#1 Assignment

To get to my host organization I had to take a water taxi. Have you ever heard of a water taxi before?! This because there are a bunch of canals that you have to go through before you get to the station, because there are no roads. Going through the canals I was admiring the vegetation and how the dark water was reflecting everything. I asked the taxi driver if I could sit right at the tip of the boat (just like the way they do it in Titanic) and let me tell you... I did feel like the king of the world!

I have been at my host organization for almost a month. This place is amazing and the best part is that every day something new and random has happened (I guess that happens when your living in the middle of no where).

After spending a few days in San Jose I made my way to Tortuguero. This place is one of the largest nesting sites in the world for green sea turtles, but there is also SO MUCH DIVERSITY. The place where I’m actually staying in is considered to be one of the most diverse areas of Costa Rica. It doesn’t take much time to realize that when you get here.

The station is filled with all sorts of trees and flowering plants to attract all sorts of monkeys, birds, and butterflies. So even when you’re away from all the busy city noises, the jungle is actually really load. At night you’ll hear the crickets, or the water pouring onto the roof, at 4am you’ll be woken up by the howler monkeys, and the birds and frogs doing their mating chants. I love laying in the hammock and listening to the sounds of nature.

I have learnt the names of many of the amazing animals that come here and learnt so much by all these very educated people. I will never forget my first impression when I saw a Collared Aracari ( it is the most bad ass Toucan you will ever see – I first thought it was like a bird that came out of hell!). I will never forget the first time I saw a beautiful turquoise morpho butterfly, or when I saw my first Leatherback sea turtle. All of these amazing things is truly a blessing to see when its simply in the wild. I now have a total different perspective of zoo’s. Seeing wild animals in their natural habitat and roaming around freely is something magical that a picture or that the discovery channel can show you. With that being said... you need to go out and see things for your self

Well everything is all beautiful and dandy, but nature can also be... not so nice. After being here for a month I’m still and probably will never be accustomed to cockroaches, biting ants, and big spiders! During a massive kitchen cleaning I had a roach run up my leg and it was the most horrifying experience! Big spiders in my room and right by my window... good thing I have a bug net!

THIS IS JUANCHO

MMMM the food! I have never tasted mangos, pineapple and plantain so juicy and sweet in my life! I’m a big fruit eater and veggie eater back home, which came in handy since most of the food we eat at the station is vegetarian (mostly because buying meat is expensive). This is probably also why beans are such a huge protein supplement, and unfortunately people who are protein desperate will also eat the turtles and their eggs, and also poach other animals in the area (including the private property of the station) The veggies here are not the greatest down here and its mostly because they rot so quickly from the humidity. The quality of foods and being able to get food whenever you want it at a relatively cheap price is one of the biggest differences. In Toronto you can get you hands on a pineapple during the winter, you can get mangoes and kiwis when ever your little heart desires it.

This is probably because of all the free trade agreements Canada has with a lot of countries around the world and is able to import tropical foods at a low price. There was recently a soccer stadium built in San Jose that the Chinese have donated to them completely! The materials and even the workers. This is a gift to them for breaking ties with the Taiwanese and creating new alliance with China. And according to the guide I spoke to, this is going to be very good for Costa Rica’s economy because the will be able to export more bananas, coffee, pineapple and mangoes. In my head when I herd this my environmentalist came out. First thing that comes to mind is more and more plantations. We all know what the issues are with plantations, and I believe that with a country where its biodiversity and environment has become imperative to its development in the first place (through eco tourism) that, if things are not done right, this new agreement can be pretty horrible for Costa Rica’s economy.

The people. Well, this organization is really isolated from the close communities and the organization is lacking some serious relationships with community members. So I have really gone out my comfort zone and tried to build some relationships with the community and so far it’s been good! The people that I have met have been really friendly, and maybe to friendly... The problem of coming here as a white female where I stand out as a tourist, I’m looked at by some men as a girl that could potentially be interested in getting a quick fix with a local guy, because “Spanish men have lava running through their veins” hahah! Besides that, I’ve noticed a big difference on how people socialise compared to Canada. I’m sure you have heard about that a lot of people in North America don’t even know their neighbour? Well here everyone knows everyone! People sit by their doors and people walk by and just spark up conservation. Also, there is also one elementary school here (which is so vital to the community) where many of the parents are involved with. But just like any small town, where everyone knows everyone... means drama. Drama on top of a conflicted area has just amplified some of the prevailing issues found in the community.

P.S I WENT TOO... THATS RIGHT.. AEROSMITH CONCERT!