On August 30, I marked my one-year anniversary of living in Costa Rica. To celebrate, I threw myself a party!

Most gringos I’ve met passed their one-year mark without fanfare. Many didn’t even notice the calendar date. I’ve tracked the time because on August 30, 2005, I left my life as I knew it – married, homeowner, living in the Retirement State of Florida – to start a new chapter in my life as a single woman, renter, adventurer in Costa Rica. I have no regrets.

In only 12 short months, I have cobbled together an enjoyable life for myself. I have made many friends along the way, and released a few that didn’t fit my values or lifestyle.

I have learned enough Spanish to carry on conversations with Latino friends. I have embraced the Costa Rican culture. I live comfortably and joyfully as the only gringa in a Tico neighborhood.

I had to move to Costa Rica to discover a passion: I love teaching English as a foreign language. I enjoy working with each of my students. I get wrapped up in their efforts; their successes are mine, too.

In the United States, I didn’t make much time to enjoy nature. Here, every time I walk out my front door I recognize how beautiful my yard is, adorned with tropical fruit trees, shrubs and flowers, and herbs for cooking.

I don’t have to traverse the country to spot colorful birds  two scarlet macaws, two green parrots, a dozen parakeets and hummingbirds make their home in my garden.

I am healthy and in the best physical shape I’ve been in for years. I can’t remember the last decade I could fit into a size 4, yet that’s the pants size I bought last.

The weather is so ideal here that I walk 4-5 mornings a week for 35-50 minutes. Half a dozen regular passersby and I greet each other with “Buenos Dias.”

Every day is an adventure. I never know when I’ll meet an interesting person, eat a new fruit or a Costa Rican dish, or understand part of a TV show in Spanish.

Learning Latin dancing has added a kinesthetic element to my life. I salsa around the house to my new music CDs, and I’m always looking for a new place to go dancing. This week my dance class is celebrating two birthdays by going out to kick up our heels.

If you are wondering what your life would be like if you were to move to Costa Rica, you won’t really know until you get here. Daily adventures can’t be planned, only enjoyed.

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Written by Margie Davis

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.