Goodbyes and Goodtimes

We are getting to the end of our time here down in Costa Rica. It's given us all time to reflect on the past three and a half months and soak in the last moments we all get to share together. On Saturday we formally moved out of our host families, and as part of a thank you we made a video for them. It's in Spanish, so I won't be ofended if you don't watch it, but I did want to share it with you  all. Luckily I get to go back one more time (tonight) and hang out at "La casa de mama Kuki." Hollie leaves tonight though, so I will have to say goodbye to my Costa Rican sister. *tear*

In addition to saying goodbye to host families, many of my classmates are beginning to make their way back to the homefront. We have spent the majority of every day for the past three and a half months together and therefore have formed  some incredible bonds. One of my friends, Lauren, wrote a song for us all to the tune of Down by Jay Sean. It's amazing, and super hilarious, especially for all of us.

WHITWORTH SOUTH

You gotta know

Nick likes to save sea animals

And Lara has heart

But watch out or she will spray your parts

And heather is scared of bugs and anything that moves

But Bree is brave and drinks ants in her brew

Hey Whitworth don’t worry

We’re in Costa Rica

But don’t look like Ticas

Especially if you’re

6 feet tall like Anne

We get lots of cat calls

Trip on uneven sidewalks

Here at Whitworth South South South South South

And we all know

Aaron can dance the tango-o

And Josh has some guts

Cause he picks up girls on the bus

Joanne got real sick and

For a while had a fever

And in her dreams Bean will

Marry Justin Beiber

Hey Whitworth don’t worry

We’re in Costa Rica

But don’t look like Ticas

Especially if you’re

6 feet tall like Anne

We get lots of cat calls

Trip on uneven sidewalks

Here at Whitworth South South South South South

Sarah’s goin to Japan

Emily loves a married man

Amy plays the guitar

And Kata is a soccer star

Our faithful director 

Is a little bit hairy

And Justin and Ravi have 

A new best friend named Larry

Hey Whitworth don’t worry

We’re in Costa Rica

But don’t look like Ticas

Especially if you’re

6 feet tall like Anne

We get lots of cat calls

Trip on uneven sidewalks

Here at Whitworth South South South South South

It is a fact

Danica really loves to dance

I’m starting to wonder

If Alexandria owns any pants

Adam and Jenni have put up with all our songs

Britta has a journal

That she always brings along

Hey Whitworth don’t worry

We’re in Costa Rica

But don’t look like Ticas

Especially if you’re

6 feet tall like Anne

We get lots of cat calls

Trip on uneven sidewalks

Here at Whitworth South South South South South

Derek’s a liah

Cause he cheated on me with Ziah

Amelia is always happy

On bus rides Hollie took a nappie

Rachel has a contagious laugh

And around san Rafa she ran

It’s really a shame that

Ray Ray never got a tan

Hey Whitworth don’t worry

We’re in Costa Rica

But don’t look like Ticas

Especially if you’re

6 feet tall like Anne

We get lots of cat calls

Trip on uneven sidewalks

Here at Whitworth South South South South South

South where it’s really hot

Unless you’re on the mountain top

We’re here in Central America 

Where 18 year olds can bar hop

Compost. That’s what’s up

Don’t put it in a garbage truck

Just watch out for the jelly fish

or you my friend are out of luck

Gallo pinto every day

here cross dressing is okay

gringas walking down the street

makes all the guys call “ay bay bay”

We’re heading to the states this week

probably not indefinitely 

and really

in Spokane is it STILL snowing?!

Hey Whitworth don’t worry

We’re in Costa Rica

But don’t look like Ticas

Especially if you’re

6 feet tall like Anne

We get lots of cat calls

Trip on uneven sidewalks

Here at Whitworth South South South South South

Conscious Kata

They say Costa Rica is a great place to go if you want to learn about conservation of the Earth. Whoever they are, they are right. What does any of the learning mean if we don't do anything with it though? If we do not allow the faces, the way of life, or the differences we encounter to change us then have we gained anything from our experiences?

Since I have been in Costa Rica I have learned so much. At times I can feel my heart beating faster with the emotion of potential. This potential makes me feel like I have power in my choices, that the way I choose to live votes for how I want others to live and how I want the Earth to flourish. In my time here I have visited a Banana plantation that sells to Dole, a permaculture farm in the middle of the rainforest, a self sustaining organic farm in Heredia, a coffee plantation that sells to Starbucks, I have heard Starbucks representatives talk about C.A.F.E. practice, I have helped release baby sea turtles into the ocean, fished with a fishing co-op, visited a taro plantation, walked through a dump city, taken the bus or walked everywhere, thrown my bathroom garbage in a trashcan rather than the toilet, taken cold showers and shopped at farmer's markets. Through all of this I have had to ask myself some very difficult question: Is a bright yellow banana worth the pesticides falling onto the playground of a nearby school? When I buy a vegetable at a cheaper price does someone not have a job in a country which couldn't compete with the market? Does organic mean it was produced justly? Does free trade mean it wasn't produced justly? How many sea turtles have eaten my trash? Can I do anything to change the life of a child in la Chureca?  

