Day 1 in San Jose, Costa Rica

This morning at 4am, I blew into Boston Logan airport.

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One 20” carry on duffle

One backpack

my precious laptop, three dayglow bathing suits, metallic sandals, a tank top or two, four sundresses, 54 malaria pills, and my most recent read: “The Bedwetter” by Sarah Silverman.

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All for two and a half months of living in and loving on Central America.

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After much worldly research, extensive browsing of every travel website and magazine, I chose Central America for seven [undeniably] practical reasons:

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Reason 1: Natural beauty and warm, sunny weather: an exquisite balance of beach and jungle and happiness.

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Reason 2: Affordability: The cost of living in Central America is wildly inexpensive when compared to all the beachy-exotic locations I’ve traveled to around the world. It is also half as cheap to rent housing as the very cheapest apartment I’ve held in the United States. Borrowing someone’s home in Costa Rica, especially for an extended period of time as I’ve chosen to do, is more affordable than all of my summers in Cape Cod, combined.
Reasons 3-5: Affordability.
Reason 6: Affordability.
Reason 7: An irrational and uncontainable affection for movies such as “The Beach” and “Blue Crush.” Judge me.

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The itinerary:

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February 2012: Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica (the eastern coast) where I’ve rented a small home on the beach with my love, Camille. 

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March 2012: Bocas del Toro, Panama where I’ll be living in a jazzed up tree house in the jungle with my love, Camille.

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April 1-13 2012: Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (the western coast) where I’ll be bungalow-ing with my love, Camille.

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The ultimate goals of this trip:

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To finish penning my memoir in a land of limited distraction. This is nearing the  entirety of my focus.

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To explore and joy-seek. Always.

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50 thoughts on “Day 1 in San Jose, Costa Rica

  1. Lilian

    So sad we didn’t catch up before you left, so happy you’re on a tropical sabbatical. Best wishes with writing, and have fun exploring and seeking joy!

    Reply
  2. johnny

    Soak it all in and live it to the fullest! Don’t hold back because you only pass this way once! Always be kind, generous, and loving and all the fullness this life has to offer you will be yours. I will pray for you every day! :)

    Reply
  3. Lanae

    I have a friend currently visiting Costa Rica and she told me about the little monkeys that sound like a freight train. I hope you get to see monkeys! This is going to be fun reading every morning. Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply
  4. Lu

    Squee!! Home sweet home for me. I know that you are going to have a wonderful time. If you need anything while you are in Costa Rica please send me an email. I have tons of family and friends there still and it’s always nice to have a safety net. Oh, and go to the West Coast if you get the chance, and the Arenal Volcano! The volcanoes cannot be missed. Arenal has natural hot springs and a spa. Who’s Camille?

    Reply
  5. Sarah

    You lucky girl! My boyfriend and I travelled to Costa Rica just a few weeks ago and had a WONDERFUL time! We spent only 10 days there, but could have easily spent 2-1/2 months! It is now on my retirement home wish-list. We spent 3 night near Volcan Arenal and if you have the time, swing through, talk to locals, and find the *free* hot spring locations (there were fireflies! also beware, some of the resorts HEAT their water – lame!). We spent 3 nights near the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve which was awesome, but not warm and beach-y. Manuel Antonio was THE BEST, and not just because the ocean is as warm as bath water (here in Cali, the Pacific Ocean is fah-reezing) and the monkeys come out to greet your every sunrise and sunset. Have a blast! I hope you find time to write your book, our days were filled with exploring! Good luck!

    Reply
  6. Lea @ Healthy Coconut

    Wow Andrea…what a wonderful adventure this is. I’m so happy for you. When I read this post, I thought of Eat Pray Love, traveling and writing….but in a different light and context.

    I look forward to reading your daily adventures.

    Once, part of my job was to take care of some hotels we had in Costa Rica and when I would receive pictures from the property, looking at it from my cubicle here in California…..those pictures made me day dream all day long. And to think….you are there right now. Live it up!!!

    Reply
  7. Jillian

    Oh my heart is filled with such joy for you and your adventures. It will burst, I’m sure of it! Please breathe every breath with a happy smile on your face. Seattle will miss you and your warmth.

