www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Has anybody been to this annual picnic?


http://usembassy.or.cr/july4.html

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rules are made for those that are not willing to make their own

It's over before I wake up.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Yes Do you have a particular question about it

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Is it worth it getting up early? does it get too crowded? alcohol available?
can you bring a non US citizen as a guest?

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rules are made for those that are not willing to make their own

Officially the picnic is restricted to US citizens and the immediate family. They check your passport at the entrance but not sure how, or if, they know anyone with you is really family.

I think it is worth getting up early to attend. Not for the free hot dogs, beer, bagels, coffee, smoothies, etc. but rather for the nostalgia it brings in my opinion.

When I was a Ch*ld 4th of July was a big event in my hometown. It was not that long after WW2 and patriotism was alive and well. All the stores were closed, no malls in those days, and there was a big parade, family picnics at the swimming lake and fireworks at night.

Here in CR attending the picnic and watching the Marine honor guard raise the flag while you sing the national anthem kind of rekindles those memory and that makes the event very worthwhile for me.

YMMV

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

no picnic for you pura vida

The 4th of July is about your country and it's fight for independence, NOT about how much you can eat or drink.
As a Viet Nam (16 months in country) vet I appreciate what my country stands for and so should you.

I was born on July 4, 1957. A bit too young and too blind for military service during the Vietnam war. My respect to all those who serve or have served their country.

I hope all American CRT'ers will take some time tomorrow to examine and give thanks for their American citizenship, their (admittedly dwindling) liberty and their (absolutely limited and constricted) freedom. I also encourage any U.S. citizen reading this to become more active in their governance and in defining what course our nation will take in the coming year.

God bless the U.S.A. .

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Thanks for the info Irish Drifter, I think it would've been better in the afternoon

By the way jmpvd: I am a 20 year retired special ops navy corpsman, 4 times in the Persian Gulf since 1990, and countless deployments with USMC division units all over the world. I'm Costarrican by birth and American by choice, so there is no need for you or anyone to remind me of what our country stands and fights for. Have a nice day.

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rules are made for those that are not willing to make their own

Ejaculator wrote:




Everyone, including the committee that puts on the event, agrees with you on that. They schedule it the way they do to avoid the almost guaranteed afternoon rain storm.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Hey if you went, how did it go???
I should be there next year and would like to know how it went
Thanks
Lou

For those interested, here is an article that appeared in A.M. Costa Rica today (July 5, 2006):

Traditional July 4 party attracts 3,500
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The July 4 party Tuesday was a big success with some 3,500 U.S. citizens and dependents passing through the front gate of the Cervercería Costa Rica picnic grounds.

The weather cooperated with a morning cloud cover that kept the crowd from overheating.

Those taking the count for the sponsoring American Colony Committee said the number did not include the hundreds who were working to keep the picnic event running. The number of picnic-goers is at least 500 more than in 2005.

Some accolades are in order:

Best overall attraction: As always the free beer and free hot dog tents.
Best new attraction: A display of classic cars including a Model A Ford truck.
Best speech: Ambassador Mark Langdale, who spoke briefly. A Texan knows not to stand too long between a man and his beer.
Best idea: doubling the size of the area for K*ds' games and volleyball.
Best tear-inducing moment: Raising the colors and the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner."
Best public relations: International Baptist Church members who showed up in identical blue tee shirts as a way of promoting the Guachipelin, Escazú, church.

Did we mention the free beer?

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

LVSteve and myself went to the picnic.

It was very well coordinated and everything went off without a hitch. Plenty of free food and drinks, nice little car show and the cloud cover and breeze kept everyone very comfortable.

For me the best part was the raising of the flag by the Marine honor guard while we sang the national anthem and then recited the pledge of allegiance.

Down side was the President of the American Colony, the group that puts the picnic on, lengthy address to the crowd. We did not think she was ever going to stop speaking.

To top off the day made our way, in the evening, up the mountain in Escazu to the West Wing casino in the White House hotel. Had a very nice spread of burgers, beans and beer followed by a fireworks show.

Was really a good day to be living in Costa Rica

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

ID...I'm glad to hear that you guys had a fun day of hot dogs and beer....followed by a fun evening of hot dogs and beer. Today you guys should dine at the New York Bar... I hear they have great hot dogs and beer. OK tell us the truth...how many hot dogs did LV Steve eat?

I think we might have tired of hot dogs and beer if that had been the menu for the entire day. It was hot dogs and beer in the morning and burgers and beer in the evening.

Thanks for the tip on the NY bar but that area is to dangerous and you did not mention the magic word FREE

Had LVSteve been entered in the Nathans competition in Coney Island he would have finished in a very distant third at best. The winner a Japanese guy ate 54 3/4 and a gringo finished second at 53.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine