Snowball Fights in the Tropics (Christmas in San Jose, Costa Rica)

Although the temperature has dropped from its high and a cool evening breeze fills the streets of San Jose, Costa Rica it is still comfortably warm, definitely too warm for snow. But yet the entire ground is covered in white. Especially children, but people of all ages, are throwing and playing with the while substance, which turns out to be paper confetti. Since Costa Rica does not receive any snow and in an effort to bring the sensation of a ”White Christmas” a bit closer to this tropical country, there is a tradition during December (leading up to Christmas) of bags of white paper confetti being sold on every corner of downtown San Jose. With a bag in hand everybody walks through the plazas or shopping district throwing confetti at anything and anybody they feel like. Much like our tradition of snowball fights, confetti fights can be witnessed (and participated in) every few steps. Little children hiding behind posts scheming their net victim, teenagers throwing confetti at each other and even adults and old people seem unable to contain the child inside themselves and are throwing confetti at each other. Certainly being as tall and white as I am, I stood out like a tree in the desert and accordingly received plenty of attention in the form of a confetti attack every few seconds.

By the time I made it back to the hostel my entire body, all the way to my underwear, was covered with confetti and it took three days of showers to get all the pieces of paper out of my hair.

Most impressive about the entire experience was the ubiquitous display of fun, mischief and excitement in the faces of Ticos (slang for Costa Ricans) of all ages. What a fun tradition! Merry Christmas Costa Rica!