    Reply
  8. Michele

    Have a wonderful adventure! How lucky you are to explore the world while writing your book. Don’t be too distracted! and be SAFE! i look forward to your updates…

    Reply
  9. Amanda V

    I’m so excited for you and for the blog! I will be living vicariously through your lovely photos and stories, pretending I am speaking Spanish and listening to the ocean.. :) Hope you have a wonderful time!

    Reply
  10. Matt

    Go to Arenal for me. I’m going there with my wife in July. It’d be really cool of you to let me know how it is.

    There’s a volcano there, if that’s any sort of motivation.

    Reply
  11. Kristen

    You won’t regret this decision. Last year, my husband and I sold most of our “things”, put our 2 kids under 2 years old on our back, and pulled 2 suitcases behind us to leave rainy Seattle and move to beautiful Costa Rica. It’s been a life changing experience and one that will influence our “forever.”
    You’ll love Manuel Antonio. We actually just walked in the door 30 minutes ago from spending the day there. Enjoy!
    Maybe we’ll run into you. ;)

    Reply
  12. Lindsay

    I am going to sound like the most nosey person, but I thought that you were in a serious relationship with someone in Seattle? Did you break up with him? I might have totally missed that. :-/

    Reply
  13. erica

    Have a joy-filled, awe-inspiring, soul-filling and food tasting time! I’m rather jealous as this is something I would love to do. Can’t wait to hear about your journey and everything you discover, xoxo

    Reply
  14. The Costa Rica Star

    It looks like you had a lot of fun in Costa Rica. The good news is for next time, unless you are going to Guanacaste in the North, you will not need to bring Malaria Pills as there simply isn’t any Malaria to be concerned about in the San Jose Valley. Your photography was nice to see as well, there is a Zoo in Alajuela Costa Rica you should check out next time for some awesome travel shots.

    Reply
  15. Marisol

    Andie, great to know you are already here in CR!
    Please let me know if you are back in San José at some point during your trip, I’d love to meet with you :)

    Pura Vida!

    Reply
  16. Shal

    Hey Andie! This is amazing!! Just curious to ask what job you have at home that allows you so much time off. Or is your main job the blog and other media related channels? Have a great time, I am a new reader of your blog and love your outlook on food and health!

    Reply
    1. admin

      Hi Shal!
      Thanks so much. I’m a writer and event planner so all of my work is done on the computer. Luckily, I’m able to work remotely :)
      I’m currently writing two books for Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House.
      Great to meet you!
      Andie

      Reply
  17. jess

    This sounds amazing, and I am incredibly jealous. You will love Manuel Antonio (how could you not?) Amazing beaches and wildlife, not to mention such fresh and delicious food.

    I’ve known and met several people who have run away to Costa Rica to finish various writing projects, and I am quite jealous!

    Reply
  18. Camara

    Please don’t publish this. OMG I can’t wait to see Camille for some reason I picture her blonde. I don’t know why, but I seriously do and I’m so happy that my Boston girl has a “love” that is such a sweet and subtle way to tell the world about her. I think you are wonderful and it’s not just because your a hometown gal or that you and I are both our mother’s sweet baby it’s because you remind me so much of myself before I had my son. You make me miss the old, adventurous me that I was 3 years old. I hope to get her back.

    PS Can you believe the Pats? OMG I was so mad! Luv ya, Camara

    Reply
  19. Amber

    I am so excited for you to go to Bocas del Toro!!! I lived there for a little over 3 months last year (Sept-Dec) and loved loved loved it. Sooo much good food there, both local cuisine (Restaurant Chitre- comida de pollo for lunch is the best you’ll have) and more trendy (Ultimo Refugio- menu changes daily and it’s all delicious!!!). I cannot wait to hear about your adventures. And remember, Bocas is a place where you fall in love, whether it’s with another person, yourself, or Bocas itself, I guarantee you will fall
    truly
    madly
    deeply
    in love.

    Reply
  20. AdrienneCarolyn

    I am so excited for you to be in Bocas del Toro and Manual Antonio!! I’ve been to both places and they are HEAVEN. Those places will change you for the better!! Enjoy every second!

    Reply

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