Zapote!! and Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year, everybody!! I wish and hope nothing but the absolute best in your lives from here on out - not just for this year!! In Costa Rica, starting on December 25 and going through January 6 is what we call "ZAPOTE". Zapote is actually a town, but it has also come to mean the carnaval in Zapote. It comes complete with rides, shows, eats and bullfights! Actually the bullfights might be more accurate to be called "bull teasing". The animals are not harmed, killed or maimed, but just aggravated enough to give a good show. The "men" get in the ring, and the goal is to slap the bull's rump and run. If the bull is especially game, then you get a good show with the bull charging and making the contestants scatter like roaches when the light is turned on. On occasion, the bull slaps back as only a bull can do. This goes on for about 30 minutes and then the bull is sent out to pasture to do what bulls do....whatever that is. A fresh bull is brought in and the show begins again. Someone is always injured to some degree, and rarely even killed. But, that is how it goes. We hope for the best......

Starting an afternoon in Zapote

Waiting for the crowds. Cotton candy, fried dough sprinkled with sugar, fried chicken and of course, chop suey. How chop suey became carnival food in Costa Rica is beyond anyone's guess.

A few beers, a faithful companion and her day is made.

Dennis hates rides, but will ride ONE and ONLY ONE!! This one was pretty exciting.....upside down, and spinning. To tell you the truth, once was enough!

Opening ceremonies

This was an acutual Matador, like I said earlier, none of the animals are harmed like in Spain or Mexico.

Rodeo clown with "back".
"I like big butts and I cannot lie...." that song comes to mind.

Here we go!!!

This is "Lila". One of the clowns. He was so funny, working the crowd all the way around the arena. I really enjoyed this day, we had a blast!