Day 4

Today we hiked from the biological station to San Vito. It was a beautiful day we walked through some primary and secondary forest and the closer to town we got the more we saw the agricultural effects on the forest. Our first test site had a concrete dam, which was the first man made obstruction that we had come across. In this area we could really see the difference in the forest hight and under growth.

 We did town other sites as we came into town one of which I  did come across a snake which is my absolute worst fear and I didn't die so thats great.  It was a total of 7 mile hike to San Vito and there was never a dull moment. Once we got there we caught the bus back. On the bus there were tow little girls that sang to us and laughed and though it was hilarious that we could not speak Spanish. 

In the evening we had a cultural exchange where the Ngabe-bugle tribe shared a traditional dance and some of their stories. They shared that 4 is kind of there magic number, they have celebrations for days after things happen such as a women coming into woman hood or a big storm. 

Once of the students shared her family song. It is something they sing in happy and sad times, she had to ask for permission for us to be able to hear it because it is sacred to them. 

Day 3

Today we got a chance to split into our groups and discuss our projects. With having access to primary forest, secondary forest and forest that has agricultural lands close enough for impact we knew we wanted to compare the streams in each area. This meant we needed to cover a lot of ground. We walked about 7 miles stopping at four different locations, three of which we tested, and the other was just for a little cool air at the bottom of the waterfall as we were hot and tired by that point. All day I was in awe of honestly everything but the colors of the forest are so beautiful. We can read all about how primary forest has little growth down on the forest floor due to the higher trees absorbing all the sunlight and that there is a difference once its been altered but seeing it first hand and how dramatic of a difference it is was amazing. 

 There is so much I want to write about today because its still surreal the things that I have taken in today but Im honestly so exhausted. 

Ps. Wild bandanas are pink and in the middle of the bundle have a beautiful flower and I feel so blessed to have been able to see those today. 

Sharing with the people.

This evening we went into San Vito to get some miscellaneous  supplies and it was quite the experience. I have never wanted to speak Spanish so bad in my life. I'm sure it is very frustrating  for them as we can not communicate, it was a reminder to practice patients with people. The diving down here is something else, I'm pretty sure they just do whatever they want.

When we came back we met with the Indigenous people of Costa Rica and as we went around introducing ourselves I was in awe of all the Native languages spoken. It was very touching to see these tribal nations come together and share. We all have a common purpose, we all want to learn from one another. Over the past two days on our hikes or over meals a women has been teaching me her words and even when I am butchering them she is so patient and makes me repeat them until I get them right. She has a kindness about her that I truly admire.

Day 2

Today we toured the Las Cruces Biological Station. These are some kind of Caterpillar (bear with me we are taking in a lot of information 😁) Their bright red and yellow stripes are a warning that they are poisonous and keeps them safe.  

This is a very special Garden because it is not only native plants of Costa Rica but also plants that have been transported form all over the world. To allow them to survive they have had to modify things such as the amount of sunlight plants are receiving by strategically placing them, also the amount of available water. This is modified by the slope they are planted on, location relative to other plants and  altering the soils underneath allowing for water to run off. 

This was such a cool thing to experience, this was a tree at onetime that had died and other trees had grown around it eventually leaving only the living trees standing. 

Right after lunch I looked over to see this beautiful bird, the picture does not do the color justice. 

Day 1

Today we traveled through the city of San Jose to the Las Cruces Biological station. As we travel though the city I noticed their water diversion system. It is made up of stones, and cement. These are very different from our area. I also noticed that the soils of the banks have clearly been eroded away leaving the roots of the trees exposed, this is also something I am not use to seeing in our region. As we traveled I was saddened to see all of the trash along side the roads, people litter everywhere. I am confused if it is because they do not have a place to put the trash or it is lack of caring for the land. We did make a pit stop where we walked up a mountain road, which was much more difficult then I anticipated do to the high elevation levels reaching over 10,000 ft.