Zenith

Last Thursday I got to experience the sun in zenith for the first time of my life! I was a bit nervous because the day was super cloudy, but around 1130 they opened up and the sun peeked out, just enough. Kind of a cool feeling, even though I obviously couldn't tell that the sun was in zenith, just kind of around there. And I couldn't tell the sun position on Thursday from Wednesday or Friday, but I knew it was in zenith and that was what mattered. Next time here is 27Aug, but then I will probably be in Sweden.

I used data from the US Naval Observatory to find the day and time, but there are more out there.

Green Sunset Festival

Went to a grassy field somewhere between San José and the airport this past Sunday. It was Green Sunset, a reggae festival. It sure was. Lots and lots of rasta, green-yellow-red, big-printed loose-fitting clothing, pot smoke and what have you when you have reggae. As a series of concerts it wasn't that great, far too long between the bands and the bands weren't that great. Neither was really Black Uhuru, the headliner, perhaps they should have folded eons ago, but it was nice to hear some old tunes. In terms of festival, though, it was pretty great. The sun was out in force, everybody were in a great mood, concession stands weren't overpriced, the veggie dish was great.

Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional

Last night I went to their second concert of the season. The evening concert was different from the earlier day one through the clothing of the musicians, now they were wearing the more traditional black tie. The program:

Giuseppe Mega, Director Invitado
Jens Lindemann, Trompetista

Schubert Sinfonía "Inconclusa" en si menor D 759
Haydn Concierto para trompeta en Mi bemol Mayor
Frank Proto Fantasía Carmen para trompeta y orquesta
Mendelssohn Sinfonía No. 4 Italiana Op.90

The concert started rather weak, I didn't agree with the pausation, it was as if Mega tried to deconstruct the symphony. But Lindemann is a showman and managed to bring it back. For Haydn, he came out in a red glittering smoking jacket, showing it off. After the break, when it was time for Proto, he came out on stage in a blue smoking jacket. I haven't heard of Proto before, and am not really a fan of variations, I'm more of a minimalist type, why say with ten notes what you can say with three? The ideal poem only consists of one word. Anyway, it was fun, and I think it was the first time I have partaken in a concert and the first time I've seen a spinning bass at a classical concert.

What happened was that to begin Proto, Lindemann stomp his foot and yelled Olé! Later on, he stomped his foot and pointed to the orchestra who then yelled Olé! So when he stomped his foot and pointed to the audience there wasn't much to do more than yell Olé! And after Proto, Lindemann came out, invited one of the first bass player to the front and jammed some jazz with him, where he then spun the bass. An old white-bearded, a little subdued old man, quite the thrill!

The last movement of Mendelssohn was superb, so at the end of the night Mega was forgiven for his deconstructivism, and the symphony was forgiven for their slip-ups.

This weekend is Red + Green Sunset Festival, today is world music and electronica and tomorrow reggae, from 2P and onwards, but the rain is coming down pretty heavy so I think I'll sit those out. Too bad, I was really looking forward to it.

What's in a name?

A whole lot, according to the Kabalarians, a Canadian group I first heard about a few weeks ago. Through March and April they offer a free name report, that tells you who you are and what you should do based on your name and birth date. Sounds like a horoscope but I've been amazed at the accuracy, so I urge you to go there and check it out for yourself.

My own report begins thus:

The name of Filip gives you a very idealistic nature. You find very few who live up to your high ideals; in fact, you do not yourself at all times. Your desire for peace and harmony causes you to withdraw from friction. You are quite reserved in many ways, and as a boy extremely sensitive and self conscious.

Judge for yourself...

Volcanoes and earthquakes

Erin and I celebrated Easter not only by going to church but also by visiting Volcan Poás. Really cloudy when we got there and the smoke welling up from the crater wasn't just sulphuric but obscured the view as well. But all of a sudden the wind changed and we got a beautiful and clear view of the volcano. We then went back over to a lake nearby, which we couldn't see the first time either, and lo and behold it was clear, too! Five hour bus rides for three hours in the park turned out to be well worth it. Just wish I would have brought a book.

And last week I felt my first earthquake! Just a small one, but sitting on the couch it all of a sudden it definitely started to shake, and did so for about ten seconds. Pretty exciting to feel the force of the earth like that!

Sports

There's been a lot of sports (again) in my life lately. Last week I caught Arsenal-Barcelona at my new favorite bar, La Embajada in San Jose. Great game, too bad Zlatan's two goals didn't make for a win. Unfortunately I missed the return but learned that Messi shot Barcelona to the semi-finals.

I followed up by going to the Costa Rican El Classico, La Liga-Saprissa, in Alajuela last Sunday. It was insane. I get there a little early and stand on one of the blocked off streets just like all other goers. Police everywhere. All of a sudden the police grab a rope and start herding us to - nowhere but another police line. What to do? I laugh in disbelief and make for the entrance. SvFF would have been pale had they seen what was going on inside. Fire works, torches, Bengal fires. To the point where the artificial turf caught fire and they had to break the game for ten minutes. At which point some fans throws in a bomb to the field which goes off with a really loud boom. And the game is even further delayed. La Liga, the Alajuela team, win by 1-0 and I don't stick around to see what happens next but book it to the bus station and go home.

And now baseball season is back! I found live feeds for the first Red Sox-Yankees game but didn't watch it, nice comeback I learned. The second game I intended to watch but couldn't find any feeds. So for the third I didn't take any chances but went to a sports bar in Escazu I didn't know existed. Good game albeit we lost in extra innings. And I met some Swedes there, that was a nice surprise!

Semana Santa

It is obvious that Costa Rica is more religious than either Sweden or USA, the only two other countries I have lived in for a significant period of time. I haven't had classes this week apart from Monday and Tuesday. Everybody are off work and have gone to the beach. Today I went out to run some errands, and all stores except for some grocery stores were closed, and will be so until Monday (which, however, isn't a holiday as it is in Sweden). No alcohol sales are allowed during this time, either. Tomorrow the city buses won't even run. The churches have about four masses a day from Ash Wednesday yesterday to Easter Sunday, and a lot of processions to go with them.

At the grocery store today I bought fish and bread, it felt very symbolic. And yesterday I got some candy, so Erin and I could have easter eggs. That, along with boiling some eggs, painting them, and then "picking" or perhaps "pecking", will be the Easter traditions I bring from Sweden. What are the traditions in the US, apart from gathering the family to a feast? I don't even know.