25 October 2011
One of the pleasures of living abroad is starting to see world history and events from another–often radically different–angle. You can start to make that shift pretty much anywhere–reading the local newspaper at your favorite expat cafe, exploring a crumbling castle, or talking politics with the guy who repairs your car with tin foil and [...]
Posted in life abroad0 Comments
11 January 2011
"In the three years I've lived here," writes expat Randall Wood, "I've drunk whiskey with kings, been the victim of a mob throwing coconuts, surfed a couple of decent waves, and rubbed elbows with a culture that three years later, I still barely know and perhaps never will.
Posted in life abroad, true expat tales, world culture1 Comment
01 November 2010
"The first thing you have to understand about moving to Panama," says Miriam Butterman, author of Living Abroad in Panama, "is that you are not so much moving to the 'sticks' as you think you are."
Posted in before you go, life abroad0 Comments
26 August 2010
Critic Grace Lichtenstein said the only thing wrong with the travel memoir Eat, Pray, Love was that it was too much like a Jennifer Aniston movie. Turns out it's actually a Julia Roberts movie, which opened August 13. At least viewers get to hear how Spaniard Javier Bardem pulls off a Brazilian accent.
Posted in life abroad, travel bookshelf, video0 Comments
14 June 2010
The Institute of Cellular Medicine (ICM) in San Jose, Costa Rica, which opened in 2006 and has treated hundreds of people, recently shut down its clinic. Stem cell treatments, which introduce new cells into damaged tissue in order to treat a disease or injury, have both been hailed as the new wave in medicine and [...]
Posted in medical tourism0 Comments
12 May 2010
Our Man in Boquete advises clearing customs in the city of David, where "they probably won't charge you exotic fees like 'Quarantine exemption fee for wooden furniture' or 'Fee for unusually extensive customs inspection' that might (and did) occur at other customs offices."
Posted in before you go7 Comments
27 April 2010
It’s not a decision made lightly, and it’s not, as some might imagine, usually motivated by politics. But more and more expats abroad are giving up their U.S. citizenship, fueled by frustrations over tax and banking questions.
Posted in true expat tales, working abroad0 Comments
21 February 2010
The builder went over budget and there were construction delays, but when the Hideaway Hotel opened its doors in 2008, it all seemed worth it. "Local realtors couldn't believe it," says co-owner Doug Ancel. They said, 'You guys actually opened! So many projects end up unfinished ruins.'"
Posted in true expat tales, working abroad0 Comments
15 February 2010
Costa Rica is known for high-quality medical care at affordable prices. But what's it like to be in the belly of the beast--to be a patient in the country's private and public hospitals? Here, four expats describe their experiences.
Posted in life abroad, medical tourism, true expat tales0 Comments
09 February 2010
On Feb 7th Costa Ricans went to the polls and overwhelmingly elected Laura Chinchilla president for the next 4 years. Chinchilla, who is 50 an has one teenage son, takes office in May.
Posted in world culture1 Comment
