Here's a story you won't find too often on the board:
About 10 days ago, my Amigovia was hit by lightning in Heredia while waiting for a taxi. It was raining pretty hard, her chicletas were soaking wet, and she had some metal object in her hand. Fortunately she was with family and they got her over to Hospital Mexico for treatment. She spent 2 days in the hospital (I saw the cuenta - 27k colones total!) and they sent her off with some pills.
When I got to CR on Friday she was moaning over the pounding in her ears, the residual pain in her neck and back, and the inability to sleep. The pills didn't seem to be doing her much good (made in China BTW) and by Sunday she was still feeling poorly. So we hopped a bus to Cartago with the intention of visiting the Basilicata of La Negrita.
La Negrita supposedly has healing powers...here's the wikipedia link that explains it...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartago,_Costa_Rica
The church was enormous and unlike any buiding I've seen in Costa Rica. We arrived at the end of Mass, while a woman sang an inspirational song, and we wormed our way through the Tico families standing at the back. The sound system and acoustics inside the church were magnificent. The Awe of the Almighty was boldy communicated through the many BOSE speakers situated throughout the church. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. Soon a host of older senoras burst through thre crowd with butterfly nets and we all dropped in a few coins. I saw that my amigovia dropped in a few bills. The ceremony ended shortly thereafter and most of the Ticos solemnly filed out. It was a very serious and emotional, yet tranquil affair for all.
The Amigovia then proceeded to join a group who were gathering in the center aisle of the church for the procession to the altar, where the shrine of La Negrita is situated. The group got down on their knees and crawled forward in this manner, hands clasped, eyes focused on the shrine. They moved forward slowly and I watched from the side pews as my Amigovia shuffled on. I have to admit I was a little embarrased by my amusement at watching the scene. Arriving at the alter, they prayed to their La Negrita and quickly made way for those behind. There seemed to be an unending stream of petitioners.
After this we walked outside and down the side of the church to the springs where the Holy water come up from the ground. We got on the line to have a drink (Not bad!) She even bought a cheesy plastic bottle shaped like the shrine to fill up and take home.
Later that night the Amigovia's eyes brightened. She had just realized... the pain was GONE. It was La Negrita! She looked at the plastic bottle we had brought home and put up on the shelf and prayed her thanks to La Negrita. She's planning a return trip for "gratita" next week.
Curative Powers of La Negrita? The powers of positive thinking? A heaping dose of chica bullshit? You decide.
The adoring manner in which she gazed at the bottle was a bit spooky.
The church and the shrine were indeed beautiful. Highly recommend a visit to Cartago to visit. Pics posted in the Tourism category.
Only downside was we couldn't find a sports bar to watch the football after the visit to the church.
PHX
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