semana santa

This week is a special one.
Yesterday night marked the start of "Semana Santa" or Holy Week here in Costa Rica. And being a Latin American country and 90% Catholic this means that there is a lot happening!
Many people have vacations, holidays, trips and family events planned for this week. I think it is safe to say that Easter here is an even bigger celebration than Christmas!

The bus schedules are limted, making travel a big deal and more stressful than usual. In places like Monteverde with limited bus service on a normal day, the week leading up to Easter you will see even more movement and travel than usual. Throughout the country you will see the buses full, with people sitting on arm rests and standing crowded together like sardines. On Good Friday there is no service anywhere, usually. And in the days following Easter you will again see lots of movement as people go home.

The beaches are packed, as many people take time off during this week and go on vacation with family and freinds. The beach is of course the number one destination...and you will find folks camping, hotels and hostels crowded, and restuarants busy with people visiting. More than just the normal tourists visiting, you see many Ticos out and about too.

Churches have all kinds of events. Opportunities to go to Confession are offered on a special schedule, there are special Rosaries and Masses, and of course the Easter Processions. The Crucifixtion is acted out in a living Stations of the Cross, with people from the community acting out individual characters...you see more men with beards! And on Easter Sunday there are various Masses.

Foods that you see only once a year are around...special desserts, meats, dishes that take lots of time and effort to prepare. My mother-in-law is making all kinds of treats! I hope that I will learn to make some, taste some. But no Easter eggs, no bunnies, no pastels or fake grass...no Cadbury Eggs! The chocolate I will miss, I admit. Cadbury Eggs are a family tradition, along with a "mona cake," a special Easter cake that my mom and I always make and decorate for Easter Sunday.

For now I am working until Wednesday. Thursday I already have my ticket to go home, and Friday I hope to spend time with E. Saturday and Sunday I will be working...Sunday night I hope to make it to Mass!! I know it will be a full service, no matter what time I go. After all, it will be Easter Sunday in Costa Rica.

Pura Vida