Flea Markets In Ireland…Health Care In Guatemala…International School In Costa Rica…
June 9, 2009
"I was thinking of you on Sunday, Kathleen," writes Overseas Retirement Letter Editor-in-Chief Lynn Mulvihill from her native Waterford, Ireland.
"We went to offload some junk at a car boot sale, and I fell for a couple of antique weighing scales (complete with weights). I didn't set out looking for anything like that on this morning, but they got my attention.
"And they taught me that you have to move quickly if something catches your eye. We lost out on the scales, as well as two pictures of Waterford City quay by taking our time, turning our backs on what seemed like a very laid-back Sunday morning market. Five minutes later, when we went back to inquire on the price, they were gone.
"I'm going to go back next week to see if maybe there's another set of scales on offer and to do more research. I'd like to cover the local farmer's markets and car boot and antique sales in my ORL feature on retiring to Ireland that I'm planning for later in the year."
Meantime, the June 15 issue of the Overseas Retirement Letter is in production as I write. Featured this month: The Costa Tropical, the little-known, quieter, and more Spanish of the Mediterranean costas in the province of Andalusia (or Andalucía, in Spanish). It lies to the east of the infamous Costa del Sol and to the west of the desert-like Costa Almeria (Spaghetti Western country).
As Correspondent Lucy Culpepper explains in her issue: "The Costa Tropical's position between the brilliant blue Mediterranean and the soaring Sierra Nevada Mountains, rising to 10,000 feet just 62 miles inland, creates a sub-tropical climate where bananas, papayas, and mangoes flourish.
"Attracting visitors for its climate, beaches, and impressive scuba diving, it also makes a great base to explore inland Andalusia and the beautifully preserved white villages of the Alpujarras, Granada's mesmerizing Alhambra Palace, and the Sierra Nevada National Park. Plus, Morocco is easily accessible from here..."
Lucy's full report will be in subscriber's e-mailboxes June 15. If you're not a subscriber already, become one here now.
"I picked up an ear infection last week," writes Guatemala Correspondent Michael Paladin," possibly from a bad pina colada.
"So, yesterday morning, I was off to the doctor's office, a few blocks away. I thought I'd stop by to ask for an appointment later in the week.
"'Would you care to see the doctor right now?" the receptionist asked.
"Five minutes later, after a quick inspection of the 65-year-old hulk (me), I was out the door, prescription in hand. Cost? US$25 for the exam, then US$36 for the antibiotics.
"Try doing that with your HMO or primary-care physician. I love this place."
"In yesterday's Mailbag, a reader asked about options for international-standard elementary education in English near a beach," writes Costa Rica Correspondent David Stubbs.
"Here's one: The Guanacaste Campus for the Country Day School here in Costa Rica, www.cdsgte.com.
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