Una experiencia diferente!

Diferente es la mejor palabra que encuentro para describir esta experiencia que estoy viviendo, pasar de vivir en una gran ciudad a este pequeño pueblo fue un gran cambio para mi. La primera semana fue la mas difícil, pero al pasar los días uno se va acostumbrando al estilo de vida y al ritmo de trabajo de las patrullas nocturnas y las otras actividades que se realizan en el hostel.

En este momento estoy siendo hospedado por una familia local del pueblo. No tengo de que quejarme ya que me tratan muy bien y son muy buenas personas, hasta me tratan como uno mas de la familia.

Una de las cosas que mas me gusto de esta experiencia es que logre conocer a gente de diferentes países y aprender de otras culturas.

Para concluir el post voy a decir que es una muy linda experiencia y que se la recomendaría a cualquiera! 

BABY TURTLES!

A nest hatched the other day. Some people are going to do the exhumation in just a few minutes, to examine the nests and see how many eggs made it, which ones didn´t, and if there are still babies digging their way out. If there are still babies, they´ll collect them and release them later, once it´s dark out and there´s a little less danger out on the beach for tiny turtles. There´s never no danger out there, not for something that small.

So this is my fifth week here with the program, my fourth in Drake Bay. Honestly, I´m not sure what I was expecting when I got here, but I´m loving every day, and I´m definitely not looking forward to leaving next week. Everyone here - staff, locals, and volunteers - are passionate about what they´re doing. When we aren´t on patrol, we´re learning about each other´s home countries, playing cards, helping around the hostel... There´s never a dull moment here.

It´s the most fun I´ve had in a long time.

Beth

I have been here 3 weeks now and today is my last day. I was nervous to come as first but I am so glad that I did. I was shocked at my host families house though. I have never lived in such a run down house before without basic necessities such as a shower head or doors. It was so nice that they make the best of it and think nothing of it. I feel extreemly blessed that I was able to experience life outside of my american bubble. I am so glad I came and loved the experience :)

Taking it all in

Blogging from within the charmingly rustic confides of the Backpackers Hostel in Drake Bay is almost surreal. Although I've been here for only a little over two weeks, the 'Pura Vida' lifestyle has seamlessly settled in and I've quickly become accustomed this simple way of life.

My first week, spent at Rio Oro, ensured that, with the complete lack of electricity, I made the most out of my time here. This lack of modernity did not however have any effect on our day as we were always too busy to notice that it'd been hours since we'd last checked our phones. On our arrival we were taken around the premises that almost felt irresponsibly luxurious. In addition to our en-suite tent, we were treated to hammocks, candle-lit paths and jungle gardens illuminated at night by, what seemed like, hundreds of fireflies. Every day has been different, we've swum in waterfalls, lassoed cows, fished in lakes and strolled picturesque, completely deserted beaches. There really has not been a dull moment. In the same manner, every patrol has brought with it something new. Some nights so busy we were running back and forth between nests, trying our best to tag and measure the turtles. Work that you can't help but feel passionate about after spending time with the people here, immersed in the local culture. Some 'uneventful' patrols spent walking the moonlit beach, gazing at the impossibly clear sky whilst having conversations about things you'd never expect to be able to, with people you've known for such a short amount of time. If technology was ever missed, it was soon forgotten by the magnitude of everything around you, and if anything it has begun to feel almost like a hindrance to experiencing real life. Would we had paid as much attention to the sound of the jungle had we been able to watch movies in our down time? Or been as impressed by the sheer volume of water that can suddenly erupt from the sky?

Any person coming to Drake Bay will undoubtedly have a good time; the people are welcoming and understanding, the surroundings are beautiful and there's a never-ending list of things to do. Experiences like these allow you to take away whatever you put into it, you can come and have a great time, and for some people it can be just that. But if you crave more, this place has a wealth of intelligent, passionate people, scenes of sheer beauty that leave you in awe and 'things-to-do' that will inspire you and encourage you to reflect on more than just the superficial.

Thankyou for everything

The Drake Bay Rookie

The second I arrived at Drake Bay Backpackers I instantly felt welcome by all the volunteers as they played card games, music and learned about each others home countries in their spare time. It was an incredible scene and a fantastic way to start my trip as unlike many of the other volunteers here, this is my first travelling experience. I was extremely nervous at first as I didn't know what to expect from the local culture, people and environment but I can happily say that I can think of no better way to introduce yourself to backpacking. Being surrounded by people from all over the globe with vast knowledge and tales of travelling, I quickly settled into the way of life over here.

I arrived in Drake Bay expecting to be working with the local community and turtles 24/7 due to the nature of the program, but quickly realized its so much more than that. At the hostel you spend every minute of every day alongside other people with similar passions and consequently develop very close relationships with interesting people from all over the world who make every day even better as you always have someone to share all the incredible moments with. I spent my first week in Rio Oro Beach where most of the work is done at night time when the turtles come on to nest, leaving 12 hours of glorious sunshine to take part in a huge range of activities to do. In the space of 6 days we went horse riding, fishing, climbed waterfalls, hiked through the jungle, swam and body-boarded the 6ft pacific waves, learnt how to lasso cattle on the local ranch, went to see live music at the local bar and of course, every evening we helped collect data on countless turtles. Being able to head back to camp after all these mind blowing experiences and share stories with fellow backpackers made every day and night that little bit more special.

