Huacas Fiesta

At this time of year, the beginning of summer ( the end of the rainy season), Costa Ricans apparently have all kinds of festivals. What they mean by this, apparently, is that they set up a makeshift bullring, bring in Brahmin bulls from their farms, and get drunk. That is about it!

Last night I went to my first (and probably my last, fiesta) but I can now say I went. As you can see from the pictures, Costa Rica imported Brahmin bulls from India centuries ago because of the big hump in their backs and their ability to retain water during the dry season. Since I live in a farm community, I assume the guys do not see each other that often so when they have an opportunity for a party they make the most of. The bull ring last night, I think, is probably more or less permanent, but I have seen many being constructed in public parks.

What appeared to be happening is that the bulls get their electric shock and jump out of the gate with their rider. The rider lasts a few seconds on their back and then is unceremoniously thrown off the bull, always violently and then is carried off, sometimes by a stretcher, while ten drunks run around the ring encouraging the bull to chase them so that the fallen rider does not get gored to death. Then four cowboys come out with their horses and lasso the bull from every possible angle so that the bull eventually gives us, falls down and is pulled by its’ tail back into the stall, probably not heard from again until next year at this time. Then a bunch of drunks jump into the ring for the next round of shenanigans.

Great fun eh? Since I knew I was going to be early, I took a drive down to Santa Cruz, the provincial capital and I discovered a REAL town. There was actually a street of stores, the main roads were paved with brick cobblestones and they had TWO parks. Almost all of Costa Rican towns only have one park! I can’t wait to go back and explore. This town actually had a name signposted, a couple of hotels almost on the main street and people. Since today is Sunday they probably pull in the sidewalks like every other town but perhaps next Saturday I will go.

Even my beach seems to be getting quite busy now. Yesterday morning there were at least ten people on the beach, about five from San Jose and five tourists from the other end of the beach where there is big hotel. I normally never get to that end of the beach because I swim for a bit and then get out and walk back to “my” area. Now, because of winter, there are actually waves and it is difficult to swim so I end up walking along the beach. I am discovering hotels and restaurants and all kinds of “neat” stuff. Maybe today I will go and play golf. A little too late for the Sunday morning tournament but not to late for a regular game. The problem is that I have to take an electric card and it sort of takes the fun out of it for me. Ah well!