Moving to Costa Rica

A Very Costa Rican Day.

By |2012-10-26T19:06:20+13:00October 26th, 2012|Adventure, Family|

Today we received our Cedulas in the mail, the ID cards that designate us as Costa Rican permanent residents. Today the Costa Rican bureaucracy, rightly earning its legendary reputation, spent an hour and a half stonewalling me over the legibility of an unnecessary stamp on a translation of my marriage certificate. Today I spent an [...]

Costa Rican Permanent Residents.

By |2016-12-29T12:58:05+13:00October 15th, 2012|Adventure, Family|

We went to San Jose last week to finalize the paperwork for our Residency status. In 2011, we came to Costa Rica while Johanna was five months pregnant. Because we were having a baby in Costa Rica, all first-level relatives (parents and siblings) of a Costa Rican citizen are eligible to apply for Permanent Residency. [...]

The Birth of our Son.

By |2016-12-26T14:54:53+13:00January 10th, 2012|Family, Introspection|

Taos Gibson MacTavish Huntress. Born on January 8, 2012 at 11:11 am. 7 lbs, 7 ounces, 20 inches long. Taos @ 6 hours old. Taos was born at home, in an unassisted waterbirth. Johanna began having contractions on my birthday, Saturday night, around 10 pm. After five hours, the contractions stopped completely, so we slept [...]

Leaving America

By |2011-10-23T07:00:48+13:00October 23rd, 2011|Adventure|

Photo by Psovart I've left my home country. I went through a grieving period where I had to finally face my expatriation as a citizen, as a member of the collective that is America. The mourning lasted about a half an hour. But still, it was tough, to face those realities that I [...]

Live, in Costa Rica!

By |2011-08-03T14:55:31+12:00August 3rd, 2011|Adventure|

Finally, we are Home. This is our house. We live on top of a mountain called Tierra del Verano; Summerland. At the bottom of the mountain path (100 meters long, and 125 meters down from our house) is the highway that connects San Isidro, the 2nd largest city in the country, and Dominical, one of [...]

Shedding Stuff and Juggling Drunk

By |2011-06-27T08:59:49+12:00June 27th, 2011|Introspection|

I lost my backpack this weekend. And it didn’t even phase me. I’m a Capricorn. I am notoriously addicted to stuff. While not exactly a hoarder, I could easily be called a collector…and maybe even an over-packer. I like to be well stocked and supplied. Okay, I’m a hoarder. When we move to Costa Rica [...]

One Beer Belly, Please.

By |2011-06-14T15:06:52+12:00June 14th, 2011|Introspection|

I have made the decision to acquire a beer gut. This decision was not come by lightly. I am supposed to be doing P90X this season, but with starting a new business, selling all my worldly possessions, and preparing for a move across the continent, devoting an hour or two every day to my fitness [...]

Don’t Gimme Shelter

By |2011-05-12T10:04:22+12:00May 12th, 2011|Introspection|

The mindset of Western and European people is fundamentally influenced by our crappy weather. When I want to take my kids out of doors, we have to hunt for a large list of essential clothing: Coats Shoes Socks Baby Legs (but my 5 year old insists we call them “leggings,” and if I call [...]

Repatriating for Health Care

By |2016-12-26T14:57:43+13:00May 5th, 2011|Costa Rica, Family, Introspection|

Like many Americans, I have gone bankrupt because of our for-profit health insurance system. Unlike most Americans, I am leaving the system altogether, and coming to Costa Rica. International moves are expensive, but the cost of repatriation dwarfs the risk of becoming financially crippled for simply getting sick. My daughter has a pre-existing condition. She is four years old. There is a cyst on [...]

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