Condor Kristen: April 2012

Friday, April 13, 2012

Semana Santa, Hello Torro, Loco

Semana Santa translates to “Holy Week.” It is widely celebrated throughout Central America and occurs the week leading up to Easter. In fact, some countries and areas of Costa Rica have two weeks off from school and work, so it should really be “Dos Semanas Santa.” Just like in the states, when people have off from work and school and the weather is gorgeous, everyone flocks to beaches. Semana Santa was no different than Memorial Day or 4th of July, the beaches were packed and the fiestas were plenty.

Semana Santa kicked off with the rodeo, which was in town from Thursday, March 29th – Monday, April 2nd. The difference with rodeos in Costa Rica as opposed to the states is that the crowd is welcome to jump in the ring with the torro. Yes, you read that right, those there to “watch” the rodeo actually participate in it. They run around the ring and taunt the torro to provoke an attack. Most of the time when the bull is ready to pounce, the men jump up on the corral to avoid contact. But in some instances, they aren’t so lucky. Most rodeos do not allow women to go in the ring, however, I have heard of instances where they have.

Another interesting fact about Semana Santa is that for 48 hours, from Holy Thursday through Good Friday, restaurants, bars and markets cannot serve alcohol. There were even people hired to stand guard by the liquor areas of the markets so no one could indulge. However, since I do live in a beach town, this did not stop the partying. On Wednesday night, it was a rush at the bars and markets until midnight, and then the other nights everyone goes to the beach or the bars with their own liquor and has a darn good time. And on Friday night, around 11PM, DJs play in the streets and crowds gather for the bars to start selling liquor again at the stroke of midnight. It was so interesting to be a part of. The point of not serving alcohol, I thought, was because of the religious meaning of the chosen days and of the Holy week. However, like young children, when you tell people they cant have something, they want it more! And more there was; during the “dry time,” there was even more outrageousness than during “drinking time.”

Easter Sunday, I decided to end my Semana Santa by going to mass at the Church behind my casa. What a great experience that was as well! It was extremely interesting and great for my progression with the Spanish language to attend church in Español. My favorite part of mass was when we gave peace to those surrounding us. In the states, you simply shake a few hands and give hugs to your family. But because this culture is so loving and affectionate, the entire Church hugged or held both of your hands to bless you. What a beautiful site and a great way to end my first holy week here in Costa Rica.

Ciao!

Before the rodeo

The rodeo going up. They build this structure just for the long weekend, then it comes down.

Rodeo

View from the rodeo

Fireworks on opening night

More fireworks

I wasn't a fan of the taunting. I thought that if they wanted to tease the bull, they should be man enough to face it without running away.

Crazies in the ring

I'm so scared!

Hanging on the corral

More of the rodeo

DJs setting up at Las Olas, a bar on the beach

Heading to the beach

One of the best musicians I've ever had the pleasure of listening to

Monday, April 2, 2012

What to take away

It is no surprise to you all that I enjoy traveling. However, when on the road I often feel that just as I am acclimating beautifully to a culture, it is time to move onto the next. Three weeks (which I previously would spend in a certain city/country), isn’t enough time for me, and certainly not enough time to make an impact on a community. That is why my travel in Costa Rica differs from my previous travels, and also why it is that much more meaningful and enriching to me.

I am in Costa Rica to assist with La Asociación CREAR, a non-profit that provides supplemental educational and recreational opportunities by offering innovative programs focusing on academic and artistic education, environmental consciousness, health, and socio-cultural development. In Spanish, the word CREAR means to create, and that is exactly what we do; we help focus the kids’ energy on their creative and artistic abilities.

Working with the children of CREAR has been one of the most inspiring, uplifting and gratifying experiences I have ever participated in. This is not to refute all my previous nonprofit work that consisted mostly of natural disaster cleanups and buildups or creating homes for those not fortunate enough to have one. All of that work is extremely heartwarming and rewarding as well. The difference I have seen when working with children is that you get to witness first-hand their growth and development which has occurred because of the positive impact you are having on their lives; whether a child correctly pronounces an English word they'd been struggling with or their eyes light up with joy while doing a particular project because it is in that moment that they've discovered a great passion. Working with children also enables you to have the ability to change a family cycle by providing a different kind of education that may not have ever been available.

It may seem overly righteous and naive to say, but I feel that working with children opens up the opportunity to create a better world.

So what do I hope to take away from this trip that differs from my previous travels? I hope to leave an imprint on the children’s lives that I’m working with on a daily basis. I hope to encourage them that being kind to others is much more fulfilling and important in life than teasing and bullying. But most importantly, I’d love the children to view me as a role model, to look up to me, and strive to follow their dreams, whatever they may be.