Today's Stories: Hundreds Walk to Cartago in First Day of the Romeria August 2 Holiday Day in Costa Rica PUSC and Government Sharpen Fiscal Strategy

Air Traffic Controllers Strike Continues into Day 34! Air traffic controllers have been on strike since 26. And even though talks between union leaders and government have resumed and the striking controllers have lowered their salary increase demands from 35% to 25%, there is no end in sight.

Authorities from the Ministerio de Seguridad Publica, yesterday, purposely sunk to patrol boats in the Gulf of Nicoya, to generate more life, adding to the boats that have been sunk at bottom of the sea for the same reasons. Several years back, Costa Rica came up with the idea of creating underwater artificial refuges, that meet certain requirements like being stable, durable, secure, economical, able to be monitored and does not contaminate the environment.

La Negrita offers hope for many. Hope that she will bring them a miracle.

Many make their way on foot to Cartago bringing La Negrita offerings in return for the health of a loved one or a cure to incurable illness.

Many "romeros" start the walk off with joy and a sprint in their step. Later, the energy is gone and the physical requirement required to complete the walk is much larger than imagined.


Red Cross workers, Transit Police, police officers from the Fuerza Publica, Firemen and many other emergency personnel will be on hand to provide a safe route and assistance to the devoted.

It is expected that the majority of those making the walk will be on Sunday 1 August, however, many head off early to avoid the congestion of the long weekend.

At noon today, officials will be on hand to monitor the route and ensure that those on the walk aren't alone.

Ignacio Sánchez, director for the Transit Police, said that there will be 280 Transit officers assigned to the detail.

This year's "romeria" may be wet, as the weatherman - the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional - announced it's forecast for the coming days.

Friday through to Tuesday temperatures will range from a low 14C to high of 25C, with mornings offering the best weather for the annual pilgrimage.

The weatherman says:
- mornings will be partially cloudy with mild temperatures
- afternoons may be filled with rain and storms
- evenings may see some fog and light drizzle

Romeros should take into considerations that the mornings will be cool and should dress accordingly.

Coordinators recommend wearing comfortable footwear is a must - avoid sandals -and using vaseline in between the toes to avoid foot burns and rashes. Drink plenty of water, at least one sip every 15 minutes, to avoid dehydration.

If you get hungry along the way, don't eat foods you have never tried before and don't carry anything heavy in your arms, use a backpack.

Take along a flashlight and wear bright coloured clothing. Don't over do it, especially if suffering from any kind of illness.

If accompanied by children, authorities recommend placing the child's name and phone number on the clothing, for easy identification in case the child gets lost.

And, most important, don't walk alone!

August 2 Holiday Day in Costa Rica
August 2 is an holiday in Costa Rica "Dia de la Virgen de los Angeles".

Banks, government offices, most offices and businesses will stay closed on Monday. However, most retailers will stay open, as well as malls and shopping centres.

Many employees are given the day off to fulfill their commitment to La Negrita, however, the Ministry of Labour does not legally require employers to pay their employees for the day or extra pay for those who work.

Monthly or bi-monthly salaried employees get the day off without any deduction in pay. However,  those employees paid weekly or daily, will not get paid if they have the day off or paid extra if they work.

PUSC and Government Sharpen Fiscal Strategy
A closed meeting was held between authorities of Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), and the Government Friday morning at the Orquídeas restaurant, where it was agreed to sharpen some of the points in their strategy to obtain the approval for the fiscal reform.

Ex- president Rafael Calderón Angel emphasized that the party supports the reform, but the party has to fight to defend the social institutions. "We cannot treat equally the Banco Popular that has 30 thousand loans; or the mutuals, that transact 80% of mortgage bonds ", he said.

The Social Christian leader indicated that some of the changes discussed have been introduced, or will be included in the coming days. On the other hand the president of the party Lorena Vásquez declared that the negotiation and the debate of the plan must be made in the legislative commission and not in the "Plenario".

On the other hand Federico Vargas, chief of the PUSC, emphasized that some changes will be made to the content, but assured that they will not imply deep changes. In addition, he assured that they will look for a dialogue with all the sectors, including the Movimiento Libertario party.

The deputies of the Movimiento Libertario party had been excluded from the negotiations with the government, being considered to be impossible to engage in a dialog. So far they have presented more than 1,000 motions for changes to the plan at the commission level.

The closed meeting also analyzed public opinion to the fiscal plan and the need for the government to convince the different public sectors on the urgency of the plan.