Life in a new country
We have finally settled into our new temporary home in Costa Rica. It is a cozy little place, maybe 600 square feet of living space nestled about 1.5km into the mountains/jungle. We have a good amount of privacy which is nice because it is completely open except for the bathroom and bedroom which is mostly windows that can be open or closed depending on rain and the season. The view from this place is absolutely breath taking! We can see the some of the jungle and then it is ocean as far as the eye can see until it meets the sky line. The kitchen, bar area and a little sitting area only has a roof over it only railings for walls so the breeze from the ocean runs carries right through the house, but there are also fans to keep the bugs away and for really muggy days.
I'm starting to figure out that life is more about the journey than it is about the destination. Moving to a foreign country where you don't know the language can be rather scary. The little things that you take for granted aren't so easy at all, things like asking for directions, getting a cell phone set up, reading a menu and ordering food can be really difficult. We have found there to be many challenges (mostly because of language barriers) but we are coming up with clever ways to get around them every day, it is a bit stressful but we are figuring it all out. Finding solutions to problems I never even thought of has really forced me to think outside the box.
I have learned that Americans take a lot of things for granted that aren't so regular in other countries. First thing that comes to mind is the water situation. Hot water is not something you can find everywhere here, we are in a nicer (american style) home right now for our transition and although "we have hot water" it comes and goes as it pleases so we don't really get a hot shower for more than a minute or so before it goes freezing cold, there are many swings in the water temperature so its best to get in and out as fast as possible. There is almost a drought going on because of hot season and most of the water comes from natural springs so water sometimes gets spotty since it is nearly fall here so the leaves clog up the water lines that go to the homes. Also, we can not flush any kind of toilet paper down the toilet, so that has been a bit weird for us. I am told that this is normal in many other countries but I had never heard of that anywhere in the states, we Americans are apparently really spoiled when it comes to our water and wastewater situation. I won't be taking that for granted anymore!
Another things is electricity, although that is common around here, it is not very reliable, the power goes in and out multiple times a day and it is extremely expensive so most people don't bother using to much of it. Internet is becoming more common by the day and we get 3g and sometimes even 4g on our phones, but if you want wifi you are going to have some headaches. Not only is it spotty at best but it is nearly impossible to get routers/modems or anything for the networks out here. We are told people wait at least multiple months and even up to a year to get their wifi hooked up.
Driving in this country is crazy to say the least, people don't ever have to learn how to drive they just apply for a license and then receive it. No one really stops at stop signs, in fact a lot of times they don't even yield. No one follows "speed limits" and we just learned turning on a blinker doesn't mean you are going to turn, it means it is safe to pass on a one lane road! LoL, obviously something that can get extremely dangerous if you don't know and are about to turn left! I could go on for days about the drivers but I won't bore you.
All and all I really can't complain, there are many things in I have to get use to but nothing that is terrible. Like I said, us Americans are just spoiled with all of our amenities. I have no problem giving some of that up to live a relaxed life with amazing organic food and wonderful people. I think we will do just fine here, living the pure life (Pura Vida)!
It's been so much fun vicariously following you along on your big adventure. What a neat house! I can't imagine having it all be open like that!
Oh wow! Sounds SO much like us here in Mexico. Yes...funny though how we LOVE not having SO much stuff. Makes you appreciate when you do have good electricity and such. We just bought a quad to get around, the police allow it. We see parents holding their babies as they drive. Doesn't matter. Everyone is SO beyond friendly and yes, the food is so fresh and good. I guess it all depends what you want in life...for us, its to be surrounded by more REAL TRUE people and love than having to work for so much stuff!
All these Latin American countries are pretty similar. We live in Panama and have a lot of the same issues and I used to live in Mexico as well. Where do you live there? I was in Toluca near Mexico City (and I was there practically every weekend). It's like my heart-land! :) I'm going to check out your blog.
Thank you...right now we are traveling in an RV around Mexico. Was in San Carlos and now in Mazatlan. Lo de Marco nest followed by Lake Chapalla!
What took you to Panama? That's a big skip away!
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Hey gringo. :) We have the blinker to let you know it's clear as well here. And the spotty electricity at times. And missing water during dry season. And the problems with internet (it took us 6 weeks to get it at home). And the language confusion (although I speak Spanish). It's fun and an Amazing Race type adventure to move to a new country! We flush toilet paper, although I'm not sure it's the smartest thing to do. We weren't supposed to do it in Mexico either. Apparently the pipes are smaller or something like that. This post is great fun - I love seeing the similarities CR and Panama have. Have you found the roads to be horrible? When we went on our honeymoon in 2006, they were horrendous! Like dirt roads everywhere! We are thankful to live on a paved road off of a paved road off of the main road here. Most of our friends live off of dirt roads. The place looks REALLY nice!! Pura Vida.
Actually the roads are really nice here! I guess in 2012 they started redoing them and we haven't found any main roads to be bad except in San Jose. We are in a house that is off a gravel road but even this road is pretty decent for what it is. We see a lot of road construction going on and it appears they are starting to fix bridges too. The roads in Wisconsin where I use to live are much worse than these, lol.. there are still quite a few dirt/gravel roads off the main roads but we havent ventured to far off the main areas just yet.
Oh nice!! I'm glad the roads are so much better. That was the WORST on our honeymoon. So glad they invested in roads! In 2006, pretty much every road was dirt with major potholes. To all the tourist places. We even went out to Punta Islita and to get out there, you had to drive in the ocean during low tide. It was insane. I wonder if they've done anything there...
Been waiting to hear how it went. Happy your there and keep with the updates.
Weird... no toilet paper flushing, ehh? That's definitely strange. They do not have typical septic systems or tanks? I'd love to be up in the mountains like you seem to be, but does that make the mosquito issue worse?
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That looks amazing! I'm glad you're getting settled in.
Oh wow what a view! It looks like a cute place to settle for awhile...despite the issues with water...electricity and internet I can imagine the simplicity is entirely freeing. All that fresh air and healthy food has me a little bit envious! <3
Yay! You made it, how are the pups? The place is great and you are doing great! yeah the hot water thing and a lot of other things in overseas life is so different but you are going to love it. Be well! xx Eagle