Starting at midnight March 20, 2008, all Costa Rican phone numbers will have an extra digit added, as the nation transitions from the current seven digit numbers to eight. The change, causes everyone to place a ‘2’ in front of all land line numbers and an ‘8’ in front of all cell phone numbers. (All cells start with a ‘3’ or ‘8’. Land lines start with a ‘2’, ‘4’, ‘5’, ‘6’ or ‘7’)
Costa Rica’s monopoly for electricity, telephones and internet is called ICE (pronounced with a long EEEEE followed by ‘say’). This change in how many numbers are dialed is ICE’s way to meet the growing need for new phone numbers. They have opted for the eight-digit number instead of adding another area code. I wonder how long this temporary ‘fix’ will work???
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Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Epiphany Is Over
We plugged in our hanging Moravian star (thank you for that tradition, Starr) and lit our advent candles starting the evening of December 1st this year. The only difference to years gone by was that we were able for the first time to hang the Moravian star outside! No chance of snow and cold weather causing problems here!!!
The 12th day of Christmas is also known as the Feast of Epiphany in the Christian calendar. And in the Spanish-speaking world the day is the Día de los Tres Reyes Magos, known in English as the three wise men day.
In some countries such as México and Spain, children are expecting gifts on this day. Costa Rica does not observe this custom, but Jan. 6 is observed as the day when the three wise men visited the Baby Jesus in his crib in Bethlehem.
In the Scott household, the 6th is the birthday of our oldest son, Christopher (Happy 26th Birthday, Chris). Over the years, Chris has grown accustomed to gifts on his birthday and this year was no different! This is probably the first year in his life, though, that we were not with him, he didn’t receive a birthday cake presented by his grandmother, or eat her wonderful cooked-with-love meal!
The 6th for us also meant dismantling and putting away the Christmas decorations. Dave took the ornaments off and removed our cypress tree while I put away the ornaments that hung on the wrought iron ornament tree. The star, lights in the windows and advent candles stayed up to light up our corner of Costa Rica one last night!
So Catholic Costa Ricans in tune with the tradition, placed figures of the tres reyes magos in their portal scene. Nearly every home and office has a portal known in English as the nativity scene or manger scene. Technically, once the wise men are installed in the portal, the scene may remain displayed up until Feb. 2, the Dia de la Candelaria, the day known as Candlemas in English.
FYI – ours is packed away for next year! (smile) Read more Entry>>
The 12th day of Christmas is also known as the Feast of Epiphany in the Christian calendar. And in the Spanish-speaking world the day is the Día de los Tres Reyes Magos, known in English as the three wise men day.
In some countries such as México and Spain, children are expecting gifts on this day. Costa Rica does not observe this custom, but Jan. 6 is observed as the day when the three wise men visited the Baby Jesus in his crib in Bethlehem.
In the Scott household, the 6th is the birthday of our oldest son, Christopher (Happy 26th Birthday, Chris). Over the years, Chris has grown accustomed to gifts on his birthday and this year was no different! This is probably the first year in his life, though, that we were not with him, he didn’t receive a birthday cake presented by his grandmother, or eat her wonderful cooked-with-love meal!
The 6th for us also meant dismantling and putting away the Christmas decorations. Dave took the ornaments off and removed our cypress tree while I put away the ornaments that hung on the wrought iron ornament tree. The star, lights in the windows and advent candles stayed up to light up our corner of Costa Rica one last night!
So Catholic Costa Ricans in tune with the tradition, placed figures of the tres reyes magos in their portal scene. Nearly every home and office has a portal known in English as the nativity scene or manger scene. Technically, once the wise men are installed in the portal, the scene may remain displayed up until Feb. 2, the Dia de la Candelaria, the day known as Candlemas in English.
FYI – ours is packed away for next year! (smile) Read more Entry>>
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Another first !
This is the first time in over 35 years of marriage that I ever remember Dave mowing the lawn on NewYear’s day.
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