Interview with The Black Expat!

One of our goals for my Aspiring Expats site is to motivate and provide information to black people who are considering making a move to a new country -- so we were extremely honored to have been asked to share our journey to Costa Rica in feature interview with The Black Expat!

The Black Expat, is a digital platform that focuses on the experiences of black expatriates/immigrants and international living.

You can Check out our interview here

If you haven't visited their site please jump on over and check them out. They have lots of helpful information as well as videos and interviews with people who have made the move! Enjoy!

This is what 68 looks like (on me)

My 68th birthday was yesterday and although I do not share my age on Facebook, I am proud to share it here. And, in addition to that, I even took some photos wearing a swimsuit.

I NEVER do that. 

but here goes!

oh, first let's start out with a photo of my granddaughter & great granddaughter

and here is me

On our way to Diner en Blanc in Costa Rica part 1

We are back from another AMAZING Dîner en Blanc Costa Rica!!!

This event keeps getting better and better! This is only the 4th year for the event here in Costa Rica, so kudos to the team- they did a FABULOUS job!! 

In between events, I keep my eyes open for all things white. Some items for the table and some for myself to wear and to accessorize with. Since I actually like white clothing, I have built up quite a little wardrobe of white clothing pieces.  And...now that this year is a wrap, I have begun my search for next year. Yesterday, Verdette picked up some tree branches that we will paint and decorate for use as a centerpiece for next year. 

Another very important component of this fun event, besides the planning, is the packing up and the bus trip to the undisclosed location. While on the bus you can see everyone with eyes glued to the windows trying to guess where we are going. Of course for the locals it is much easier--- For us...not so much!!

This year, as the bus climbed higher and higher, I think a lot of people were still wondering where we were right up until we stepped off the bus!

Instructions & Location for 2018

• Remember: Le Dîner en Blanc is all about making friends! While you wait, interact with the other guests to see who will be sitting next to you. It’ll be easier for you to get settled once you reach the event location. 

• The chosen Dîner en Blanc location will be one of the most amazing spaces in the city, so we should all be dressed elegantly! Adding a hat, a mask, or a fascinator to your ensemble is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.

• Please make sure you bring layers of clothes because temperatures will drop at night! Be prepared - but always in white! 

***

Once we returned from the event, I discovered that I have a ton of photos and videos -- so, as not to

turn this video into a full length feature film, I am splitting it into 2 videos 

Please enjoy part one and see you tomorrow (or the next day for the 2nd part)

BTW - The DJ was fantastic and we loved the music 

All the music for both videos comes from the event playlist 

Where Are We? from Devon on Vimeo.

We attended our 2nd Diner en Blanc in Costa Rica

Well folks, it's done and here it is!

I won't bother to tell you how DIFFICULT it is to edit 52 videos and 225 photos into a 7mins 27sec video!! Suffice it to say, I am happy this event is only once a year! 😊

Here's a little more about the event:

 “The best way to be invited is to know a member (somebody who has been a guest) of the "Secret" Dinner in White, and to benefit from their sponsorship.

Once you participate in one, you'll be invited to the next one. “On the other hand," the rules warn, "if you withdraw at the last minute, you will be permanently blacklisted.”

For those without a sponsor, there's always the possibility of signing up on the official website. But not all cities offer that alternative, and generally the number of places is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Celebrating it's 30th anniversary in June (expecting 20,000 attendees), the idea, created in 1988 by Frenchman François Pasquier, who wanted to have a dinner with friends around the idea of "Bring a meal, and bring a new friend," at the Bois de Boulogne in Paris and he asked them to dress in white to identify themselves. The Diner en Blanc is now a patented concept held in 30 countries and 80 cities -- including Montreal and other cities in Canada, Bombay, Panama City, San Jose Costa Rica, Buenos Aires, Jamaica, Zagreb, Kuala Lumpur, Kenya, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Seoul and Bangkok (to name a few). 

There are approximately 30 cities holding events in the US.

In my opinion, this event is definitely not for everyone. You'll need a bit of "e-n-e-r-g-y". The length of time was increased this year in Costa Rica (event time 3:30pm - 11pm) adding an additional hour to the party time. 

There are a lot of younger people there (in some other cities the crowds include a more mixed age group ) however, in Costa Rica, the event is still in its infancy -- and let's face it, sometimes it takes us older (wiser/and more mature) crowd a little longer to catch on. 

The cost of the event is $39/person (which includes round trip transportation to and from the event site) .

We have always found the people to be very friendly and welcoming and you really don't need a partner to join in the dancing. I am very happy to have celebrated the Dîner en Blanc experience with the people of Costa Rica! We even made some new friends. 

Besides your white clothing, picnic basket, tablecloth and table accessories you need only bring that "young at heart" spirit"

We had a great time and look forward to 2019!

Let the Music Play, And Dance the Night Away

(pt 2 video below)
All music from the event playlist

Let The Music Play from Devon on Vimeo.