There are 50 different states in the U.S., and although they're all part of the same country, the cultures and traditions vary wildly from one to another. The same phenomenon exists here in Costa Rica; instead of states, Costa Rica is divided into seven culturally unique provinces: Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose and Guanacaste. Tronadora is located within Guanacaste, the country's geographically largest province. Guanacaste is best known for its relatively dry climate, beautiful beaches and legendary fiestas. In this field note, I'll share more about Guanacaste's world-renowned rodeos and how they influence everyday life here in Tronadora.
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Tronadora has a redondel located in the center of town. Here, the city hosts a variety of activities, such as fiestas, dances and, most notably, rodeos. Often times, these rodeos have a competitive edge, so it's more than just a party, it's an art. Last year, during Tronadora's anniversary, groups from all over the country came to compete in a number of challenges. These caballeros and cabelleras (cowboys and cowgirls) wrestled with calves and raced horses around the redondel. However, the main attraction of the night is always the bull-riding.