The thing is, rather than feeling overwhelmed with helplessness by all of the problems I have faced since being here I feel powerful to make a difference. It is incredible. As I live in a country that exports to the U.S., a country which I have received many benefits from in the past without knowing it, I am confronted with the hands and faces of those who provide me with those benefits, and I am seeing their cost. More than anything I am convinced that my decision to purchase locally is voting against companies that use harmful pesticides on their goods. I am convinced that by composting I am being a steward of the resources God has given me and caring for his world. It doesn't mean I will be perfect, but my experiences have taught me that its worth it to be a conscious consumer and waster.

I have realized for the first time in my life how entitled I feel to things in life. I deserve to take a 30 minute hot shower because its freezing outside. I deserve a college education because I worked hard in high school. I deserve dinner because I am hungry. I deserve for you to show up to our meeting on time because my time is valuable. Here's the thing: I don't deserve any of this. I and others do deserve basic human rights, such as the right to life. Living in a new culture and being exposed to new issues has shown me that my way of living is not the only way of living, but that more importantly is certainly not the best way of living. Most of all though, it is all the Lord's. There is no reason why I get to study abroad in Costa Rica and someone else will only get to the 8th grade. Putting the enviro twist on it, there is no reason why I get clean water when I put on the tap and the squatters next to our campus have to drink from the creek. It's all God's, and instead of being so selfish with what "I deserve" I am being challenged to manage it as if it were God's. I have not been a good caretaker of my resources and the Earth in the past, but I never had to deal with the consequences so it didn't matter to me. Now however, I see just a little bit more how our world was not created for just my wants. It's for all of us, so it's time I started treating it like it was.

Okay, so now that I want to make a difference, how exactly can I do this? Well this is where all of you, my travelling companions, teammates, friends and family come in. It's called accountability and that's what it's all about! When I get home I want to start a small garden for my family and begin a compost pile. In my daily life I want to re-use all plastic bags and plastic containers I purchase things in. And I am going to start growing some of my own herbs. These are my short term goals and I need your help to get them done. I also want to try a lot harder to purchase organic fruits and vegetables. I am a frugal person, so cheaper is always better, but a question I am grappling with is, is 30 cents less on a banana worth a human life?

Long term goals: well, one day I hope to invite you to my farm.

Sustainability has also challenged me to think about my mission as a Christian and what God is calling me to specifically do in this world. Learning about sustainability fills me with such excitement because it is so simple, so creative and so possible. I am fulfilled when I participate in caring for God's creation, but  it is not enough for me. The world needs Jesus, but what if by bringing those in need physical food and water, God could bring them his living water. I want to be used by God in a world with physical needs so that he can heal our spiritual needs. There are gardening and irrigation methods that could save the lives of millions of people on our planet and it would give me so much joy to help teach these people these methods. This cannot be the full picture though because filling stomach, even if its for life, will not give them eternal life. Helping solve the physical needs of others can foster an environment for service, questions, and most importantly it can be used by the Holy Spirit as a bridge to the salvation found in Jesus who is the only way to the Father.

The eyes of awareness have been opened and they are seeing truth for the first time. Will the arms, legs and heart respond? Will awareness breed action?

50? Wait? You are 50!?

Cumpleanos feliz Papa! Since I can't be with you, I'm sending you my love and this video. Take some time to celebrate and thank God for the 50 years he has blessed you with. I know I am.

And a country song, cause country is just quite simply the best. Okay, love you so much dad!

Procrastination is an international word

I was warned by my friend David that "procrastination is bad for your health." I didn't listen to his advice, but can anyone blame me? Is procrastination even a choice? I mean really people.  It just takes over when the perfect combination of monotone voices, simplistic content, and the world of endless distractions just one click away. It's a lethal combination. 

Most college students have mastered the art of what I will term procrastiparticipation. Procrastiparticipation is the act of procrastinating while actively giving the appearance of participation. This "participation" comes in the form of looking up from ones computer on average every 7 seconds, intervalled with a 1 second pause in typing, and then resuming. This three step process gives the impression that you are paying attention, taking notes, and pondering what the professor is presenting to you. The ratio of computer to teacher glances can drastically decrease when the professor turns their back to you. It is to you benefit if you can nod or  emit a slight  "hmmm," but be careful, only experienced procrastiparticipators should attempt this because it could get you into a question you may not know the answer to. Also, I am told that females are better at this then males. They can focus on various things at once, while males will forget to go through steps 1 and 2 (looking up and pausing typing) although this claim is still in the midst of further research.

This is the situation I find myself in right now. It's 9:45 a.m. and I am sitting in my Conservation and Human Rights course. Past weeks have taught me that 6 hours of class would be a battle of stamina, so I grabbed some NutriSnack cookies and filled up my Nalgene for sustenance before coming to class. I could tell you about what we are learning, but I would rather give you information that is way more relevant to your life and mine at this moment. No that photosynthesis isn't relevant. I mean, where would we be without it? But I'm pretty sure you will be just fine without a review in High Shool Bio.

First things first. Check out this video. It was written by a guy names Human, and the lyrics are provoking.

Imagine Human meeting aliens:

-Hi, I'm Human.

~gReeEtiNgSsss HuMAaan. WaaAt eeeeS yOurr NamE?

-Human.

~HuMAAn, wAaaAtt Eees YouRR NamE?

