"halloween" in Orosi

In Costa Rica, they don't really celebrate Halloween, technically, it is still mostly seen as a "pagan devil holiday" that this Catholic country does not recognize. However, with the influence of so many gringos (and their children) in this culture, Halloween is gaining in awareness and popularity. You can find decorations, costumes and Halloween cards in some of the malls. And, the country has officially moved the 2nd of November to October 31st.

Sorry, that IS worded a little strangely. The 2nd of November doesn't really have a holiday name, per se, (or if it does, I have not seen or heard it!) but it is celebrated here as a holiday acknowledging national traditions, and the way it is celebrated includes parades and parties, with traditional costumes and masks playing a big part. Some are those oversized papier mache puppet head masks mounted on those metal frames that make the person wearing it appear 10 feet tall. Earlier in the week, the province capital's museum gallery was hosting an exhibition of masks with information about the tradition. Parades are really big here - they happen for many holidays and everyone gets involved. Ad-hoc or real bands from the schools have adult "guest" members, the smallest kids are all dressed up, and "perform" something choreographed simply, (this parade featured them waving their right arms together, then left arms together in a sweeping motion in time with the music) and there is also usually a group of men on horseback, loosely costumed like caballeros (cowboys). OK, some had hats. To begin most parades, Jesus (one of the church statues) is hauled in a brightly painted oxcart by a trussed up pair of oxen. (Bless this mess?) After this parade, which went around a four square block area, with all the people walking alongside and behind, there was a fireworks show, and then traditional foods were sold in a pavillion in the local school yard to benefit the school. These foods included beans and rice, arroz con leche (aka rice pudding), chicken in rice, pork and rice, the ever-present chayote, and some kind of grilled dead animal on a stick. Costa Rican cuisine leaves something to be desired. Maybe its "imagination"?

No trick or treating at present, although I offered to my girlfriend's son, that if he came to my house in a costume, I would give him candies - and perhaps the gringos with kids have Halloween parties (who else remembers bobbing for apples?), but this culture has pinatas at every kid's party, (Smack a box on a string hard enough, and the candies rain down on you!) so trick or treating would pale by comparison. I just put on some eye makeup, had a brownie and a cup of tea, and watched a "scarey" movie at home.