Costa Rica culture 1977

Cultures/ subcultures in Costa Rica 1977 independent observations

StoneBearTracks journey to Costa Rica Summer 1977

Traveling throughout Costa Rica in 1977 was an education into the culture and demographics of the regions. Ethnicity was very different than expected as most US/ North Americans... Alabama especially steryotyped Hispanics as "Mexicans"; very simple minded... I grew up in the last of the Jim Crow south in Birmingham in the 1950s to '60s and saw the bigots predjudice and hatred toward anything other than caucasion white. I was curious as to origins of people and their cultures/ subcultures.

Enrique and wife ?Lily? at their mercado store in Cartago.

Other hispanic streyotypes included "Cubans" as everyone had watched Desi Arnez in "I Love Lucy" and my Marine Corps buddies had served with "Puerto Ricans". I studied archaeology for seveal courses and really appreciated cultural origins and demographics and migration patterns and how they changed cultures, countries, and history.

These kids were working for their parents in the mercado in Cartago. 

The ethnicity held the saga of the rich history of Costa Rica. The country is north of Panama and was a transit connection connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Modern times it was considered as possible for the canal connecting Atlantic and Pacific oceans as it's only 80 miles wide at it's narrowest point. Of the observations made of the Costa Rican peoples I learned of the interesting history that made this such a unique place.

Kids are the eyes to the culture. 

During the colonial era Latin America was exploited for plunder of gold/ silver wealth and anything of value and taken back to Europe.

Alphonso in his saloon in Cartago.

This couple had a store inside/ under roof  at the Cartago mercado .

Talking with many people in the capitol of San Jose was the majority of "Ticos and Ticas" Costa Rican hispanic; a mix of Latin America native peoples colonial era European immigrants... most with dark hair/ brown eyes.

At home with Enrique and ?Lily? they invited me to their home and fixed dinner. Very nice people!

A Tico working in the guanacaste wood working factory. 

The Native American indians were of the Pre-Columbian era/ the indigenous mesoamerica peoples Latin and South American tribes ie.. The Maya, Aztec, Olmecs, Tenochtitlan, Zapotec, Inca ect.... so many subcultures I need another decade to study all the demographic history.

?Octavio? or Antonio at Cahuita on the Carribean. 

A Cahuita kid swimming in the surf. 

In Cahuita on the Carribean/ Gulf of Mexico coast I observed Ticos of African darker skin from the migration of escaped / freed African slaves, or some Black people migrated around 1870 to build the railroad for the development of the banana and coffee trade from the port city of Limon to San Jose.

On the Pacific coast side of Costa Rica I observed an Asian mix of peoples. ... about a 10 to 20% Asian mix in people. The Costa Rican women that had the majority Hispanic/ 20% Asian... guessing from their cheekbones and eyes were exceptionally beautiful ladies; very distinct.

Martha in her kitchen. 

Martha and Coraz'on Loco 

On a independent study/ research trip I went as a photographer to an indigenous tribe settlement of The Boruca Indians. The Boruca spoke one of the last remaining indian dialects in Latin America. It wasn't a lost tribe but it was primitive. there were stick huts with grass/ palm roofs, cooking fires on dirt floors, cooking rice in a modern metal pot over asmall wood fire with smoke drifting up and out. Chickens walked out and inside the hut at will. Several huts had hammocks as sleeping slings. I could see a distinct indian/ native American tribe in their facial bone structure. I took pictures and gave the film/ negatives to Susan and am sure they are lost forever.

Also see the post for the journey to Boruca, Costa Rica

Thank You Veterans 2013...

	8:10 PM (23 hours ago)
to Will

In this Tracks of the StoneBear Journey, there was a hitch in the Marine Corps at the end of the Viet Nam era. Once you've run with the Marines... you are never the same.

