Fight at the Feria!
Woke at the crack of dawn, as I usually do… It’s, ‘Feria’ or Farmer’s Market Day! A day I look forward all week. These past few months we’ve been living in barrio Santa Marta by U. Fidellitas. For the most part we are right in the middle of everything we need. The farmers market on the other hand requires traversing to Zapote, and since we are with no vehicle for the time being, it has been a hassle. Last week I learned of a route to save a lot of walking. The bus stop is located in San Pedro at a park across from a Catholic church by the outlet mall.
This week I sat in astonishment watching some lottery ticket salesman who, as the church service ended, stood in the middle of the entrance yelling out numbers to the exiting crowd. I couldn’t help but think of that parable I heard as a kid, how Jesus threw out the money changers from a temple. Anyways...
This week I sat in astonishment watching some lottery ticket salesman who, as the church service ended, stood in the middle of the entrance yelling out numbers to the exiting crowd. I couldn’t help but think of that parable I heard as a kid, how Jesus threw out the money changers from a temple. Anyways...
I was surprised to see the priest just standing at the entrance alongside shaking hands with his congregation and bidding the followers farewell. I think in the States someone would have called the cops for certain.
You can count on ONE thing while in Costa Rica for sure. You will NEVER be bored!
The feria is one of my favorite things about Costa Rica. If you eat as much produce as we do, the savings are HUGE. This picture shows what I bought for $27 the first week we were here. The picture is small, but for reference the photo spans about 6' of counter space, and over 2' high. In the US, this amount of food would value well over a hundred dollars. It was a bit too much produce for the week, so we’ve been spending near $20 each week since up until today, I spent $30. Today, a new gluten-free stand was set up, so I splurged on some brownies, torta-chilena, and bread all made from almond flour. I was excited because my wife Tristin has a gluten allergy. Now she gets to eat bread again! I sometimes feel guilty gorging on cakes, cookies and breads in front of her. We have tried many gluten-free items at places all around and this bread is the best we have tried hands down, and a great find...
Luckily their also happened to be a homemade strawberry jam stand... I typically make things like this myself, but I figured why not save some time. The jam, paired with the almond white bread and bananas seems like the thing to do for breakfast tomorrow morning.
You can count on ONE thing while in Costa Rica for sure. You will NEVER be bored!
The feria is one of my favorite things about Costa Rica. If you eat as much produce as we do, the savings are HUGE. This picture shows what I bought for $27 the first week we were here. The picture is small, but for reference the photo spans about 6' of counter space, and over 2' high. In the US, this amount of food would value well over a hundred dollars. It was a bit too much produce for the week, so we’ve been spending near $20 each week since up until today, I spent $30. Today, a new gluten-free stand was set up, so I splurged on some brownies, torta-chilena, and bread all made from almond flour. I was excited because my wife Tristin has a gluten allergy. Now she gets to eat bread again! I sometimes feel guilty gorging on cakes, cookies and breads in front of her. We have tried many gluten-free items at places all around and this bread is the best we have tried hands down, and a great find...
Luckily their also happened to be a homemade strawberry jam stand... I typically make things like this myself, but I figured why not save some time. The jam, paired with the almond white bread and bananas seems like the thing to do for breakfast tomorrow morning.
As I left the farmers market and made my way to 'la Peri' bus stop, I couldn't help but notice an old man, perhaps sixty years of age, riding his bike down the center of main street Zapote. This is a busy four lane road. Someone in a van coming towards him with the windows open started cursing at the old man, telling him to get out of the street. The old man removed the beer bottle that was rigged to his handlebars and started throwing the liquid through the window onto the driver! He slammed on his brakes and started reversing through the busy street. Cars shot in every which direction to avoid an accident. IT WAS CRAZY! At this point, the cyclist and driver were face to face. The old man wedged his bicycle against the van door to prevent the guy from getting out, yet kept egging him on relentlessly to come and fight him like a man, as he blockaded him!
This was great! I love stuff like this... all I could think was why hadn't I charged my camera battery last night? Needless to say, I CANNOT make this stuff up!~
The driver came through the window and started throwing some pretty hard blows. The old man shook him off, ducking and weaving and acted as if he were playing a game. The cyclist backed up into the street and the driver came out of the van door to follow. Traffic was stopped for about 2 1/2 minutes as this entire escapade escalated. There was a street sales guy walking between the backed up traffic selling chips and drinks. Those stuck in traffic seemed more like patrons of a drive in movie at this point.
As the two men came toe to toe in the street, things were escalating out of proportion. Everyone in traffic started honking and throwing their arms out of their cars, instructing the two to get over themselves and to get out of the way. The van driver looked so flustered, he couldn't make up his mind on what he wanted to do next. Did he want to pounce the guy or leave? I laughed as I watched the guy finally make the right choice. To get in his van and leave.
I love Costa Rica so much... SO MUCH! It is so fun to just walk around, trying to figure out why people do the crazy things they do. Watching crazy situations, crazy drivers, just craziness in general. I can always count on some sort of amusement during my day. Days here are distinct, different, and don't melt together like life does (for me) in the States.
All in all, it was a fantastic day. I got my veggies, fruits and diversions for the day. Tristin got her gluten-free deserts. Win / Win
By: Jay Asquith
This was great! I love stuff like this... all I could think was why hadn't I charged my camera battery last night? Needless to say, I CANNOT make this stuff up!~
The driver came through the window and started throwing some pretty hard blows. The old man shook him off, ducking and weaving and acted as if he were playing a game. The cyclist backed up into the street and the driver came out of the van door to follow. Traffic was stopped for about 2 1/2 minutes as this entire escapade escalated. There was a street sales guy walking between the backed up traffic selling chips and drinks. Those stuck in traffic seemed more like patrons of a drive in movie at this point.
As the two men came toe to toe in the street, things were escalating out of proportion. Everyone in traffic started honking and throwing their arms out of their cars, instructing the two to get over themselves and to get out of the way. The van driver looked so flustered, he couldn't make up his mind on what he wanted to do next. Did he want to pounce the guy or leave? I laughed as I watched the guy finally make the right choice. To get in his van and leave.
I love Costa Rica so much... SO MUCH! It is so fun to just walk around, trying to figure out why people do the crazy things they do. Watching crazy situations, crazy drivers, just craziness in general. I can always count on some sort of amusement during my day. Days here are distinct, different, and don't melt together like life does (for me) in the States.
All in all, it was a fantastic day. I got my veggies, fruits and diversions for the day. Tristin got her gluten-free deserts. Win / Win
By: Jay Asquith