Pilgrimage to the Virgen de Los Angeles in Cartago Costa Rica

Kendall was very good at YMCA camp today. He walked up to me with his behavior table with mostly (not all) smiley faces :-)  I asked to talk to his counselor, Laura, to make sure he apologized to all the counselors he did not listen to and all the niños in his group. She told me he was much better today and did say he was sorry and why.  She thought he was frustrated that he could not go in the pool since it poured during the day. Then she tod me he was one of the most polite kids in his group - it old him I was proud of him!

We went to La Mancha and walked the smallest dogs (chihuahuas), a medium dog (lab mix) and the largest dog (dogue de bordeaux). Kendall did not like all the walking but the dogs appreciated us being there. There are also some puppies now - very cute.

We had homemade pizza for diner and then called Costa Rica. Today is the pilgrimage to the Basilica Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles in honor of Costa Rica’s patron saint, “La Negrita." Every year, the faithful walk to Cartago’s picturesque Basilica to pay homage to the Virgin of the Angels and ask for her favor. People from across Costa Rica, Central America, and even farther, make their bargains with La Negrita, an affectionate nickname for the tiny black stone statue of the Madonna and child that embodies the saint.

The road to Cartago is dotted with EcoRomería stations, where pilgrims can recycle their trash, and police and Red Cross aid stations. Pilgrims walk, run, rollerblade and ride horseback down the highways and side streets that climb the Central Valley’s verdant hills past Tres Ríos, up to Ochomogo and finally back down again to Cartago. Some romeros walk part of the pilgrimage barefoot to show their devotion, but most end the journey on their knees as a final act of homage after they pass through the church doors. Pilgrims shuffle or crawl towards the golden alter, many capturing the moment on their smartphones, even an iPad. The Virgin, a small black stone statue wearing an ornate golden robe, receives the faithful atop the altar surrounded by a halo of gold and flanked by an honor guard of four uniformed men. The smells of smoldering copal and other incense perfume the air. Kendall has this on his bucket list.

Kendall finally has his social security number and tomorrow we have an appointment to obtain his US passport. Buenas noches!

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