Every year on July 4th, there is a U.S. citizen only party from 8am-noon.

It costs either $4 or 2,000 colones to get in.  It also takes a U.S. passport.

Inside everything is free.  Beer is included (seems odd for a morning party), Pepsi, bottled water, coffee, hot dogs, pop corn, meat cheese and bagels, cotton candy, massive other candy for the kids who “fish” over a barrier with clothes pins and tons of other food and drinks. 

There are also lots of games for the kids.  Younger kids can ride the carousel or bouncing bees rides for free.  There is also a jumping booth and a massive slide.  Older kids can play soccer or volley ball on the spacious grounds.  Lots of bands are playing everything from classic rock to square dancing music.

At about 9am, there was a flag ceremony hosted by the marines from the U.S. embassy.  After singing the U.S. national anthem, we said the pledge of allegiance to the now risen flag.  I actually cried.  It had been a long time that I had said engaged in any kind of patriot activity with true Americans that believe in liberty the the values of the true America that our founding fathers spilled their blood to give us.

The Democrats abroad in Costa Rica and the Republicans abroad in Costa Rica had booths to register voters.  I hung out to hear the chatter.  As usual, both Democrats and Republicans in Costa Rica have such similar politics, it’s ridiculous.  Of course Democrats and Republicans still in the U.S. also have such similar politics that it’s ridiculous too… but the politics of Redemopublicrats in Costa Rica is the opposite of Redemopublicrats in the U.S.

Most Americans abroad are neither Republicans nor Democrats.  They are libertarians, constitutionalists, anarchists or socialists.   Don’t get too confused by the labels.  Many of those which seem to be opposites in the U.S. actually have the same values and beliefs here.   The anarchists and the socialists are both lovers of liberty here and value what the original American was founded to protect.

The U.S. Ambassador showed up at about 10:30am with his family and body guard.  He was verbally accosted by several people one of whom spit at him.  The consensus seemed to be that this was a party for true patriots and he represented the powers that are destroying America from both parties.   Others thought he was treated unfairly and that it wasn’t his fault what was happening at home.   Of course you can’t become an ambassador without being willing to represent the country that sends you.

He seemed like a pretty nice guy to me with a wonderful family.  Of course I believe he chose to be what he is and is responsible for how people respond to that.  I was glad he wasn’t there during the flag raising destroying the atmosphere of patriotism that abounded.

Tonight there will be fireworks at Intel.  I don’t know if we’ll go or not.  The kids generally can’t handle two major events in one day.  I suspect there will also be fireworks throughout the central valley wherever gringos live.  Ticos may also get into the fun.  They have been known to make excuses to have a party.  Of course fireworks aren’t illegal here.  This is still a relatively free country.

I strongly recommend a visit to the Fiesta de Gringos if you are ever in Costa Rica during the 4th of July.  If you aren’t American, but close… (like Canadian or U.K.), you can usually get an American to invite you as a guest.

-James D. Brausch