How does the picture above make you feel? Would you like to see such an amazing sunset?

I am Costa Rican, and that means I have been to the beach. In fact, my parents took me to the beach for the first time when I was a baby. For most of us “ticos”, going to “la playa” is part of our lives. I can remember, as if it were yesterday, the conversation I once had with my Austrian roommate when we were both exchange students in the United States.

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Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent (the week before Easter). In Costa Rica we celebrate the whole week, literally, and it has been this way since 1526, date when the first Holy Week took place in the Chira Island. Considered the most important holiday in the Catholic calendar, it commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

For most Costa Ricans, Holy Week is a time for religious traditions as families gather to share their faith and time together. Many religious activities, including colorful processions, are held during those days in all cities and towns of the country.

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, which commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. On Holy Thursday, the main events are the institution of Communion and the betrayal by Judas; and on Good Friday, the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. On Holy Saturday, Jesus rested in the grave and on Easter Sunday, He resurrected. All these situations are represented through masses and either dramatizations with human actors or effigies in processions.

The last words Jesus Christ said before dying

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If someone asked me to describe my country in one or two words, I wouldn’t think twice about it.

“Pura vida” would be the answer. The most commonly used phrase in Costa Rica literally means “Pure life”, but the saying goes beyond its simple translation: it’s a way of life. Contextually, then, it symbolizes the idea of simply enjoying life and being happy. As the Urban Dictionary states, it’s a synonym of “hakuna matata” and reflects the relaxed lifestyle of Costa Ricans.

Foreigners can hear this Spanish expression in informal settings as a greeting, a farewell and as a way to express gratitude or satisfaction. It can also refer to someone who is nice and friendly.

-¡Hola Tamara!, ¿Pura vida?              -Hi Tamara, ¿Pura vida?

-Muy bien, gracias a Dios.                   -Very well, thank God.

-¡Diay Felipe! ¿Cómo vas?                  -Hey, Felipe! How’s it going?

-Pura vida, ¿y vos?                             -Pura vida, and you?

-¡Nos vemos mañana!                          -See you tomorrow!

-Pura vida, ¡chao!                               -Pura vida, bye!

-¡Muchas gracias!                                -Thank you very much!

-¡Pura vida!                                         -¡Pura vida!

-¿Usted conoce a María?                    -Do you know Maria?

-¡Claro! Ella es muy pura vida.           -Sure! She’s very pura vida.

But where did Costa Ricans take this phrase from? According to a study of the expression by Anna Marie Trester, a film called Pura vida came to Costa Rica from Mexico in 1956, directed by Gilberto Martínez Solares. In the movie, “Pura vida” is the expression of eternal optimism used by a comic character, played by the actor Antonio Espino, who unfortunately can’t seem to do anything right. While a small population used it then, the phrase “Pura vida” was used nationwide by 1970.

Since this exclamation has become so popular in Costa Rica throughout the years, it is now common to find different kinds of businesses named “Pura vida”. Touristic ones such as hotels, language schools, travel and real state agencies, among others, make use of this idiomatic expression, even outside Costa Rica. Along with businesses and advertisement, the phrase is a must in souvenirs of all kinds. That’s the reason why “Pura vida” is even found in Costa Rican Spanish dictionaries.

Happiness, well-being, conformity and satisfaction is what “Pura vida” reflects; it identifies a Costa Rican wherever he or she may be. When you say, hear or see “Pura vida”, the facial expression of the person changes and a smile is drawn on his face. It is a very meaningful word for us “ticos” (Costa Ricans) because it reminds us of home and its beauty.

Just as Dr. Delise Dickard expressed in her article The simple bliss of ‘pura vida‘, even a tourist can understand what “pura vida” means by spending some time in this small country in Central America.

So, if you want to know what living a peaceful, simple, uncluttered life with a deep appreciation for nature, family and friends, just come to Costa Rica and experience it yourself! ¡PURA VIDA!

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In Costa Rica, Christmas is not white but windy. There’s no snow, but it’s the best time of the year, not only for the blue skies and cold nights, but also for the happiness that’s in the air. Once the dry season begins and vacations start, it can be said that Christmas is around the corner. The month of December is always full of festivities and get-togethers with family and friends, delicious food and traditions. Nice decorations are everywhere, from Christmas trees to lights in homes and streets.

A very popular Latin American custom during Christmas time is the “portal”, which is a nativity scene constructed of mosses, colored sawdust and figurines representing the birth of Jesus in the manger. The traditional figures are Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the three wise men, the ox and mule and shepherds. Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first nativity scene in 1223 (a “living” one) intending thereby to cultivate the worship of Christ.

The figure of Baby Jesus is placed on the “portal” at midnight on December 24^th. That’s also when the adults open their gifts, but children do it on the 25^th, as soon as they wake up. In Costa Rica Santa Claus isn’t the one who brings the Christmas gifts to the kids, they are brought by Baby Jesus while they are sleeping.