-Human

*Aliens get frustrated and laser blast him. KABOOM!*

The lyrics are even more impacting after you have visited a banana plantation that DOLE purchases from. I can 95% guarantee you that we have all eaten a banana from this exact plantation. Makes you ask lots of questions when pesticide planes are flying over you treating your food with chemicals that are landing on school playgrounds, on workers, and in nearby water sources. It makes you think even more when you follow up this visit by hiking 4 hours in the rain through the Caribbean rainforest until you reach a permaculture farm in the middle of nowhere that uses and re-uses everything, including human caca! So neat!

In case you don't know permaculture is derived from the words permanent and culture. It means an agricultural system intended to be sustainable and self sufficient.

The owner of Punta Mona, the farm we visited, is Stephen Brooks. He is the founder of Kopali organic products which you can find at Whole Food's. I put more new things into my mouth on a square foot of his permaculture farm in the rainforest than I have ever seen in my life. Let me just say, we are not taking advantage of the nature around us in the U.S. like we could be. Mama nature has so much to give us!

For example Jack fruit. It's the largest tree born fruit and can literally reach the size of two soccerballs. It's filamenty and slimy on the inside and has a slippery texture in your mouth. The taste was new, so I can't describe it to you, but it's an acquired one. Anything edible right from nature is worth acquiring though I think. Ok I realize that, I may regret that statement later....

Well I better get back to class. Thanks for the 15 minute distraction. On to anaerobic respiration and Botox! Woohoo!

Nicaragua - Part 2

La Chureca

La Chureca, la Chureca

I can't get you off of me.

My shirt carries the smell

of methane and burning plastic.

Where did the plastic from that bag of chips I ate end up?

My eyes are tired from your dust,

but I keep them open

so as to see you through the haze.

My feet wear the shoes

of all the little children:

Your dirt, your basura.

I washed them once,

but I can't get them off.

I've walked in your shoes for a day,

Now I carry your shoes with me for a lifetime.

Tomorrow my shirt

will smell like fresh soap,

My eyes will have rest

and again see clearly,

Will they choose to see the world as it really is?

Even my feet will find home

in cotton socks and converse shoes

But la Chureca!

I will never be able to wash you off of me.

No soap can scrub off

the tin scraps and cloth you call home.

Didn't I used to use those Disney sheets that are your wall

as a sanctuary from the boogey man?

Do they protect you from the boogey man?

No laundry machine can wash out

the mouth of the little girl eating garbage.

Why didn't I finish my dinner last night?

No shoes can hide

the discrimination you receive.

How many times have I walked right past you?

Are you as forgotten

as the waste you live off of?

No matter how many times

I splash my face in potable city water,

When I look up into the mirror

I cannot wash your face away.

Why would I want to?

You still smile,

even if you don't have teeth,

You still love,

even if it is only with a goodnight kiss.

Your children still play,

even if its with a three wheeled Tonka truck.

You still laugh,

Even if it lasts for only a moment.

You can praise God

and believe in his faithfulness,

When sometimes he only give you

His Holy Spirit as sustenance.

Don't ever leave me Chureca.

Teach me.

And maybe one day,

we will wear the same shoes.

*There is something surreal and transforming about seeing a city inside the city dump. As one of my peers put it: "When did the city dump, become dump city?" Populations in Nicaragua and other countries around the world make their living off of the waste of their neighbors. They breath in toxic chemicals everyday, die from preventable diseases because of discrimination in health centers, suffer from physical and emotional abuse and so much more. Most people don't wear shoes and walk across the dangerous garbage looking from plastic and scraps of metal to sell for meager amount of money. The cycle is vicious and is caused by so much more than poverty. Things are changing at La Chureca. In the recent years Spain has come in and started a clean up project providing temporary jobs for many of La Chureca's inhabitants. This will come at a cost. At the end of the project hundreds of families will be kicked out of La Chureca, forced to find a home and a life elsewhere, and many others will lose their jobs. You and I can make a difference. We can sponsor a child anywhere in the world who come from a similar place. Our money transforms their lives, and if we forget to pay, they don't forget that they don't get to go to school or eat that month. Another way is to look into microloans. These small loans (of $100) go to members of poor communities like La Chureca and help them get a business started. Businesses we encountered were selling snacks such as Maruchen noodles, tortillas, and salsas, or raising pigs. It seems like so little, but to these people it could keep them alive and teach them valuable life lessons about responsibility and stewardship. They may not get out of La Chureca, get new shoes, find a sturdier house, or be able to bathe in clean water, but they can live a more full and meaningful life not having to worry about where their next meal will come from. Another way you can make a difference is to appreciate all that you have. We are given so much, and we throw so much to waste. Have you ever considered re-using or recycling the tupperware peanut butter or butter comes in? Or washing out and re-using zip-loc bags. The less waste you put out there, the better world you are creating. You can make a difference. It's your choice.

Nicaragua - Part 1

Buenos dias todos! Get comfortable because you are in for a treat. Just think back on your day of 9 hours of school and work. *sigh*. This is going to be a good study break or a relaxation you might be thinking to yourself. Let't read up on Bucky's life.

Do I have your attention yet? Good! Because while your eyes were fixated on this blog I sent a forcefield through the intergalactic rays of time and space to lock you into position. Just try and move away from the computer. See? You can't.

Now, don't be mad. I am doing this for your own good. Trust me! I know that your day had been long and tiring, but I need to give you one more lesson. The forcefield only lasts for 10 minutes total and I am already used up 60 seconds, so I will cut to the chase.

