It's Palmares Time Again!!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

The sleepy little town of Palmares, Costa Rica is located about 10 miles NW of Atenas off of the Pan American Highway. It is really a nice town that Stef and I actually considered as one of the choices to live when we first came here. Nothing much really goes on there during the year - EXCEPT MID JANUARY WHEN THEY HAVE A FIESTA THAT IS KNOWN WORLD-WIDE. I FOUND OUT THAT THE ONLY OTHER WORLD EVENT WHERE MORE BEER IS CONSUMED IS AT THE ANNUAL OCTOBER FEST IN GERMANY!!!! Yep, a wild & crazy bunch of party animals right down the road from Atenas.

Since coming to Costa Rica, we have been there several times. It always seemed pretty quite when we were there, but found out that if you go during the day, not much is going on because it all really starts at dusk.

The event usually lasts about 12 days & nights - this year, it looks like they decided on 13 - check out the 1st page of the event schedule to see some of the events...

This year, we decided to take a Sunday to head over and check out this years festivities. We asked Bob & Donna Vadas to go with us. This great couple had been renting apartments from us every time they came to Atenas on their world-wind tour celebrating their retirement. They seem to be looking for a place to settle down to retirement and keep on coming back to Atenas. They have not only been good renters, but have become dear friends of whom we admire and respect.










 In addition, we also took our good friend Bek Kaiser as he was getting a little bored being home at his beautiful mountain top retreat that he just recently built.








Well, we got there late morning and this is what we experienced....

This is how it looked around noon - As you can see, there are not a lot of people there

So, we decided to have a little lunch and some refreshments

As you can see, mostly cokes here, but I did sneak some great rum from Costa Rica into my cup.







I look absolutely terrible in a hat and never wear one because of that. However, I have been wanting one for a long time. Well, I found out Donna also had the same situation so we both went to one of the vendor tents and decided on a hat - What'a Think?

Not sure about ole Pete, but I think that hat was made for Donna - and I told her every chance I got.

Then, we agreed to partake in a sport activity that I haven't done since Jr High School.

 BUMPER CARS!!!

Do you see a look of absolute determination on Bek's face?

I think he is thinking...

"I'm gonn'a get you man"

Then there is Stef quietly sitting in the background planning on getting both of them dudes.

Then comes the Cowboy who is going to get everybody - But didn't quite make it - Everybody was too good for him, but he just blamed it on the car.

That was a blast, and we all had a great time. We All Want to do that again next year!!!

Finally, we decided to go where the real action was, and that was the Bullfight. Now, it is time to let you know that this is not the type of Bullfight that you are thinking it is. No swords are involved, but it can get a little dangerous if the bullfighter cannot run and jump fast enough to get away from the bull that is chasing him.

The event took place in a large round building that was made for things like rodeos and bullfighting. We were fortunate enough to get some seats on the upper level not to far away from the bar. From here, we could see just about everything that was going on. Take a look below...

Now comes the action - check out to see who is chasing who and who knows how to climb a fence the quickest...

Well, it was pretty fun and we put in a full day watching all the activities. As we were leaving around 5:00 PM the place was starting to get packed.

This is one of the 3 entrances

Until Next Year!!!