Finding an Instant Community of Friends in Costa Rica

Finding an Instant Community of Friends in Costa Rica

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February 7, 2019

Within a month of arriving in Costa Rica to live, my wife and I had discovered that we could enjoy one of our favorite Sunday traditions: brunch. Just down the road from our home in Grecia was Atenas, and the famous (at least among local expats) Kay's Gringo Postres. There were heaping helpings of French toast, bacon, biscuits and gravy (I've never seen them anywhere else in Costa Rica)...and never-ending coffee...for $10 each. As we enjoyed these traditional American favorites, we met a dozen or so local expats, mostly retirees but also families and young couples. The more experienced were eager to pass on advice about renting a home or buying a car and to share contact information for great contactors and service providers like mechanics and plumbers. You know, the really important stuff you need to know when you move to a new place. Personal recommendations go a long way.

Fall in Love with Jungle Life in Tena, Ecuador

Fall in Love with Jungle Life in Tena, Ecuador

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February 2, 2019

Toucans and macaws glide around the lush jungle canopy and scores of monkeys parade through the overhanging branches. Neon-green and electric-blue butterflies of preposterous sizes flit across gurgling streams, while waterfalls drop into deep pools. Welcome to one of my favorites among Ecuador’s secret spots…a place hidden in the east of the country, where indigenous shamans still perform timeless rituals and a small number of adventurous expats have found new lives surrounded by nature.

Why I Waited Six Years to Buy a Vacuum Cleaner in Medellín

Why I Waited Six Years to Buy a Vacuum Cleaner in Medellín

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January 31, 2019

When I bought my new apartment in 2012, I was ecstatic that it didn’t have wall-to-wall carpeting. Instead, the floors were covered in beautiful, sleek, 24-inch-square, cream-colored, porcelain tiles. Having lived in the New England area of the U.S. my whole life, this was going to be a welcomed change. I realized that this is Read more...: Why I Waited Six Years to Buy a Vacuum Cleaner in Medellín