After 1 month of processing my time in Nicaragua I finally managed to figure out a way to introduce all of the important parts about this country in a not so boring and low in interaction kind of way. First lesson: The History of Nicaragua. This is crucial to to understanding the politics and people of today because their history of dictatorship, revolution, civil war and corruption remains alive in those living today. You might as well stop resisting, because you WILL get this history lesson you will appreciate it. Enjoy!



Great job class! You all got an A+ for attendance and participation today. You are free to go, but I expect you all back for our next lesson on poverty.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of Nicaragua watch "Nicaragua - An Unfinished Revolution" on YouTube, or the fictitious film "Under Fire" based off of the Sandinista Revolution leading up to the fall of Somoza. Both cover in much more detail what I mention here and are quite entertaining.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdqICW_mR7g

Man's/Woman's Greatest Feat

Last night I attempted one of man's, or woman's, greatest feats. Some argue it is comparable to scaling Mt. Everest during a snow storm. Friends of those who have undertaken this challenge have been quoted as saying, "He was never the same. His once confident and excited attitude was so much more subdued. He doesn't like to talk about it, but something inside him broke." Few have accomplished it, but none have come out unscathed. The energy and endurance required for such a feat has often surpassed IronMan, Olympic, and World champion athletes. Albert Einstein did not have the intelligence to outwit or outsmart this match. Lance Armstrong admitted that, "I would rather compete in the Tour d'France 5 times in a row, than do that!" Stephen Colbert and Chuck Norris both agreed that if they were Superman this would be their kryptonite.

Why would I choose to take on this challenge, then? Well, because I love fútbol and I want to experience it in its fullest.

That's right: I, a gringa, took on a Latino in a debate about soccer.

I wont admit that I won, but I sure as heck didn't lose.

S'more Turtles Please

Don't talk to strangers.

Don't accept food from strangers.

Don't get in cars with strangers.

Don't swim in rivers that may or may not be infested with crocodiles.

So mom, I know you tried to raise me wise, but it seems to me that these rules you had when I was growing up are definitely more like guidelines while travelling abroad.

Well, I'm not sure you ever explicitly told me to not swim in potentially crocodile infested waters, but I'm just assuming that's because you were never faced with that situation. Turns out you might have wanted to make that a rule anyway...

The last four days have been some of the most exciting of my life. This semester I am doing an internship with a conservation and preservation NGO called ASVO, doing somewhat boring office work looking for funds and ways for them to find volunteers for their several projects across Costa Rica. This isn't particularly "Bucky" work, but I am learning that it is important. I wanted to get my hands dirty, to volunteer, to see what conservation looks like from ground zero. So, I convinced me jefe's that it was a good idea for me to go to a volunteer project to assess its resources and learn how I can help make it more effective. They accepted and thanks to the fact that this is an internship it was an all expenses paid for trip.

I received my Mission:

Objective: Save baby sea turtles
Location: Playa Buena Vista, Samara

The trip to playa Buena Vista takes about 6 hours, so I spent Friday night at the ASVO hostel in San Jose. In the morning I took a taxi to the bus station and was on the road to the Nicoya Peninsula (the peninsula on the western coast of Costa Rica) by 5:30 a.m. We rolled into Nosara at around 11:00 a.m. where I was supposed to grab a taxi because that is the safest way to get to my next destination, Samara. Instead, a truck pulled up and offered myself and a few others a ride into Samara. It was a beautiful day and it was a free ride so of course we accepted. There is nothing like riding in the back of pick up with people from all over the world. While in the truck one man offered me something fried which I accepted. I cannot be certain, but I think it ended up being a pig's ear based on the shape. My vegetarian stomach wasn't so happy with that decision, but hey, Pura Vida.

Once in Samara myself and two other girls headed to playa Buena Vista managed to grab another ride to "the mouth of the river" with a perfect stranger. Those were our instructions: go to the mouth of the river and someone will pick you up at 11:30. Ambiguous much? Nope, just Tica style. We arrived early and the river was low enough to cross so instead of waiting for anyone we made our way to the other side. Don't worry there were now crocodiles this time of day. Ahead of us was a completely isolated stretch of beach with no one or no thing in site. Next we were looking for a building of some sort so we began to walk.

About 15 minutes later we happened upon a two story shack which was to be our home for then next 2 days.

Life at playa Buena Vista is of a whole different type. There is no electricity of any kind (sorry mom, that's why I couldn't get in contact with you), the bathrooms and shower are outside, water is pumped into a few tanks every week, there is no refrigerator, you at least sleep with a roof in a room full of bunk beds, but is more like a large open patio, you can't leave once you get here, and its so much easier to just go barefoot everywhere.

*siiigh* I felt at home.

Volunteers come from all over the world to spend 1 week-1 year at the turtle hatchery on playa Buena Vista. While I was there I met people from Spain, France, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the U.S. and Costa Rica. Everyone has a different reason for coming, but all come to serve and learn.

The turtle hatchery is located about 10 meters west of the shack and is a large square plot of sand broken into smaller squares of sand by string. It basically looks like a big tic tac toe grid. Each square of sand contained in the large square plot is a potential nest for turtle eggs that volunteers find. Currently there are about 20 nests because its not peak turtle season, but the capacity for this hatchery is upwards of 100 nests. Without the hatchery sea turtles have a 1:1000 chance of survival largely because of poachers and predators. Because of the efforts at the hatchery turtles increase their survival rate to 1:100! Turtle nests take about 50 days to incubate and hatch, and all but 1 or two of the nests at Buena Vista were found recently.

