I’ve never actually been called a princess. Neurotic workaholic? Yes. Stress case? Uh-huh. Then, in August 2009, I landed in tiny Playas del Coco, Costa Rica, with blond highlights, stilettos and severe bug phobia. And princess I was dubbed.
In no time, I was blissfully stripped of all of that nonsense (except for the highlights), settled into a life of Spanish classes, drinking on my neighbor’s stoop and sunset walks on the beach. I slept with a machete under my bed yet slept through the night for the first time in my life. All the while, I freelance wrote for more than 20 magazines world-wide. My small celeb news agency, All Star Reports, grew — despite my covering Hollywood remotely from a beach in Central America. I promise you, anything is possible!
Then all of a sudden, while I was vacationing in Nicaragua with what was quite possibly the most fun group of people I’d ever traveled with, I got an email that changed everything. A dream job. Back in Las Vegas.
Back to the neon jungle for me!
I firmly believe that you can talk and talk and complain and empathize with others, but to change your life, you must actually change … your … life.
Even though I’m back in the city… and pueblos, rainy season and roaming roosters seem a world away, I will still have big adventures in my life.Whether you’re a princess in the jungle or a princess daydreaming of jungle-worthy adventures, come along with me for the ride.
I often feel split in two — I love the excitement and career satisfaction that I get as editor-in-chief of Vegas magazine, but man, I miss the big adventures. I yearn for the “good life” and will again live it, I know. But for now I’m riding the “fast” life. Does anyone else feel like they’re straddling two worlds? Join me as I navigate the path of someone who longs for both — and sometimes gets it.
Follow me on Twitter! Don’t be shy,
Abby Tegnelia
Or, email me! ategnelia@hotmail.com
Disclosure Policy
Surviving in the tough world of full-time writing does mean that I diversify. This blog, while a passionate labor of love, does help bring in some income. Companies may sponsor a post, which you will see identified at the bottom of a story. Sponsored posts will be clear as day, marked and identified. If an entry does not in any way indicate sponsorship, it means the blog post was not provided by the venue in return for blog exposure.
All opinions are my own.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for reading!
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29 Comments
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! So proud of you!!!!
YOUR a new woman! Umm, machete under the bed and ok with bugs, my jaw is dropped! So excited to follow you via blog
so cool. and now that i am in LA send me that key – your shoes are lonely
xo
you’re my hero.
I can vouch that Abby is truly a woman of the wilderness. While in Costa Rica, she saved me from scores of howler monkeys, scorpiders, and even the occasional centipede. She is also familar with various insect genus. When not classifying the wildlife, she is an expert suntanner and organizer–able to arrange her work, classes, and beach schedule as to not miss a single Happy Hour!! A true Gringitica in the making! Pura Vida!
you go, abby…great site…see you tuesday for yoga..linda
omg…you are too fabulous for words in my eyes
I love you
p.s. – I might, MIGHT MIGHT MIGHT be looking at coming down for spring break….thoughts ?
Ummm… did Daniel mention that he may be coming down with me?? Could you handle that?
Will you guys PLEASE come?!
Couldn´t agree more. People always ask me when I will pick a country and stay there and my response is well probably never or at least anytime soon. As you know this is my second time living in Costa Rica and I have lived in 4 other countries not including my own natal land for the past 11 years. Is always nice to meet and commiserate with someone else who gets it! Staying in one place is nice for some, while others can´t get traveling and adventure out of our systems! I have met so many amazing people in the past 11 years throughout my escapades abroad and you are on the top of that list! I look forward to reading more from you! Thankfully you packed up the stilettos because you wouldn´t want to break an ankle on the dirt roads around here. I even broke some new sandal flats walking on unstable ground in Brasilito! I agree it is nice to get back to basics!
Hi Abby, not sure if you remember me but I met you through Nina in LA…I think its sweet what you are doing. I’m trying to get abroad too…how did you pick this location?
I applied for grants in Argentina, Spain, and Chile…but the beach life in C.R. is looking veryyyy nice. Hope you are well…enjoyed reading some of your blog. Carly
HI!!!! Of course I remember you, silly. We never got to hang out before I left!! I can’t believe you read my blog — I’m so honored! I remember when you’d just gotten back from your last trip. Let’s talk?!
Carly!! Thanks so much for looking at my site. Keep me posted on your grants! We talked about travel the first time we met, and look at us now. I love it! Seriously, keep me posted. Maybe we can meet up where-ever you land! Those are all countries I would hop to in a second.
Abby,
I will definitely keep you posted on my grants….cross your fingers for me that one of them works out! I find out about Argentina at the end of January and Spain in mid-April…not sure about Chile yet. Either way in this next year I really want to bounce out of the states. How long you thinking of staying in CR? xoxo
So glad that you are sharing your writing with the world again! LOVE IT! LOVE YOU! YOU ROCK!
So I finally had the chance to check out your blog. Can we trade lives?
Hey! Thanks for stopping by! No more cold climes for me, thanks. But those nachos could get me up there for sure!!
Love your site! I’ll be dropping by often to get my dose of expat living, once you’ve been an expat it’s hard getting used to being “normal!” Though that is probably the least of my troubles ha ha. Keep up the good work!
Hi, My husband and I just bought a house on the beach in Zancudo. We are going to be doing the expat thing very soon! I love your blog!
Hi Abby,
Really nice to see you are doing so well. All is well in the Barrio, even if a little depressed without you. Returning there Sept 1… been in Alaska all summer. Keep up the good work.
“For things to change.. you’ve gotta change. For things to get better, you’ve gotta get better.”
Not sure who said that before, but I just did…
Sam
Aww thanks, Sam! I’m so jealous you’re on your way back. The flights are awful — I really want to pop down there, but I don’t have enough time off for a full week. Still working on it!
Hi Abby,
Got to know your site through the Travel Bloggers’ FB Page. Nice meeting you in the blogosphere. Please except my hand of friendship from the Philippines.
Best regards,
Edelito Sangco
Island Vacations Travel Blog
Hi Abby,
I love reading about another woman’s life-changing adventures (especially one who is based out of Vegas
Let me know if you ever need a partner in crime! I would love to get together and learn more about you and your life!
All the best,
Hilary Billings
NomadGrad.com
Abby,
Diana Edelman sent me your site when I was voting for top travel blogs, decided to vote for yours as well. Always cool to run into other people in Las Vegas who are living their dreams.
Hope this finds you having fun,
Namaste
Just stumbled across your blog and absolutely love it! Thank you for sharing all your life changing adventures and giving faith to women adventure takers!
I’m brand new to travel blogging and just came upon yours. Love it. You inspire me. Look forward to reading more
Martin in Edmonton Canada
You are one of a few that i am hooked on reading everything you write. You inspire me and I thank you for all that you do
Thanks fro stopping by my post on Roatan Abby..I too love that part of the word…only made it to Costa Rica and Roatan in Central America so far (in addition to most of the Caribbean islands (Jamaica, St Kitts, Martinique, Curacao, Puerto Rico, St Thomas etc…)
A very inspiring story Abby. I am curious, have you managed to watch all of the shows that Vegas has to offer thus far?