Image Writing Prompt

Study the image for a few minutes, then write about it.

A Tico Christmas

Read this excerpt from "A Tico Christmas" by Michael L. Smith

As in other parts of the world, Christmas in Costa Rica is a time for celebration and parties, sharing and reflecting. The month of December is electric with thoughts of the season, and busy with preparations for festivities, family get together and vacations. In late November decorations begin to appear in downtown shops, and by the second week of December everybody has lights strung, cypress wreaths hung and Christmas trees decorated. And you can be sure that here, too, stockings are carefully in place awaiting the arrival of the Baby Jesus. The traditional Christmas tree in Costa Rica is a big evergreen branch, a small cypress tree, or dried coffee branches. The "tree" is decorated with white paint and brightly colored strips of paper. Lights and small colored balls, a variety of small figures and lace are also used to adorn the greenery. A gold star is placed on top as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem. A very popular Latin American tradition--the portal--is a nativity scene constructed of mosses and grass, colored sawdust, cypress twigs, black paper, silver glitter and figurines representing the birth of Jesus in the manger. Along with the traditional figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepards, the three wise men and the ox and mule, Costa Ricans commonly add extra embellishments like dolls, little farm animals, tiny toys, fruits and berries, and lights. While Costa Rican families spend a great deal of time arranging their portales just right, tradition says that families who don't own a home must use a portal that has been received as a gift--then the holy family will help them get a house of their own. The portal is often placed under the tree (along with the presents) but may sit on a table, platform or on the floor in a corner of the living room. Wherever it is, it occupies a position of honor and is a point of pride in the home. The people put a lot of effort into making each year's portal better than the last and the displays frequently outgrow the space under the tree or on the table and begin to monopolize a large part of the living room. The figure of Baby Jesus is placed in the portal at midnight on December twenty-fourth. That's also when the adults open their gifts. The children are told that the Baby Jesus brings their gifts while they are sleeping. Nowadays, Saint Nicholas has also become an important part of the custom and his rotund presence is everywhere. Posadas take place during the nine days before Christmas. Originating in Spain and Mexico, the posada consists of a group of neighbors getting together at a different neighbor's house each day to act out the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. This is accompanied by singing and praying, snacks of the season, and lots of tamales. The Misa de Gallo, Christmas Mass, takes place at midnight on December twenty-fifth. That is the night that many families enjoy their traditional Christmas dinner. Traditional seasonal foods include the tamal (corn flour dough stuffed with potatoes, vegetables and pork or chicken, then boiled in plantain leaves); pupusa (tortilla with cheese, corn and whatever); vigoron (cabbage, tomato, yucca and fried pork rind, served on a plantain leaf); and grilled pork, chicken and sausage. Many Costa Ricans have adopted the foreign custom of eating turkey and ham, as long as they are accompanied by the traditional Costa Rican tamal. Rompope is also in great supply. Known by North Americans as eggnog, it is generously fortified with dark rum or brandy. The closing ceremony to the Christmas season isn't until January sixth (traditionally the date the three wise men arrived to worship Jesus) when neighbors get together for a special prayer for the Baby Jesus. Family and friends pray the rosary and sing Christmas carols. Then food is offered and the portal disassembled and put away until next year.

Write about a special tradition you keep in ypur family to celebrate Christmas. What is the origin of the tradition? Who participates? What does your family do? What special memories do you have that associate to this tradition? Merry Christmas!

Costa Rican Musical Moods

Costa Rican music is rather diverse and appeals to many different groups. There are many types of music found in Costa Rica that appeal to different generations. For example, the urban youth of Costa Rica enjoy: Reggae, Rock, SKA, Punk, Metal, Rap, Hip Hop and Reggeaton. The older crowds tend to enjoy: Merengue, Salsa, Soca, Cumbia, Rumba, Bachata, Classical and Tex-Mex. Those who live in more remote areas of the country tend towards more folkloric music such as:Calypso, Marimba, Folkloric, Afro-Caribbeano, and Guanacasteco. As in most Latin American countries, music is a integral part of Costa Rican culture. Music is something that unites Costa Ricans of all ages. Music in Costa Rica is highly influenced by its neighbors Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia. In major celebrations such as baby showers, weddings, 15th or 50th birthday celebrations Mexican style Mariachi bands come to play typical songs. Ticos are known for their love of dance, so they have to have quality music to accompany. In almost any club you will hear Reggaeton blarring. One will hear a variety of types of music being played where ever you are whether it be in a restaurant, taxi, at a dance club, or simply walking down the street. It seems like in Costa Rica they have a song for everything. The young school children are taught several hundred songs to help them learn about Costa Rican history and promote national pride. However, Costa Ricans have never developed their own distinct sounds, rather they feed off music that is created in Latin America and Latin American style. This is not to say that there are not any world-class bands and performers that come from Costa Rica. Some of the biggest bands in rock such as Metallica and Guns & Roses will preform in Costa Rica in 2010. Pavarotti preformed in 2004. Some of the most well known or even internationally renowned groups include: Gandhi, Tango India, Malpais, Editus, Tico Jazz Band, Banda Rock Las Tortugas, Skala Grupo Musical, Grupo Musical Kahle, Grupo Musical Pura Vida, Grupo Gaviota, Sasha Cambell Barr, Gerardo y los Hicsos, Mustang65, and Grupo Marfil What was the last time you went to a concert? What was the band? Who was the singer? Who did you go with? Why did you decide to attend that concert? Did you have a good time? Why?

