We are indulging in Costa Rican culture this week....so far we have visited a local soccer match and hosted a tamale-making party.

The soccer match was held in the Esperanza field. Three games were scheduled...we stayed for the first two. (Note- dog walking across the playing field!)


In this picture you can barely make out that the goalie is being carried off the field (into the crowd just a few feet from the net). The primary goalie from the Esperanza team was taken off due to a leg injury. The back up goalie was carried off the field on the very next play due to a broken pinkie (yes, he was carried off of the field!) This called an end to the first game....the team ran out of goalies!


We were all getting a little tired from the heat, and bored by the sloppy soccer playing. I didn't pay much attention during the second game...but these kids playing in front of us sure were interesting to watch!



A few days later, we invited our friend Tammy and her son Oliver over for some tamale making. We were instructed, and assisted by our friends Mirian and her daugher Maria Jose, Mirian's sister Miriana, and her daughter Mirianita.



Kemper and Oliver get along famously...


Mirian and Tammy cutting down 'hoja's'...






Oliver helping me carry firewood...


Tammy and Miriana hard at work...


...while Kemper steals the ingredients!


Pots full of goodness...



And at last we are rewarded! All of the hard work sure is worth it!