Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Some thoughts on Costa Rica

Having been here almost 2 months, here are few things I've noticed living in Tamarindo, Costa Rica:




  • It's hot here, like Africa hot. Costa Rica has 27 different micro climates and we live in the Guanacaste region, more specifically on the coast. There are 2 seasons in this region, the dry season and the rainy season. Mid April starts to get into the rainy season and it lasts until November. I'm actually looking forward to the rain as today was the first day since we've been here that it's been cloudy. It's been Sunny and 95+ every single day, and it cools down to about 75 at night. Most, including myself, would think that's perfect, but it's time for some rain. From what I hear, it doesn't rain all the time during the rainy season, especially the first 5 months or so. A stray shower during the day or at night is expected, then towards October and November it rains throughout the day.
  • In Atlanta we would have to drive 10 minutes to get to one restaurant, here we can walk 10 minutes and have access to over 50 restaurants . . . strange. 
  • The sun rises around 5am and sets around 6pm every single day throughout the year. Honestly, I wish the days were longer, but I guess it's something I'll have to get used to.
  • There are no addresses here, so mail isn't delivered to your house. You can setup an PO box at the post office, but I love not getting mail, more specifically junk mail. 
  • Apparently it's common for the water to go out all day at least once a week here. This takes some preparation and getting used to, but still sucks every time it happens.
  •  It's been 55 days since I've put on a pair of socks.

Good Friends

Some good friends of ours asked me to take some photos of them on the beach yesterday. They are leaving for the States tomorrow, but plan to move down here in a few months. Thanks Micheal, Jill and James for the opportunity!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Surfing Part 2

This is my third time surfing - first time without an instructor. I recommend an instructor.


Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Surfing

Went surfing today for the first time ever. The verdict is: Ocean 1 - Stephen 0, it kicked my butt!!! But we rented the board for a week and will be going back everyday. I will get my vengeance, in this lifetime or another.

BTW Max loves to watch.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Cost of Living Update


Red peppers: 40 cents
I remember paying $5 for 2 at Publix!

Coffee: $3.80
And this is no ordinary coffee, Costa Rica has some of the best coffee in the world!

Six pack of Corona: $12
Looks like I'll stick to coffee!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Cost of Living Update

Pineapples: $1.60
These pineapples are amazing, they don't have any bitterness to them at all, it's pure sweetness!

Maid service: $3/hr
We felt so bad for only paying that much so we agreed to pay for her transportation, but that turned out to be $2 a day.

Gas: $5.87 a gallon
Yikes, this is why people take the bus for a dollar.