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merlot · Last edited by merlot on Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:14 pm; edited 1 time in total

Living in a country without an army is a total trip.

I live on the same road as Oscar Arias (the current pres. and a 1987 Noble Peace Prize winner). It never ceases to amaze me when i pass his house--a modest home with very little security. There's this one little guard house out front and some days there is this pretty girl on duty that I always exchange waves with.

The gates are usually wide-open and there's like a mini-van, a couple of economy cars, and of course a couple of black offical-type cars inside.

We have a holiday coming up and this article by International Living is interesting, to me, anyway.

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Juan Santamaria Day
Costa Rica
April 11

In two days Costa Rica will celebrate the nation's biggest hero. Not a former president or a famous celebrity�but a poor soldier who joined a ragtag army. Wednesday is Juan Santamar�a day--the day the mercenary army of William Walker, a son of the U.S. state of Tennessee, was defeated in a bid to annex Central America to a new Federation of Southern States. Little did Walker know that the peaceful Costa Ricans would defend themselves so valiantly.

Costa Rica is known as one of Latin America's most peaceful nations (and one of the most politically stable--it has enjoyed 59 years of uninterrupted democratic rule). Jos� Figueres Ferrer, who led an armed uprising that ended a 44-day civil war, was glorified for abolishing the army and drafting a constitution that guaranteed free elections with universal suffrage. Unlike many of its neighbors, Costa Rica never had another civil war.

It was a different story in the mid-1850s, though, when Walker and his legionnaires (known as filibusteros) forced their way into power in Nicaragua and set their sights on neighboring Costa Rica. The second president of Costa Rica, Juan Rafael Mora, was forewarned and set about raising an army�in a country that had never known anything but peace.
The president was effective in marshalling his citizens and firing them up--not with patriotic sentiment, but with tales of slave traders who would kidnap children and ravish local women. In under a week, Mora had himself an army of 9,000�though it consisted of untrained men and boys wielding makeshift weapons and a few old rifles. As President Mora led the army to Guanacaste, his numbers dwindled to 2,500 volunteers. Among these few determined fighters was Juan Santamar�a, a drummer boy from Alajuela, nicknamed el erizo ("hedgehog") because of his spiky hair.

On March 19, 1856, Mora's men encountered some 300 of Walker's filibusteros and overpowered them, pushing them back across the border to Nicaragua. The Costa Rican soldiers followed Walker's men and confronted them again on April 11, but Walker's forces had an advantageous position and the Ticos were unable to attack. A dangerous plan was hatched--a few soldiers would stealthily attempt to set fire to Walker's camp. Legend has it that Juan Santamar�a volunteered for the mission, on the condition that his mother be cared for if he perished.
Though the mission was a success and Walker's troops were forced to retreat even further, Santamar�a died. In 1865, his mother became the first Costa Rican to receive a government pension. Subsequently, Costa Rica honored Santamar�a by instating a national holiday--April 11--and by naming the nation's main international airport (located in his hometown of Alajuela) after him.

Juan Santamar�a Day is one of Costa Rica's biggest national holidays. Though the official holiday is April 11, festivities are sometimes moved so as not to coincide with Holy Week. (This year's big celebrations take place April 16.) The day consists of presentations, readings, plays, parades, concerts, dancing and, of course, eating and drinking. Favorite local foods--comida tipica, or national dishes--include gallo pinto (a starchy mixture of black beans and rice), arroz con pollo (savory rice and chicken), chorreadas (large, thick tortillas made of tender sweet corn), and empanadas (hearty pastries filled with beans, cheese or meat).
Although one could say that coffee is Costa Rica's national drink (the nation is well known for its excellent brews), on Juan Santamar�a Day cool drinks reign supreme, including horchata (a cinnamon and cornmeal drink) and linaza (a drink made from linseed and thought to be good for indigestion). Costa Rica's national liquor, made from sugar cane, is called guaro. Similar to rum or vodka, it goes well with juice or soda (though many drink it neat). Popular local beers include Imperial (a lager) and Bavaria (light, amber and dark varieties).

In San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, Don Enrique C�rdoba ("Don," is a respectful title, much like "sir") is affectionately referred to as Enrique Santamar�a. The Don steals the show with his stories of days gone by--he is believed to be related to Juan Santamar�a, who (according to C�rdoba's late grandmother) was "neither short nor tall."

After a day spent in the sun, eating, drinking and watching the marching bands go by, the citizens of this peaceful country make their way home, thoughts of that brave drummer boy and his sacrifice fresh in their minds.

Jessica Ramesch
For International Living

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

When do the leatherback turtles take off for the Galapogos?

merlot · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject:

Cerebroden · Joined: 27 Dec 2006

seoulshock · Joined: 12 Jul 2005

It's all about Panama now...

merlot · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:36 am Post subject:

Trumpcard · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

merlot, very interesting! what's your job?

merlot · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:54 am Post subject:

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:09 am Post subject:

merlot · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:06 am Post subject:

seoulshock · Joined: 12 Jul 2005

Which development do you work for?

A friend of mine moved to Sam Taliefero's Valle Escondido in Boquete last year, which is I think the development that pretty much started the whole development craze in Panama. He sent me some pictures a week ago, telling me Mel Gibson was in Valle Escondido looking for investments and even played a few hands of poker with him.

I've been interested in getting somethign at Buenaventura in Farallon, but it seems like the beach front lots are all sold out. I was also interested in getting something in Panama City, in a building called "Ocean Park 2" I think it was, by Grupo Corcione.

I'm currently in Los Angeles, but I think in the future it's either 1) Nevada (Las Vegas area), Panama (Panama City, or beach area), or Korea (outskirts of Kwangju).

merlot · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject:

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Merlot, are you still in Costa Rica?

How is life still treating you there?

merlot · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject:

Yep, still here in Costa Rica--don't plan on leaving Central America.

Just got back from Nicaragua last week--Managua is a cool city. I took lot's of photos of volcanoes on the trip.

I party a lot in Panama City--a really awesome city. And I spend time doing water stuff (SCUBA, island hopping, rum drinking, reggae listening) in the Bocas del Torro, Panama. (The Florida Keys of Central America).

I could end up living in Panama, but definitely staying in Central America.

All I could ever want or need is right here. Moderation in everything is key here. It's taken me awhile to settle down.

But teaching jobs don�t pay crapola. I have to make my living in real estate, but I can�t complain.