Santa Maria Tope (pronounced Toh-pay)

Every year there are horse parades where local horse riders show off their abilities. The horses are incredibly well trained and they dance and prance like nobody's business. It was quite a show. Apparently 1,800 riders participated in this year's tope (last year the numbers were between 800 and 1,000). This tope is one of the major horse events in the country is is gaining momemtum. Some of the horses, their saddles, their intricately braided manes are worth a great deal of money. 

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Kevin and our dear friend, Catalina (the English teacher). She always makes every event so much fun!

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Two dancers in traditional costume... they had just finished dancing in the streets.

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This is not a pose. I was walking toward this young lady and she was walking towards me... and I just clicked... and this is how she was captured. I think it's very 'portrait' like, although she looks completely exhausted and not very happy.

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The Costa Ricans who come from the south on the Panama border share a similar culture to Panamanians, including their style of clothes. They wear these traditional dresses like a uniform, not just for special occasions. Always so colourful.

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Lots of stalls full of merchandise for sale.

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This horse was doing the jig.. back and forth and side to side... 
very entertaining.

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The crowd.

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Our friend, Gogui (Catalina's husband) also took part in the parade.

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And now for something a little different.... a small buffalo!

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