Liberia

We  found it very hot and dusty here in Liberia,Costa Rica, but after a rest in the air con and a swim in the pool it had cooled off a bit so we decided to go into town and find the old colonial quarter.

We did find it and were not disappointed

For the first time we felt we were in" Spanish colonial" South America.

The old colonial houses were similar to those the Spaniards built in South America.

We could peer through gates.

 into patio gardens.

We saw some strange exterior covering!.

Many of the old houses had been converted into houses..

This a new climber to us!

The main street was lined with shops, selling all kinds of things,

  the boots were interesting!

Hand woven rug mats were the preferred floor covering.

We discovered that the town was in 'in fiestas', the children's horse parade was supposed to have started at 4.00 pm it was now 6.00pm!

The church had a theatrical set mounted for a production!

Children were dressed as Gauchos, waiting for the parade to start.

At 6.30 the bands stuck up and the parade started. We had never seen so many horses.

Only children were showing off their skills! this one really knew what he was doing!

All ages were mounted, from young boys

to babies!

5 to 6 year olds,

Toddlers looking at Grandad on the sidewak.

Others being encouraged by Mummy.

And, some very beautiful faces - not always looking at the camera!

I often wonder how you get into these Jeans!

Some of the horses had  decorated harneses, but not many.

After the parade we found a very small bar and had one of the best traditional meals ever.

Beans, steak, salad and fried onions!