Festival de Boyero

Today we went to a local festival....one that I was very excited about taking Layne to see.  Escazu (where we are staying) is said to be the place where the boyeros (oxcart drivers) would stop and rest as they were taking their coffee products from their farms to the ports.  Every year, the second weekend in March is set aside to celebrate the oxcart driver.  It's a parade through the town of Escazu up to San Antonio Catholic Church.  Once there, the oxcart drivers and oxen are blessed by the priest so they'll have good crops in the upcoming season.  There are awards given for the most beautiful carts and other things.  These carts are handpainted and some of them have been in families for generations.  There are lots of pics in this post, and two videos, but before you see them...I must warn you about something....In this culture they have what is called "masquerades."  That is these really creepy puppet type things that are unusually large and very strange.  I'm serious, I didn't want to get very close to them.  So, before you accuse me of keeping you from sleeping (due to the nightmares you might have)...just know that you have been warned.  LOL.

Here's the first video..... http://youtu.be/FuKjUmp4D9g

And here is the second (you can actually see Layne and my friend Anbreen towards the end of this one)..... http://youtu.be/p5am8LYjKlk

And here are lots of photos....this was a beautiful day.....It started off with seeing this precious little girl...