Faroles

We were invited to a community celebration of Independence Day, which is tomorrow. The night before Independence Day, it is customary to gather with your neighbours and pay homage to those who made independence from Spain possible. It was a great opportunity to meet other people we hadn't met yet. The evening started with all of us standing in a solemn stance with our right hand on our hearts. The kids recited poems and Sharon and Nicole danced folklore dances all dressed up in traditional skirts and headbands (called campasina). Then, we ate food typical to our region. Once the rain stopped, it was time to walk outside in the dark with the faroles. The Costa Rican tradition is, the night before Independence Day, people make little houses out of paper, cardboard or wood and attach them to a stick and they place a candle in the middle of the house (similar to a lantern) and they walk in the neighbour singing patriotic songs. The candle-lit houses symbolize a time before electricity, a simpler time (it's all a matter of perspective) and they walk with gratitude for what they now have: liberty and opportunity. To be included, felt very special.