Planning life in Paradise !
I can still see the Delta Airlines Terminal clearly, complete with
two tranquilized Pets and lots of luggage in Tow. This was D Day-our
move to Costa Rica, after months of planning, packing and pondering life
in Paradise, not to mention convincing friends and relatives that we had
not completely lost our minds! Who would have thought that our
auspicious moving day would coincide with Hurricane Mitch, preventing us
from reaching our Dream House, due to an impassable mountain road? Alas,
this would be my first test of Survival Skills attained during a cold
March weekend in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, where under the
Tutelage of Tom Brown Junior, I learned the basics of Wilderness
Survival.
Building a fire without matches !
Coincidentally, a recent Edition of Newsweek showcases the current
popularity of Tom’s Tracker School, due in part I’m sure, to that top
rated TV program, where grown adult’s stab each other in the back to
demonstrate their physical and mental superiority. I am certain Tom,
trained in Native American Philosophy would not approve.
So I will save you from the actual harsh experience of searching for
SCAT, AKA. “animal droppings”, building a fire without matches--Tom
Hanks did better than I in that lesson, and instead share with you the
essential elements of Wilderness Survival. Why?
Because Wilderness Survival Skills not only apply to“Survival in
Corporate America…They also are extremely useful tools for a successful
transition to living abroad in Costa Rica. ”
Awareness of environment !
Prior to my weekend of being blindfolded in the woods and searching
for leaves to build a debris hut, my environmental awareness was limited
to cosmopolitan instincts of looking for a new movie playing at the
theatre or the latest sale at the Gap. I would learn that keen
observation of the physical environment is critical to survival in the
outdoors, the corporate world and yes, Costa Rica. Without it, dangers
go unrecognized and rather than being comfortable and at peace in the
environment, we tend to assume the behavior of a running animal, likely
to fall in a ditch, or be caught by the predator. In the corporate
world, environmental assessment includes knowledge of the competition
and changing market demands. When moving to a foreign country awareness
can be even more challenging, due to unfamiliar terrain.
When I met my husband, I told him, a condition of our life together,
was an eventual move to Costa Rica. His logical queston was how often I
had visited? “Never I had simply read the excellent book on retiring
here.” Fortunately it would be 5 years before taking the plunge, but not
without some close calls of buying property which would have been
disastrous for our particular lifestyle. We have a friend assigned to
Costa Rica who is battling a mold allergy, an unknown environmental
hazard to her until the onset of the rainy season. Another was horrified
when she found her pet cat in the belly of boa, and yet another who is
building a Safe Room in his new home after he was robbed while
travelling for an extended period this past summer. Environmental
assessment relates to security considerations, knowledge of plant and
wild-life-a visit to the Serpentarium to identify poisonous serpents is
a good idea, as well as a myriad of details related to daily life,
including a study of Culture, Health Care, Travel Routes and Emergency
Procedures.
When our houseman had a midnight medical emergency, we learned in panic
“running animal” mode, how to get to the Hospital. We now have routes,
alternate routes and all emergency numbers and papers with us at all
times.
One technique we used prior to our move was emailing a list of
questions to some long term residents here, asking them to share their
input and suggestions on everything from whether or not to ship our
furniture to how I was going to battle the Bugs. I really hate bugs! To
this day, I refer to that survey and thank God for those kind people who
shared their surprises and saved us a few.
In the next issue we will continue with additional Survival Skills for
Costa Rica, to help you in adjusting to your all-new lifestyle.
Rosemary and Barry Rein moved to Costa Rica 3 years ago, upon selling
their Boutique Hotels in Philadelphia and Cape May, New Jersey. The Reins
bought their dream home in the mountains of Escazu and now own and operate
Café de Artistas, a local favorite for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon
coffee, located in San Rafael de Escazu.
© El Residente ARCR Administración S.A. San José, Costa Rica N.B. Like
all information on the internet, this article may currently be incorrect
or out of date.
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