Diary of a neophyte. Only one week to go before the Trump Real Estate Wealth Expo in Calgary! Todd and Danielle told me they heard there is "a bit of selling". I hope they're right. Well, marketing anyway.

Including rental of a 10 by 10 exhibitor booth, booth accessories, air fare and hotel rooms for two people, materials and newspaper advertising, the total cost is pushing $20,000! Wow. Not to mention taking out my old ski underwear.

Why? I'm following my customers. About 20% of my walk-ins at The Oaks Tamarindo, www.theoakstamarindo.com, have been from western Canada, defined as Toronto to Vancouver. Could Costa Rica be the new south Florida?

Years ago, and maybe even now, there was a regular migration of snowbirds from eastern Canada to south Florida. Along Costa Rica's Guanacaste beaches, the weather is warmer in winter, mid-90's compared to mid-70's in south Florida, the cost of living is much lower, and the beaches are much less crowded. Not that I don't like south Florida. I do. We don't have South Beach here, just the Monkey Bar and Rey Sol.

I'll let you know how it goes. Mistakes masquerading as adventures. If anyone with experience has advice "en anticipacion", I'm interested.