FIT for a Queen: A lush program of dances and music from around the world greeted Queen Noor of Jordan, who attended the inauguration of United World College (UWC) Costa Rica yesterday in the southwestern San José suburb of Santa Ana. The queen, who presides over the international United World College movement, urged the private school's 118 high-school students from around the globe to serve as voices of hope and peace when they return to their home countries. UWC Costa Rica opened its doors in August as the 11 th such institution worldwide. See this Friday's print or electronic edition of The Tico Times for more on this story.

Visitors to La Sabana Park, on the western edge of San José, will soon be able to glide past the trees on a zipline if they choose – the adventure sport company Grupo Montaña Verde plans to inaugurate a new zipline at the park on Sunday, Sports Day, according to the daily La República.

Live Music
With Adrian Goizueta (guitar), Joaquín Rivera (percussion) and Nelson Alvarez (piano), special menu also offered, 8:30 p.m., Tintos y Blancos, Terramall, Tres Ríos, east of San José. Info and reservations: 278-6900.

Launch of Book "Periodismo, pasión y razón"
(“Journalism, Passion and Reason”)
Book written by the Costa Rican journalist Edgar Fonseca will be presented by journalists Eduardo Ulibarri, Roxana Zúñiga y Roberto García, free, 7 p.m. Mexico Institute, 250 m. south of Subarú Car Agency, Los Yoses, east of San José. Info: 247-4647.

Art Exhibit Opening and Concert
Hosted by the Czech and Belgium embassies as part of the Francophonie Festival, opening of poster exhibit, performance of songs by Belgian singer and composer Jacques Brel, 7 p.m., Calderón Guardia Museum, Barrio Escalante, San José. Info: 296-5671, 232-1471.

By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff | aroberson@ticotimes.net

During a two-day visit to Cartagena, Colombia, that concluded yesterday, President Oscar Arias met with Latin American leaders and Microsoft founder Bill Gates as he continues his quest for increased support for Costa Rican education.

Arias asked Gates to help strengthen the National Program of Education Technology (PRONIE) by helping place computers in every Costa Rican school and by giving every teacher Internet access.

“It would be a magnificent support for our people if Microsoft would help us to put computers in every school,” Arias said a statement from Casa Presidencial. “The cost would be about $50 million, but of course the value for these kids is incalculable.”

Now, approximately 70% of Costa Rican high-school students and 56% of primary students have access to a computer lab.

Gates, who met with Arias late Monday afternoon, said in the statement that he plans to visit Costa Rica to get to know the country's educational system first-hand.

At the Information Technology Leaders' Forum yesterday, Arias urged assembled officials to support his proposed Costa Rica Consensus, through which developed nations would provide increased aid for developing countries that cut their military spending.

Arias was scheduled to return to San José last night.

An 80-year-old Costa Rican woman identified as Nora Guillén was flown by her country's Air Force to Costa Rica yesterday after an accident left her incapacitated, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

Guillén had been living in Caracas, Venezuela, for more than 40 years, but her family in Costa Rica wanted to bring her here to care for her after she was injured, said Public Security Ministry spokeswoman Karla Arrieta.

Guillén's age and critical state made it impossible for her to travel on a commercial flight; seven weeks ago, she suffered “cerebral vascular” damage after an accident left her unable to walk or talk, the statement said.

The Costa Rican Consul in Venezuela carried out “humanitarian procedures” with the Venezuelan government to facilitate Guillén leaving the country, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Her plane left Caracas at 7 a.m. yesterday and arrived to Juan Santamaría International Airport, northwest of San José, at 11:30 a.m., after a layover in Maracaibo, Venezuela, to process Immigration papers. A doctor and nurse accompanied her in the special medically equipped plane.

She was in “stable” condition and conscious when she arrived to Juan Santamaría, Arrieta said, and her family is deciding whether to take her to a hospital or a special residence.

Guillén's son in law Eduardo Sibaja said the family is grateful to the governments of Costa Rica and Venezuela, particularly Venezuelan Aviation Director Wilfrido Meza and the Costa Rican Consulate in Venezuela, for making this special effort to transport his mother-in-law, the statement said.

-Tico Times

Visitors to La Sabana Park, on the western edge of San José, will soon be able to glide past the trees on a zipline if they choose – the adventure sport company Grupo Montaña Verde plans to inaugurate a new zipline at the park on Sunday, Sports Day, according to the daily La República.

This company -- which has installed ziplines in the north-central areas of Monteverde and La Fortuna and in the northern-Caribbean town of Tortuguero – won a public bid on the project through the Costa Rican Sports Institute (ICODER), the daily reported.

No trees were cut to hook up the La Sabana line, which was designed to cause minimal environmental impact.

Kids ages 4 and older as well as adults can strap on a harness and zip along the cable, with the help of 12 guides who will be available at the park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 35-minute activity will cost ¢3,600 ($6.92) for Costa Ricans and $20 for foreigners, Montaña Verde representative José Pablo Castillo told La República.

The company assures that canopy tours are safe, but has purchased a ¢50 million ($96,153) insurance policy in the case of an accident.

Once the La Sabana facilities are complete, Montaña Verde plans to install a zip line in Parque del Este, east of San José. Nature trails, a butterfly house, orchid house, obstacle course and mountain bike trail are also in the works at this park.