Oxcart Parade, Atenas

We had a great time at the oxcart parade on Sunday, April 29, 2012. It was the first one we've ever seen.

I even made a video and you can see it here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhMRpmpNadg.

Six of us met up at Gely's, a good restaurant on the west side of the central park and always the best place to view parades and also have lunch or dinner. There were lots of things going on in the park, too. I bought another orchid for my growing collection.

Gely's

The parade started on time and ran smoothly. The oxen are magnificent beasts, each pair matched perfectly in size and color. The carts are beautifully painted, as are the yokes. One pair had huge oiled horns with gold tips. Another pair had small ribbons on the horns in the Costa Rican flag colors.

As each pair and their boyero approached the judging stand, they stopped for photos and the boyero's name and where he/she was from was announced. They came from all over the country.

Brahma ox team

Hand painted carts

My favorite team