my search. Although Jim & Basem have been great, it has been over 3 years since I have had my own space and I miss painting, moving furniture every 3 days or having furniture at all…LOL! It would be nice if there was a 12-step program for those of us with decorating issues!
Would I do it again, MOST DEFINITELY! I don't see myself living in Costa Rica again, but will visit and would love to explore other places!
Please note that this was not an Andrew bashing blog! It is just my account of why I left. I am sure he would have a different take as would anyone witnessing the same events!
Thank you for reading and until my next adventure you can find me in our Nations Capitol! Where Obama put the E back in Amurica!!! I have to say that it was an amazing time to be in our nation’s capital or capitol? I always get them confused!
Travlin Terry
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Joanna
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Word of the day...
"Planchando" When I try and remember definitions of the new Spanish vocabulary words we were learning in our neighborhood classes, I can only remember your definitions...which are not fit to print, but continue to make me laugh. You are truly missed. Wishing you all the best and hope you come and visit before too long!