Ambiance Charged on E-day
Although in the days and weeks leading up to election apathy was the predominant emotion, the actual election day atmosphere was bright. While rain threatened some areas in the morning, the cold front was broken by mid-morning and this brought the festivities out into the open.
A trip through San José showed Liberation and PAC supporters out in force. The election day traditions held up, as supporters formed impromptu caravans which slowed traffic. Gathering places like Guadalupe, San Pedro, la Fuente de la Hispanidad, Curridabat and the Central Park were hubs of activity. Supporters exchanged jokes and barbs, but in true Costa Rican fashion everyone just hoped for the best and violent clashes nowhere to be seen.
Some tourists were amazed at the scenes of supporters of different parties mixing so freely. Peruvian tourist Ana Elena Prado said, "I have never seen anything like it. In my country, if you go out to celebrate and run into a a group of people from another party, your car will not get out alive. Here, everybody laughs. I envy you. I love what I have seen, a real party."
And the Ticos appreciate this.
According to Cecilia Zuñiga "This country is blessed. We are unique in the world. We fall, we stand up and here we are. In this nobody beats us. "
Helber Jiménez, San José center "I want don Ottón to win, I don’t want anyone from a traditional party, we need a change. "
Margot Castro, San José center "The only thing I want is that someone with experience wins. I think that that is don Óscar Arias. But I just want the best for the country."
José Azuola, San José center "I want the new president to form a good government and guarantee stablity, and above all good jobs."
Rosario Morua, San José center "I believe don Ottón will be the president that will get Costa Rica in gear. I believe him. He is sincere. He’ll put things right. "