Home stay plus some

It's been some time since the past blog, more because of lack of internet than lack of time, but for once I snagged a computer!

Two weekends ago, I spent a weekend with one of the kindest, most caring people I have ever met in my life. Emilce, a woman of about 70 years old was my home stay mother. Conviniently for me, she lives about two blocks down the road from the center, and is the aunt of one of my favorite staff members here. Her life was so unique to me, within approximately a two block radius from her house, six of her six children and their families resided, along with at least five of her ten siblings. Everywhere we walked, looked, or traveled to was filled with family members and their family members, all of whom were both welcoming and complimentary. Not one of her or her family members spoke a word of English, which was an amazing experience for me. I had asked to stay with a family who wouldn't speak to me in English and that is exactly what I got.

Upon arriving at Emilce's house, we talked for hours. Actually, that is mostly all we did. While some students went to the beach or hiked, Emilce and I talked about our families, her husband, my lack of a boyfriend, religion - anything and everything. She continuosly complemented me on my communication skills, which I felt could still be enhanced (but I have to admit, I was a little impressed with myself). We drank coffee and cooked, she taught me how to make different kinds of bread, we napped and talked some more, walked around, visited, and did all things that retired 70 year old women do. It was nothing short of the perfect weekend. This past Friday, Emilce came to our host family thank you dinner, and our adoration for each other certainly didn't fade. She is very concerned about my mother traveling here speaking no Spanish, and of course offered a room for her to stay in if she needed one. Also, since my mom will be leaving on Easter, I am going to stay with her that night. I can't imagine a bigger blessing having walked into my life. Emilce and her family made me feel at home in a totally new way (which was enhanced by the incredible wifi and hot shower) and I could not be more grateful for having met them.

The week after the home stay weekend we had reviews and midterm exams, which made me realize how quickly this semester is flying by. Over the past weekend we had a weekend away, and I traveled to the Miami beach esk beach called Jaco where I got to relax on the beach and eat some of the most delicious sushi I've ever consume. This upcoming weekend we have a hiking/camping trip to Santa Rosa national park, followed by a few days of classes, a week long trip to Panama, another weekend away, and Spring Break. It's so incredible all the things they cram in to three months.

Last night, we watched a documentary called "Food Inc.", one I would encourage anyone to watch. While it didn't inspire me to be a vegetarian, it did make me understand why a lot of people would want to be. There were a few different things that I wrote down during the film that I thought spoke to our culture and government

• "We've become a culture of technicians" one farmer stated, in regard to a problem with cows having e.coli. Factory farm raised cows are fed corn, which is not part of their diet, and that creates ecoli in their stomachs. If they cows started to eat grass, 85% of this e.coli would go away, and they would be eating what they're biologically wired to eat. Instead, companies have developed meat fillers that kill the ecoli, which in my opinion is absolutely repulsive. Ammonium is used to wash out all of the meat, when it could just be avoided in the first place. This technology, in my opinion, is in no way sustainable.
• 1 in 3 children born after the year 2000 will develop early onset diabetes, and 1 in 2 in minority groups. This is attributed to the high costs of healthy food in relation to the low costs of processed fatty foods. I could go on about this for hours, but I think the statistics speak for themselves. But I do have to add in, if people can't afford healthy food, how might they afford medicine to keep their diabetic children healthy?
• In certain meat packing factories in North Carolina, they are busing employees in from 100 miles away due to the dangers that come from working there. Almost all employees have contracted some type of infection or disease and are forced to leave. In a highly impoverished area with tons of unemployment, having to look 100 miles away for people willing to risk disease is just unfair.
• It is illegal to publish pictures of any factory farms or meat packing companies. This absolutely blows my mind. Sex tapes and personal photos of celebrities, the president, or absolutely anyone can be on the cover of a tabloid or the headline of E! News, but it is illegal to show the country what we are eating? That, is just scary.
• Not as scary though, as the fact that as of 20 years ago, the USDA has no authority to shut down any factories that have consistent outbreaks of e.coli or any other disease. Prior to this law, the USDA would shut down any company that had more than 3 outbreaks, because it was evident that their system was  not sanitary. This is no longer the case. If the USDA has absolutely no authority to halt infectious food from being produced and sold, who does? They literally have zero power over the five meat packing companies that produce the meat for the entire nation.

