La Luz de la Libertad

Here are some photos of the "torch run," the celebration of indepedence here in Costa Rica. It is, in fact, the celebration of independence in many Central American countries (all former parts of Guatemala, which gained its independence from Spain in the 19th century, I believe). The torch begins in Guatemala City and is then carried by runners down the Pan American Highway to Panama. At stops along the way, folks light torches off of the main torch and carry the flame to each community. Here in Monteverde, students from the public high school run down to the Pan-American highway (a long trip. It's a hour by car, at least) and pick up the flame. They carry it up to Santa Elena, where our students light our school torch and carry it up to Monteverde. The oldest students in the school must from from Santa Elena all the way to the school. All the grades below are stationed at various stops along the main road from Santa Elena. The torch is passed from hand to hand so that every student in the school gets to carry the flame at least some distance. Even the smallest students carry the torch...they take it from the beginning of the school driveway to the playground in back.
Pretty neat tradition, I think. Made me get a little misty eyed, actually. The tradition began because, according to legend, the news of independence, the so-called "light of liberty," passed down Central America by runners in just this way. Of course in those days, there was no Pan-American highway to speed things along.
What I was really impressed with was how the older students helped the younger ones carry this large and cumbersome torch. Without even being asked to do so, the teenagers just rushed to help out their 5 and 6 year old schoolmates. It just warms the heart. A "light of liberty," yes, but also a light of kindness and friendship.