Back in early December we were told that Laura would win the election. She was the right handed helper of the president at the time.

This is Luis, one of the guards of our community (and our favorite). He doesn’t speak any English and knows we understand very little Spanish, but he’s super patient with us and loves to converse with us. He was pro Laura and got us green Laura wristbands when he got his.

Showing off the Laura wristband.

Luis got excited about the photos and posed with Jim and Sam the cat (one of the two community cats). Poor Sam the cat often gets her food snagged by Lita.

Side note on Luis: He stopped burglars from robbing our community, by hearing/seeing them (all dressed in black) scaling the walls on the west side of the community and shooting two shots into the ground to scare them off. Way to go Luis! No such problems since! (Knock on wood.)

Laura won and most people we talk to are happy. I was surprised though that leading up to the election many of these signs were splattered with paintball paint. Did you know that not only are all the alcohol selling establishments closed on election day, but the cops plaster the windows of such shops with black garbage bags? Dumb use of money if you ask me, but I guess they really don’t want you to drink before you vote because you know, your vote may be swayed. Another interesting thing about election day here in Costa Rica is that people volunteer their cars to their preferred party and people drive all around the country, taking people to vote.