All volunteers server 2 shifts of turtle watch, one during the day and one 12 hours later. When you are on shift you need to check on the nests every 15 minutes. As soon as I arrived I was immediately assigned a shift and incorporated into the work at the hatchery. My first shift came between 00-2200 hours. The person on shift before you always wakes you up so that alarms aren't going off at all hours of the night disturbing everyone's sleep. My shift partner was Dennis from Germany. We checked the nests in the hatchery every 15 minutes like we were supposed to and sadly no turtles. 5 minutes before 2200 I decided to check one more time for good measure and when I shined my red light on the last nest I noticed rocks. Well, of course rocks don't just appear inside of a protected turtle nest so I scanned the surrounding sand and saw more rocks, but they were moving! I immediately called for Dennis and we got to work.

When a nest hatches you have to do a series of very specific things for the safety of the turtles:
1. Always use a red light. White lights are too strong for the sensitive skin of the tortuguitas. Also, put on a latex glove.
2. Get a bucket and go fill it with fresh sand from the beach.
3. Place the turtles in the bucket.

*At this point in the excitement Dennis went upstairs to wake up Colin who was on shift next and decided to go to bed. Colin came down and decided to go to bed on the benches. Luckily I had woken up a friend from school who came with me so at least it was the two of us. Note: these sea turtles are on the extinction list. My friend and I had arrive barely 12 hours prior and knew nothing about turtles or how to protect them. We were the perfect people to leave endangered baby sea turtles with right? Well, I guess you have to learn somehow.

4. Count, measure and weigh the first 10 baby turtles to hatch. Document this information in a book.
*We had 20 baby turtles
5. Carry the turtles in the bucket of fresh sand to the point on the beach where their nest was originally located.
6. Place turtles 8-10 m from the ocean shore and wait until all of them have reached the water. Protect them from any predators that may try and eat them, but do not help them reach the water.

These turtles were originally found 400m from the shack. By this time it was now 0300 hours, but I could not imagine something more glorious to be doing at that hour of the morning. Once we got to the right location on the beach we placed the baby turtles on the sand and excitedly waited for them to use their muscles and fight the odds of life as they attempted to reach the ocean shore. Turns out we didn't have to wait long. It was high tide at 0300 and to our surprise almost immediately placing the turtles on the sand a huge wave came up and swept the majority of them away. If that wasn't a welcome home for those turtles I don't know what is.

We stayed on the beach until the last turtle made it to the water at 0330. We prayed for the turtles and worshiped God for this opportunity and for their lives. It was a very holy moment for me, being so alone on a beach, in the middle of nowhere, releasing baby turtles into the ocean, with only the starts watching. God was all over this place.

Sunday is the day of rest at the tortuguero, but since I was only there until Tuesday morning I decided to stick around camp and take on a 3 hours turtle watching shift. No turtles this time, but I had an amazing day collecting sea shells and making jewelry with them.

Monday was my first experience of the ins and outs of what a turtle hatchery does. We all wake up at 0600 and immediately begin work. Our work on this day consisted of moving old sand from a newly constructed vivero (small hatchery) and replacing it with fresh sand from the beach. We moved back and forth between the vivero and the beach carrying old rice bags filled with sand until breakfast which is served at 0730. After breakfast around 0745 we went right back to work. Once we filled in the vivero we had to continue bringing in fresh sand until we had a good sized mound covering the whole. It was a great morning filled with encouraging one another, working hard and of course getting sand everywhere. Work stops at 1000, I am not really sure why, but its probably got to do with the fact the sand get burning hot after this point and we do all our work barefoot. The rest of the day is free, except when you have your turtle watch.

I did not know this prior to my time at Buena Vista, but apparently s'mores are a truly North American thing. Most places in the world have campfires, and most roast marshmallows, but no one outside of North America had ever heard of combining graham crackers and chocolate with these. Everyone had the idea of trying these fixed in their minds from the start of the day, so Amelia and I collected cash and went into town after work to purchase supplies while we ran some logistical errands.

In Costa Rica they don't sell graham crackers, but they have something similar called galletas marias. Also, the only marshmallows we could find were the multi colored/multi flavored ones, but they would do the job just right. Chocolate, now that is a problem in and of itself down here. There really isn't such thing as a chocolate bar unless you are lucky enough to find a Cardburry somewhere. In order to substitute for this essential ingredient we purchased Nutella. I think it was a good alternative.

That night we built a fire on the beach and roasted s'mores, shared stories in varying languages and laughed a lot. It was a great mix of cultures coming together to share an unforgettable moment. S'mores can really bring people together while travelling. I will remember that for another time.

My next turtle watch was form 0400-0600. This morning Dennis and I found 3 turtles and had the great pleasure of seeing 3 more amazing creations set off on a grand adventure. At 0600 my friend and I and bid adieu to our new friends and family and headed back to Heredia. We had to cross the river in a canoe because the tide was higher. Once on the other side we hiked into Samara and came home. I arrived back at "la Casa de Mama Kuki at 1730.

I know this post was long, but it was truly a surreal experience for me and I just had to share it ALL with you. Now, here is what you can do:

Whenever you go to the beach pick up garbage, especially plastic bags. Some species of sea turtles confuse plastic bags for medusa jelly fish, one of their favorite foods. It really does help, I got to see the turtles you could be saving. DO IT.

