Preparing for the Pilgrimage: Transit officials are gearing up for the masses of devout Catholics who will begin making their way to the Nuestra Señora de los Angeles Basilica in Cartago, east of San José, from around the country this weekend. The official holiday to celebrate this patron saint is Aug. 2, but many are expected to make the trip early this year to take advantage of being off of work and school for a national holiday Monday.

Costa Rican authorities are trying to step up their efforts to fight the practice of human trafficking, seen here mostly in the form of commercial sexual exploitation of women and children.

Music Performance
“De Amor y Afectos,” English and Italian works from the 16 th and 17 th centuries, Galería Amón, San José. Info, reservations: 223-9725. 

UIA Inter-School Soccer Cup Semifinals
Colegio Yorkin vs. Colegio Saint Paul, 1:15 p.m., Colegio Yorkin, Lomas de Ayarco, 600 meters south and 150 meters east of Doña Lela Restaurant. Info: 228-6760.

Sushi Workshop
Includes certificate, recipes, and tasting, 6-9 p.m., Estudio Gastronómico Mucho Gusto, 100 meters north of Los Yoses Gas Station, next to Boliche Dent, 234-0840, 283-0446.

Salsa and Merengue Concert
By Rrequete Band, 9 p.m., San José Palacio Hotel, La Uruca. Info: 289-9335

The Last Call/El Zarpe for the Flying Borracho Brothers
8 p.m., TexMex Restaurant, Santa Ana, 50 meters north of Santa Ana Church. Info: 282-6342. Free Admission.

“Our Lady of Ujarrás”
Painting exhibit, through July 29, Museum of Our Lady of Ujarrás, Ujarrás Church, Cartago.

“Falstaff”
Verdi's comedic opera, today and Aug. 5, 5 p.m., National Theater, San José, Ave. 2, Calle 3/5. Info: www.teatronacional.go.cr, 221-5341.

By Gillian Gillers
Tico Times Staff | ggillers@ticotimes.net

Hundreds of teachers marched yesterday in San José, calling for government measures that would give them higher salaries and better job security.

The protest was part of a nationwide strike in which thousands participated, according to estimates by the High-School Teachers' Association (APSE), which organized the effort.

APSE wants the Legislative Assembly to approve a law that would increase from 32 to 40 the maximum number of weekly lessons that can make up a teacher's permanent workload. The law was passed last week in the legislature's Social Affairs Commission.

The teachers' association is also calling for the Ministry of Public Education to temporarily shut down an online process that allows instructors to register for new positions. APSE maintains that the Web site misidentifies vacant posts and should be closed until corrections are made.

Catholics around the country are preparing to make the annual journey to visit the country's patron saint Nuestra Señora de los Angeles at the basilica in the eastern province of Cartago, and Traffic Police are preparing the streets for this pilgrimage, according to a statement from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT).

Special traffic operations will begin tomorrow, since about 2 million walkers are expected to take advantage of being off work and school for a national holiday Monday to make the trek to this holy site over the weekend. The holiday celebrating this virgin, known commonly as La Negrita, is Aug. 2.

For the first time this year, the five-kilometer stretch of road leading east into Cartago from Tres Ríos will be split into two lanes.

From 3 p.m. until 8 p.m., one lane will be for traffic entering Cartago from San José and the other side will be for walkers. After 8 p.m., this stretch will be closed to traffic to accommodate more walkers.

Highways that lead to Cartago from around the country will be watched over by an expanded force of Traffic Police beginning tomorrow in an effort to create safe conditions for walkers.

The ministry will also be prohibiting large trucks and those carrying hazardous materials from entering Cartago after 4 p.m. on Aug. 1, when foot traffic is heaviest.

Also on Aug. 1, the stretch of road from the Fuente La Hispanidad in the eastern suburb of San Pedro leading east to the Antigua Galera, will be blocked starting at about 6 p.m.

The ministry recommends that walkers face oncoming traffic in single-file lines when sidewalks aren't available and wear reflective clothing. Drivers are advised to go slowly through areas full of walkers and use alternative routes to get to and from Cartago.

One person per year has died during the past two pilgrimages, and in 2000 there were four victims of traffic accidents during the event.

-Tico Times

Costa Rican authorities are trying to step up their efforts to fight the practice of human trafficking, seen here mostly in the form of commercial sexual exploitation of women and children.

A government-sponsored seminar began yesterday with officials from various government institutions including the Child Welfare Office (PANI), National Institute for Women (INAMU) and the ministries of Health and Public Security.

Representatives of the International Immigration Organization and experts from countries including Colombia, El Salvador, the United States and the Dominican Republic are also attending.

Human trafficking is the third biggest generator of money in the world in terms of illegal activities. An estimated 5 million to 27 million people become victims of it every year, according to Vice-Minister of Public Security Ana Durán.

Many victims of human trafficking are brought here to be commercial sex workers, a business that's grown along with tourism, she said.

Marisela Herrer, administrator of the Huellas de Esperanza shelter in El Salvador, said that the shelter, which has been open a little longer than one year, has received 96 victims of human trafficking from Colombia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

While sexual exploitation is the main reason for human trafficking in the region, organ trafficking and labor exploitation are other practices associated with this crime.

Costa Rica is working on drafting a plan during the next few years to create harsher sentences for those convicted of human trafficking, Durán said.