The Foods of Costa Rica

The foods of Costa Rica are "delicious" with a noticeable,
Spanish influence. The basic "Casada", which is "meat, beans,
rice, and a fresh cabbage salad", empanadas, "Carne and salsa", 
"Chicharones" deep fried  pork, "Pollo" chicken dishes and fresh
seafood all have a fresh taste. The village market places sell 
fresh-butchered meats, fresh vegetables and fruits picked the
day before.

Bakeries are busy with fresh baked bread and pastries in the oven
daily and fresh brown eggs that have come from hens that feed on
natural food.

Arts and Crafts, pottery, fresh cut flowers, fresh spices, shopping
not only is a pleasure, it is an adventure! There are a few modern
grocery stores, such as "Mas y Menos" and "mega-super", for
American or international foods.

The tropical fruits are diverse and wonderful. Pineapples, bananas,
coconuts,  mangos, papayas, star fruit, tangerines and limes, that
grow openly in the city parks and countryside for all to enjoy!

And they taste like no others that you have ever tasted, because
they are fresh delightful, sweet, sour, acid, (most are organic). They
are a delight to eat. The way fruits and veggies, are supposed to
taste like.  And the avocados are out of this world!

Even household items and appliances, furniture and linens are 
sold in small  specialized stores.  Beautiful "hand-crafted" furniture 
for half the price of the  U.S. And bamboo and rattan creations, to 
add that tropical touch to your  home.

There are about three or four International Malls in Costa Rica...
where you can buy "American" and get magazines and books in
English.  I love to go to "Mora Books" in San Jose. A large used
book store and exchange, that  has a fantastic assortment of books
in English in all subject areas and you can trade-in old books you
have read.
 

The Arts

There are excellent "Fine Artists" here. Where people truly
appreciate original art, and superb Museums in San Jose. 
The Gold Museum, Jade Museum and the National Theater, 
where international classic music, ballet and plays,
draw from all over.
 

There are always "festivals" and "live music" in the Central Parks of
each city in Costa Rica.  Usually right in front of the beautiful Spanish
churches,  situated beside the Central Parks.

The Central Parks are a big part of Spanish life, situated right in the
heart of the cities with beautiful old trees, sculptures, water fountains
and benches, where people relax and socialize, feed the pigeons and
squirrels and spend time with their families.

People picnic, just watch or listen to "Peruvian flute players" live in
the park, or Spanish "Rock and Roll". 

Young people meet here too, lovers stroll and the " wise and old" 
reflect and enjoy life with respect and dignity.  A  variety of 
"free-lance" preachers, are giving sermons to whoever will listen.

The Craftsmen and Artists sell their works on the weekends. beautiful
leather, clay and pottery pieces,  jewelry and Peruvian llama jackets.
And "Caballeros" present their magnificent horses, that prance proudly
with their masters, along the streets of the city.
 

The People

The women of Costa Rica, have a special beauty…
all their own. Comfortable with their sexuality, happy
and connected to their families, including the young
teenagers who seem to have wonderful, strong
relationships with their mothers and grandmothers.


The men of Costa Rica are soft and gentle. Sexy,
and smooth, they have an open respect for women and
their families. They openly display their appreciation
of beautiful women, but honor them at the same time.
Most are hard workers, many are intelligent,
with high values and goals.
 

The children,
are loved and cherished by all.
 

They are well-dressed, happy, well-adjusted, independent yet
protected. They are self-motivated and  "want" to "learn". Schools
are poor, but very good. The students wear matching school
uniforms and are serious about their school work. 

"Soccer" is the main sport of Costa Rica and the National
Treasure. Children have respect for their parents and grandparents
and many activities are centered around the family.

"Perros", dogs, are loved in Costa Rica and hold a special place
in the family.  Brahman Cows, with their soft, long ears and big 
eyes, graze wherever they like and many times, you awaken to 
the sounds of "hooves" on the street,  wandering cows and horses
walking around, exploring the neighborhood.
 

Costa Rica's biggest attractions are not the mountains or the parks
or even the coastal resorts, but its people.

Costa Rica has managed to develop into a successful agricultural
community and maintain a steady upward trend towards educational 
supremacy and political stability.