Recap:

Objective: Save baby sea turtles

Mission accomplished.

Walking upwind

  

  I got off the bus today carrying my Kelty backpacking pack and a 7.5 lb package from home (thanks mom). From where the bus lets us off each morning its an uphill hike that takes 10-15 minutes. I enjoy this time as it gets my heart pumping and my body warmed up to do some learning. Today the wind up at Monte de la Cruz is especially strong, and as I walked up the hill it blew back against me with a force that nearly held me stagnant at times. As I was stuck in this limbo of moving, but not going anywhere I suddenly made a parallel between that moment and my time here over the past two weeks.

   Last week our group travelled to Nicaragua (that's the country NORTH of Costa Rica). The trip was predominantly educational, but for me it has proved to be highly formational as well. I saw, listened to, tasted, smelled, and felt so much while I was there. It was a force of life I had never seen face to face before, both literally and metaphorically; pushing against me, challenging my way of living and thinking that ever since returning I have been stuck between wanting to write it all down and express myself, but not wanting to confront/feeling overwhelmed by the amount of things both wonderful and devastating I experienced.

   One thing I can tell you though, for the first time since being here I am realizing that I am changing. Perhaps its changes only I will be aware of, but there is no way I can go back to the U.S. as the same person I left it. I think this is a good thing, because as far as I can psychoanalyze the changes are positive ones. Maybe you can help me figure out this change thing when I return.

   Well, the wind hasn't died down quite yet. This weekend I leave for a four day trip to Playa Buena Vista where I will be working with a playa conservation and marine turtle protection and preservation service team. Hence, the Kelty pack. School is not just that much more demanding down here. I am going through the organization I am doing my internship with (ASVO - you should become their friend on Facebook). I can't wait to get my hands dirty and learn another side of what it means to live in Costa Rica. Mostly though at this point I am excited to be working on my feet all day. We do a lot of sitting between bus rides, meals, and classes. My tracero needs some action.

Okay ya'll, peace and blessing for now. I'll fill you in on Nicaragua and Playa Buena Vista upon my return. The good thing about walking up wind, is you can't stay stagnant forever. You either become stronger than the wind, or let it carry you away. Thanks for tuning in.

Ciao

Bienvenidos a la casas de Mama Kuki

Meet my family new family. We are from all over the world, but find heart and home in "la casa de Mama Kuki." Don't worry, you aren't being replaced ;)

Manuel Antonio

Whenever a young, single, adventurous gringa decides to leave the world of deadlines and stress for warmer waters, I suppose its natural for her friends to accompany their "bon voyage" with some comment or other about finding a latino lover. But of course, it's all in good fun, and no one actually means anything by it. In fact, it must be the rarity for their gringa friend to not only come back bronzed, but with an even bronzer man wrapped around her elbow.

Well my friends, I haven't only lost my elbow, but my heart has been stolen by Manuel Antonio.

If only you could meet him, ay Dios mio, you'd understand why I've fallen so hard. He is everything a girl could want. His muscles are as toned as rolling hills. He has the strength of a thousand ancient boulders. He is full of life. I have never met another man who is filled with so much life it overflows like a rushing waterfall into everyone he meets. Oh! And he can speak several languages. He is definitely my kind of man.

I know this sounds crazy but, even though we only met four days ago, I know without a doubt this was love at first site. I never believed it would ever happen to me... oh, but it did. We spent four amazing days doing everything together. We were inseparable from the moment we saw each other. We went swimming, and fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. He showed me the bounty of his country: the wild toucans, howler monkeys, and those conniving spider monkeys.

I got lost in his wild ways. Feeling so free and alive, but secure within his embrace. His quiet songs would help me find sleep each night and wake me each morning with eager exclamations of what awaited us that day.

I will never forget you Manuel. Even though our lives crossed for such a short time, you are and will always be my latino lover.

 Haha, jokes up. Manuel Antonio is not in fact a real person. Manuel Antonio is the name of the second most visited National Park in Costa Rica.

 This past weekend we got to stay at a friends house which is located in the mountains just outside of Manuel Antonio. This is the view from their house. One day this is the kind of place I want to live. Wild toucans flying around, riding horses to the neighbors house, waterfalls and watering holes everywhere. Just watch out for the poisonous green tree frogs! 

The beach is beautiful, the tourists ruin the scenery, but luckily we got their early enough to see it in its natural beauty.

Those monkeys really are conniving. They will come right up to you. They even stole Hollie's toothbrush right out of her bag! 

Shoutout to the Wheaton Covenant

"Of particular concern in a collegiate environment are those issues related to alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco. While the use of illegal drugs or the abuse of legal drugs is by definition illicit, and the use of tobacco in any form has been shown to be injurious to health, the situation regarding beverage alcohol is more complex. The Bible requires moderation in the use of alcohol, not abstinence. Yet the fact that alcohol is addictive to many, coupled with the biblical warnings against its dangers, also suggests the need for caution. The abuse of alcohol constitutes by far our society's greatest substance abuse problem, not to mention the fact that many Christians avoid it as a matter of conscience."


Cruel, I know. Yes, it's true, I just had you read part of the Wheaton Community Covenant...again. Do not sigh in angst nor turn away in frustration from these constraining authoritative walls that impede upon your personal right to exercise freedom when it comes to the decision of alcohol consumption. First give me a chance to explain why I have included them in my blog.


