The Rainy Season

   Why is Costa Rica so green? It rains a lot. Rain makes things green and beautiful. If it was always sunny, you would have a desert. Usually the rain is gentle and warm. So there is really no need to cancel outdoor activities. You will get wet white water rafting and rappelling down waterfalls so it does not matter if it rains. The rain forests are thick and lush. They are an explosion of green. All plants look like they are on steroids. You can watch the rain fall on your flowers and almost see them growing. Well at least the next day they look bigger. Don't "dis" the rain. Water is life for all of us, plants and humans.

Boda Real

   If you were in a little mountain village in Costa Rica too far to walk to the nearest store, you might miss lunch, but you would not miss the royal wedding. All you have to do is turn on CNN Espanol and the ubiquitous images of William and Kate would appear in full wedding regalia. The people of Costa Rica do not seem as invested in the wedding as North Americans, but nonetheless it is still an event here.

THE NATIONAL BIRD

  Of all the neautiful birds that live in or fly through Costa Rica, guess what the National bird of Costa Rica is? It is the Clay-colored Robin or as it is called now the Clay-colored Thrush. You can find the Clay-colored Thrush anywhere from southern Texas to Colombia, South America. In many respects the Clay-colored Thrush appears very much like the American Robin. However, it does not have the trademark red breast of the American Robin. Although the Clay-colored Thrush lacks some of the startling color of other Costa Rican birds, the people of Costa Rica have chosen it as their National bird because of its strong, melodious song.

Guess Who 's Coming to Costa Rica?

   Wal-Mart announced that it will open twenty-four new stores in Costa Rica. That translate into 839 new jobs this year for Ticos.  Wal-Mart plans to invest $160.5 million in Costa Rica. That seems to be a vote of confidence in Costa Rica's economy. Costa Rica boasts one of the most stable economies in Cebtral America.

The Dam

   Costa Rica takes another step to decrease dependence on oil, with clean resources. On April 7, the final phase of construction began on a hydroelectric dam in Limon, on the Caribbean slope. The dam is scheduled to open in 2016. It will provide energy for over a half a million homes. Two companies, from Brazil and China, are bidding to operate the dam.

Semana Santa

Semana Santa or Holy Week (the week before Easter) takes on various forms in Costa Rica. For some it is a time of prayer and reflection. For others it is a time to head for the beaches. With many bussinesses closed for Holy Week people usually pack up their families and go on vacation. No alcohol is sold from Wednesday night to midnight Saturday. Bars are sealed. All Government offices are closed. So are the emergency rooms at the private hospitals. The post office, along with some banks and malls are closed from Thursday to Monday. Holy Week takes on a different tone in Costa Rica.

Hogar Siembra Rappel