Fiesta de Gringos

(In, Costa Rica)

(By: CostaRicaHQ.com)

Every year on July 4th, there is a: ‘U.S. Citizen only Party,’ from 8 a.m.,-noon. It costs either $4-American dollars or 2,000-colones to get in. It also takes a U.S. passport.
Inside the fiesta area, everything is free. Beer is included (seems odd for a morning party, but be that as it may); to include such food items as: Pepsi, bottled water, coffee, hotdogs, popcorn, meat and cheese and bagels, cotton candy, massive sorts of sweetie substances for the kids, in particular for those who like to “fish” over a barrier with clothespins and tons of other food and drinks.
There are also lots of games for the kids. Younger kids can ride the carousel or bouncing bees; rides are free. There is also a jumping booth and a massive slide. Older kids can play soccer or volleyball on the spacious grounds. Lots of musical bands are playing everything, everywhere—within the fiesta area, from classic rock to square-dancing music.
At about 9: 00 a.m., there was a flag ceremony hosted by the U.S. Marines from the U.S. Embassy. After singing the United States National Anthem, we said the ‘Pledge of Allegiance,’ to the now risen flag. I actually cried. It had been a long time that I had said—and engaged in any kind of patriot activity with true Americans that believe in liberty, and the values of the true America that our founding fathers spilled their blood to give us.
The North American Democrats abroad in Costa Rica and the North American Republicans abroad in Costa Rica had booths to register voters. I stuck around to hear the chatter. As usual, both Democrats and Republicans in Costa Rica have such similar politics, it’s ridiculous. Of course Democrats and Republicans in the United States continue such similar politics, making it just as ridiculous… but the politics of Re-demo-public-rats in Costa Rica is the opposite of Re-demo-public-rats in the United States.
Most Americans abroad—in Costa Rica that is—are neither Republicans nor Democrats. They are libertarians, constitutionalists, anarchists or socialists. Don’t get too confused by the labels; many of those which seem to be opposites in the United States actually have the same values and beliefs here in Costa Rica. The anarchists and the socialists are both lovers of liberty here and value what the original American was founded to protect.
The U.S. Ambassador showed up at about 10:30 a.m., with his family and bodyguard. He was verbally accosted by several people, one of whom spit at him. The consensus seemed to be that this was a party for true patriots and he represented the powers that are destroying America from both parties (from the near past, to the now present). Others thought he was treated unfairly and that it wasn’t his fault what was happening at home, back in America. Of course you can’t become an ambassador without being willing to represent the country that sends you.
He seemed like a pretty nice guy to me with a wonderful family. Of course I believe he chose to be what he represents, and what he represents are the policies of America, and therefore, is not responsible in the fullest, nor can place blame on how people respond to his arrangement to represent America in the best of light—to the fullest, and the policies of the United States in particular—; again I repeat, nor can he blame those who throw tomatoes and other such vegetables at his art (or skill?)—in persuasion efforts (figuratively speaking); I was glad he wasn’t there during the flag rising, had he been it may have destroyed the atmosphere of patriotism that abounded.
Tonight there will be fireworks at Intel. I don’t know if we’ll go or not. The kids generally can’t handle two major events in one day. I suspect there will also be fireworks throughout the central valley wherever gringos live (of course fireworks aren’t illegal here). Ticos may also get into the fun. They have been known to make excuses to have a party, in this still relatively free country.
I strongly recommend a visit to the ‘Fiesta de Gringos,’ if you are ever near, or in Costa Rica during the 4th of July; if you aren’t American but close… ((Like Canadian or of The United Kingdom) (England)), you can usually get an American to invite you as a guest.

The author lives and plays in Costa Rica when he isn't helping others learn how to live and play in Costa Rica. You can contact him personally—if you wish, at the following email address:

http://www.CostaRicaHQ.com/contact/ He will be happy to personally answer any questions about living and playing in Costa Rica quickly, courteously and free of charge.