Costa Rica's Independence Day

Today is Independence Day here in Costa Rica.


It actually started yesterday as the children lit their "faroles" or lanterns and marched through the street commemorating the march for liberty back in the 1800's.

The children make their own faroles. Some of them really do a fantastic job (or at least their parents do), and others (like our kids) buy the paper ones with the LED lights in them. At schools around the country, they win prizes for their faroles.

We heard the stories and sang the national anthem, both in our Spanish Chapel and again last night at our children's school as they began the celebration.

We all wore the country colors, which just happen to match our own in the US.

Scott wore his Captain America shirt proclaiming he was "Captain Costa Rica." :D

Some of our new friends and staff at CINCEL wore traditional clothes and danced a broom dance for us.

Today as we walked back from La Feria (the open market), we spotted one of many parades around the country with all the beautiful costumes and dances and of course the drums! I didn't have my camera for that one, so I can't share any pictures. They are all in my head.

Below is an excerpt from another person's blog describing some of the celebration

Although September 15^th is Costa Rica’s official date to recognize its independence from Spain in 1821, festivities begin on the 14^th when a runner carries the “freedom” torch from Nicaragua to Panama.  (This re-enactment commemorates the historic event when a runner ran from border to border notifying the people of Costa Rica of their liberation.)  By 6:00 PM, the runner arrives in Cartago (the capital city at the time independence was granted) where it is welcomed by the president of the country.  At precisely 6:00 PM, the entire country comes to a halt as all TV and radio stations broadcast the anthem and young and old alike join in singing along in a burst of patriotism whether at home, standing on a street corner, riding a bus or watching TV.  Following the anthem, sirens announce the beginning of the parade of faroles, homemade lanterns symbolizing the original torch. The faroles are family projects and vary greatly – some resemble houses, others look like globes and others appear to be lantern-like – but all are carried proudly.  Following the parade, children in typical costumes perform traditional dances in the school and then the fireworks begin.  (No celebration in Costa Rica is complete without fireworks!)  Another parade takes place on the morning of the 15^th and those of us in the barrio who live along the parade route make sure our homes are decorated with flags and banners.


All in all today was fun and an experience to remember! What a way to end our first full week here in CR.

And we get Monday off since the celebration continues through the weekend and into Monday!

WooHoo!

I will be sleeping in on Monday, since I have been getting up earlier than I ever have before in my life.

Maybe I can catch up on a little lost sleep....or maybe not. :D

Feliz día de la independencia, Costa Rica...our home for the next year!!