This has proven to be its key to the successful development of
tourism, especially catering to the travelers, who are looking for
beauty, environmental experiences and leisure activities, that share
the quality of life and the adventure of the wild Rainforest.

Perhaps it is the culture or the confidence of the people, that 
makes them regionally unique.  Both have been bi-products of a
literacy rate which exceeds that of the United States.

Not being enough, Costa Rica has formed an even greater cultural 
pride, through non-violence and for four centuries of peace.

Music  &  Dancing

Ticos love to dance! By night, San José gets into its stride with discos,
hotter than the tropical night.

On weekends, rural folks flock to small-town dance halls and the Ticos'  celebrated reserve gives way to outrageously flirtatious dancing, befitting
a land of passionate men and women.

Says National Geographic: "To watch the vise - like clutching of Ticos
and Ticas dancing, whether at a San José disco or a crossroads cantina,
is to marvel, that the birthrate in this predominantly Roman Catholic 
nation is among Central America's lowest."

Outside the dance hall, the young, also listen to Anglo-American rock,
like their counterparts the world over.

When it comes to dancing, however, they prefer the hypnotic Latin and
rhythmic Caribbean beat and bewildering cadences of cumbia, lambada, marcado, merengue, salsa, soca and the Costa Rican swing,  danced
with sure-footed erotic grace.

The Theatre

 

A nation of avid theater lovers, Costa Rica supports a thriving acting 
community. In fact, Costa Rica, supposedly has more theater
companies per capita, than any other country in the world.

The country's early dramatic productions, gained impetus and 
inspiration from Argentinean and Chilean playwrights and actors who
settled here, at the turn of  the century, when drama was established,
as part of the school curriculum.
 

Traditions

Costa Ricans are still conservative, when it comes to family
issues. Traditions, communions, engagement parties, weddings
and funerals, these events are attended by the extended family
as well as by a large quantity of  friends and their family members.

Also, most Costa Ricans still live at home until they are married
and leaving the household to go to college, or to gain independence,
is still very rare.

A large proportion of Costa Rican women are professionals and 
hold important positions in both businesses and the government, 
but they  still retain some traits, that are traditional and conservative.

Besides traditions that revolve around the family, there are also 
several, significant religious celebrations.  The main religious events
are: Easter Week or "Semana Santa", Christmas Week and August
second, which is the celebration of the Virgin of the Angels.

Costa Rica is also different from most other Latin American countries,
because it practices a "mild" Catholicism, that brings about a strange
and fun mixture, of partying and religious celebration... during these
holidays.

Ticos are extremely friendly to foreigners and once they've gotten to
know you,  they'll invite you to family gatherings and  celebrations.

You will be delighted in the way, they share their lives and 
experiences with you and how they enjoy learning new things, 
as well.
 

Infrastructure and Transportation

The infra-structure in Costa Rica is one of the best, in Central America.
Water, electricity, cable TV, internet and phones, although phone lines
are difficult to get, but sometimes a little persistence goes a long way. 

The roads are a little rough, but are being worked on. The Public
transportation system is one of the best that I've experienced. Buses
travel to all  locations in Costa Rica and are inexpensive and  fun.

Buses are wonderful windows to Costa Rican life. Most everyone uses
them.  Students on their way to classes, women in heels, dressy 
clothes and impeccable make-up, on their way to work.

Country Folk, in country clothes, coming into town, to do business. 
Young mothers taking their children to doctors appointments, men with briefcases, neat  slacks and shirts.

They're all on the bus, heading this way or that.  And for a few colones,
you can climb aboard and  join in the great comings and goings of life
in the Central  Valley.

There's no better or more enjoyable way, to make quick and often
delicious observations,  in Tico life and character. For one thing, 
chivalry is still alive.

Or is it a simple sense of decency, of caring for others, a quiet
courtesy?  Young men will assist older men or women, up the
steps, someone will always offer his or her seat, to an older person 
or a pregnant woman.

The bus driver will wait for someone, making a last minute dash. 
Watch the rush of humanity that comes aboard. Observe the city
passing by.

The taxis are reliable and inexpensive. I don't even miss my car
anymore.  I used to drive in the States. But if you do want a car,
you should buy it here in Costa Rica. Import taxes for cars brought
into Costa Rica are very high. There are also many cheap Car
Rental  companies.
 

Continue to About Costa Rica 4

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