My home town of Heredia has one of the most beautiful parks in the country. A colonial-style church built in 1797 faces west onto the park. It has stained-glass windows and bells in the campanario (bell tower) which were brought from Cuzco, Peru. Cobblestones and a beautiful fountain adorn the park. Dozens of mango trees provide shade and add to the park’s unique ambience . On the east side of the park is a bandstand where an occasional concert takes place.

On the north side is the old post office, a building that once served as a school an old fortress called , El Fortin. This part of the city with its abundance of colonial architecture provides a glimpse of the Costa Rica of centuries past.

What I like best about the park is the people watching. I often find a shady spot and sit and observe the people. Hundreds of people walk through the park everyday to catch a bus to San Jose at one of the nearby bus stops.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons the park buzzes with activity. Children play around the fountain, venders sell ice cream, families and friends sit together and talk on the many benches. The atmosphere is very lively and festive. There is corner of the park where a group twenty or more of elderly men gather every afternoon. to talk about everything from soccer and politics to the “good old days.”

If you have never been to Heredia’s Central Park. I encourage you to visit.

Since Costa Rica is a Catholic country the people take Easter Week very seriously. There are many religious processions and ceremonies throughout the week.

Most Costa Ricans gather with their family members during this period for a time of reflection and prayer. Many of Costa Rica’s Nicaraguan residents travel north to their country to be with their relatives.

Over a million of the country’s people choose to spend their time with friends and family at the beach. There are virtually no hotel rooms available due to the influx visitors. Some people even camp out along the beach.

San José becomes a virtual ghost town with most of its residents and commuters on vacation. It seems like the whole city went to the beach or to other destinations. On Thursday and Friday no liquor may be sold in the country. Many residents stock up for the two ‘dry days” in advance. Due to tradition a lot of seafood is sold in the days leading up to the holiday. Supermarkets take advantage of the huge demand for fish products and display both fresh seafood and every imaginable variety of canned fish.

This year I chose to stay at home with my family instead of going to the beach. We rented movies, went out to eat several times and visited friends. I really enjoy the tranquility of this week.