About Costa Rica: the Provinces

Costa Rica may be a small country, but it’s got so much to see and so much to do. From volcanoes, beaches, valleys, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and more.

Costa Rica is a country divided into 7 provinces. Each province is divided into cantons, and each canton into districts. Kind of like the way the US is divided into states, each state into counties, and each county into towns.

Costa Rican Independence Day not quite the same

So today, September 15th, was Costa Rican Independence Day, celebrating their 188th year of independence from Spain in 1821. It was a peaceful declaration, and was a joint declaration among many Central American countries.

A good 80% of workers have off today (I just kind of made up that number), and the streets are practically barren. I was one of the 20% that was at work today, mostly because I need the money. Among some of the things I missed while I was at work were: time to myself to relax and probably start getting back into shape (though round is a shape, too), and the parades all over the country that morning.

My September 11th, 2001

In other news, it’s September 11th, 2009. Today marks the 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. As would be expected, there isn’t much commemoration for the event down here. It didn’t happen here, and who cares about something that happens in another country, right?

Anyway, I remember where I was 8 years ago. I was in English class, and my teacher told us “When you go home today, the world around you will be completely different.” I had no idea what he was talking about. I thought, could it be something about the new mayor (Michael Bloomberg was just being elected in the primaries that morning)? None of us knew what was up, but we knew that one by one each of us was getting called out of our classes.

Costa Rica Loses to El Salvador

For shame, Costa Rica! Ticos, I understand that maybe the defeat at the hands of Mexico may have made this game a bit too tough for you. Or maybe the trip to El Salvador left you tired. But still, there is no excuse for losing a match that was practically handed to you. This was your opportunity to advance from fourth place in the CONCACAF but you choked.

I’ve got some bad news for you. Now, as things stand, you may have to win the playoff against fifth place Argentina in the CONMEBOL to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, which does not seem like a very good situation for the Ticos.

Costa Rica Pierde Contra El Salvador

Que, pero que vergüenza! Ticos, entiendo que tal vez el partido se les hizo un poco dificil despues de su derrota contra la selección de Mexico. O tal vez el viaje a El Salvador les dejaron cansados. Pero igual, no hay excusa por haber perdido un partido asi de regalado. Ésta era su oportunidad para avanzar un poco en el CONCACAF y salirse de cuarto lugar en el grupo, pero no lo lograron.

Ahora, como estan las cosas, les toca el repechaje contra Argentina en el CONMEBOL para poder calificar para la Copa Mundial 2010, lo cual no parece una situación muy buena para los Ticos.

Back to Seattle 2

Coming this Friday, September 11th there will be a Back to Seattle 2 special at the Latino Rock Café in Barrio la California, San José. They will be playing selected songs from Screaming Trees, Mudhoney, Mother Love Bone, and Temple of the Dog. Seats are very limited, as the show is practically sold out. If you’re interested, call 2221-3223. Show starts at 9:30 PM, be there or be square. ¢3000 cover charge.

Taxi Fares to Increase

Taxi prices are going up! Taxis in Costa Rica are usually only half as expensive as those in New York. A ride that would cost me about 12 dollars in a Town Car (and that’s because I know the guy) would only cost about half as much down here. But pretty soon, the price is expected to rise again.

The way taxis work down here (official red taxis, not the “piratas”) is you get the first kilometer at a fixed price, and after that it starts to count. Each kilometer after comes out to about ¢385 CRC. Usually, if your trip is less than a kilometer the cab driver won’t be too happy and he’ll let you know it, but it happens. For most taxis in Costa Rica, the price for that first kilometer is ¢430 CRC. As of next Wednesday, it’ll be going up.