September 15th 1821

This Friday Costa Rica along with Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador celebrate their independence from Spain. The festivities actually start on the 14th when the Torch of Freedom is taken from Guatemala to Cartago. (this was the capital of Costa Rica at the time independence was declared)

 

Then the REAL party begins. All the TV stations pause at 6 pm and the entire country sings the national anthem. Waving flags as many eyes fill with tears and faces are plastered with broad smiles and white teeth beam brightly. Tico's ( Male CR) and Tica's ( Female CR) are very patriotic and they burst with pride. Why shouldn't they be. Costa Rica is lauded by many as the most advanced third world country. 

 

The next day there are a plethora of parades and dances and singing and eating and eating. I have mentioned before that Costa Rican's love to eat. Don't get me started on the different dance types. salsa, mambo, merengue just to name a few. At my age watching the younger people dance these reminds me that I too use to have flexibility, stamina and relentless energy. However, I accept the fact that if I tried them today I can count on 2 weeks in traction in a hospital ward where my roommates don't speak English. How do you say bedpan in Spanish?

 

There is one drawback. By law no alcohol sales on the 15th till after 3 pm. This was an issue till I got use to it. Now I just join the mobs at the stores the afternoon of the 14th to stock up and watch the store managers show me their broad smiles and beaming white teeth. I think they are singing also........under their breath.  

 

So this Friday my wife and I will spend the day in San Jose with some of the family celebrating and eating and eating. Did I mention that they love to eat in this country?

                                                                 

                                    Traditional dress. Flowing skirts 

                                                and peasant attire