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Sunny days ahead

9 January 2009 2 views 9 Comments

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Vista al Valle Central Yesterday I had to break a sheet of ice off our car & sidewalk. It was frigid. Right now I’m inside and my feet – in socks – are freezing. Yet I am blissful and dreaming of hot, sunny days. Ever since we decided and committed to living our dream and moving to Costa Rica, things have been different. Good different. Our outlook on life changed as we had something to work towards that wasn’t a random deadline to do something personally meaningless. Curiously, my business picked up. We were able to afford the scouting trip. And there was some further good luck in that – I asked for 1 extra week off by mistake and it was approved. After that, it’s been a year pf planning & prep, getting rid of stuff & packing. The latter is a source of stress since we have a ways to go. (Today is a packing day – no work for me)

Along with the stress of packing, we got some good news that makes me incredibly tolerant and oddly fond of the frigid weather. We found a place to live for the next year – a small, organic coffee farm in Atenas, our first choice in the central valley. Atenas is warm, small and quiet. When we walked around the town, we were very happy to see no fast food joints. Chain stores were represented by one business – Musmanni, a bakery. It had the temperature and vibe we were looking for (outside the Caribbean coast). And when we were there we met a likeminded family who we’ve kept in touch with since, and they were a great help by checking the house out for us and giving us an honest review.

And man did we get lucky with the house. We thought we’d rent something similar to what we have now – a small house on a 1/4 acre or less. Instead we get a huge rolling lawn, orange trees, banana trees and a stream. It’s too good to be true, and I have this fear that it’ll go poof at midnight. It’s fully furnished too, which will really help easing into life there. They were ok with our cats, and they’re ok with us raising ducks too (not sure if we’d have the time, but I couldn’t resist asking). The owners are a couple really into the sustainable life -they have 2 compost heaps and solar energy heats the house water. I’m hoping to learn a little something about coffee farming too.

Adding to the joy of the week: I gave notice to my dayjob on Monday. Goodbye wage slavery. Hello reaping the fruits of my own labors. Time to go make some coffee – organic Costa Rican, of course

9 Comments »

Summer said:

Wow, sounds like an amazing place! You did get lucky on the house. I heard there was an earthquake in Costa Rica the other day, hope nothing was damaged.

Summer’s last blog post..Male Circumcision Banned In Demark?

# 9 January 2009 at 10:21 am

Arp (author) said:

There was a big one yesterday – 6.2! There has been damage and deaths are at 13. It was – and still is, due to aftershocks – pretty scary for the peeps there we’re in touch with.

# 9 January 2009 at 10:26 am

Julie said:

CONGRATULATIONS! Giving notice is *such* a big deal – big step, big commitment, just BIG! I’ll bet it feels so good knowing where you’re moving to as well – we always go through a bit of anxiety when we “move” here – not knowing how long it will take to find something, and what it will be like when you do find it. Of course that’s exciting, too…
See you soon!
Julie

# 10 January 2009 at 12:24 am

Arp (author) said:

Thanks! I was a bit stressed about giving notice, but more about the discussion than giving notice itself. That I’ve been itching to do for months. Maybe a couple of years

And knowing where we’re going to be – for more than a month – is a big relief. So is the fact that it’s furnished. The money we’re saving will be put towards a car. We thought we’d be living in a house similar to what we have now (a small ranch) with 1/4 acre yard or less. This also works out since we’ll be quite ready to nest by then.

# 10 January 2009 at 7:43 am

Sarah said:

Congratulations on finding a place! We’ve always liked Atenas. Seems so peaceful and quaint, and great weather too (best in the world, as I’m sure you noticed since they are quite proud of that fact). You’ll also be close to the beach, 45 minutes only, with good traffic conditions. Our fave beaches are in Guanacaste but Jaco/Herradura is certainly nice! My hubby and I also really like Orotina, love all those fruits!

It’s cold here in Idaho as well and the winter still has a long time to linger so I am moving to Costa Rica vicariously through you, lol. We still may take a trip there this spring if we get blessed with some extra cash, meanwhile we are going to try again to sell (read dump) our house and at that point we will be free to return to Costa Rica if that is where the wind blows us.

# 11 January 2009 at 11:58 am

Arp (author) said:

Thanks! We’re looking forward to Atenas a lot. Well, we’re looking forward to all of it! I do hope you’re able to resolve your house situation soon.

# 11 January 2009 at 1:37 pm

Saratica said:

Congratulations! I love hearing how the Universe works like that… all is right with your world. Peace, Saratica

# 12 January 2009 at 12:30 pm

Arp (author) said:

I’m still pinching myself. I’ll stop once the lease is signed and the keys are in our friend’s hands.

# 12 January 2009 at 1:51 pm

Sarah said:

Thanks. We’re going to try to sell again in March at a lower price. We just want to be free to go to Costa Rica if that is what we decide. I hope this is our last winter somewhere cold! We’ll stop by Atenas on our way to the beach and say hello next time we are in the country, which I certainly hope is this year.