Last week, Central American countries celebrated their Dia de Independencia, to mark the anniversary of freedom from the rule of Spain. A torch is lit in Guatemala City, the former capital of the entire region, and then spread by torch runners through CA countries, including Costa Rica. On Tuesday morning our classes headed to designated spots along the road through Monteverde to meet and bring the flame up to the school. The boys had a chance to carry the torch a few steps.

We went to Santa Elena the following day to blow up balloons and to march in the Independence Day parade. It was a warm sunny morning, but we suffered through a much too long civic ceremony before the parade got underway. A few locals basically told me "relax, this is 'Tico Time,'" but I think its torture to hold families with children in a gymnasium before a parade and spend an hour blablaing. Our boys put up with it for about ten minutes, and outside they ran looking for more interesting amusements.