Costa Rica, like many other Latin American countries, is primarily Catholic. Catholicism is the state religion, and its values influence many aspects of the culture. Semana Santa is a time to reflect, rest, and enjoy a bit of a break at the end of the summer and dry season. There are also many religious and culinary traditions that accompany this time. Even though it's only the fourth week of the semester, I'm grateful for the opportunity to step back from my schoolwork and prepare mentally for the rest of my classes. So far, I went on a small trip to the cloud forest in Monteverde, and plan on doing some more travelling later this week. For now, I'm trying to get ahead on my homework, so I can have an easier week when I return to classes.
There is great variety in the ways that people observe Semana Santa. I will share a bit about what I have observed at home this week, and also about some well-known traditions and customs.
One of the best parts of any tradition is the food! I got to try some empanadas de chiverre, which are small pastries filled with a special jam made from a squash. They were delicious, and so cute! My host family also made a version with dulce de leche. Seafood is also more common this week, as people sometimes avoid red meat leading up to Easter.