> Subject: Fw: THANK YOU VETERANS!!! 2013
> To:
> Date: Saturday November 10, 2013 !
Sunday November 11, 2013 !
>
> NOV 8th, 2003
> July 4th, 2004
> NOV 11, 2004
> July 4th, 2005
>>
> NOV 10, 2006
> July 4th, 2007
> Nov 10, 2007
> July 4th, 2008
> Nov 10th, 2008
> Nov 10, 2009
> Nov 10, 2010
> Nov 10, 2011
> July 4th, 2013
Nov 10. 2013

> In honor of Marine Corps Birthday NOV 10th -- Happy 238th Birthday
> Marines --, Veterans Day, Nov 11, and Indepencence Day,
> July 4th: Thank You Veterans!!! & we are proud of
> every one of you. Semper Fi, 'til i
> Die. Whit

Thank you Marines & Veterans! These are the Veterans we salute & honor today.
>
> *******************************
>
> From one free, proud American who enjoys a quality of life
> any would envy, I thank you and all of the men and women who
> have made my way of life possible. Most of us realize
> how much it has taken, and still takes, to create the world
> we live in and how much of that is reliant upon people, real
> people, doing things that scare the shit out of me. To
> all of you, please know I thank you every day.
>
> MADISON, Baton Rouge, LA
>
> Just a note to say thank you!!! Because of you and the
> many others who serve our Country daily, I can live a free
> life..... SR, B'ham, AL
>
> Most people don't understand true courage. Being a
> Marine, wanting to go to war. No, i don't
> understand it; i don't have that sort of courage nor do
> most of the people i know; but thanks to those who do,
> we're here living the good life. Or living at
> all. There isn't enough praise in our vocabulary
> for those who sacrifice parts or all of their lives to serve
> and to fight our wars. DS , B'ham, AL
>
> Thanks. It helps bring home the true
> honor of being able to simply get up in the morning and go
> about each day. Thanks again and have a good
> 4th. PL Hattiesburg, MS
>
> While reading the many stories of
> Memorial Day in today's news, I thought of
> YOU. My Marine friend who has many stories
> to tell. ..who continues to work with Veterans.
> So many friends lost who were fighting to preserve our
> freedom. I'm truely Thankful to ALL of them. A M,
> Bham, AL
>
> I am proud of every one of you and thank you for standing
> your post and serving our great country. Semper
> Fi, 'til i Die. Whit

Thank you Marines & Veterans! These are the Veterans we
> salute today.
> ***
> _________________
>
> The American flag and Marine Corps flag fly here today --
> SEE ATTACHED PHOTO -- ;( they've been flying since our
> Marines went to Iraq/Afganistan & will stay flying until
> our Marines get back) in honor of :

Pfc Trevor A. DuBois, USMC

Sgt Jim Wyatt, USMC

Lcpl Ryan G. Winslow, USMC

Phm3 Corpsman Harold Jarvis, USN

> Maj David W. Pinion, USMC

> Cpl. Rit Reischer, USMC
>
> Cpl. Keith Laslow, USMC

> Cpl Terry O. "T-O" Downs, USMC

Cpl Joe Wilson, USArmy

Cpl Nolen Lambert, USArmy

SFC Jerry G. Lambert, USArmy

Corpsman George "Doc" Thompson, USN

Sgt John O'Malley, USMC
>
> Sgt Stephen A. Thompson, USMC
>
> Sgt Larry Dickenson, USMC

Gen Charles Krulak, USMC

Pfc Ross Gray, USMC, Medal of Honor recipient

Gen Victor Krulak, USMC

> Cpl Wayne Jones, USMC
>
> Sgt Jack Hopping, USMC
>
> Cpl Fletcher "Fletch" Hendon, USMC
>
> Lcpl Joe Higgins, USMC
>
> Cpl Hans Stein, USMC

Sgt Henry Williams, USMC

P O Wayne Odell, USN

Ssgt Rufus "Whitey" Glanton, USMC

Cpl David Ervin, USMC

Sgt Paul Kellogg, USMC

Msgt Cliff Ray, USMC
>
> Cpl. Olin Brooks, USMC
>
> Cpl. Jim Upshaw, USMC

Ssgt Tom Hall, USArmy

> Cpl Don Herring, USMC, USArmy
>
> Cpl Ken Suggs, USMC
>
> Cpl John Birmingham, USMC
>
> Sgt Sidney Laterrade, USMC
>
> Lt. Jack Powell, USMC

