You better Belize it! This is one of the slogans utilized to promote the country of Belize. It is fitting; it is rather unbelievable how easy it is to live in Belize. Living in the smallest capital of the world, Belmopan, which is not exactly the entertainment centre of the universe, was not something I had ever envisaged. In fact, before we moved here from Sri Lanka, my husband did not think I would like to live in this village. People often get offended when I use the word ‘village’ because Belmopan, as the capital of the nation, has city rights.

When we first arrived in Belize a year ago, my husband drove me straight from the airport to Belize City. But I was not impressed by the city, with its run down roads and buildings. Belmopan on the other hand, is quiet, green, relatively clean, and it has a friendly atmosphere. The same atmosphere you can find in San Ignacio, Placencia, Hopkins and Caye Caulker.

Continue reading "Take it Easy in Belize-y"

Guest post submitted by Maggie Jacobus in Costa Rica.





Do you dream of living abroad? If so, what’s holding you back from pursuing that dream?

Many people think they need to wait until retirement, when the kids are out of the house, to pursue that foreign living experience. In fact, doing it with your children just might be the most rewarding, enriching experience of your life…and theirs.

In September 2005 my husband and I packed up our kids—then ages 7, 8 and 10—and moved from the ‘burbs of Wisconsin to the jungles of Costa Rica. We came for a two-year adventure and, 4.5 years later, we remain here for the lifestyle.

Costa Rica is one of the most amazing places to live and raise a family. A tiny country about the size of the US state of West Virginia, Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse places on the earth. What does that mean? A vast variety of incredible nature as well as gorgeous topography that ranges from mountains to oceanfront, tropical rain forests to misty cloud forests. Imagine the explorations to be done together as a family! Continue reading "Living the Dream in Costa Rica"

It didn’t require much thought. I hate winter. I hate cold. I hate big, heavy coats and scarves and gloves and hats. I was young. And the economy was not-so-nice to just out of college English majors with no experience in anything except menial office labor.

I spent the four months directly out of the university in Florida. There’s only so much a young person not from Florida can do in Florida. In October of that year, I boarded a plane with the intention of staying out of the states for a year. Two at the most.

What was I thinking? This culture is contagious.

Here I was, an American girl with a good, solid degree ready to conquer the world. I would travel. I would love freely and muchly. I would fly. I would make money. I would be successful. And perfect. Don’t forget that I’d be perfect. Perfect and rich. And happy. Oh, and I wanted a BMW.

Flash forward five years. I’m still here. Still here in this paradise called the Dominican Republic. The land of no winter called me, seduced me, beckoned me to stay. Convinced me to give up that dream of rich success that meant 9-5 workdays, late night meetings, stress and headache.

This morning I went to the market. I wandered around, baby strapped in her snuggly carrier, looking for fresh fruit. “Ay que linda esa princesa!”Are they talking about me or the baby? Does it matter? Stacks of vegetables, piles of fruit lined the streets. It’s late January and I’m in shorts and a tee-shirt walking around an outdoor market buying fresh, locally grown food. I brought home at least 15 pounds of produce for less than 10 dollars. And to think my friends at home pay top dollar for this. Continue reading "A Day in my Life in the Dominican Republic"