This past Wednesday night was a party at Mama Kuki's place. Past student's she has housed were visiting from France and Ecuador and with such honored guests in town she could not pass up the opportunity to for some mojito magic. Our French friend made crepes, everyone brought a different filling, and Mama Kuki blended up some yerba buena-lime mojitos. With a crowd of 7 young adults, tongues were licking their lips waiting for the first round to be poured and the laughter to start. I however, being the responsible and dedicated Wheaton student that I am (*cough) had to ask for mine "fresca" which in Costa Rica means <sin alcohol>. No big deal! Great idea! Let's make a whole other batch without alcohol! My stance was widely accepted.


It was while we were seated for dinner as the call for seconds on the mojitos (with alcohol) went around that the topic of why I wouldn't drink mine with alcohol came up. Immediately my evangelical antennas were up and my mind was racing with how I could best turn this into a "gospel sharing" moment. Thankfully, instead of hastily rushing into this conversation with Bible Bashing jargon I had the sense to be honest. I told my new friends and family it was because I made a commitment along with the rest of my school to abstain from the consumption of alcohol and other activities while at college. Everyone was incredibly impressed. They could not stop commenting how unique it was that I would keep my commitment especially when the temptation was there to just taste a little. My host brother Carlos then took this as his cue to grab the rum and start tempting me with <Un poquito, un poquito> or  "Just a little, just a little."


One of the people at the table then asked if most people followed their commitment to not drink. It was so easy for me to say "yes, absolutely" because I know this to be true. I did not hide the fact that many people do not agree with the rule, and there are those who do not obey it, but as a campus we sincerely seek to stand by our commitment. The table was wild, they talked for twenty minutes how that is the greatest thing for a school to do, and how at our age alcohol can be so abused. Of course we could not talk about Wheaton's Covenant all night long, we had mojitos to get to. I could have sworn however that I saw everyone mix less alcohol in theirs from that point on.


Later this week I went to a local Brazilian restaurant for a drink and some conversation. The conversation was all about Whitworth, and I, having no idea which dorm was what and who taught this Jan Term class, I began to nod and make comments like "Yes, gotta love it" and "Warren South is the best." After a quick laugh all eyes were on me and someone asked, "What is that contract thing you are on at Wheaton?" And to my surprise I again was given the opportunity to plunge into a discussion about my campus's agreement to abstain from alcohol and other activities as a spiritual discipline. Now, Whitworth is a Christian school for all of you who don't know, and they too have rules against the abuse of alcohol, but, they are allowed to drink. Every single person who was there that night however, viewed our campus's sincerity and commitment as a strong testament. Who knows if any of them would feel differently if they were trapped in the Wheaton Bubble for four years. Most likely many of them would have something to say about the Covenant once they were under its bonds. 


What was my point in sharing all of this with you? It is to say this: stand firm in the Lord and remain committed to the testament of God's work in your lives. The only reason I could say with confidence that I was committed to the covenant and that my school was too is because YOU ALL are committed to it. I know that many of you don't agree with it, and don't see how it is a testament in the lives of others, but it truly is once you get outside of Wheaton. People in Costa Rica are being blessed by your commitment to not give into the temptation of alcohol. As a body of believers we are in fact standing for Christ when we are standing for the things in the covenant. I know it's hard, but summer break is only 3 1/2 months away. You can do it! Wait till then. And so will I.

Mi dia tipica

A day in the life of Kata (my name here is Kata, short for Katalina):

5:55 - Beeep, beeep beeep! Grab watch, roll out of bed.

6:00 - Exercise or help prepare breakfast, depending on the day.

6:45-7:00 - Sit down with family and eat a typical breakfast of gallo pinto (black beans, rice and spices all mixed together) for breakfast with some Costa Rican morning buzz: local coffee!

7:15 - Do dishes, clean up from breakfast with roommate Hollie while Mama Kuki (my host mom) and Carlos (my Mexican brother) get ready to leave for school and work.

7:30 - Shower. Today I just discovered that we DO in fact have hot water in our house. No more freezing showers!

7:45-9:00 - Homework

9:00 - Walk to bus stop down by La Iglesia San Josecito, maybe buy some pan dulce on the way.

9:15 -  Get on bus and go to school.

10:00 - Arrive at school and start Insanity workout with other students. Not quite the cultural plunge, but it gives the Ticos a laugh to see us doing it. (For all of you .3 milers from SB on the AT in the SM, the hike from the bus stop up to school is my .3 miles every day).

11:00-12:00 - More homework

12:00-1:00 Everybody sits down for a delicious lunch together. Aldo and Juan our cooks are lo maximo!

1:00-2:00 Even more homework...

2:00 Begin class, Latin American Culture and Civilization on T, Th, and F. (Class starts at 1 on Wednesdays because we also have a later afternoon class called World Views and Public Policies on that day)

5:00 - End classes and rush down the hill in the pouring rain to catch the bus back home.

5:45 - Try to get off at the right stop and walk home in the rain. By this time we are soaked so no point in rushing. (I'm still confused on how the bus stops work here. I think it is half organized half whenever they feel like stopping.)

6:00 -  Get home and help prepare dinner and set the table.

