March 7, 2013

Envision Festival 2013 was quite the experience of a lifetime.  For my first festival, it definitely paved the way and set a high standard for others to follow.  Not only was it a music festival, it was a life-changing, self- altering festival that touched your soul and your way of life.  I know this sounds intense but it was quite an exceptional experience.  I had the opportunity to meet some awesome people, hear some super inspirational speakers, learn new ways to honor my body and live a healthy lifestyle, and of course get tuned with some new beats.

The majority of the festival I spent by myself listening to who I wanted to listen to and doing what I wanted to do.  Even at night I would usually walk around by myself meeting up with my brother here and there and just hopping from stage to stage checking out the scenes.  It was good for me to be alone, for feeling a sense of independence through a mass of chaos was something humbling. 

Acro Yoga, Julia Butterfly, The Resonance Project, Rising Appalachia, Reiki, and connecting with the unexpected were the most memorable experiences I had during the festival that I hope to apply to my future.  Look them up and submerse yourself in them!

The sense of the the freedom to be who you want to be, look how you want to look, and to have the liberation of feeling free from judgment is an amazing sensation.  The majority of the people who I observed had probably been judged most of their lives for being “different” and finally they are able to flourish in a place where being the most “different” is definitely the most “cool.”  It was a beautiful thing to see people proud of who they were without the feeling of judgment interfering with individuality.

I learned that we are all infinite beings made up of “black wholes” and therefore we are technically all infinite.  Divinity lives inside all of us, flourishes, and connects us all.  We just need the courage to live our lives fully and find our inner power and wisdom and use it to help others and our surroundings. 

If you allowed it, the festival provided a place to look inwards and truly see what kind of person you were and what kind of person you could become.  There was a sense of belonging and acceptance that I had never felt anywhere else.   I met a festival consultant who was there “undercover” and she told me that Envision was the kind of festival that changes a person’s spirit even though it was not a super popular festival.  Instead, it was the kind that looked you in the soul rather than just being a reason to get as weird as possible.  It connected people and brought us together to feel harmony and a special kind of energy that humans create when we are at peace. 

March 6, 2013

My journey continued with an opportunity to work on a permaculture farm in Orosi.  This experience was definitely not the most organized situation I have ever been in but it had a memorable impact on my travels for sure.  I almost got stuck working at a hostel in Orosi because of the lack of volunteers but luckily two girls left from the farm and came down with another volunteer to walk me back up.  Since the vehicle that usually takes the volunteers up to the farm was out of order we had to walk up but it ended up being a pretty good walk and something that I needed to get my ass into gear. 

There were only 5 or 6 of us but it was pretty interesting.  Basically they had a camp site on the top of this mountain and a bunch of unfinished projects scattered about.  There was a half built dome, a half built earthship, and other projects.  When I arrived they had moved camp to another place where they basically had to restart from scratch.  They had built a kitchen structure, herb garden, vegetable garden, solar shower, chicken coop, and a below ground chill/eating area. 

I got the feeling that backpackers would just come there to chill and do whatever project or craft they wanted.  When I was there it was a bit different because we ended up remaking the kitchen roof with a tin one which was a lot more durable.  The mountain weather included a nightly sprinkle so a dry chill spot was pretty necessary.  We worked together instead of on our own projects for the most part, a girl who arrived after me who had been an Eco Sanctuary veteran told us that it was something that didn’t normally happen. 

It was definitely an experience.  We lived without running water, electricity, and the internet, which is a lot when it comes to the “normal” luxuries that we take advantage of today.  I enjoyed the simplicity and getting away from society for a week and I got the chance to hang with some pretty cool people.   They also were just trying to enjoy life and live it to its fullest. 

Eventually it became time to head to Uvita to volunteer at the Envision Festival and I was ready for it.  Since I’ve been traveling, I have been finding myself getting restless and wanting something different.  The work at the farm was cool but I wanted something more, something that benefited others not just myself although it was a good learning experience.  

February 22, 2013

Our stay in San Jose wasn’t too enjoyable but we met a couple of pretty cool people and got to stay at an upscale hostel.  I just do not enjoy the crowded, loud, dirty sprawl of San Jose.  I don’t think I’m cut out to live in a city, let alone a city like this one.  The small mountain and beach towns are much more appealing.

After reflecting on the visit with my host family, I don’t think it could have been any better.  It was very comfortable and reminiscent being back in their house and in Santa Maria de Dota again.  At first I couldn’t believe it and it felt like I needed to be awakened from a dream but eventually it sunk in and I felt at home again. 

