So...I was in Costa Rica for less then 24 hrs before we were
robbed...awesome...on Tuesday we drove down to Dominical...what an
adventure, the main way via the panamerican highway was washed out on
one section because the the tropical storm a couple of weeks ago so we
had to take the coastal route...on the way down and little north of
Jaco we stopped at this bridge over this river to check out the
saltwater crocs...which are huge and pretty damn awesome...anywas we
pulled over on the right side of the road just passed the bridge in
front of a big truck with a load of bricks on it and some guys were
working on the
truck...we were on the bridge maybe ten min. and a not even 75 yards
from the van and we got jacked...they popped open the window with a
screw driver (sliding window) jumped in and stole a bunch of day
packs...just like that....looking back it was so fricking obvious...the
damn truck was even running while they were under it "working" on the
truck...the cops said they drive down every month or so to do it...it
was really a well efficient set up...some of the people in my class
lost a lot of stuff (passports, lots of money, credit cards,
ipods, etc.)...i did get my daypack stolen but all my important stuff
was on me...thank god i did my research before coming and was prepared
for that senerio...cause i could have easily had all my stuff stolen
too...they did get my pictures of funky town, the farm, friends and the
family to show people; one of the books i was reading; my binoculars;
and my journal that i have been writing for a couple of months now
which is what i was really pissed about...
On a lighter
note....Costa Rica is AMAZING....I don't really know how to
discribe it...it's kind of like West Virginia right on the
ocean...except with a lot more biodiversity...it's crazy so far
i've seen Sloaths, Monkies (Chupucins and Squiral), a shit load of
birds (including Tucans and paraits), and Posin dart frogs to name a
few...but supprisingly, the coolest animals i have seen are the
ants...damn they're cool...Basicly it's like being in the discovery channel...
For the last two weeks I have been in the
middle of no where and it's awesome...I've been at a research station
on around 400 arces of primary forest and reforested land...we have
been developing a business plan for them to start an ecotourism
componet on their property...i have also helped them plant around 400
trees in the tropical forest...you know, just saving the world one tree
at a time and shit for all of you driving around at $4 dollars a gallon
or whatever it is now...haha...The non-profit is called Tropical Forest
Initiactive (TFI)...TFI is located in Tries Peadros, a small community
of about 4 or 5 families...There are cool little swimming holes and
waterfalls around the area...that we all jump into at least twice a
day...for vistas, i can see the ocean from the mountains...how cool is that...pretty sweet...
The people are super nice
and really cool and i admire their lifestyle in the countryside...they
work in the fields early in the mornings and take it easy in the
afternoons...there is no machinary (for the most part)...they cut grass
with machedies...
We came into Dominical yesterday and are
leaving this afternoon to go back to TFI...there is a rodeo and
community dance tonight up there...i'm super excited about it...i might
try to ride a bull (a little one) if i can and dance with some Ticas
(Costa Ricans are called Ticos and Ticas)...yesterday, i went on a zip
line tour through the forest canopy and surfed my first wave ever while
watching the sunset over the Pacific...pretty great day i'm not
going to lie...I also talked with a guy that works for a local
non-profit...because of the funding his is the only employee but he
goes around to the local school and facilites environmental education
programs...he said i could come help and go around to the school with
him and give me a place to stay...so i may do that at some point...i
miss working with kids, plus, i can probably talk better with them
cause i am on a very elementary spanish level...haha...oh, side
note...all you High Trails folks....remember we used to get mad when
some of the kids left used TP in the girl boxes in the bathroom...man, i see why now...everywhere down here you have to put TP in the
trash cause the systems can't handle it...anyways, later for now...and
as they say in Costa Rica...
Pura Vida (it meaning good life)
Brandon
