Pilgrimage to Costa Rica’s Ujarrás Ruins

Faithful pilgrims returned once more to the ruins of Ujarrás yesterday starting at 7am. They started at the church in Paraíso de Cartago and traveled to the historic ruins of Ujarrás.

The caravan full of devout patrons took an 11 kilometer route toward the park with the emblematic ruins. The event was full of songs and prayers. The image was transferred to its old temple, led by the bishop of the diocese of Cartago, Mario Enrique Quirós.

Many people made elaborate altars to adorn the ceremony and show their devotion. One of them was made by the local Public Force. The Police adorned the facade of their headquarters.

The pilgrimage dates back to 1666. Some say that the virgin drove away the pirates who came to invade Cartago while other traditions say that she saved the country from a smallpox epidemic. The pilgrimage was carried out in 1666 and 1690 and became an annual tradition starting in 1920.

Uneducated and Under 24 = Costa Rica Unemployed

Unemployment is particularly difficult for young people, under age 24, without college. This population represents 35% of the unemployed in 2018. Women and inhabitants of rural areas with low education also have great difficulty finding employment.

86,500 people under age 24 who did not finish high school or did but did not go on to college were unemployed last year. The opportunities for under-24s without college are worst in the Central Pacific, southern zone, Chorotega and the Caribbean regions.

Of those 86,500 people, 56% had no secondary education and 30.3% finished high school but did not continue their studies. There were only 224,000 jobs to offer under-24s with low academic profiles last year. 65% of them went to men. These jobs were mostly in the secondary sector. They included fields like commerce, transport, storage, tourism, repair, and minor administrative activities.

Last year, the generation of jobs increased by 7.4% but the workforce increased even more, at 9.2%. This means that although new jobs were created, unemployment was not reduced.

It’s Battle for the Soul of Humanity, Not America

Air Canada Increasing Flights from Toronto to Costa Rica

Air Canada is increasing the number of flights between Costa Rica and Toronto starting this year. The company will offer flights this September and October, months it usually suspends service.

This initiative to strengthen operations in Costa Rica represents an increase of 36% in the number of seats available, according to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.

The new plan includes adding flights both to Liberia and San Jose. New flights will be made on an Airbus A321. The frequency of flights will change depending on the season. Offering flights during low season will help the tourism sector.

Canadians represent 7% of the international tourists to the country. In 2018, 217,000 Canadians entered the country. 92% of them entered via an airport. The largest numbers of arrivals of Canadians occurs from December to March, during Canadian winter.

The Crown of Miss Costa Rica

There are nine ladies in the running to be crowned Miss Costa Rica 2019. The crown was made by George Bakkar, for the fourth time in the history of the competition. We’ll find out who will wear it on July 19th.

The crown was revealed on April 25th. The artist made the piece entirely by hand. It contains silver, gold, crystals, and natural pearls. It took him 90 hours to make. He created it meticulously piece by piece.

It is inspired by the country’s volcanos and the flora that surrounds them. It contains flowers and leaves as well as concave circles that represent the volcanoes. It’s dominant colors are brown, gold and orange.

In addition to the crown, the winner will get earrings and a ring to match it. The three pieces have a value of $13,000.

The candidates will go on tour in the coming weeks so that Costa Ricans can get to know them.

Invoking The Werewolf

Where is the Underground Drug Party in Costa Rica?

Various anti-drug authorities are on alert regarding an international event in Costa Rica. They are still unsure where it is to take place but as its promotion suggests consumption of marijuana and derivatives, police, the OIJ, Pani, the Ministry of Health, and the Costa Rican Institute of Drugs are on alert.

The promotion on social networks include pictures of a Tica cart loaded with marijuana, the Costa Rican flag, pre-columbian sculptures, and the Angel of the Basilica with a sign “And you already have your entrance.”

The activity, in a secret location, costs a registration of ¢10,000 and is only available directly from participants. There have been some contests for free tickets. The activity will have tastings of flowers and concentrates as well as surprises from sponsors, according to an announcement.

The risk goes beyond the sale of psychoactive substances, as there are sometimes substances or bacteria added voluntarily or involuntarily in the artisanal process. These can be even more dangerous than the psychoactive agents of the drug.

Beware that the activity is outlined as illegal, since it does not have permits. There are penalties of eight to 15 years, 20 if a minor is involved, in prison for cultivating or selling marijuana.