Another typical activity is the “posadas”, which take place during the nine days before Christmas. Originated in Spain and Mexico, the “posada” consists of a group of children and neighbors getting together at a different neighbor’s house each day to act out the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, looking for a place to stay where Jesus could be born. This is accompanied by Christmas carols and prayers, and candies for the children at the end. There are always four kids who dress up as Joseph, Mary, the Angel and the Star, and the rest as shepherds, which is why they are all called the “pastorcitos” (little shepherds).

For almost all Costa Rican families, a Christmas season without “tamales” is just not complete. This delicious typical dish is prepared exclusively in December to eat during the year-end parties and celebrations. The “tamal” is prepared with corn flour dough stuffed with rice, vegetables and pork, then wrapped in plantain leaves. Making “tamales” is generally an activity which involves the participation of all family members, who pass it on to future generations. The “tamales” are eaten at any time of the day, and during the season, invitations to eat them at friends’ and relatives’ homes are common.

Once the popular festivals, parades, carnivals and parties in December are over, the closing ceremony to the Christmas season takes place in January. Neighbors then get together for the “Rosario del Niño”, a prayer for Baby Jesus, as a way to thank Him for everything received during the previous year.

Come back on Monday to read about Christmas in Romania, by Carmen.

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-No army? No way!

-Yes, that’s true.

-But…I don’t understand…What about if another country wants to take over you? What would you do then?

This was a typical question I heard while being an exchange student in the United States. Before that, I never thought of the fact that an army could be so “necessary”. It also made me realize how blessed I am for being Costa Rican.

Located in Central America, Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua and Panama and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. On December 1^st, 1948, President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the country’s army after victory in the civil war that year. Since then, the budget previously dedicated to the military is now devoted to security, education and culture.

-We do have the Police Guard force.

-And you think that’s enough?

-Well, thank God we’ve never needed anything else.

Costa Rican Independence is celebrated on September 15^th, which commemorates independence of the entire Central America from Spanish rule in 1821. The national holiday, celebrated with much fun and merriment, is marked by hoisting of the National Flag, patriotic parades and performances by students in all towns and cities. The colors of the flag, blue, white and red, are common during the whole month, and especially this day.

On September 14^th, a torch is brought running from Nicaragua by schoolchildren in relays, arriving at 6 p.m., time when all “ticos” (Costa Ricans) stop and sing the National Anthem. The torch represents the news of independence arriving to Costa Rica, a full month after Central America’s independence was actually declared in Guatemala. There is a light parade by schoolchildren holding lanterns and singing songs. Of course no celebration would be complete without fireworks.

The fact that there are more teachers than soldiers might be one of the reasons why this army-free country ranks first in the Happy Planet Index (2009), don’t you think?

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(Introduction by Liz) Today we’re very pleased to introduce the newest member of the PocketCultures team, Nuria Villalobos from Costa Rica. Read her first post for PocketCultures here below.

Nuria has lived and studied in Costa Rica and the USA and is currently professor of English at Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica. She loves cultures, languages and meeting people from different places. She speaks Spanish and English and has been studying Portuguese for a year and a half now and loves it! You can also find Nuria on her blog called World Experience. Feel free to say hello!

Now over to Nuria:

Costa Rica is synonym of peace, happiness, nature and great food. The most typical dish for breakfast is called “Gallo Pinto”, literally translated ‘Spotted Rooster’. Its name doesn’t have anything to do with its ingredients though since they are basically white rice and black beans. Yes, you heard right: rice and beans for breakfast!

This national dish can be made in different ways but it is usually prepared with onions, red peppers, cilantro and the not-to-be-missed ingredient: Lizano Sauce. This 100% Costa Rican sauce was produced by the company Lizano in 1920 and although its recipe is secret, it is known to contain onion, carrot, cauliflower and cucumber. This sauce is neither sweet nor sour and it has a strong smell to spices. It is very tasty and therefore used in many Costa Rican dishes.

The gallo pinto has its origins in the Caribbean islands where the rice and beans combination was spread. This dish came along with the arrival of the African American workers coming from Jamaica to the province of Limón, Costa Rica. Its current name was not giving to it until workers from the Central Valley went to Limón to help build the railroad and therefore tasted this food. As a result, in the 1930’s the gallo pinto became popular in the rest of the country.

Although in different versions, this dish is also eaten in Nicaragua and other countries such as Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In Costa Rica, the gallo pinto, known as rice and beans in Limón and prepared with coconut oil, can be accompanied with eggs, cheese, corn tortillas, sour cream and fried ripe plantains.

Make sure you get a taste of Costa Rica in your next visit by trying the famous gallo pinto!

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