6:45-8:30 - Sit down with Mama Kuki, Carlos, and Hollie to eat a dinner and converse. We talk about all sorts of topics. Carlos is VERY opinionated and spends most of the time with the microphone. Last night we listened to him rant for an hour how Mexican futbol is the worst and a despicable part of his culture. I would disagree, but he sure had some convincing arguments.

8:30-9:00 - Clean up from dinner, wash dishes

9:00 - Homework, read, journal

10:30 - Fall asleep, *siiiigh*

Balada a los perros de Costa Rica

Inspired by the dogs of Costa Rica I wrote this poem for them. Here is the translation into English:

How is it that dogs can take away all of my worries?

How is it?

They are like ghosts, here in Costa Rica.

One day they wont leave you alone, and the next, they are no longer there.

I am a nomad, without a home or security.

My bed is the soft grass or the hard rocks.

My dinner is the garbage of the rich.

Some days I don't eat.

My toys are a broken stick, a torn bag, a fish in the water.

My friends, I am my best friend. 

Sometimes I come across a brother like me on this road.

Sometime I don't.

What do they call you puppie?

What is your name?

And you, what is yours?

Are you brothers?

Are you husband and wife?

I don't have a name.

I go where the wind, my heart, and my nose take me.

I am a nomad.

That is life, for me.

Una visita rapida

Buenos! That is short for "Good day" which in Spanish is "Buenos Dias."

First off, my apologies. This blog entry might not be the most exciting, but I just want to fill you in on my first week here, before too much time goes by. I promise I will be more creative next time! Now for my address, which some friends and family have requested.

Lindy Scott - Kaitlyn Le Baudour
Apartado Postal 108-3015
San Rafael de Heredia, Costa Rica
40501 Central America
*YOU MUST WRITE LINDY SCOTT AND COSTA RICA IF YOU SEND ANYTHING

I just want to say, and no offense Mom and Dad, but for the first time in my life taking the three planes and 14 hours to get to Costa Rica felt like I was finally coming home. Maybe it was the two weeks extra xmas vacation to build up the anticipation, but I think it was the 21 years of waiting to finally be in a country where I can speak the language and live the culture God has given me a heart for. Here are a few pics and some explanations of what my first week has entailed. Read or just look at the pictures, whatever you have time for or what tickles your fancy.


-Bienvenida a mi nueva escuela! Welcome to my new school! Imagine a mountain, a very green mountain. Not green from leaves the size of your head or all those other tropical plants that are coming to your mind right now, just normal forest green like our trees in North America. You've got that? Okay, now imaging a crater in this mountain, not too big, not too small, but just right. Now add swooshing wind that dips and dives in and out of the crater dancing along its bowl shaped edges and you have the location of the Whitworth Costa Rica Center. Basically, we are living inside of a cloud. I am living here this week until I move in with my host mom on Saturday, and this is where I am taking all of my classes.

- My first day in, those of us who were here decided to take hike up further into the mountains. The road, which might as well be a trail, was busy with avid mountain bikers and hikers. Costa Rica is not the norm when it comes to Central or South American countries, so if you are thinking dirty and poor, you are right! But there is also clean and well dressed, and any combination in between.
Oh, and I cannot forget the dogs. Costa Rica probably has about 50 dogs to the person. They are everywhere! The boy in this picture ran by us while we were hiking with a pack of 10 dogs surrounding him. I think only one or two belonged to him.

 -This is a horse. No other explanation. We just hiked by it and I thought it was neat looking. He lived outside with a rooster and another dog.

- Yesterday we spent the day plunging into the closest town to our school, San Rafael, as well as the closest bigger city, Heredia. All the towns are built around a central plaza with the main church facing west. This pic was taken on the local soccer field/cancho. I'm the one who isn't actually doing a hand stand, but some sort of upside down karate kick. What can I say, I like to stand out.

- Any place with signs that warn cars about soccer players/futbolistas and not the other way around is the best place in the world.

Need I say more?




Today we started school, I only have school in the afternoons this month so in the morning I did hw and did some manual labor on the property building a path out of rocks with a man named Julio. Starting this Saturday I will begin an internship with a Mennonite church who puts on programs for immigrants from Nicaragua. On Monday afternoons I will hopefully be working in a local Heladeria/Ice Cream Shop or Panaderia/Bakery in San Rafa so I can experience a different side of the Tico (slang for Costa Ricans) life. Hopefully I'll pick up some great new vocab too.

Alrighty, I'll fill you in again soon, and for all of you who have never read any of my journal entries or my personal writings, which is pretty much every single one of you, I like to be creative, so I can't wait to get started for real. I am making friends, like that girl with me in this photo, she is my roommate for the week. But I could still use prayers for that.

Te quiero! Te amo! Hasta pronto!

PTL...bucky

p.s. A girl from Whitworth is on the volleyball team there and brought the insanity videos so we are doing them every morning. HUGE BLESSING! Also, we are daily recruiting more people to join us. We've had to upgrade to a projector and big classroom. The only thing that would make it better would be if Shawn T could be dubbed in spanish.

p.p.s. When we went on our hike I didn't know where I wanted to look more, up or down. If I looked up I saw amazing plants and vistas, as well breeds of dogs I've never seen before, but if I looked down I saw the most amazing rocks! I am definitely taking some samples back. Geology, you are re-converting me into a nerd.

p.p.p.s. BEAND AND RICE FOR EVERY MEAL!!!!!