We Told You!
Well, we hate to say it, but we
were right. We called it. We were hard pressed yesterday to find anyone
protesting, on strike or demonstrating anywhere in San José and reports
around the Central Valley and for the rest of the country were the same.
No roadblocks to speak of. No one out there making any noise. Hey this
is the weekend!Having been part of the Costa Rican culture and
traditions for some years now, we got the message Friday when the secretary general of the Asociación Nacional de Empleados
Públicos y Privados (ANEP),
Albino Vargas, told listeners of Radio Monumental on Friday, that the
weekend was a time to plan something "big" for Monday.
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No protestors, no
marchers, no road blocks in
downtown San José yesterday. It
it the weekend. But, tomorrow,
union leaders promise something
"big".
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Why should they take time off the weekend to strike, something that
is clearly work related, and nothing to do with enjoying life.
We were wrong however about the closings of the ICE agencies. To our
surprise, the Pavas agency was open and doing business as usual. Staff
was dressed casual and relaxed.
Our friends at ICE asked if we would be out there on Monday. Why? What
was going on Monday? Something "big" we were told. No elaboration on
what the "big" thing was, except, that it would be another day off work.
A stroll through the streets of downtown San José showed the mood of the
many. A strike? Today? No way!
The crowds on the Boulevard (Avenida Central? were thinner than usual on
Saturday, but we don't believe it had anything to do with any strikes or
protestations, more, this is just a bad weekend. A no money weekend.
A couple of times a year it happens, when two consecutive weekends come
and go between paydays. This weekend is even worse because it comes on
the heels of Mother's Day (15th), when all the money is spent on
Mother's Day.
Pay day is Costa Rica is twice per month for most - the 15th and 30th of
each month.
The local bars and cantinas were not overflowing as usual come Saturday
night. You could actually get a seat and have a conversation with locals
who were just content on nursing that one beer all night.
Tomorrow, well, it's time to get back to business.
You can expect Paseo Colon and Avenida Segunda to be completely blocked
by marchers and protestors; the rotunda in front of San Pedro Mall is a
good bet that it will be blocked, as well as traffic around the airport.
Blockades are probably going to be up again. President Pacheco will take
to national television on Monday night to tell "his" side of the story,
while the protestors tell "their" side.
When will all this end?
Our bet is by the end of the week, especially after pay day, everything
will get back to normal. Independence Day is coming up (Sep. 15) and
that will unite all Costa Ricans again.
Riteve? Road blocks? Salary Increase? TLC? Oh, yeah, we'll get to that
next time!
Pura Birra |
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