It’s true, time flies when you’re having fun – December disappeared in a whirlwind and I can’t believe its ‘Hogmanay’ tomorrow!

The month started with local elections, which certainly generate a lot of colour and noise, but less enthusiasm; only 28% of the electorate voted. Just like home, there’s a cynicism about local politics; a shame considering the Government is devolving more powers to municipalities so there’s even more need for local influence. Obviously elections are not for ex-pats but we set forth to wish our friend Johanna good luck on election day.

Here’s a young woman who has been inspired by Costa Rica having its first female President (Laura Chinchilla) and us also having a female ‘Alcaldesa’ (mayoress) in the municipality. Unfortunately the latter lost her seat but Johanna was successful; it’s a real pleasure to see a very committed young woman taking the first steps in local leadership in the traditionally male-dominated world of Costa Rican politics.

As ever in December, we had lots of town activities; end of year music school concerts, the grand Tope horse-ride through town and the ‘festival of lights’ Christmas float parade – all huge affairs with crammed streets and lots of noise. In contrast, the village festival is more ‘tranquilo’ but equal fun, and year after year, we’re amazed at the amount of effort Tico’s put into these seasonal celebrations. Watching all the magnificent horses, John suddenly announced he wants to have a go at riding!! – yet to be arranged, watch this space!

Midst all the fun activity, another Women’s Club member and I had our heads down doing the final editing of ‘There’s a frog in my soup’?? – a recipe book which we’re selling to raise funds for Hogar Betania, the elderly people’s home I’ve featured in earlier columns. This is the Club’s first fund-raiser; an apparently simple idea to collect recipes to help new residents learn how to cook produce we’ve never seen in our lives before. Ask a farmer ‘how do I cook this’ and the answer is usually ‘en sopa, muy rico’ – ‘in soup, very tasty’ – which reveals the truth, Costa Rica does not have much of a culinary tradition!

Suffice to say, the ‘simple’ idea grew… it must be bi-lingual, but different translators all used different terminology, which was different from what Tica women use, so a huge Spanish re-editing job had to be done. We’re now experts on cutting, slicing, grating, chopping, boiling and baking – but hardly the words of every-day conversation! Months behind the planned schedule but we did it – printed and launched at the farmers’ market on the 16th December, in time for the sales pitch ‘a great Christmas gift’! A small triumph; when the first print-run of 250 are all sold, we will have around $1.500 to spend on new equipment, peanuts when I look at the home’s needs but every dollar helps.

With that over, the traditional Christmas cake did get iced, the mince pies got baked, and we enjoyed a lovely sunny Christmas day with 16 friends for lunch.

As the New Year approaches, we send you all best wishes for good health, peace and joy in 2011, and thanks for being a reader this year.

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