Tico Tuesday, July 25th

Happy Annexation of Guanacaste Day!

Today is a national holiday celebrating the annexation of the northwestern province of Guanacaste. Much of the cultural richness of Costa Rica comes from Guanacaste, so the whole country celebrates with enthusiasm, wearing white shirts and a blue or red handkerchief around the neck or the traditional flowing skirts and boat neck white blouses. Four line poems known as bombas (the word also for bomb and balloon) and other poems are commonly invented or recited on this day as well.
To celebrate, I joined a small group many of my friends are in on an excursion into the mountains. We visited a restaurant that does business for local missions. It is run by a church located further back on the property that does a number of things to bless the members of its community. This church and restaurant (and mini grocery store, center for the elderly, vegetable garden, etc.) is located very close to the Poás volcano, which has been so active lately the national park that contains it has been closed indefinitely. Poás is the most accessible active volcano to the Central Valley, making it a huge tourist destination. And with it being closed, a number of nearby businesses have been suffering or forced to close. So, since Rudy has been good friends with the pastor of that church since before my church was born, he has been encouraging everyone from our church to go and support this restaurant. I look forward to returning with my small group!
May we use the blessings God has given us to be a blessing to others this week and always! Thank you for being a blessing to me!
Carrie