“Dia de las Culturas,” or “Day of the Cultures.”

Like in States and other places, “Columbus Day” 
has changed to “Day of Cultures” in Costa Rica.
The old guy’s band plays first, while . . .
Day of Cultures, Atenas, Costa Rica

. . . the young guy’s band waits off stage.
Sax, trumpet, trombone & drums compared to accordion, guitar, marimba.
 Day of Cultures, Atenas, Costa Rica

Lots of kiddie rides for every fiesta
Day of Cultures, Atenas, Costa Rica

And always a merry-go-round!Day of Cultures, Atenas, Costa Rica


And for no explanation I failed to photograph any of the many junk food booths and cheap Chinese plastic toys booths. Any holiday is an excuse for a carnival here! And like in the states, Ticos have learned to move many holidays to Mondays for long weekends! This holiday used to always be on October 12 but was on Monday the 16th this year. Schools, government offices, and some banks were closed, but not all businesses. There is no reason to celebrate Columbus here, even if he did name the country and our currency is named after him. Colon is Spanish for Columbus! Did you know that? 


Interesting thing is that while I was downtown I saw no activities related to culture as I have seen in past celebrations, like dancing, art, history, etc.  Hmmm.  These photos in a gallery.

When asked by an anthropologist what the Indians called America before the white man came, an Indian said simply, “Ours.” 

~Vine Deloria, Jr.

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