Posted in Costa Rica on 04 07 09 | Leave a Comment »
According to an article in today’s Guardian, Costa Rica “tops index ranking countries by ecological footprint and happiness of their citizens”
A rainbow over San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica
“Costa Ricans top the list because they report the highest life satisfaction in the world, they live slightly longer than Americans, yet have an ecological footprint [...]
Posted in Costa Rica, Panama on 02 06 09 | Leave a Comment »
This year’s Global Peace Index has just been published. Not surprisingly, perhaps, New Zealand tops the list as the most peaceful country in the world, while Iraq brings up the rear (the Web page includes an explanation of the methodology used). Despite a sharp increase in crime over the past ten years or so, Costa [...]
Posted in Costa Rica on 13 03 09 | Leave a Comment »
A postage stamp showing an ox cart still in use.
Ox carts are an important part of Costa Rica’s cultural history. Each year, in March, there is a large parade of ox carts in Escazú, on the outskirts of San José. Last Sunday was Ox Driver’s Day and I was able to watch the parade for [...]
Posted in Costa Rica on 21 01 09 | Leave a Comment »
“That night, or the next morning rather, at about 2 A.M., we reached a wayside inn called San Mateo, and there rested for five or six hours. That we should obtain any such accommodation along the road astonished me, and of such as we got we were very glad. But it must not be [...]
Posted in Costa Rica on 14 12 08 | Leave a Comment »
The other day a Panamanian friend asked me why convenience stores are called pulperías in Costa Rica. I realized I didn’t know the answer. After doing some research on the Internet, I’m none the wiser.
This is the kind of thing to which I’m referring.
(I found the photo here)
The Real Academia (Spain’s equivalent of the OED) [...]
Posted in Costa Rica, My family on 05 12 08 | Leave a Comment »
My granddaughter Laura just graduated from sixth grade. Costa Rica uses the baccalaureate system for primary and second education. There is a kindergarten year (entry age: six), followed by six years of primary school. The school year runs from February to November. Laura will now be moving on to high school, which lasts five years.. [...]
Posted in Costa Rica on 03 12 08 | 2 Comments »
Most people have heard of tamales; many have eaten them. They are as traditional among Latino communities as fish and chips among Brits. The taste, texture and ingredients vary from country to country, however. I’m most familiar with Costa Rican ones, of course.
There is a Christmas tradition in Cost Rica of making tamales to share [...]
Posted in Costa Rica on 26 11 08 | Leave a Comment »
A Costa Rican newspaper published an article yesterday about old photographs related to the country taken by contributors to Life magazine, a famous (now extinct) American publication that focused on photojournalism. I used to enjoy reading it in the 60s. The photos of Costa Rica have been placed on line and this one caught my [...]
Posted in Costa Rica on 19 11 08 | Leave a Comment »
We were awakened by an earthquake just after 1 a.m. this morning. It registered as 6.1. That’s quite strong, the strongest I’ve felt in three years in Panama. The map – from the US government earthquake site – shows the epicenter was just off the Pacific Coast, south of the border between Costa Rica and [...]
Posted in Costa Rica on 18 11 08 | Leave a Comment »
At the weekend I went to see the latest James Bond flick. Having read a number of reviews, I was prepared for the worst; it was an average movie at best. Daniel Craig has reinvigorated the franchise but he needs stronger scripts if he is to maintain its momentum.
I am always intrigued by commercial movies [...]
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