> Cpl Calvin Gandolf, USMC
>
> LCpl Jim Livingston, USMC
>
> Cpl Charles Ruckman, USMC
>
> Cpl Maurice Ruckman, USMC
>
> GySgt Aquri, USMC
>
> Pvt George Dearth, USMC

> Ssgt. John E. Whitmire, USMC
>
> Cpl. William L. Whitmire, USMC
>
> Sgt Clay Dikes, USMC
>
> Cpl Brandon Grimshaw, USMC
>
> Cpl Caleb Turner, USMC

Cpl Ed Smith, USMC

> Sgt Raymond Rowan, USMC
>
> Sgt. Walter J. Mudd, USArmy Air Corps
>
> Msgt. Lloyd Marchant, USN, USArmy

> Ssgt Mike Royer, USAF
>
> Pvt. Hubert L. Wood, USArmy
>
> Capt. James C. Johnson, USAF
>
> Maj Hal Weber, USAF
>
> Malcolm Nelms, GM Tank Assembly
>
> Airman Robert C. "Bunky" Adams, USAF
>
> LCdr Bryant A. Whitmire, USNavy
>
> LCdr McCoy Whitmire, USNavy
>
> Capt Bryant A. Whitmire Jr, USArmy
>
> Pfc Harry Walker, USArmy
>
> Lt. Don Harding, USArmy
>
> Cpl. Mike Johnson,> USMC
>
> Ssgt Alfred F. "Robby" Robbins, USMC
>
> Seaman Ray R. Little, WWII USMerchant Marines
>
> Sgt. Jimmy R. Little, USArmy
>
> Spc5 Frank Little, USArmy
>
> Pfc Lynn McLaughlin, USArmy
>
> Sgt. Carl McLaughlin, USMC
>
> GySgt Alford Lee McLaughlin, USMC, Medal of Honor
> recipient
>
> Sgt Henery Erwin, USArmy
> Air Corps, Medal of Honor recipient
>
> Spc4. Will Kirby, USArmy
>
> Spc4 Lisa Gudino, USArmy
>
> Ssgt Henry Gudino, USMC
>
> Sgt. James R. Gibson, USAF
>
> Cpl Ray Howard, USMC
>
> Cpo Richard Wright, USNavy
>
> Sgt Jim Kirkpatrick, USArmy
>
> Spc Tommy Harding, USArmy
>
> Sgt. Claude Green, USArmy Air Corps
>
> Phm3 Corpsman Charles H. Lane, USNavy
>
> Seaman Harold Wood, USNavy
>
> Pfc Harold Wood, USArmy
>
> Pfc Paschael Stone, USMC
>
> Sgt Ken Farmer, USArmy Air Corps
>
> MajGen Ken L. Farmer, USArmy
>
> Pfc Jimmy Dowling, USArmy
>
> Pfc Elliot Gibson, USArmy
>
> Po3 Mr. Cox, USN
>
> Airman Wendell Bishop, USAF

LtCol Robert Vercher, USAF

> BGen Dozier, USArmy
>
> SSgt Alvin Schuch, USMC
>
> MSgt Jimmy Hicks. USArmy
>
> LtCol Ralph Long. USArmy
>
> Sgt James Dobson, USMC

