Costa Rica- What's to Like

Costa Rica chose us, we didn't choose Costa Rica. The truth is, even when I was married my wife and I were talking about downsizing. We had the house, cars, motorcycles, leather couches blah, blah, blah, and we were SO over it. It started like it usually does- drinking with friends. Complaining and whining about being caught up in society's expectations and hype of always 'needing' something and how we would gladly give it all up and live the simple life somewhere else. Of course, the next day we went to our jobs- the night before barely remembered.

But then we won that house in Fiji, opportunity seemed to be telling us something. So, wife and kids to Fiji, me, out of the closet doing the 'gay' thing, but so ready to chuck it all as well. Two years pass by, my wife was doing her thing in Fiji and D'Angelo and myself finally had the opportunity to make our move- and we did.

I love Costa Rica... and for many reasons. I think everyone knows the country is beautiful, if you don't, then well.... and that's major for me, I love the outdoors, the wildlife, the vegetation, the rain, the tranquility of it all. Sitting on a porch watching Volcan Arenal do its thing, literally, I could spend hours. The beauty of Costa Rica may be my top 5 or 6 reasons for being here, or at least staying here. Obviously, I have to mention the money factor, as it's possible to live here for about a third of the price. I also realize I don't need 'things' in my life to define me. I like that. I like our barely furnished 2 bedroom apartment. I find it refreshing gazing out our window which overlooks the park, watching Tico's take advantage of a beautiful day. Kicking around a soccer ball with their kids, enjoying a picnic lunch with friends and family, socializing, talking, enjoying each others company. Free time to a tico is family and friends time. Costa Rica is what the United States was back in the '50's and '60's. You may say that's a bad thing, but in the areas of family life and socialization, you wouldn't have an argument. Costa Ricans ARE simple people and once you leave San Jose, this is obvious. Let me put it another way- Americans are mostly stupid because they are surrounded by information and experience that should lead them, to at least, a certain 'understanding' of things, but NOOO- their refusal to open their eyes is unbelievable to me. I find this stupidity unbearable to be around, but I find 90% of people stupid so.... I know this doesn't offend, because no one thinks they're in the 90%...hehe. At least in Costa Rica there's reasons for their ignorance. Again, out of the San Jose area, and this is obvious. I'm just speaking the truth. At least here they don't really fake it. They are what they are. You know what you're getting. I like that. I think I'll stay.

If you need Costa Rica Travel Information then CHECK OUT our travel guide at: Travel Costa Rica NOW and see all our Costa Rica Travel Tip Videos on YouTube.

La Fortuna Costa Rica- Gotta Start Somewhere pt 2

I swear, I WILL get to more relevant topics about Costa Rica that you the reader actually care about, but just need to finish up the story of how we got here and decided to stay. Bare with me-

We moved right into the resort we're part owners in- Palo Verde Resort (pic on the right). It's sits almost at the base of Volcan Arenal in La Fortuna and comes with stunning views, and is surrounded by lush vegetation and howler monkeys- we're so excited to jump into our new life. So, we end up making a contract for us to manage the place. The major share holder, the guy I met in Vegas, had been running the place, and how do I put this delicately- he is not the manager type, but he seemed aware that this was the case. Without complaining, whining, or saying how we were deceived, I'll just say- things didn't work out. Luckily it only took us about 4 months to realize we were basically deceived and somewhat manipulated- I did in fact trust him and did think we were friends, so I did believe what he told me. The positive part about this story is our investment into the place and the buying of the land was actually a great deal for us. To this day we still own a 'piece' of Palo Verde, a quarter acre lot and its still a great investment. We just don't have anything really to do with it. Tensions had gotten so bad, we had to leave the resort (which we wanted to do). But this was a big shift, we didn't really have an option B. We had sold everything to make this happen........

Now what? Dreams crushed? Do we move back to the States with our tails between our legs? I think not and actually it was never an option- that was almost 3 years ago. We moved to the center of La Fortuna, right next to the park. We have a small apartment overlooking the park- and it's great. But what do we do now as we are not wealthy and we need to make money. I'll get to that later....

What't this mean to YOU? In your decision to make a major move, you really do need an option B, C, D, and probably an E just to be on the safe side. Things don't always work out as planned, especially here, where you run into A LOT of unanticiapted obstacles- especially in the areas of shading gringos, shady investments, shady tico's looking to take advantage (gringo pricing), and just plain bad information that could not have been foreseen. Looking back I'm not sure I would have done anything different, like I said, the investment was sound and it wasn't a 'shady' deal- and I really thought we were kindered spirits of sorts. But the BEST part- I (we) live in Costa Rica and I (we) wouldn't have it any other way.

If you need Costa Rica Travel Information then CHECK OUT our travel guide at: Travel Costa Rica NOW and see all our Costa Rica Travel Tip Videos on YouTube.

La Fortuna Costa Rica- Gotta Start Somewhere pt. 1

I've been wanting to blog for the longest, but except for myspace which was so 5 years ago, had some other things to accomplish first. But now I am ready.

I think if people are going to invest time in reading your blog, they need to know at least a little about who's doing the blogging- a little personal background. I will attempt to be as brief as possible, but my life, so far, has been quite interesting, but anyways.....

I was married for 20 years (technically, I'm still married, but that's another story) I have 2 children, a boy- matthew (24) and a girl- Brittany (22). Unfortunately, the GAY thing got in the way of the marriage and we've been broken up now for 6 years (although she wanted to remain married- also another story). I'm gay, and can go back to the earliest of times, but I don't wear FAG* on my shoulder and it is a small part of who I am- I have brown hair as well if you get my meaning. I came to grips with it many years ago and really am quite over it. No disrespect intended, but don't really care what others think, life is too short. So, from time to time, I might mention gay stuff as it relates, or depending, but that's it. This is NOT a gay perspective blog ( but Do'in Gay Costa Rica IS) about living in Costa Rica as a gringo gay man, although from time to time...

In 2001, my family and I were on a reality show called 'Under One Roof,' and I will probably get into that more at a later time, but we won. And we won a big ass house on an island in Fiji. Afterwards, my wife, son and daughter basically spent the next few years making a go of it- working on yachts, crewing, traveling around Australia and New Zealand, living the life. We won a house, but our family had gotten quite dysfunctional after the show (also you guessed it- another story). I stayed in Las Vegas and came WAY out of the closet- even worked part time at a gaybar. Hooked up with the guy I'm still with, D'Angelo, in 2004. When I was bartending a guy came in and told me he owned a resort in Costa Rica. I'm thinking so what. But he came in 2 more nights, showed me DVD's of his place and invited me down. Honestly I thought he had other plans, but after months of e-mailing ("hey, how's vegas?" - "hey, how's Costa rica?" I decided to visit. Just to make sure, I asked him if I could bring D'Angelo, just so he wouldn't be 'thinking' anything. Long story short: after 2 weeks of seeing the country- bought ownership (small percentage) of the resort, bought some land, went back to vegas, sold everything, and me and D'Angelo moved here for good in November 2005.

If you need Costa Rica Travel Information then CHECK OUT our travel guide at: Travel Costa Rica NOW and see all our Costa Rica Travel Tip Videos on YouTube.