El Día de la Virgen de Los Angeles

The day of the Virgin of the Angels
[August 2nd - A national holiday]


August 2nd is a Catholic holiday in Costa Rica that honors the Virgin Mary. People from all over the country walk to the city of Cartago in her honor to see the Basilica de la Virgen de Los Angeles. It's an amazing holiday! I'm sad I wasn't able to participate in the walk. Here's some more information about it:
http://www.facesofcostarica.com/catholicism/aug2.htm


Yesterday morning, Jackie and I walked to the Museo Nacional (National Museum). 

It only cost about 2 mil colones ($4) and we learned quite a bit about the history of Costa Rica! The Museo actually used to be a fort until Costa Rica got rid of its army in 1948! We were able to see the actual holding cells that the captains used to put the soldiers in when they were misbehaving. 

The cells still have the wall graffiti too! 

This is one of the ancient stone spheres found in Costa Rica. They are an archeological mystery. Nobody knows the exact date or purpose for their creation. All they know is that the ancient peoples made them. 


The Museo also had a butterfly exhibit and gold and jade exhibit. The other exhibits educated tourists about the changes in Costa Rican architecture, the 3 different regions of Costa Rica, and the first inhabitants of Costa Rica. I really enjoyed it! 
After the Museo, Jackie and I grabbed some lunch, then headed to the Artesian Market. 
Had to do a little more bargain shopping:) 
When I got home, I did my take-home test for the Tropical Medicine class, hit up the gym, then ate dinner. Antonio made a new dish. It was pasta stuffed with crema de hormigos y queso y pavo (cream of mushroom, cheese, and turkey) with tomato sauce. It was a different taste, but it was pretty good! After dinner, I showered up quickly and headed to Multiplaza del Este with Darrian and Jackie to see Harry Potter 7 (Part B).

 I haven't read the books, but I definitely want to now! Despite the fact that I just ruined them by watching the last movie- haha! We hit up the TCBY in the food court. Compré una taza de yogur de fresa con almendras y moras. (I bought a cup of strawberry frozen yogurt with almonds and blackberries) Yum! However, blackberries are probably the one and only fruit that is better in the States than here. At the Multiplaza del Este, a small box of popcorn and a student movie ticket costs half as much as just a movie ticket in the U.S.! How ridiculous is that! I definitely took advantage of that opportunity!