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Published: April 12th 2006
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April 8, 2006
After ten weeks and 5 days living in Costa Rica, we couldn’t be happier with our decision to move. The move isn’t something for everyone but it was the right choice for us. We’ve not regretting one minute since our decision. Adjustments must be made for it is a very different lifestyle than any of us has been accustomed to. The trick for us has been remembering what we value in life and adjusting our lifestyle accordingly. When we first moved it was easy to do what other North Americans were doing. In a way, it’s like keeping up with the Jones’. Not so much in the accumulation of “things” but in way of life. If so-and-so does things this way, we need to. If so and so shops there, we should. We’ve taken a step back from some of our North American friends and re-evaluated our family’s needs and desires for OUR life in Costa Rica.
As a result of our re-evaluations we’ve made changes in our lives. The biggest change was in pulling Callista out of the Bilingual school on March 24th. Our original plan was to home school for six months while we
adjusted to life in a new country and learned the language. We were talked into enrolling her in the school by friends who insisted it was the best thing for her. Unfortunately, we didn’t listen to our hearts or our daughter and had to learn our lesson the hard way. While I’m sure Callista would’ve managed to succeed in the school given time, I simply could not take one more day looking at tears welling up in her eyes. The school was not right for us at this time. We are now back to our original plan of home schooling. I have no desire to home school permanently. It’s great for some but certainly not my desire. Those of you who know Callista can vouch for the fact that she needs interaction with LOTS of children to satisfy her spirit. There are many factors that play a role in when she’ll go back to a ‘formal’ school so for now we’ll just say she’ll be home schooled for the completion of fourth grade. A very special thanks goes out to her teacher in the states who has graciously agreed to help us make sure Callista is on track and to
be a source of support for me as we take on this challenge.
Other developments… We’ve not closed on the property in Berlin. There are many factors involved in purchasing in a foreign country so we are being extremely cautious. We hear rumors every week about another North American ripping off other North Americans. We’ve also heard of developments here being shut down or tied up in red tape by regulatory agencies due to them trying to take short cuts in building procedures. This is of course gossip as we have no wayor desire to verify the rumors. It just makes us a little more cautious. We are very happy in our rental house adjusting to life here and making friends with the locals so there is no need to rush things and regret it later.
My advice to anyone thinking of moving here is exactly what you read in the books. Take your time, live here for at least six months then look for properties from people who live in the areas you like. There are many people here just waiting to take advantage of someone anxious to make a quick deal. Oh, it is true that
a chicken farm or barking dogs near your property can quickly turn your dream into a nightmare. Take your time!
Bill is really beginning to fit in now as he is the proud owner of a machete. He was so proud to cut the grass around the house like the tico’s do. Callista and I were afraid he’d chop off his leg or at least a finger but he got the hang of it. I followed our neighbor to another neighbor’s farm yesterday morning to watch him milk a cow. I had only seen it done by machine previously. I’m still not ready to try it myself but maybe some day.
Another thing we’ve realized is that driving into Heredia to shop at Hypermas (Walmart chain) really isn’t worth the drive when the same items can be purchased here in San Ramon from family run stores for the same price. Thanks to our Canadian friends John & Jennifer for being such contentious shoppers. You may spend a couple of days trying to find in San Ramon what you can buy all in one place at Hypermas but the treasure hunt is part of the fun. You never know
what you’ll discover along the way.
We’ve reconnected with a massage therapist we met on our trip here in November. He came to the house one week and gave me an awesome three hour massage for $20.00. We invited him back this past week so Bill and Callista could each have one. We asked him to stay for dinner and enjoyed a family Spanish lesson as well. We are looking forward to a visit from another friend and her family today. The woman is bilingual and is willing to listen and correct us as we butcher her native language. Practicing in non-threatening environment will be good for Bill.
I’ve mentioned how trash is a different issue in Costa Rica, at least in the country. We don’t know what city life is like here. Last night we had our first trash burning. We’ve had a hard time adjusting to burning trash but are starting to get the hang of it. In Berlin we will not have any garbage pick-up we’re told so we are trying to adjust while we’re living in the rental house. In the states threw everything in the trash bag and putting it out for the
weekly pick-up. Composting and trash burning are just two more adjustments to make.
Oh, on getting the internet into the house… no todavia (not yet). Whew…. We met the home owner’s wife yesterday for the first time. She doesn’t work this week (it is Semana Santa, Holy week) so her plan is to make a personal visit to ICE and find out what the problem is. Her phone calls to them have not done the trick. Keep your fingers crossed for us.
For those reading the blog who do not know our family personally, Bill and I did not move here to buy and sell property or run a business. Our ‘jobs’ hear are to learn to be the best parents we can be for our daughter. If you want information on what ‘our’ life is like here we’d be more than happy to share our experiences. Feel free to email thru the blog or directly if you have specific questions. We will not recommend properties or people selling property. We will tell you where our favorite bakery or ice cream shop is. Callista and Bill are still in search of the “Best Banana Split” in Costa Rica.
Please keep your comments and emails coming. You have no idea what a great feeling it is for us to sit together at home and read the comments. I save them to my zip drive and bring them home for the family to read together. We do read each and everyone of them even if we don´t respond.
To our friends and family in the States…. Happy Easter! We may not contact you as often as we like but please know we think of you often.
Pura Vida!
Jennifer, Bill and Callista
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Jenn M.
non-member comment
amazing!
Hello Sheridan Family! Our fourth graders would just like to say a few things after looking at all of the pictures (we looked at the last three entries)....Pablo wants to know what kind of crocodiles those are, Brisa wants to know if there were any cool shells on the beach, they ALL want to know if everyone was ok in the accident ;), they also couldn't BELIEVE that the tree house was in a real tree (they thought it looked like Disneyworld's Tree of Life), and Katiya still wants to be sent down in a suitcase (I told her that she would be too expensive to mail. Seriously, they LOVED the pictures and the comments, especially yours Callista! Thanks for sharing your experiences and for making us all feel like we are close to you, and living the dream with you....29 (plus mine!!) hugs and 29 (plus mine!) hello's from Aguilar!!!