Costa Rican Independence Day

Lucky me! This year, I got to celebrate independence not only in the United States but also in Costa Rica. Today, September 15, was the day Costa Rica became independent from Spain. Guatemala proclaimed independence from Spain for all of Central America on September 15, 1821. So there is a little history lesson for all of you! To celebrate, people walk to the town of Cartago, and there is a huge celebration with fireworks and parades from the night of the 14th, through the night, and into the 15th. It's a national holiday, so few people had to work today. Yahoo! 

I was a little hesitant to go downtown this morning because I didn't really know what was going on or where to go. So, with the advice of a co-worker at HFHI, I went to a park called La Sabana. I had never been, but I have heard it's a huge gorgeous park. I hopped on the city bus (which I am getting more comfortable with) and rode until I saw the park. That seems to be how my bus rides have been going in general - ride until something looks right. This park was gorgeous! A ton of huge trees and people playing just about every kind of sport you can think of. Soccer of course, basketball, tennis, inline skating, sand volleyball, not to mention horse rides, kites, bike riding, runners... the list just goes on. I was so happy the moment I stepped inside this park - I know this is somewhere I can go on the weekends to run or just read when I don't head out of town. It's not especially safe to go running around the neighborhoods, so this came as a great surprise! 

I was also happy because the atmosphere here was very family-friendly and safe so I was able to take my camera finally. I wish I could take it out more without worrying about theft! I had a lot of fun taking pictures of soccer games - there were about 10 going on at all times, since that is without a doubt the sport of this country. Everyone is VERY enthusiastic about it and take losses by their professional team VERY hard. After walking around for a few hours and the death of my camera battery I decided I was ready to find the bus home. Buses are a tricky thing here because I'm never really sure where to find the bus going to opposite direction I came from. I generally just wander around until I find a green bus that is going in the right direction. On the way to the bus I got a drink from McDonalds. For my McDonalds drink and a little Spanish conversation I was able to get directions to the closest bus stop from a homeless woman with 3 teeth. Never underestimate the power of Orange Fanta!

Standing at the bus stop, I was quickly reminded that I was a light haired woman when a homeless tico walked up to me and asked where I was from. Out of politeness I answered "Minnesota" and he proceeds to tell me that he graduated from the University of Minnesota. At first I assumed he was pulling that out of nowhere. After all, it wouldn't take much to assume there is a University of Minnesota there. However, when he asked if I had been to Mankato, I thought maybe he had actually gone there. He told me he got a Masters from there but his life went downhill when he started turning to the bottle. Because he seemed nice and polite, I gave him 200 colones (only about 34 cents), the cost to get a bus ride to another town. After another 1/2 hour of waiting, with no bus in sight, I gave in and took a cab ride home. Maybe next time I'll find that bus.