weekends.....

for a lot of people in the States (myself included, at time) it seems like Saturday and Sunday can look at lot like Monday through Friday.  people are scheduled to work or end up having to go into the office even if they are not, or spend the day running around from place to place - shopping, doing errands, going to appointments, etc.  and although Costa Rica isn't completely untouched by this American work-aholic, always on-the-go manner of living, it does seem to at least go at a much slower pace.  a good portion of businesses (especially local, family-run operations) are closed on Sunday and have shorter hours on Saturday.  you can still go to the mall, or the major grocery store, but when you drive around the neighborhoods you see a lot of closed doors.  a lot of people use the weekends to spend time with family - visiting parents, grandparents, cousins, in-laws, friends, etc.  maybe for a meal, or just for coffee and a chat.  to me it's a really different mindset than i am used to at home - where everything is on a time schedule, you have to be purposeful and productive, and you always have the next "To Do" item on your mind.   and another thing i find intruiging is that fact that such leisurely activities involve the whole family, including kids of all ages.  at home it seems like kids are involved in so many things - sports, clubs, schools, social activities, etc... especially teenagers.   and kids here are active and involved, but on a much more manageable schedule, i would say.  so they still have time for the sunday afternoon visit to grandpa, or stopping in to see a new nephew.    i don't mean to say that as Americans we are all selfish and wrapped up in our own schedules and lives, just that the mindset seems to be a little different.  i won't make any judgements as to right or wrong, i just appreciate the opportunity to see things from a different point of view....