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Mercado Central merchants to mix religion and Costa Rican traditions
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Thursday will see a mix of the religious and traditional at the Mercado Central in downtown San José.

The merchants who have their shops in the market will be honoring their patron, Jesus Christ, in the persona of the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. Some shoppers may have noticed the life-size statue of Jesus permanently inside the market.

The annual festivities Thursday start off with a Mass on the sidewalk outside the market. Celebrating the Mass will be Archbishop José Rafael Quirós, said an announcement from the merchants who are members of the Unión de Comerciantes del Mercado Central.

Following the 10 a.m. Mass is a mix of Costa Rican culture ranging from marimbas to tamales.
The merchants said they not only promise an event filed with devotion but also filled with Costa Rican tradition.

There will be a cimarrona, the brass street band, and the traditional mascaradas, those towering papier-mâché figures.

The market was founded in 1880, and just walking through the corridors is to take a trip back into the 19th century where the market was the center of the daily routine.

Some tourists are reluctant to have a meal at one of the many sodas inside the market, but some are associated with national chains, and the sanitation standards are equal to restaurants elsewhere. However, the menus are skewed toward the traditional, including the tamales. The market also is a place to find foods and spices in bulk.

The event also is being sponsored by the municipality.

If anyone will be in attendance, photos would be appreciated.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

.I mostly always go to the market when I'm in CR. If you want to observe the local culture...then this place will certainly do that. You might try various delicacies, like legendary Lolo Mora´s ice cream, tamales and chocolate from Soda Tapia. Both restaurants have more than 50 years serving great Costa Rica food. The cafes and bars are quite cheap but you should only pay in colones...do not use U.S. currency. Best to not have a wallet, use pocket folding money. There are known pickpockets roaming around. Speaking some Spanish is helpful but if not....you will be okay. Cafe breakfast eggs are fresh...probably from a chicken just killed an hour before from the poultry section....just kidding.

And BTW, there are a number of young Chica mothers shopping around the market..I never got laid from there but lusted at some.

I really like the place and I know that Dongordo does.

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

Those interior sodas are awesome!
Order ceviche and try to finish it but if you have a sensitive nose this might not be for you

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood