Cada Gota del Agua Cuenta

Que fantastica fin de semana!

We returned last evening from a rejuvenating weekend visiting La Fortuna and staying at the Hotel Arenal Springs! The ride from Sta Elena to Arenal was so beautiful; the landscape looked surreal, like a painting. Rolling hills with cows grazing and houses on open farm-land inspire me to live more simply and to feel more connected to the natural environment.

Upon arrival to La Fortuna we enjoyed free time walking about. I love looking at all the hand-made items made of wood, such as salad bowls and masks. Clearly a tourist destination, most were labeled in English and in US dollars. As I walked back to the van for our departure, I met two young children, likely siblings. I have been photographing Costa Rica's beautiful children during the past two weeks and knew they were perfect for my album. In my poor Spanish, I asked, Puedo tomar su foto? They gladly obliged, the girl scooting closer to her brother and embracing him. This photo has become a favorite of our trip.

Although I had heard from previous years' students that the weekend in Arenal was amazing, I think I was not fully prepared for what I'd see. We were fortunate to have clear skies and, therefore, a clear view of the volcano. Incredible. Our hotel rooms, like small bungalows, were charming, comfortable, and I'd even say luxurious with a beautiful bathroom with a skylight and plants in the shower. All immediately changed and headed to the hot springs. I spent more than 3 hours there with our students, other student groups, and a newlywed couple (a UGA graduate, coincidentally). The Arenal Volcano was in clear view in the backdrop.

As I knew, this program was been "work," not a vacation, but for this weekend, we felt like tourists and relaxed completely at this resort hotel. It was fantastic. As pertaining to my group's respective research topics, including sustainability, happiness, and proper water use and sanitation, there are examples of these ideals throughout Costa Rica. The Arenal Hotel included recycling bins sorted by glass, aluminum, and even organic matter (I assume for composting), as well as physical signs in bathrooms with messages such as, "Cada gota del agua cuenta." I even noted how Costa Ricans practice sustainability in small ways. For example, my mama tica and I shared applications on our iPhones last night and she taught me how to close applications by double clicking in order to save the battery. Water is conserved and I am asked to turn off the water heater after showering. Frequently, lights are turned off and lights, etc. unplugged when not in use; all bedroom and bathroom doors are also closed, I am thinking to keep air flow in the open rooms.

I've noticed advertisements for the Coca Cola bottled purified water brand, Alpina, since learning about this last week. I've read online (for example) that Costa Ricans drink less bottled water than the average in Latin America, but that water treatment plants struggle with keeping up with demand. I have not noticed Costa Ricans drinking out of plastic water bottles (usually only tourists) and even school children bring reusable bottles to school. I read online that Coca Cola has introduced education programs for sustainable water use. I wish to learn more this week and to interview my family and CPI personnel regarding the commercialization of this country's agua puro prior to departure.

This week is our ultima semana in Costa Rica. How much we have learned in two weeks. I am certain the remaining 6 days will be enjoyable and educational tambien.

Menos Chunches, Menos Trabajo

It is Day 12 of the program and I find it difficult to capture all that we have learned in such a short period of time. Since I wrote last, we completed our first community service. Of all the eye-opening experiences, La Carpio has had the most impact on me personally. On Friday, we spent a morning with the director of the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation and visited the preschool there. The teacher, Fatima, was incredible. It was a joyous, enriching learning environment. Children engaged in learning with authentic materials, lots of literature, songs, and games. The children are simply beautiful. And they are easily my favorite subjects to photograph.

On Saturday, we departed Heredia at 7:00 AM for Manuel Antonio, a beautiful beach resort town. Javier was our guide, who is both very knowledgeable and personable. I loved that Javier incorporated "surprises" on the tour that are not listed on our itinerary. We stopped in Quepos and walked through the Saturday market where beautiful fruits, vegetables, herbs, and handmade items (such as jewelry) were sold. Surfers walked barefoot with their surf boards through the market to the beach and tourists sipped juice from whole coconuts through plastic straws. I always enjoy open-air markets and appreciated this unexpected "surprise."

Before noon, we arrived in Manuel Antonio. Following lunch, we enjoyed free time at the beach and visiting the small shops. The atmosphere was entirely different than Heredia, mas tranquilo than the city. I loved especially talking with small shop owners and looking at the beautiful hand-made items. There is so much I wish to purchase to have as mementos in my home and office of this beautiful country and people.

We rested on the beach until 4:30 PM before checking into our hotel for the evening, Hotel Mimos. We experienced our first true downpour that evening and our power went out several times. I knew good memories were being made as we searched for flashlights in the dark and waited for the power to come back on.

On Sunday, Javier led our tour of El Parque Nacional de Manuel Antonio where we saw various colorful birds, frogs, spider and howler monkeys, and....SLOTHS!

In a previous life, I wanted to be a primatologist and studied anthropology and French at the University of Georgia. I so enjoyed looking through Javier's binoculars and seeing a mama sloth hold her baby. What a wonderful memory. After lunch on Sunday, we began our trek for Monteverde. I've only heard about the roads up the mountains and envisioned something similar to what I've experienced in the Appalachian Mountains. It was quite different, however. I loved watching the countryside roll by and seeing how people live on the land. Everyone does appear happy here regardless of circumstances and I'm regularly reflecting upon why. In a country as beautiful and diverse in landscape and animals as Costa Rica, how could one not be happy?

Upon arrival in Monteverde, we met our new host families at the Clinica Dental, our new meeting place for transportation. Admittedly, I was nervous. I grew comfortable with my other host family in San Joaquin de Flores and worried it would be difficult to reestablish myself in a new home and environment. What a relief to receive a warm greeting from my new mama tica, Jenny, and to walk with my bags to their home just a few minutes away. I was immediately welcomed into their family and home. The message was, literally, Mi casa es su casa. My new family consists of a loving, warm couple, Wilberth and Jenny, and their 16-year-old daugther. Their eldest daughter is in college and I live in her bright, comfortable bedroom. The first evening, they took me to Wilberth's place of employment, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Lodge Hotel where part of the Celestine Prophecy was filmed. I enjoyed having dinner together, the three of us, and talking about Costa Rica and their family. I'm amazed at how open and warm Ticos are, and how trusting. They gladly gave me a key to their home and trust me to come and go as I please. I absolutely love being in their home and hope that when I return, I will stay with this family again. Equally, I will welcome them into my home in North Carolina any time they wish to visit.

This week has been very busy and we've done (and learned) so much. We have observed and implemented short activities in the Sta Elena elementary school. I've been noting teaching styles and how children interact. Our group reflects following these visits and have concluded that much of what we have seen is very similar to that in the States, including content being taught and how children interact in class. What we have noted that is different than our experiences is how children are given responsibilities and are not reminded or reprimanded if they forget their school work, belongings, etc.

Children are trusted to play freely during recess, which occurs about two hours after school begins. They run throughout the school and interact with children across grade levels. Teachers do not have to watch over them. I like and appreciate how they trust their children. I spoke briefly with a 5th grade teacher and asked about their teaching standards. He showed me their list of annual objectives by content area and time of year (school years being February - December) and explained how they have two exams per year. I wish to learn more about how these objectives are met in different schools and what happens if it is deemed a child has not met (or vastly exceeds) certain objectives.

Yesterday, our guided tour of El Trapiche, an agricultural farm where coffee and sugar cane are grown and drinks and foods are processed, was fantastic. Our guide, Jorge, demonstrated and explained the related processes clearly and with humor. I learned so much about daily foods we take for granted, including how much knowledge, work, and skill are required for my morning cup of coffee. I was unaware of the many uses for each of the layer of the coffee berry and how there are different types of berries that are sorted by quality with the peaberry considered the superior of the three. (Last week I bought a bag of peaberry coffee beans without understanding why this is considered the best and hence was most expensive). El Trapiche reinforced sustainable living practices and we saw signs everywhere with this message. I will use this photograph next semester in my social studies methods course when we discuss water use and sanitation.

Indeed, it seems that examples of sustainable practices are evident everywhere we go. I inquire of various guides and locals how they use water and from where it is derived. I've been told that the water here, in the mountains, is 100% puro and needs little to no treatment. Like in the States, it's been commercialized, however. I was surprised (or maybe naive) to see that Coca-Cola is one of the distributors of bottled water here. As I continue my inquiry, my questions are shifting to the commercialization of water in Costa Rica. Why and how did Coca-Cola establish a purified water brand, Alpina?

How do Costa Ricans feel about this? How are communities near the bottling plant affected? Similarly, I am curious whether there is a movement against bottled water as is beginning elsewhere and with other plastic products such as single-use plastic bags. I did notice today that children in the elementary schools bring reusable bottles to school. (I asked a little girl if hers contained water and she said, No, jugo.

Each day as I check my email, I'm bombarded with 10 or more messages to buy this or that. I don't sense that same pressure in Costa Rica. My families live well and they are happy. They do not sit at the dinner table discussing things to buy. Instead, they talk about school, family, community activities, and philosophical topics. In Spanish class this week, I learned the word for stuff: chunche. Each day I discuss global issues with my Spanish professor and I feel inspired by her philosophy of living. She explains how she conserves water and other resources and how her garden makes her happy. (She even brought samples of plants from her garden for our lesson yesterday!) As she explained, Menos chunches, menos trabajo: Less 'stuff,' less work. How simple and true this is.

Hasta luego.

Agua Para El Futuro

Our three-week Costa Rican cultural immersion program began one week ago in Myrtle Beach, SC. Several students and my friend and colleague, Georgie, decided to spend the night near the airport instead of waking and driving so early from Wilmington on Friday morning. In addition to feeling more rested, it allowed us to get to know one another better before departure. My group is diverse in life experiences, some with international travel experiences and others, very little or none at all. Great excitement was evident in us all on Thursday evening in anticipation for the journey to come.

Traveling to Costa Rica is both easy and relatively inexpensive. A short stop in Ft Lauderdale and three hours later, we were flying above the beautiful Costa Rican landscape. Everyone was glued looking out the windows in awe of the natural beauty. It is true that photographs never do justice to what your eyes see (and what your heart feels).

Prior research on Costa Rica revealed univeral agreement that Costa Ricans are warm and giving people. I found this to be true immediately upon arrival. We were greeted at the airport by CPI personnel - our first "Buenos dias" and firm, friendly handshakes. Since this first impression, I have been thoroughly pleased and appreciative of the support, guidance, and overall encouragement provided by CPI. We have a permanent chaperone, Joe, who is gracious, accommodating, fun, and easy-going. He will be with us for the entire three weeks. Joe is originally from Miami. Spanish is his first language and his family heritage is Puerto Rican and Cuban. Although "North American" (as I've been reminded that we are all Americans, Costa Ricans and us), Joe has made Costa Rica his home. We also have a driver, Benjamin, who speaks no English but seems to enjoy the jovial nature of our group as I catch him smiling from time to time at our antics. And we have many antics (but I will save those for family and friends at a later time).

Our first weekend in Costa Rica was eye-opening and educational. We stayed at the Hotel La Condessa, a five-star establishment with a beautiful view of the Central Valley. The first morning, we were greeted with a beautiful sunrise at 5 AM.

I took a walk at 5:30 AM and listened to the singing birds - so peaceful, and so rare for me to take a walk at 5:30 AM. I have adjusted quickly and now to go bed at 8:30 or 9:00 PM and wake at 5:30 or 6:00 AM daily. The first two days we visited tourist destinations, such La Paz Waterfall Gardens and La Poas Volcano. There are no words to describe the beauty of what we have seen. We have also learned an incredible amount in such a short period. Johnny, a local expert on the flora and fauna of Costa Rica, was our guide in the Central Valley. As one of our students, Kristin, remarked: "Johnny would be my 'call a friend.'" He reminds me of my dad, a botanist, and I fully expeced Johnny to have an explanation for any question I posed. He did not disappoint. I hope my parents will be able to experience Costa Rica next year and to meet Johnny and others from CPI.

Beginning my inquiry into water use and sanitation in Costa Rica, I asked Johnny a few related questions. He informed me that water in Costa Rica is clean and safe to drink, derived from three drainage basins and numerous watersheds. (I confirmed this online). As in most countries, most water is used for agriculture. As we're in the rainy season, I am unsure whether water is collected (such as at homes or farms) for later use. This will be for later investigation.

On Sunday evening, following our visit at Poas, we went to CPI for orientation and our Spanish test. At 5:30 PM, we then waited with our luggage to meet our familias Ticas. All anxious and equally excited, we waited. The first car drove up and a woman walked up. Whose mama Tica would she be? As Joe spoke with her, then glanced at the list, he said, "Elizabeth..." I did not expect to be first, as I wanted to see my students off with their families. I greeted my mama and walked down the hill and my papa Tico put my luggage in the trunk. We quickly discovered I do not know Spanish, and they, no English. I grabbed my handy iPad with translator app that does not require internet. A lifesaver. Our first conversations on the short drive to their home seemed long and tedious as I typed in the backseat what I wanted to say. Today, four days into the homestay, it has been much easier (coupled also with four hours of daily Spanish class) and I rely less and less on the app.

My family is comprised of a retired couple around my parents' ages with three children: Johnny, Humberto, and Carolina. The boys live with us and Carolina, 10 minutes by car. They have two adorable grandsons aged 7 and 10 months. I sleep in the daughter's bedroom and we all share one bathroom. Everyone hangs out in the kitchen and living room beginning at 5 AM except for the papa who sleeps until 7. I've adjusted my habits from the States, admittedly challenging the first day and night, but now no problem whatsoever. In just days, my conversational abilities, as well as my abilities to relate in general, have improved immensely. I feel I made a break-through last night in particular as I witnessed Johnny's birthday and was then invited to Carolina's house where she offered me a new bag of Cafe Britt cafe. A very sweet gesture, which I interpreted to be of acceptance into their family, even if temporarily.

As I begin to "Find Out" about water use and sanitation in particular, I ask locals questions when appropriate. This morning, I ate breakfast with my mama Tica (as I do daily) and told her about our wonderful visit to La EcoVilla, a sustainable living community founded by (North) American Stephen Brooks and his wife Sarah. There, we learned about Brooks' plans to create a real community where people know their neighbors, have common values concerning consumerism and sustainability, where eventually a school will be built for community children founded on Waldorf principles. We sat in the grass listening to Brooks' vision and then toured the property, sampling delicious fruits and smelling leaves (including the tree that inspired the Chanel No 5 parfum). I was interested to learn that the founder of the Story of Stuff will be part of this community, and that they expect to have most homes built within a year. As part of the plans, they will have a bio digester for the septic system, trapping and using methane gas for energy. The location was chosen specifically due to its location by a clear river from which they will pump underground water. We saw in person one of the naturally replenlished lakes where tilapia are raised. I look forward to returning here in the future and seeing Brooks' vision come to fruition.

I explained all we learned about La EcoVilla to my mama Tica, I returned to the topic of water. Eida, mi mama Tica, said she liked the idea. She said it's good to save water for future generations and we should not waste it. Y yo soy de acuerdo.

(By the way, I learned that phrase today and mi profesora de espanol complimented me on my progress. Poco a poco...)

Beginning My Inquiry into Water Use and Sanitation in Costa Rica

Only a day and a half from departure. ¡Ay dios mío!

As mentioned in my previous post, each participant, faculty and student alike, will conduct an inquiry project while in Costa Rica. Kath Murdoch’s Phases of Inquiry (out of Australia) will guide our research. (I use this model in my social studies methods course at UNCW, as well as in my curriculum development work, and find it meaningful and versatile across age groups. Having visited IB schools and seeing it implemented in grades PreK through high school has convinced me of its effectiveness). Since our initial pre-departure meetings, students have chosen their areas of focus —ranging from gross national happiness to environmental sustainability—leaving me to consider an important issue not previously chosen. It’s been in the back of my mind for weeks: What will I research while in Costa Rica for three weeks that is both of personal interest and relevant to my teaching that I hope to include in my fall courses?

Two days ago, our package from the Costa Rica Tourism Board arrived containing maps and promotional materials. Tonight, I watched the enclosed 11-minute video entitled “Costa Rica Con Los 5 Sentidos.” Shortly into the video, the narrator states that Costa Rica is “the leading country in Latin America in drinking water supply.”

The global issue of water use and sanitation is significant and of contemporary importance. It is said that future wars will be fought not over petroleum, but clean drinking water. Statistics pertaining to access to potable water on a global scale are staggering: more than 1 in 6 do not have access to safe drinking water and around 2.5 billion people do not have access to basic sanitation, resulting in unnecessary deaths every day. Many of us, myself included, take this for granted, and I look forward to being reminded just how precious this limited natural resource is from a global perspective.

This tourism video has prompted me to choose water use and sanitation in Costa Rica for my inquiry. The first stage of Murdoch’s model, Tuning In, encourages one to reflect upon the following questions:
• What do I already know or think I know about this topic or issue?
• How do I feel about it?
• How have I come to know and feel these things?
• What am I interested in finding out?
• How can I find out?

Frankly, I know very little about the freshwater supply in Costa Rica. It is my understanding that Costa Ricans live modestly (indeed a role model for us all) and that fresh water is limited, such as when bathing, yet is readily available for drinking and is safe for consumption. Whether to drink tap water in Costa Rica has been debated among my group. I’ve been told it is perfectly safe by many who live in or have visited recently various cities in Costa Rica. (I admit to fearing illness in a foreign country, perhaps my greatest apprehension of embarking on this program. Last week, I bought a filtered water bottle – despite being advised this does not prevent waterborne parasites. This, I am curious to learn more about).

I will take advantage of the many sources of information made available during our visit – my familias Ticas, CPI personnel, tour guides, educational experts, and more – in order to learn about the issue of water use and sanitation in Costa Rica.

In the meantime, I am experiencing many “lasts.” My last dinner with my small family whom I love more than anything – my husband and our dogs, Daisy and Gabby. My last phone conversation with my parents. My last night sleeping in the comfort of my own bed. Soon, though, I replace my “lasts” with my “firsts.” My first meal in Costa Rica, my first conversations in Spanish, my first evening with mi familia Tica.

With gratitude and appreciation for the amazing learning opportunity that awaits us in San Jose on Friday….hasta luego.

Elizabeth

Reference:
Murdoch, K. (1998). Classroom connections: Strategies for integrated learning. Prahran Victoria, Australia: Eleanor Curtain Publishing.

5 Days from Departure

After several months of anticipation and planning, we embark on a three-week cultural immersion program in Costa Rica this Friday at 8 AM. Included in my group are 7 university students (6 from UNCW and 1 from UNC Asheville) and a faculty colleague in the Elementary department. Pre-departure meetings during the past two months have initiated meaningful dialogue among students and us, ranging from cultural norms and useful Spanish expressions to the rich biodiversity we’ll soon observe in person. These meetings have left me feeling confident and appreciative to be traveling with such compassionate and intellectually curious students, each eager to learn as much as possible through this unique program with the ultimate goal of becoming a better teacher. Coupled with anticipation, I also feel a bit nostalgic remembering how I felt as a young twenty-something the week before I left the U.S. to teach in France. Who will I meet? How will I interact and navigate new situations (especially in a foreign language)? Will I become homesick? I imagine my students have these same thoughts racing through their minds. I can also project into the future, months and years after we return June 3, knowing their lives will be forever impacted by this experience (mine, too). What an amazing opportunity for all of us.

Last week, we received our home stay placements. Each individual will live alone with one family in Heredia (Week 1) and one family in Monteverde (Weeks 2-3). These families are diverse in make-up and ages of their family members. I have heard such wonderful anecdotes from students who have traveled through this program in previous years, especially about their mama Tica! The experience of being welcomed into not one, but two, familias Ticas is something I look forward to very much.

Throughout the three-week program, students (and faculty) will conduct research on an area related to their specializations. Topics include Costa Rican culture (including the concept of national happiness), the educational system, environmental sustainability, and more. Some will observe familial interactions to study how literacy is fostered in the home and at school. Others, how the environment is integrated into Costa Rica schooling. We will each post our “wonderings,” observations, and reflections as we learn more.

Tomorrow, I will begin wrapping up this semester and preparing for departure Friday morning. I have made a packing list, a to-do list, a mental list. I am certain that the experiences that await us cannot be truly planned, however, and so my group has agreed to ‘go with the flow,’ to be patient and flexible, and most of all, to be open.

In just five days, we will receive our first Costa Rican embraces and the first of many “¡pura vida!” I cannot wait.

Elizabeth