After watching this movie, I was at a loss for words. I just don't understand when we became so complacent. In my opinion, the founders of our country would be appalled that we sit back and allow some 100 people to take over our lives, and control the most important thing in the world - food.

Leadership Overload

When I began blogging, knowing that I needed to create a theme of leadership, I anticipated having some struggle. Yet as my time in Costa Rica continues, I find myself constantly writing down all the different leadership scenarios that I find shocking, incredible, or just interesting, and end up needing to minimize my blog entries as to not exhaust my fingers (and my limited computer time).

To start off with one of the two leadership models I found most interesting this week, I wish you all the opportunity to visit the ecotourist town of El Sur, Costa Rica. Located on the boundaries of Carrara National Park, El Sur has endured the growing pains of an area transitioned from privately owned property, to agricultural property, to government owned property, and now property being transformed into secondary rainforests. This community of now approximately sixty people has seen at least three major influxes in their population within the past three generations. As the government changes their opinions on what the optimal usage of the land will be, people have found opportunities in El Sur, settled, and when government ideas change, so does the population. Yet the current 60 residents have stuck by their land and are now implementing their own ideals of what is right. El Sur, as I mentioned, is an ecotourist town. They are provided with subsidies from multiple NGOs worldwide in order to start up a sustainable tourism opportunities. They have a small hotel, where volunteers of students stay and can roam the rainforest on their "trail" (an incredibly adventurous bushwacking hike), work with students, visit their old school sugar factory, or explore the process of bee keeping. The townspeople welcome new members of the community with open arms, and strive to do things that I sometimes don't understand why everyone doesn't do; provide tourists with a way of experiencing Costa Rica in a way that doesn't deplete the environment, teach people Spanish while learning English, serving typical Costa Rican dishes and housing in typical Costa Rican living spaces. As a tourist, I for one am here to learn, and I appreciate that others want to teach me about their culture. It is hard to see McDonalds and Hooters full of people while driving through the capital of San Jose, when I know that the people of El Sur struggle to even initiate this process. It's so hard to have the strength in leadership to create programs like these, when society is not necessarily valuing having culturally enriching experiences, but I highly admire the efforts of the people of El Sur to try and break us of our habits.

The second, and most frightening aspect of leadership I have learned about to date involves the production of genetically modified organisms. Today we had a lecture at the Universidad de Costa Rica on the pros, cons, and history of GMOs, followed by a lecture back at the center of the effect of GMOs (in terms of plants, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, and industry) on ecology, and ended the day with a debate on whether or not we thought GMOs could provide food security for the world. Several facts stuck out to me throughout all of these lessons. First, 76% of all the food consumed in the United States is genetically modified. 76 % of all the things I eat, were initally created in a peatree dish. Second, currently the world produces enough food to provide food security for its entire population. Instead, people are dying of obesity while others are dying of starvation. Third (and fourth), the United States is the number 1 producer of GMO products, and none of the companies are required to label their products as being genetically modified. As our debate finished, after long arguments being hased out, we came to a few conclusions. We all agreed that any company that isn't willing to openly label its product as being genetically modified, isn't agreeing to it for a reason, and that for lack of a better word is sketchy. We also agreed that food security cannot only come from GMOs. There is enough food in the world to feed everyone, so why aren't we? Why is our government not concerned about all the starving people, and why is no one in power doing anything? On the subject of power, why are there seven companies that run the food supply of the entire world? At what point did we all sit back and become helpless, at what point did we say it was okay for 76% of all the food we eat to be derived from an unnatural source, and at what point did these GMOs only exist for America's obese to become just that? Sure, GMOs are terrifying in hundreds of ways, herbicide and pesticide resistant, clones and mutations of one another, genes of multiple species combined to one, but our inability to stand up and decide that this is enough, or our lack of knowledge about what we are putting in our bodies is incredibly more terrifying.

