Semana Santa is a full week off for hard working Ticos (the Costa Rican People). A religious holiday that commemorates Passover, Jesus’ Crucifixion, and Resurrection. I asked villagers in Puerto Viejo, “donde esta las iglesias?” where are the churches, I got mostly smirks and one incredulous look. The answer I heard was that many Costa Ricans are not religious, and that this is mostly just a week to unwind.
As far as I’m concerned—knowing how hard Ticos work—that’s close enough to religion for me. Several of the locals, on whom I practiced my pigeon-Spanish, let me in on the details of their normal work week; one full day on, followed by one full day off, and repeat. Full day meaning that they work from 8am (or earlier) until 10 o’clock at night.
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| It's important to unwind completely, when one works so hard. |
In Puerto Viejo de Talamanca there have been growing crowds all week.
In past years we saw that people began pouring in to this quiet town around mid-late week. This time around it’s definitely been a full week before Easter Sunday when the arrivals pull in. The forecast Friday/Saturday rain may have also helped Ticos to decide on an earlier visit rather than just the weekend.
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| Planes fly low, overhead. |
Even 2 miles outside of town, where we live, we get the sounds of celebration across the water, on the wind. I was happy to hear that even after 20 years, people still love Elvis Crespo!
The only constant is change, I suppose.
