This week has been Semana Santa or "Holy Week" here in Costa Rica. What does that mean? Well no school, business close almost for the whole time, families travel, and there are way more people at the beaches, super markets, and on the roads. The sleepy coast suddenly becomes innodated with throngs of vacationers escaping the big cities, their lives and jobs. Crime triples, accident occurs and general excitement ensues. Suggestions for this time . . . don't travel, lock your doors, be watchful and enjoy the holiday. Down the street tourists got their car stolen in broad daylight while they were at the beach and yesterday evening the alarm went off in the complex. Now this is not unusual as they are motion detectors (we always chalk it up to the cat or dog roaming around the courtyard) but it turns out it was not four legged animals, but two legged humans. The caretakers scared them off, but holidays tend to bring out the best types. It is moments like these that I'm reminded where I live. If for three weeks out of the year I need to double check my doors, be extra watchful, and suffer through small crowds, it's worth it. Though . . . .
I'll breath a sigh of relief when everyone returns to their usual lives and the energized town settles back into the hammock and lazes away the days. I miss them already and it's only been five days. Of the many fine points of Semana Santa is that families come and stay with each other and they camp out in the yard in tents. Sometimes there are three or four canvased domes in the front yard and I think, "Man you could have a lot more people over to your house if they all slept in tents. There'd be no excuse as to where they would sleep. Just pop up another and you're good to go." Maybe over Christmas we'll try it and see how it goes. Oh . . . . wait . . . it never really gets cold here. Back in the states, turning relatives into human popsicles really might dampen the holiday cheer. I'll have to work on that . . .
Highlight of the day? Well, we girls went shopping in downtown Tamarindo. Traffic was insane while finding parking was a miracle. Luckily we were in two separate cars so we could split up and find spots. I parked on this main street fairly close to the stop sign, but there was no painted curb (there are no painted curbs in Costa Rica so seeing one would actually startle me). I was a little worried that I would get a ticket parking so close to a stop sign intersection, but with a shrug walked away into a glorious shopping experience. There is nothing like walking into incense fogged shops where carvings seem to be a breath away from pinning you under an avalanche, racks of fabric seem to have psychedelic effects, and the sweltering heat wraps you like a straight jacket. I enjoy seeing all the small trinkets that "represent Costa Rica" and the debates that always occur over whether so-and-so would like this or that. Gift giving is fun, gift finding a near panic attack. Two true gifts that are Costa Rican - Coffee and Carvings. If you don't like either one, you're not getting anything from me - Sorry.
So after our whirlwind of debate, distract and purchase we returned to our cars and I spot a ticket on my windshield. Tucked under the wiper is a white crumpled paper with red marker writing. At first glance my heart sinks, but I begin to notice the details and realize it is made by hand. There is nothing official about this ticket. The "fine" written in red permanent marker is one million colones (2 dollars). Realizing with a laugh that its nothing but a scam, I pluck it from my car and toss it into a compartment. As I'm pulling out, a guy wearing a hat and vest with "security" knocks on my window. I roll it down and he says "ticket." With a shrug I pull it out and hand it to him. Now at this point I'm not sure what I'm going to do so I ask "Por Qui Mil?" - meaning why one million colones? He rattles off in rapid spanish and from what I can gather he has been watching the cars, "protecting" them and it's payment. I nod, not really getting any of it, but knowing two things. First there has never been a "parking fee" before on this street. Second there was no posting of a "security enforced fee" on any sign or cardboard display to announce the new "improvement." Still, if he has watched my rental then he does deserve something so I pull the change from my purse and put it in his hand. He nods and then helps me back out.
Everyone is an entrepreneur during the holiday and it makes for some pretty interesting business. Perhaps I should start my own business for a week. What would it be? Any ideas?
I read a story about a year ago about this man that for like 25 years had worked a toll booth on a particular parking lot. He was there every single day, seven days a week. Then one day, he was just gone. The toll booth was still there, but there was no one to work it. The people that used it, called the city wondering what happened to the man. The city said that there was no toll booth on that parking lot. It must belong to the building. The building owners said there was no toll booth on the parking lot. Apparently this man brought his own toll booth and set it up charging every car that came in $5 per day. Averaging out how many cars parked there on a daily basis, he made off with millions!!!!! Here's the kicker, no one ever even knew his name!!!
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