San Isidro Labrador, quita el agua y pon el sol...

When I was a child, I used to sing this little song when it was rainy: San isidro Labrador, quita el agua y pon el sol (Saint Isidor Farmer, put away the rain and bring the sun) in order to go outside to play.

The Catholic Sanctoral says: "Isidore the Laborer, also known as Isidore the Farmer (1070-May 15, 1130) was a Spanish day laborer known for his goodness toward the poor and animals. Isidore frequented Holy Mass every morning but often reported to work late. Late, though he was, his plowing was nevertheless accomplished by angels that resulted in three times more productivity." That is why, Saint Isidore became the Catholic Patron Saint of Farmers.

In our country, we had a lot of towns named after him. In Heredia, there is San Isidro, a little country town with a wonderful landscape of San José, and one of the most beautiful Costa Rica Neo-Gothic Catholic Churches.

In May, all towns named San Isidro have “Fiestas Patronales” and the Catholic Church organizes Oxen Cart Parades, Animal Baptism, and music contests.

Last Friday, Professor Olga invited the Cultura y Lengua Meta group to visit San Isidro de Heredia and to enjoy the Cimarrona’s Contest. A “cimarrona” is a traditional band, formed by, professional or not, musicians who play popular music with some percussion and wind instruments.

We had a wonderful weather, not cold at usually it is in this own. The professor asked for parking the cars a little far from the Church because of the crowd. I thought: “What crowd? This is a little town and nobody will come over there”. By the time we left, there were cars all around three blocks from the Church!!


There were a lot of people in the Church’s garden. Families together, little kids with baby caps, elder people, a lot of teenagers and kids groups, everybody was at the Fair.

After a while, we went to have some dinner at the “Hotel”.
It was very surprising because the cafeteria was a big, clean, and elegant place. The food was traditional: tamales, picadillo de papa o arracache, carne mechada, arroz con pollo, lomo fingido, arroz con leche, agua dulce, etc.


I was impressed by the absence of alcoholic beverages and consequently, no drunk people walking around.

We had a wonderful time. And it was a generous offer from our professor who wanted to share her town and traditions with her students. This is culture alive!