Dear Melody,

I lived in Costa for two years and ran a business. I loved it and I learned alot about myself and what was important to me. Visiting Costa Rica and living there are two different animals but honeslty you cannot prepare for going through a bit of culture shock once the excitment wheres off a bit. It usually happens at about 1 to 1 1/2 years. If you can get through that -you made it! Most americans don't even know that they are going through it. You can get tired of dealing with infastructure problems and lack of skilled labor and the time it takes to do the simplest things. I don't mean to make it sound bad at all, it's ALL good! But like I said you can't prepare for some of the things that you will deal with. And you don't even realize how ingrained the life of living in the States is in you! It's almost comedy! I mean, I thought I was a tough rough outdoor camping adventure girl...and I am to a degree! But this is not camping! I know that sounds condisending but I don't mean it to be.! And someday when you do move there, you will remember the girl that wrote you this blog and say "OMG" she was SO right! ha!

I tell people this: Here in the States we are mentally challenged (lots of stress re getting ahead, materialism, careers..ect. but we are physically comfortable (appliances and cars usually work and if not we have skilled labor, cheap electricity for air conditioning, lots of choices for food, clothing and anything imaginable) plush towels, sheets and homes. In Costa Rica it's the opposite: You are comfortable mentally (usually) things are slower, people judge you on your character not what you do for a living or how much money you have but you are physcially challenged ie; sweating profusely on a daily basis (which I happen to like because you stay skinny!:) appliances breaking down regularly, as well as cars and not getting things fixed right and having to drive over mountains for supplies (depending on where you live). In Costa Rica, the jungle and nature rule YOU. Here in the States, we do everything possible to rule nature. These are just a few examples that come to mind. I mean it's all an adventure for sure, but sometimes it gets tiring.

My biggest peice of advice is spend some time there before you make the big move. Spend more than just a typical 10 day american holiday traveling the country and decidd where you'd like to live. Once you find it, Rent a house and get to know the community a little ....you will love it I can promise you that! But know that you can not know how it's really going to be! It's my second home and I love it and miss it and plan to return for long visits but I have personally decided at least for now to enjoy the comforts of the States and the people I love that live here.

I wish you the best of luck and I would be happy to answer any questions!

Pura vida!
Fiona