A Chinchilla in Charge

So, as I mentioned in an earlier post, Sunday was also the day of presidential elections here in Costa Rica.  I am so glad that I was able to be here over an election period.  I found it illuminating to see another country (especially one that is seen as a bastion of democracy and stability) go through elections in their own way. 

Many things were the same.  TV and newspaper ads got progressively more acusatory as election day grew closer.  Conversations couldn´t seem to avoid ending up on politics.  Ridiculous promises were made.  The works.  But many things were different as well.  Costa Ricans, while they employ secret ballots, are much more upfront about both asking and answering the question of "Who are you going to vote for?"  The style of  personal propoganda use was different - no signs in yards, few bumber stickers, but lots (and lots!) of flags and banners.  But more than anything, I was struck by the sense of excitement and happiness that went along with the election process.  Little kids would have an answer right away if you asked them who they would vote for.  Old men and teenage girls would get into teasing debates over who was best.  While some people would simply shrug and say "votes are secret for a reason" when asked about the subject, the subject was more open and less cynical on the whole.

All of that, though, didn´t hold a candle to election day.  Granted, I was in class most of the day (more on this later!), but there was no escaping the fact that it was election day outside.  Traffic came almost to a standstill as cars decked out in flags, banners, stickers, T-shirts, and hats crusied down the street, honking up a storm.  The combined noise was so loud that I was reminded of my hometown´s annual fire parade.  I had so much fun watching the Costa Ricans have fun.  Here are a few pictures of the street in front of my classroom:

 

  

(sidenote: the guy in the blue shirt kept "eyebrow raising" at me - who does that?)