Given the consequences.....illness, slavery and death....Central American states now prefer to celebrate a Dia de Culturas...celebrating native and incoming cultures.
Thus the picture on the right...a troupe of Chilean dancers taking part in the celebrations in the parks of San Jose.
It's a great way of appreciating just how many different peoples have come to make their lives in Costa Rica as government agencies and schools set up events over the weekend....you could sample food from Russia, Italy, Chile,China, Nicaragua and the West Indies in booths set up at the Migracion offices...normally resembling a Cecil B. de Mille crowd scene but decorated by the staff to be attractive and welcoming.....
You could watch demonstrations of crafts from Guatemala and Peru...
Or you could just enjoy the dancers.....
Did you take along a cup of tea and a biscuit to celebrate your presence? :)
ReplyDeleteI bet the dancers went down well.
Oh yes....never seen so many men so quiet....
DeleteI spared them the haggis.
What, no Scotch broth, Fly?
ReplyDeleteThe melting pot that is any country nowadays and a good thing too. :-)
In that heat Scotch broth would indeed have been a melting pot!
DeleteWhisper it not in Gath but I was asked to cook French crepes at the school....
Viva Costa Rica! I'm sure the food and craft is wonderful. But I think I might spend a little longer admiring the dancers...
ReplyDeleteYou know some of the madder Americans when faced with a decision ask
DeleteWhat would Jesus do?
When it comes to a choice between showing an elderly Guatemalan lady weaving and underclad young Chilean ladies I follow their lead...except I ask
What would Steve prefer...?
I believe Columbus Day has passed into official oblivion up here. My granddaughter asked what it was, after seeing a Columbus Day sale advertised in the paper. It passed without mention in the fifth grade, apparently, and she was miffed that as it was the previous Monday a sale was still being hung on its name at the end of the week.
ReplyDeleteIs this oblivion because of political correctness?
DeleteI can see why your granddaughter was miffed, though....getting the day right is important.
Swoon - those dancers. I think I had a body like that. Some time. Long agao. But maybe I just dreamed that.
ReplyDeleteI can understand the name change for the celebrations. Much better.
Wonder how haggis would go down with the locals? I've just bought one for tomorrow. With neeps (buttered, mashed and peppered) and tatties. Cannot wait!
Mind you I am partial to crepes...yum.
Yes I like the change in emphasis too...especially when it brings out all the varied groups to show what they can do.
DeleteI love haggis....but getting a sheep here to make one is next to impossible, so I suppose the crepes were a less shocking alternative for a bunch of Costa Rican teenagers...I can just see them being asked to wash out the bag....
I try not to think of my body...it leaves me alone and I leave it alone.
Russian food! That’ll be the Bombe Alaska then. Castro would chortle at the irony.
ReplyDeleteTalking of coconuts…looks like the bare chested bloke at the back is trying to deduce what on earth possessed him to stuff his bongos down his dancing shorts before vaulting up onto the stage.
Or maybe it’s not actually his bongos, and I’m just being catty.
I'll send for my binoculars.....
ReplyDeleteI've seen Chilean dancers, but they didn't look like this!Well, they didn't wear coconut-shell bras.Perhaps the modern ones have absorbed other cultures?
ReplyDeleteI like a good knees-up myself. Go! Chile!
I wouldn't mind betting there's a good deal of difference between traditional dance and a modern young lady's version of same!
DeleteDia de Culturas ... I like that very much -- such a positive ideal. As for Columbus Day -- it's been a 'sales' day for so long there is now no other meaning for it -- unless of course you work for the government and can take the Friday after Thanksgiving off instead!
ReplyDeleteI like it too..good idea...and a fun day.
DeleteThose bodies have reminded me that since Nigel has been here that my shape is somewhat different. I guess I don't have to eat everything that I cook for him....... Diane
ReplyDeleteWell...no...but once I've cooked it I tend to eat it...thus a damn sight too much avoir du poids!
DeleteThat is the problem and I hate having left overs unless it really is enough for another meal!!
DeleteBlame the parents! Remember being told not to leave food on your plate!
DeleteLooks like fun to me...
ReplyDeleteWhat with the search for the right micro climate and the Chilean dancers, Costa Rice could grow on you...
DeleteLooks like great fun.
ReplyDeleteOh, Linda, it is!
Deleteculturas sounds much better in every sense of the word :)
ReplyDeleteI think so too....andit would be nice if the Japanese and German communities would join in on the day instead of/as well as having their own annual happening.
ReplyDeleteEven though I read this days ago I couldn't comment, but I think I have now managed a comment on the other blog so here goes.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that it sounds like it was a fun day...very enjoyable I would imagine.
It was fun...and I'm glad you've beaten the comment problem.
Deletei have a problem in that comments to this blog don't come up on the e mail....so I have to check from time to time!
Fly I'm not getting emails for any comments on any blogs now so I have to go back and check not only my dashboard but everyone else's blogs too. So annoying!
ReplyDeleteIt would drive you crackers....I read on the Slog that he has problems with some new all singing all dancing 'phone he has bought...we are not alone!
Delete