Sgt Jimmy Benton, USMC
>
> Capt F.A. Toth, USMC
>
> Cpl Samuel Davis, USMC
>
> Capt Dana Ellis, USArmy
>
> Cpl Ray Berry, USMC
>
> Lcpl Steve Reaves, USMC
>
> Pvt Hank Kalifut, USMC
>
> Sgt John Ramsey, USMC
>
> Sgt Wilbur Spawn, USMC
>
> Msgt Mark Dove,USMC
>
> Cpl Burl Grenwald, USMC
>
> Pfc Josh Sullivan, USMC
>
> Cpl Calvin F. Gerald, USMC
>
> Ssgt Ray Violete, USMC
>
> Po3 Jim Tidmore, USNavy
>
> Cpo Harry I. Corley, USNavy
>
> MSgt Frank Goliday, USArmy
>
> LCpl Eddie Knight, USMC
>
> Phm3 Corpsman George Harding, USNavy
>
> Ssgt Eugene Stoneburner,USMC
>
> Sgt John Taplin,USMC
>
> Sgt Dennis Boyles, USMC
>
> Lcpl Steve Dunbar, USMC
>
> Pfc David Holifield, USMC
>
> Lcpl John Merson, USMC
>
> Sgt Paul Jarvis, USMC
>
> Cpl Brandon Grimshawe, USMC
>
> Seaman Bill Kelce, USNavy
>
> Lt. George Lawson, USMC
>
> Cpl Bob Arnwine, USMC
>
> Cpl Bill Trudeau, USMC
>
> SgtMaj Paul Anderson, USMC
>
> GySgt Lee, USMC
>
> Pvt Wm. Patrick Mcgauhy, USMC
>
> Seaman Jerry G. Adams, USNavy
>
> Sgt Mike Salvagio, USMC
>
> Sgt Lynn "Wille" Williamson , USMC
>
> LtCol Klause, USMC
>
> Capt John Maloney, USMC
>
> Capt Pat "Frenchy" Rapicault, USMC
>
> Capt Alan Rowe, USMC
>
> Cpl Ted Springfield, USMC
>
> Pfc Claude Cullpepper, USMC
>
> Pfc Frank Bell, USMC
>
> Cpl Bob McGraw, USMC
>
> Ssgt, Chuck Beveridge, USMC
>
> Sgt Rod Brittain, USMC
>
> Capt Walt Williams, USN
>
> LtCol Dorrance Major, USArmy
>
> Sgt Doug Light, USMC
>
> Cpl John Ames, USMC
>
> MSgt Monteabaro, USMC
>
> Cpl John Burks, USMC
>
> Maj Neil Tollett, USMC
>
> Cpl Howard Underwood, USMC
>
> Capt Jamie Edge, USMC
>
> Cpl Felipe Barbossa, USMC
>
> Capt Tyler Swisher, USMC
>
> Sgt Mark Adams, USMC
>
> Lcpl Eck, USMC
>
> Lcpl Kremm, USMC
>
> SgtMaj Randy K. Neely, USMC
>
> Spec5 Nikki Sepsas, USArmy
>
> Airman Bill Munch, USAF
>
> Cpl Ray Pollard, USArmy
>
> Cpl Brett Lundstom, USMC
>
> Lcpl Jeriad Jacobs, USMC
>
> Pfc Kyle Brown, USMC
>
> Cpl Joshua D. Snyder, USMC
>
> Pfc Clarence L. Garner, Jr, USMC
>
> Ssgt S.A. Murray, USMC
>
> W/O Brett Womble, USMC
>
> Lcpl Jason Page, USMC
>
> Airman Ray Neyland, USAF
>
> Capt John Maloney, USMC
>
> Capt Ray Mendoza, USMC
>
> Capt Alan Rowe, USMC
>
> Sgt B.B. Brice, USArmy Air Corps
>
> Cpl Ramsey Sessions, USMC
>
> Pfc Pete Wagonhoffer, USMC
>
> MstSgt Sophia Cook, USArmy
>
> Seaman 1st Euel C. Musgrove, USNavy
>
> LTjg Lynne Wilburne, USNavy
>
> LtCol Phifer, USMC
>
> Sgt Mark D. Adams, USMC
>
> Sgt A. Simon, USMC
>
> Ssgt W. N. Wyatt, USMC
>
> Sgt David Dithmer, USMC
>
> SrMstSgt Owen Drake, USAF
>
> SrMstSgt Dickie Drake, USAF
>
> Cpl Adam Coleman, USMC
>
> Lt James Lemley, USMC, USArmy
>
> Cpl Steve Carnilla, USMC
>
> Sgt Dominic Stella, USMC
>
> Cpl Bucky Walters, US Merchant Marines, USArmy

Ssgt Guy Knighton, USMC
>
> Lcpl James C. Cooper, USMC
>
> Ssgt Dave Cooper, USMC

Sgt Clarence Roberts, USMC

> Cpl John W. Whitmire, USMC

>
> THANK YOU VETERANS!!!