So what do we do? What do I, as one 19 year old in Costa Rica, do about the global issue of food insecurity. Do I ask my parents to shop at Whole Foods and spend four times the amount of money just to "stick it to the man" and in reality, change nothing? Do I become an apathetic citizen who knows she can change nothing? Do I pretend I know nothing? As today went on, these questions ran through my head, and I am skeptical to say they will stop soon. I want to say I will change all my eating habits so I know exactly what I am putting into my body, but I pride myself in being a realistic person. I wonder, though, what it would take to spark a flame in our country's body as the flame has been sparked in mine. And I wonder, what I could do to help with that. For now though, it is just going to be lots of thinking, and lots of blogging. If all 354 people who have already viewed my blog read about GMOs, and tell every person they know about the concept and whatever their opinion may be on them - that is a lot of people. So for now, I've done what I can, and while I know (again, I pride myself in being realisting) that probably 2 people who read this will actually make an adjustment to what they eat (one of them being my grandmother), but that is enough for now. I challenge you all to at least think about it this though - you don't smoke because you care about your body, don't you believe you have the right to know what else you're putting in it?

I recognize that this has become more of a ramble directed at my current frustrations, but it is a difficult pill to swallow.

More happily - I have a homestay this weekend! I have requested to stay with a family who speaks only Spanish, which should be an EXTREME challenge that I couldn't be looking forward to more! In terms of assignments, we are in the midst of performing a carbon footprint analysis and also a field study on the effects of tourism on local environments. The center continues to be mentally, physically, and emotionally stimulating as the days progress. I constantly miss home, but I also constantly feel more at home here. It gets overwhelming at times, but these are the thoughts I want to be having, the classes I want to be taking, and the education I am so incredilbly greatful to have been granted. Though the thoughts going through my head are frusterating, they are based on material I am so lucky to be acquiring.

More berries, more problems

The past week, similarly to every week, has been an absolute whirlwind. The School for Field Studies absolutely knows how to jam pack as much learning and traveling in to three months as possible. In the recent days we have traveled to Monteverde cloud forest national park to perform our first field experiment. After an orientation hike around the beautiful forest that ended with an amazing view overlooking the continental divide, we paired up and came up with experiments to be performed the following day (Saturday). My lovely partner Sarah and I decided to measure the amount of productivity of the chamadorea tepejilote plant based on the percentage of light that its highest leaves were able to obtain. While a simple idea, and a simple experiment, it was extremely hard for us to come up with something to test. That task alone required observation, creativity, and freedom – all of which are things that aren’t typically encouraged in a standard lab class. Past science lectures and labs have made me an excellent direction follower and data recorded, yet looking at nature and asking my own questions proved to be quite a challenge; one that I wish I had been challenged with before. I often focus on getting the lab, or task, done by following directions and putting my own questions and creativity on the back burner, but being in control of answering my own doubts or validating my own predictions has proved to be energizing.

Our project was simple – counting the amount of berries on each plant (anywhere from zero to 400 on 75 different plant samples) and then taking a picture facing upward with fisheye lens which will transfer onto software in order to measure percentage of light. Today we will process all the data in order to analyze the data and hopefully prove our hypothesis. Although most of the paper writing has not occurred, I already feel closer to this lab than I do to most, because it is mine. This style of learning is extremely difficult for me as an “in the box” thinker, but it certainly is encouraging me to grow in ways that weren’t yet on my personal growth list of goals. Field studies is a challenging concept but one that I am growing more and more appreciative of.

On a side note – Monteverde was BEAUTIFUL and I adored it. Also, yesterday I volunteered at a chili cook off in the town where we are living, which over 1,000 people attended! It was such an amazing community activity (although most of the community members were retired Americans), all of whom shared their stories about loving Costa Rica and all is has to offer. It felt great to volunteer and to meet the people that make up the area that I live in. Tasting over 30 different kinds of chili wasn’t too bad either. Last night I was able to speak with my parents and some friends from home which was also extremely energizing. It’s hard to maintain a balance between living in the present and appreciating my current environment while still attending to my relationships at home, but there is nothing better than talking to my mom for an hour on a Sunday. Sunday catch ups have proven to be an amazing start to the week, which aren’t quite short of amazing themselves.

