Last Friday our school had another cultural day and the highlight for all present were the "mascaras." Along with a band (of course there has to be dancing!) This is a very common activity that you will find among Tico's. A friend of ours even hired a group of payasos for her daughters baby shower! 
This is a tradition that dates back to the Spanish conquest. The Costa Rican's who were now ordered to convert to the Spanish Catholicism and abandon their many gods. As a form of rebelling against the Spaniards the Costa Ricans begun this tradition of fiesta with these payasos (clowns) which symbolized their different gods and some made to resemble the Spaniard's. The figures dance around and chase the people and in return the people hit them with sticks and mock them. Now hold your stomach for this one!! The clowns even have bull intestines some with urine and they hit the people with them. Interesting :) I guess this is a small introduction to the many customs and cultural activities that we will very shortly be introduced to in Mexico.24 days and counting !!!
please pray that we would be ready for this new transition.
love Sandra
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