I first bought a lot of land in a Costa Rican jungle eco-village with my then-husband sixteen years ago for Reasons--some of which no longer apply.

As a harried young mother, I wanted more community, companionship, and time spent together with our little family. Even more, (even sixteen years ago), (even as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces), I felt little connection to my country of birth.

Especially after watching Michael Moore's Sicko in 2007, eighteen years ago.

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Especially now, with the racism and hate and tyranny running this country.

Why stay when people I love are afraid, and their rights are steadily stripped from them?

The cost of living was a main reason for us to move. Still is. But with the global economy doing what it's doing, and costs rising everywhere, the idea that our money will go farther in Costa Rica than here is less true every day.

However, the land is already purchased; Our rent will be less than a third of our current mortgage payments; and once our home is built, we'll have no housing costs at all. And that's something.

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Over a decade ago, I was in a healing meditation with an energy worker and I saw myself in Costa Rica, feet on the jungle soil, roots growing deep. I knew in my cells that living in Costa Rica would be healthy for me. More than healthy. Life sustaining. Like that one character from the show Lost that arrived to the island with terminal cancer but knew she was healed, as long as she stayed there.

And, to be honest, that's my current driving Why.

The (supernatural?) healing factor of the Pura Vida lifestyle. The slower tranquilo pace. The warmth of the sun and the people. (Did you see that Netflix show about centenarians and Costa Rica having one of the world's Blue Zones?)

Is Costa Rica my soul place?

If we didn't already have land there, probably we'd be looking elsewhere, so, I don't think so. But it's certainly not here in the U.S.

And so, we go. In December. Ojala. Inşallah.

I'm going to start documenting our journey to Pura Vida here and on Instagram. Starting now. There is much to do. I hope you'll follow along. And if you know anyone interested in Costa Rica, Moving out of the U.S., Epic Road Trips, Driving Through Multiple Countries, Immigration, or Writing Hybrid Memoirs, please forward this newsletter to them.

And come visit my Instagram page @valerieihsan.​

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