FERIA (fe-ɾja) 

So many things have changed along this pandemic. I mean, needless to say, the freedom and some of those things and habits we had -and took for granted- are just barely getting back to a somewhat similar -yet still distant- scenario.

But, of course, having no certainty of much -at all- in the months to come, in terms of what we will and will not be able to do, contingent upon vaccines, an increase or decrease in the number of COVID cases, and the like, we can just hope for much better things to occur in the short run.

For the past months, people would ask me…Hey, what did you on the weekend? My answer then -and today- is the same: “I went to the Feria (Farmer’s Market)”. Going to the Feria became sort of a privilege in circumstances where some people would be concerned about going out at all.

The Feria del Agricultor (of Feria, for short) is a great place to immerse oneself into the Tico culture, let alone have the chance to find fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables at (usually) better prices. And, if you have been around for a while, you know that already, right?

Now, did you know that the salesperson can give you something “como feria” at the Feria? Or that the farmer at the Feria -or anyone selling a product to you, for that matter- can give you “una feria”. At this point, you may be scratching your head. So, let us solve the riddle, shall we? Basically, “(dar algo) como feria” means (giving something) extra for free. Hence, “recibir una feria” translates to “getting something for free”. Happy weekend shopping at the Feria!