San Jorge Fiesta 2012

 Organized Confusion at the San Jorge Cabalgata :-) 

Chicharrones and Cerveza:-) 

Dancing Horses!  

 

Bull Riding and Improvisados 

Another Successful San Jorge Fiesta!

The end of March saw another successful 3-day Fiesta de Torros hosted by our small pueblo of San Jorge (population 50-75 depending on the time of year.) The fiesta featured bull riding every night and we were entertained by some exceptional bulls and riders this year, although I believe the bulls won by a large margin.  See the video on the sidebar for a look at the performance.  Note the fellows running around after the bull, called improvisados - they prove their manliness by seeing how close they can get to the angry bull – there are not many old, bold improvisados in Costa Rica!   The music was provided by a local high school band bused in for the occasion. Every night featured salsa dancing and great typical food cooked over the open fire.  Nothing like arroz con pollo cooked over a smoky fire!    Sunday morning featured an early morning mountain bike ride with both short and long distance courses - a great way to start the day after too much cerveza the night before!  Later on in the afternoon the cabalgata (horse trail ride) took place.  These are great events scheduled to start at 11:00 AM but never really getting going till 2:00 PM (Tico time).  Cabalgatas are a hoot with lots of visiting before, during and after the ride.   The ride is usually 2-3 hours in length with a halfway stop to eat chicharrones and have a cerveza or two.  Check out the video on the sidebar showcasing how the Ticos train their horses to dance to music.  After the ride there are draw prizes along with more visiting, food and partying.  This is the 3^rd year that Donna and I have contributed as volunteers and financially to the San Jorge Fiesta de Torros, alongside our Tico neighbors.  If you plan to visit Costa Rica in the future, we really recommend you make it a priority to attend one of the many Fiestas de Torros that all towns, big or small, stage each year.

San Jorge BBQ  mmmmmm! Recently we were invited to our neighbor's home for a good old fashioned pig BBQ - Costa Rican style!!  This is not your sit down dinner as we experience in Canada or the US rather this is an all afternoon event!  Early in the morning the neighbors butcher a nice fat young pig.  They then stoke the wood fires in a 45 gallon drum.  First course is the best of all in my mind - chicharrones!!!  Chicharrones are the skin of the pig deep fried in hot oil.  Similar to piggy puffs but much better.  These fried pieces of pig skin with some meat and fat attached are to die for (literally).  I am sure the cholestrol level goes through the roof but they are very tasty.  Along with the chicharrones comes the traditional Costa Rica dishes of  pico de gallo (tomatoe, onions, culatro, peppers mixed with mandarine juice), plantain and or yuca.  So this somewhat offsets the chicharrone effect :-)  After a little visiting, a few cervezas or a taste or two of Scotch the next course is ready - deep fried pork pieces.  Another tasty delicacy!  More visiting, cerveza, scotch and then the finer pieces of  pork are BBQ over the open wood fire.  Definitely not your vegetarian meal here.  Finally as the evening approaches the best of the best are put on the smokey wood fire - pork ribs!!!  These are the best ribs we have ever tasted - Tony Romas has nothing on these babies!  Slow cooked over an open fire.  Washed down with ice cold cerveza or whatever.  This is definitely a meat lovers afternoon of munching but never miss the chance to attend these little get togethers!  Often these events are held for birthdays, holidays or just as a chance for friends and family to get together - PURA VIDA!