QCOSTARICA – The annual pilgrimage, “tomeria”, to Cartago officially kicked off over the weekend, with the faithful heading to the Basilica to pay homage to the Virgen de los Ángeles, the Patron Saint of Costa Rica.
The romeria takes place every August 2. Up to 2 million or more faithful participate in this pilgrimage, who on foot present themselves before the Virgin to give thanks or request her intercession.
Some travel long distances on foot, while others utilize transportation to reach the Basilica before completing the remainder of the journey on foot. The final approach to the Virgen involves crawling on one’s knees.
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To safeguard the well-being of the “romeros”, the Cruz Roja Costarricense de Costa Rica (CRC) – Costa Rican Red Cross – began their operations. In the coming days, the Policia de Transito (Traffic Police) will be implementing road closures and detours, including restricting large vehicles in the area of Hacienda Vieja and the Cruce de la Lima on the Interamericana Sur (Ruta 2) starting on Thursday, August 1.
On Monday, the Cruz Roja reported attending to 401 patients over the weekend in the Romeria operation that they are carrying out.
They also had to transfer 11 patients to a medical center, while most of the care was provided at the post located near the Basilica.
The types of incidents reported were 382 medical, 9 traumatic issues, 3 burns, 1 traffic accident, and 1 due to heart problems. In addition, there were 5 unidentified cases. Most of the events, 122 cases, occurred to people over 60 years of age.
If you are going to take part in the Romeria, here are some advice for a safe and healthy pilgrimage.
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Before the walk:
- Physical preparation: Take daily walks or do cardiovascular activities for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Footwear and clothing: Wear comfortable shoes, preferably not new, and appropriate sports clothing.
- Warm-up: Spend at least 10 minutes warming up your legs before starting the walk.
During the walk:
- Hydration: Drink water before, during and after the walk to avoid dehydration.
- Clothing: Wear waterproof clothing or change clothes if you get wet due to rain.
- Sun protection: Apply sunscreen if the walk is done during the day.
- Food consumption: Choose to eat light foods and avoid eating in unhealthy places.
After the walk:
- Stretching: Stretch to avoid muscle contractures and the accumulation of lactic acid.
- Continuous hydration: Hydrate properly.
- Good nutrition: Maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
Additionally, for people with chronic illnesses, it is recommended that:
- Protection of medications: Keep medications in their original containers and protect them from weather conditions.
- Labeling: Make sure that medications are correctly labeled.
- Medical information: Carry a note with details of your conditions and a list of medications.
Dr. Catalina Saint-Hilaire Arce, spokesperson for the Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos de Costa Rica (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica) said following these recommendations can make the difference between a positive and safe experience and possible health complications. We urge all romeros to take care of themselves and be responsible for their health and that of others.”
Finally, it is recommended that all romeros, if possible, carry out the romeria when Red Cross, Traffic Police and other security operations are being implemented, to reduce risks and ensure a rapid response in case of emergencies.
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