Of course if you come to Drake Bay with an intention of seeing as many turtles as possible or helping out in the local community everyday then that would be encouraged, but for me the one thing that is left out in the information sheets is just how welcoming and friendly the volunteers are here and I strongly believe that is what I will remember most of all about this place. 

An Unexpected Journey

When I started my Masters in Sustainable Development it was always with the intention of being able to start a career in conservation.  My first trip to Costa Rica in September 2013 only helped to cement this desire. However as my degree went on and lectures were more about creating sustainable business solutions than conserving wildlife I began to lose hope that I would end up qualified to do my dream job.

When it finally came to doing my dissertation I thought that this at last would be my opportunity to really focus on conservation and do something that I was truly passionate about.  I contacted Rob at the Corcovado Foundation to see if it might be possible to conduct my research in Costa Rica, all the time at the back of my mind thinking it would probably not be possible, but I was in luck...and so here I am!

This is day two of what I know is going to be a life changing experience. This morning was spent on the beautiful beach, keeping a close eye on the hatchery where volunteers help to relocate turtle nests to protect the eggs from poachers and predators. Tomorrow night I´ll be heading out on a night time patrol looking for nesting turtles under the Milky Way (hopefully! It´s not called the rainy season for nothing!)

 Over the next few weeks I will be interviewing members of the local community about their involvement in the project and the difference it has made to both them and the incredible wildlife it was design to protect. I can´t wait!

Final Day, Final Thoughts

Half a year ago, I had no idea I would be spending the final three weeks of my summer in Costa Rica. It was kind of a last minute decision to join my sister and her friends. During the first few weeks of my summer, I was so preoccupied with work and school, I had not even thought about what to expect when coming here. Yet here I am, expectations (or lack thereof) replaced by the expectation of me to write about my experiences on this blog. So, here is a list of five things you should expect when coming to work with the Corcovado Foundation.

I should mention - I was fortunate enough to volunteer both in El Progresso and Rio Oro, in August. Both were different entirely but equally wonderful. In Rio Oro, we were privileged enough to grow really close as a team and see and work with many turtles, whereas in El Progresso, we were able to help with more general work and meet even more people. Anyways, what to expect...

1. Cold showers.

Youre in rural Costa Rica! Embrace the river swims, and the rain storms that cool the air, and the cold showers. The showers were actually very appreciated - they cool you down when you feel permanently clammy. There was nothing better than hopping in the cool, open air shower at the camp in Rio Oro after a busy, hot, summer night on the beach. 

2. A permanent state of happy sleep deprivation.

Everyone might say you rest all day, but thats not necessarily true. There is a lot of down time, sure- but there are so many fantastic people to spend your time with and fantastic things to do, you will likely find yourself happily sleep deprived for most of your stay. Waking up earlier one day than you went to sleep two nights ago is one of the unique experiences of volunteering in turtle conservation. Even with that, every day, a new opportunity to see something new or help with something different or do something new came up. Besides that, especially in Rio Oro, the happiness of working with turtles and of the experience in itself outweighed the lack of sleep.  

That being said, the people here are not slave drivers, if you need rest you will get rest!

3. Being "one" with nature.

Insects to mammals, everywhere I have stayed here has been pretty open-air concept. Even when you are not intentionally looking for wildlife (hiking in Rio Oro, we saw poisonous tree frogs, monkeys, toucans... the list goes on), the wildlife is all around. Macaws at the beach, spiders the size of a playing card in your room, you get the drift. There are turtles, too - obviously. Think of how incredible it is to be surrounded by nature literally right outside of your door, and be prepared for the mosquitoes and host of other insects so you can enjoy the rest.  

4. Doing things you arent remotely used to (and might not be entirely comfortable with, but will love all the same).

On my list? Relocating turtle nests, walking on the beach with beautiful tropical thunderstorms on the horizon, crossing knee deep bodies of murky water in the dark - at home, you might be able to say "Hey, at least there are no crocodiles!", but that isnt necessarily the case here -, riding in the back of pickup trucks, being trusted with power tools youve never used... just to name a few.  Be prepared for the cliche of "stepping out of your comfort zone"!

5. Falling in love with the people, the country, and the lifestyle.

Everyone I have met here is someone I have learned something from. Every experience was something I grew from. The food is great, the people are generous and kind and welcoming, and the pace of life is very easy going, very "pura vida". Every day I have been here, I have grown to love it more. 

So many things have happened here, I couldnt choose any specific event to write about- but I can say that for all the challenges, this trip was the best trip I hadnt expected to go on.