Clicky

With Costa Rica’s mail, it’s address unknown

Share |
information (meta) --»
Posted on: November 6th, 2007
Filed Under: Blogante Headlines, Eye Openers, Hispanic News, non-US news
Tagged: , ,
need help? --»
Search these tags: Costa Rica, latin america, San Jose
View: Subjects | States | Metros :: Site Map
source, text, links --»

“It may be difficult for GPS addicts to comprehend, but doesn’t have a standardized system of addresses — at least not ones that can be typed into MapQuest. Many streets aren’t named, and virtually none have signs. Many houses don’t have numbers. Only a few pockets of the country use anything close to the “123 Main St.” format that Americans would recognize.

Instead, most Costa Rican addresses are expressed in relation to the closest community landmark. In colonial times, that was the church or town hall. Today it could be a fast-food joint or car dealership.

For some, the quirky system is a reassuring link to their country’s agrarian past, a colorful affirmation of what it means to be “Tico,” or Costa Rican. Almost everyone beams when they talk about the “old fig tree” and the “old Coca-Cola plant.” Both of those -area landmarks have been lost to history, but locals still cite them when giving directions as if they still existed. For a disoriented visitor, it’s proof that magical realism is alive and well in .”*

related posts (sort of) --»
view/search these tags on --»

Knowledge is Power and this page is just the start. Hispanics/Latinos are a growing diverse force in this country. Check out some of the 54,865 items found on this site below or dig into the Site Map

Best of the Rest

Latest Essentials