La Vida Sustenible

Now that school has started, life has pretty much taken a complete 180 degree rotation from what it was just a little over a week ago. After just one day of getting to know each other, the School for Field Studies Center for Sustainability and Conservation has thrown us in to its extremely structured way of being. The Center is organized as a small compound, with multiple aspects. There is a dorm building with one indoor classroom and a common room, along with library and computer room (although getting internet to work is a nightmare). There is also a kitchen/eating area, an outdoor classroom, an office area, a pool, soccer field, chicken coops, pig pens, and farming area/greenhouses. The program is composed of 34 students, all of whom attend all of their four classes together daily. Each week we have classes from Monday-Wednesday, and then go on a field trip and have field lectures/classes from Thursday-Saturday, with a day off on Sunday.

A typical day of classes looks like this:
Breakfast 7:00-8:00
Natural Resource Management (Introduction to Tropical Soils and Agroecology) 8:00-10:00
Economic & Ethical Issues in Sustainable Development (Energy as a motor development: The case of renewables) 10:00-12:00
Lunch 12:00-1:00
Chores 1:00-1:30
Costa Rican Culture and Society (A Brief History of Costa Rica Part II: From coffee oligarchy to present days) 1:30-2:30
Tropical Ecology and Sustainable Development (Neotropical Forest Dynamics: explaining high levels of species development) 2:30-6:00
Dinner 6:00-7:00

Sustainable living at the Center has many more aspects than I could have ever imagined. One of the major accomplishments they have achieved is becoming part of the International Rainforest Alliance Certification. This process encompasses the entire center, from water usage all the way to employee treatment. The RFA Certification allows the Center to improve on academics, administration, and farm management. It enhances record keeping exponentially and also sets an amazing standard for surrounding farmers and community members. Some of the efforts that are currently underway involve, but certainly are not limited to the following; creating a socio-economic policy, commitment declaration, management programs for water, waste, and recycling, promoting health and safety to higher standards, energy management by means of fuel, and electricity, and community development projects to be an organization focused on stakeholder benefits as opposed to solely shareholders. Living sustainably feels great. Taking quick, cold showers is oddly refreshing and collecting the eggs, oranges, and lettuce I will be eating every day feels so healthy. Farm work is exhausting, but being able to develop and cultivate the land I am working is extremely rewarding. At home I always turned the lights off when I left a room, but this new level of sustainability is incredible.

This past weekend we took our first fieldtrip to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica to compare different types of farms. The first farm we went to was called "El Zota" project. This farm of just under 80 hectares of land is maintained by a family of six along with two outside workers, and is almost completely self-sustainable, absolutely completely organic. At the farm we saw their cows, pigs, horses, crops, forests, and endless amounts of biodiversity that all intertwine with one another to create an ecosystem that provides the family, and other families as well, with over 80 percent of the food that they consume. The main lesson of the day was how to create organic fertilizer. We collected leaf litter filled with microorganisms from the forest floor, combined it with a rice byproduct, along with molasses and whey, and compacted it into large barrels that will ferment for approximately three weeks. After the three weeks, the microorganisms will have multiplied extensively and the compost will be placed on top of cow and pig manure. Three weeks later, the microorganisms will have completely transformed the manure into clean, organic soil that will be used for the growth of most of the farms crops. The process was absolutely amazing, not only because of how simple it was, but because of how simple it was.
The following day, my mind was blown in a completely different way. We went to the Costa Rican Dole banana plantation to see a mono-crop farm. This plantation has millions of genetically modified banana plants that are not organically fertilized, sprayed with multiple pesticides, grown in bags, and given liquid sealants. The process astonished me; I never expected to be so horrified by just a few pesticides. The lack of nature that existed in this farm was almost scary: especially after realizing that all of the plants were clones of one another. Unlike El Zota, this plantation does not have a Rainforest Alliance Certification, and is only partially organic. It is so intimidating to see such a large organization, which my family has financially supported for longer than I have been alive, have a way of functioning that I question so greatly. It absolutely is more work to be organic but as of late I am convinced that it is absolutely worth it, but I have to wonder what it would take to convince Dole shareholders to feel the same way? How many pesticides can be applied before leadership steps in and says enough? For the sake of my banana loving father - I have to hope not too many more.

