San José, Costa Rica - Monday 02 August 2004

1.116 Unique Visitors Daily Average in July!  What's This? 

Updated every day by 8:00AM Central Standard Time

Thousands make their way to Cartago to pay tribute to La Virgen de los Ángeles, to demonstrate their faith and gratefulness for favours bestowed upon them by the miracles of the Virgen; without a doubt La Negrita is in the hearts of Costa Rica. Click for larger image!

Faith or Charlatanism, Thousands Make Their Walk to Cartago
Thousands of Costa Ricans pay tribute to La Virgen de los Ángeles, walking to the Basilica in Cartago, where 370 years ago it is believed that the image of the La Negrita appeared. Each year, thousands make the walk, coming from all over the country to demonstrate their faith.

The Legend of La Negrita
It all started on Aug. 2, 1635. A mestizo (mixed European and Indian heritage) woman was looking for firewood when she came across a small stone image standing on a large stone, according to the legend.

Growing Demand for Private Emergency Services
The slow response to the "free emergency" is the largest complaint received by the Red Cross, the 911 service and the Ministerio de Seguridad Publica. Those few minutes of extra wait can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:
Gambling Sites, This Is A Holdup
Something nasty was up. It was an autumn afternoon in the offshore gambling haven of Costa Rica. The banks of computers at online bookmaker Betcris.com whirred away, processing thousands of bets on the Cowboys, Patriots, and Buckeyes.
 

Colombia's Uribe denies drugs cartel links Colombia's government has denied media reports alleging that President Alvaro Uribe collaborated with a powerful drug cartel more than a decade ago. The links were apparently revealed in a declassified US military intelligence document obtained by Newsweek magazine. At least 256 confirmed dead in Paraguayan supermarket fire At least 256 people were killed and hundreds of others injured Sunday in a fire that swept through a supermarket on the outskirts of Paraguay's capital Asuncion, the Paraguayan government confirmed Monday. Pinochet's son released from detention, banned from leaving Chile The son of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet was released Saturday after two days in detention, but he was banned from leaving the country when the authorities were continuing to investigate whether he was involved in an illegal sale of vehicles.   International News from the New York Times

AMERICAS SOCIAL FORUM: Weak Grassroots Presence; Heavy on the NGOs  Although activists agreed that the overall balance of the first Social Forum of the Americas, which ended Friday in the Ecuadorian capital, was positive, some told IPS there was a weak presence of grassroots movements and trade unions. ''This is the first forum in the region and we hope that in future editions there will be greater participation by grassroots social movements, because I believe the Forum was a bit lopsided due to the heavy presence of non-governmental organisations (NGOS),'' Marlene Román, a young activist with Peru's Pro Human Rights Association, commented to IPS.   COSTA RICA TRAVEL Ten Ways To Take "Cost" of Costa Rica Go during the green, or rainy, season (May through November), when hotel and rental car rates are cheaper. A car rental can go for $55 a day, fro example, during the the high season, $35 a day in the "green" season. And you can often save  30 percent or more on hotels and tours. THE TAKE:  YOUR TAKE "This Muñeca has had enough" You are the most beautiful flower in the garden,” a brave Tico told me as I sat on a cliff in Manuel Antonio watching the sunset with my mother. I bit my lips not to laugh and that created a smile. So he kept on. “I want to make you my wife here on this cliff. We get married and I take care of you forever,” he insisted. My mother’s face turned white like Casper. I asked him his name. “My name David and I make a good husband for you. You no pay for nothing. I take care of you. My beautiful flower. The best princess in all the world. You are a princess, preciosa.”

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