This Saturday is Costa Rica's independence day. My students were a bit slim on the details. They don't seem to know too much of the history. But, like other holidays, it will involve parades and fireworks. That explains the constant drumming from every school around here. We happen to live right next to a highschool. I hear drums even when they're not playing. Ba-dump-bump-bump. Ba-dump-bump-bump. Ba-dump-bump-bump.

Since the holiday is on a Saturday, we won't get any extra days off. That's the real bummer. In fact, there are no more work holidays until Christmas. I'm petitioning for the school to observe some of the US's holidays, since we're an English academy. But so far, the administration is unreceptive.

In fact, the administration is rather somber lately. The school has been a grim environment for the past couple of weeks. It's not as lively and fun as it used to be. We don't have as many classes here at the school during the morning any more, so there aren't as many people around. And two people in the office are doing the work of six. We've lost more than just staff and students, though. There's been an attitude change. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but it's definitely a different vibe.

Labels: costa rica