Dirty Compost Hands!

Collecting Leaf Litter

Adding molasses to the whey

Dole Plantation

The little things

The past two weeks of travel have been nothing short of the most interesting experience of my life. I'm amazed by what I've been able to learn about not only others but myself through spending time with people of all different backgrounds and all different paths of life. Throughout my time in Nicaragua, I was granted do many opportunities to taste, see, and experience the way other people were living. The one thing that struck me most though, was the willingness of the Nicaraguan people to assist me through my journey. Whether it be letting me borrow a book in Ometepe, or encouraging my Spanish speaking in San Juan, or allowing me to keep my bags with me on the bus in Granada, the people I have been surrounded with show a kind of interest in helping one another that is not often shown at home. Today begins my journey with the school for field studies, where I plan to carry out "The little things" theme I have been fortunate enough to have been exposed to. Costa Rica already seems extremely different than Nicaragua in terms f it's infrastructure, temperature, and culture, but appreciating the little things, and going out of my way to perform them for other people can remain universal.

And so it begins

Well, after just about two weeks of Nicaraguan excursions, it seems almost impossible to know where to start, so I guess there is no better place than the beginning.

On January 6th a group of 15 Marietta College students and faculty arrived in Managua, Nicaragua fairly late in the evening. After what seemed like an early wake up the next day (it's been the latest that I've slept in since), we became oriented with the organization we would be working with - Bridges to Community. Bridges is an organization that works in a few different countries to assist communities with different sustainable projects, structuring their leadership systems, and finally building homes for members that absolutely need it - which is where we come in. The community of Eduardo Contreras, Ticuantepe has been working for about a year to prepare themselves for a Bridges group to come in and build homes for them. Our group, along with a group from William and Mary, came together and built three houses for three different families in five days. Upon our arrival, we were created at their community center with balloons and delicious juices, and the hospitality never ceased. Despite different language barriers for most of the students we were all able to develop excellent relationships with the community members that were a part of the building process with us. I impressed myself with my ability to communicate with the community more than I had anticipated and they were nothing less than wonderful. They accepted my grammatical errors with smiles and assisted me in becoming more and more comfortable with being more open and speaking Spanish as frequently as possible. We concluded our time with the community with a fun-filled celebration including lots of music, pinatas, and dancing.

We then traveled straight from Ticuantepe to Leon, a touristy city that allowed us to walk around and shop a lot. The next day was a day filled with adventure with activities such as climbing up a volcano and sledding back down it, swimming and zip lining. It was a great conclusion to an excellent trip. On the 15th we all woke up at 2 am and started to travel to the Managua airport where the rest of the Marietta group went back to begin their spring semester. Brett and I left them at about 5 am, and after an extremely (highlight, bold, and underline extremely) interesting day of traveling on buses, taxis, and ferrys arrived at the Hacienda Merida Hotel on the island of Omepete, Nicaragua at about 3 pm. We relaxed for the night and today plan on catching all our family up on our adventures so far and getting to learn a little bit more about the island.

So far we have been really lucky with all that has happened, but the difference between having adults plan a trip for you and being in charge of your own life has hit us pretty quickly - and we are by far the youngest people that we have seen so far hanging around. It should be an interesting few days hanging out here and the lack of plan has been exciting me far more than it has been stressing me out, which is a new and fun adjustment. As the clouds seem to be clearing away for the day, I'm excited to see where the sun will take us.