by Rod Hughes

One of the most difficult adjustments foreigners must make at Christmas here is the sound of explosions. No, it isn’t a Latin American revolution—Costa Rica’s last civil violence was in 1948 and after that, they swore off completely. The tradition is to set off fireworks in the neighborhood, which many from countries where the loudest sound heard in the holidays are carollers’ songs, may consider barbaric.

So when La Nacion, the nation’s largest paper, announced this morning that fireworks vendors were bemoaning low sales, gringos and Europeans have a tendency to cheer—quietly. Unfortunately for them—and this reporter is one of them—sales have a tendency to pick up after Christmas. Peace on earth–BANG!—good will toward men—BAM! Meanwhile, your terrified dog is trying to take cover under the Christmas tree…

So, in a country accused of adopting North American customs slavishly—after all, Santa Claus is an import—it is unlikely that this country will give up its rockets and firecrackers (bombetas) easily, despite burned children in the emergency room. Makeshift stands selling gunpowder noisemakers still sprout every late November. The United States may have largely relegated July 4th fireworks to the shopping mall, but Costa Rica’s disarmament has not reached that point, yet.

We here at American-European Real Estate wish all our readers a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, Feliz Navidad and a Buon Natale. Have a safe holiday.