Tourist Attractions in Costa Rica

The website costaricaguides.com has put together a list of its top ten travel destinations in Costa Rica for travelers seeking to explore and discover the natural wonders of this ecologically striking country. In this entry we’ll tell you five of the most attractive destinations included in their list.

1. San José City & Surroundings San José is the capital and the largest city in Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, it is both a historical and modern city filled with Costa Rican traditions. Due to the fact that the city is situated in the center of the country, San José is the perfect place to use as a base camp and departure point to tour Costa Rica. Once you've explored San José, there are plenty of wonderful destinations, only minutes away, on the outskirts of the capital city.

2. Arenal Volcano The Arenal Volcano area is the perfect spot for nature and adrenaline lovers. As one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Arenal Volcano is a fascinating natural wonder and a must-see destination for many travelers to Costa Rica. The volcano’s surroundings are just as impressive and worth visiting, including hot springs, waterfalls, forests, lakes, caves and beautiful traditional towns, such as La Fortuna.

3. Monteverde Monteverde is a small misty town in Puntarenas and is considered a major tourist destination due to its numerous reserves with naturally impressive rain and cloud forests. It was voted as one of Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders, along with Isla del Coco, Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano, Cerro Chirripó, Río Celeste and Poás Volcano.

4. Manuel Antonio Beach Manuel Antonio is a natural paradise located just south of Quepos on the Pacific Coast. It is a charming combination of rain forest, coral reefs and beaches; it is considered by many to be the most beautiful spot in the country. The Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's smallest national park, even though it is one of the richest in terms of beauty and biodiversity, and one of the main attractions in the area.

5. Tamarindo Beach Once a sleepy town, Tamarindo is now Guanacaste's largest coastal center, frequented by foreigners from all over the world. It has all the amenities of a Costa Rican beach town – surf, sand, sun and a robust nightlife. Even though this amazing town has become a Mecca for surfers, Tamarindo is also a favorite for eco-travelers. It is surrounded by National Parks to its north and south, and mountains with abundant nature. What's your top five of tourist destinations in our country? Comment your choices!

Soccer in Costa Rica

Soccer is the most popular sport in Costa Rica. Almost all residents eat and breathe soccer, and for that reason even amateur soccer teams are very completive. Most communities, even if they are very small, have a soccer field and women and men practice it alike. Costa Rica has a professional soccer leagues composed of 12 teams, of which Saprisa and Alajuela are the most popular. These 12 teams compete year round in two seasons: a summer season that goes from February to June, and the winter season that goes from July to December. The Costa Rican league is considered to be the third most competitive in Central and North America after the Mexican and U.S. leagues. Costa Rica's national soccer team is the third most successful team in CONCACAF after Mexico and the United States. They have qualified for three World Cups (1990, 2002, 2006), reaching the last sixteen on their debut in Italy 1990 and putting on a solid showing in 2002. This passion for soccer gives us the opportunity to use soccer as the vehicle for cultural exchange. Besides enjoying the weather, beaches, adventure, wildlife, and natural wonders, you will have the change to play competitive soccer with the locals and to experience a different soccer style. Since our tours are customized, you also have the option of watching a professional soccer game. Tell me about the best experience you have had related to a soccer game you went to or saw on TV!

Costa Rican Typical Food

To generalize a Costa Rican meal, one would certainly have to talk about black beans and rice (gallo pinto). This simple, standard dish, often referred to as comida tipica, is the backbone of Costa Rican cuisine. While many of the dishes are still prepared with oils high in saturated fats, Costa Rican food is generally quite healthy when coupled with an active lifestyle. Cheese and other dairy products are rarely utilized. Often served with a good portion of fruits or vegetables or both, the meals are very well rounded and generally high in fiber. Other factors in the Tico's healthy mealtime experience are their eating habits. Firstly, Ticos do not eat in excess. Their modest proportions are much like the Europeans and smaller than that of the U.S. Secondly, Ticos make lunch the main meal of the day. In fact, many employers will give an additional hour off for a post-lunch casado. This convention will provide more energy during the day when people need it, and less energy at night when it will likely be wasted and converted to fat reserves. San José possesses a broad spectrum of fare. On one hand, it is the center of fine dining and international cuisine in Costa Rica; on the other, its streets and markets are filled with sodas, or small restaurants that serve light meals and snacks. Away from the big city, Ticos are less adventurous eaters, so the food becomes more grounded in peasant culture and less varied. Share your typical recipes with us on the blog!