Tag: trash

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What is that apparatus?

About my last blog post a faithful reader writes asking: “What is that apparatus behind the lady containing all those bags?”

I circled in red what he is talking about in yesterday’s photo.
Atenas, Costa Rica

And zoomed in on it for a closer look.
It is something every house is suppose to have,
cesto de basura or trash basket like your garbage can in the states.
You put your trash bags in here for pickup and they only pick up bags.
Anything not in a bag will be left, even boxes!
Atenas, Costa Rica

Here is my trash basket along the street by our gate. 3 houses in our compound use it.
 Size and color is up to you, but metal required and off the ground to avoid dogs, iguanas, etc.
And everything must be in a bag to be picked up!
There is a recycling center here, but without a car, not accessible or used much.
Atenas, Costa Rica

“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
~ My grandmother

And check out the “official” video on Atenas, just 2 1/2 min.   I live in a cool little town!
Or my little book on Atenas, Costa Rica   – Click pages to turn and fullscreen is best view
Or several of my Photo Galleries feature Atenas – just browse through them to see a quaint little town
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A Little Costa Rica Culture Enroute

Our Lady of Angels Basilica in Cartago (I drove by on way to Turrialba)
The Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (Our Lady of the Angels Basilica) is a Roman Catholic basilica in Costa Rica, located in the city of Cartago and dedicated to the Virgen de los Pardos, officially known as Virgen de los Ángeles (the Lady of the Angels). The basilica was built in 1639 and was partially destroyed by an earthquake. The basilica has since been restored and constitutes a unique mix of colonial architecture as well as 19th century Byzantine style, the current building dates back to 1939.[From Wikipedia] Once a year there is a pilgrimage of thousands from all over Central America to this Cathedral, all walking!

I stopped by around 11 Sunday morning & it was packed,
standing room only with a crowd standing and listening outside the door.

It is my personal observation that Ticos are not only mostly religious but what I would call “Christian in their behavior” or relationships toward each other and outsiders and a very moral people.

This horse with his rider and cart came to lodge to pick up trash today.
Talk about a juxtaposition of cultures!
In rural areas it is still common to see people riding horses for transportation.

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Trash Pickup

Step 1: Everyone has a metal basket in front of his house or compound.
This is the one for our compound, 3 homes.

Step 2: Twice a week we put bags of trash in basket. Only bags!
They will not pick up anything not in a bag! I cut up boxes & put in leaf bags.

Step 3: Twice a week in Roca Verde, thrice a week downtown, trucks pick up.
We have a bigger truck than this usually in Roca Verde. Still contract workers.