Guaria Morada and other orchids of Costa Rica

 

Costa Rica is famous for its more than 1400 species of orchids. Some are small, some large, many are quite showy. The Southern Nicoya Peninsula area is composed mainly of dry forest, most of which was chopped down in the early 20's and 30's, wreaking havoc on the flora and fauna of the area. Costa Rica has an astonishing number of plants, and people are drawn from all over the world to see the beautiful flowers that grow here.  

Of special interest to many are the numerous varieties of orchids.  In fact, Costa Rica has over Thirteen Hundred species of orchids.The best time of the year for orchids in Costa Rica in the wild is just as the rainy season is starting up with the first scant rains. Many of the orchids in nature are triggered into their blooming cycle at that time. 

Link: Botanical Orchid Garden

Link: Costa Rica Culture

The Oxcart culture in Costa Rica

In Costa Rican, the so called bueyes (oxen) are animals that have been trained to help peasants on their normal shores. They normally pull a cart (oxcart) painted with great designs and very colorful forms. Peasants have exercised this rustic method for generations in the countryside of Costa Rica, learned from childhood, with his family. Although it is an activity mainly taken by men, recently women have also take a leadership position in the activity.

The oxen are chosen since they are little depending on their temperament and trained during their whole life to work together on a "yunta de bueyes".