I couldn’t believe that 7 years had passed since I had been there, como va el tiempo.  I could tell that my host dad couldn’t believe it either, he seemed very reminiscent as well.  The kids were not little anymore they were growing young adults and it was pretty awesome to see how they’ve matured.  I could still see the small children I once knew but it was now concealed by maturity.

My host mom took us on a wonderful walk around the mountains of Santa Maria even though we got a little lost (only the most memorable walks come from uncertainty).  My brother and I got to see the coffee pickers up close as well as see where they stayed during the coffee season.  Most are ingenious people from Panama and Nicaragua who come for the summer.  It was very humbling to see their living conditions for they lived with close to nothing but wore beautiful radiant colored clothing.

My brother and I also had the opportunity to go on an adventure hike with a local tour group.  The guide also had an organic farm on top of a mountain that we got the opportunity to visit.  This was around an 11 mile hike and we got to see 2 beautiful waterfalls and fantastic vistas of the Pacific and the small towns of the valleys.  The area was such an interesting and unique place with its micro climates and abundant diversity.

February 5, 2013

Ah, my first couple hours in Costa Rica.  I’ll have to admit it’s been quite a trip being back here, it seems familiar yet very distant at the same time. 

I got the opportunity to meet up with my brother at the airport because we unknowingly arrived at just about the same time which was completely unplanned.  This was somewhat of a miracle because stepping off the plane and outside the airport was a bit shocking.  The “welcome committee” at the airport consisted of an array of taxi cab drivers who hassle you about cabs and such.  I knew there had to have been a bus to San Jose but to find it then find my way to the hostel was a bit daunting for my first experience back.  My brother and I ended up just taking the shuttle our hostel offers which is a decent deal and hassle free…

After traveling for 24 hours from Montana I am pretty slammed with sleepiness but I am trying to keep awake at least until a bit later then crash.  I’ll have to admit crashing at the airport is pretty shitty especially when you had accumulated a bladder infection and gas cramps…Let the adventures begin!

Walking up and down the coffee fields of Los Santos

February 4, 2013

So begins my volunteer adventure in Latin America.

 The past couple of weeks have been pretty hectic deciding what to bring and what to ditch.  I’m a firm believer in only taking essentials and a large heavy pack is bad news, but I have to admit I’m bringing more than I really need but for some reason don’t want to leave it behind.  It must be my human material attachment paradox at work. 

I ran into some difficulty determining how much to plan and how much to leave up to fate.  I ended up deciding it was better to cross the Darien Gap by air instead of water, a bit safer and having a plan for Colombia in store puts this worrisome mind a little more at ease.  As far as that goes I have committed to working in Sogamoso, Colombia working with an environmental NGO doing presentations for local communities about the importance of wetlands.  I will also be emphasizing the conservation of Lago Tota, the largest lake in Colombia.  After that I am traveling on to Ecuador to volunteer with a small non-profit called Café Lenguas and Cultura working with children and most likely teaching English.  After Ecuador, Peru, a country I am very eager to explore, will be next on my list.   I haven’t figured anything out for Peru yet but I wait in anticipation to be immersed in this country.

A daunting aspect of this trip is my independence in travel.  I, being a woman, have a considerably harder time traveling alone safely than a man.  I have taken measures to lessen my appeal by bringing modest clothing, wearing drab colors, and speaking of my imaginary husband often, but it still lingers in my mind as I anticipate my journey.  I have faith in finding like-minded people who are interested in going the same direction as me and accompanying me on my bus rides around Latin America.  Like a friend used to always tell me, “keep your head on a swivel.” I intend to keep this bit of advice close to heart.

I need to take a deep breath and remember why I am doing this trip in the first place and must not let myself stray from my mission of selfless service.  By getting ready and nerves flying about, it’s hard not to focus my energy on myself but consciously refocus my mind on my main goal.  I believe the more I think of the good I will be doing it will hopefully set me at ease and give me peace.

O, Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon,

Where there is doubt, faith,

Where there is despair, hope,

Where there is darkness, light,

Where there is sadness, joy.

O, divine master, grant that I may not so much seek,

To be understood, as to understand,

To be consoled, as to console,

To be loved, as to love,

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

It is dying to self, that we are born into eternal light.

Prayer of Saint Francis

(Beautiful Costa Rican cart in my village, Santa Maria de Dota)

Now I feel that my service must move to a different level, a level of real evident need.  I have always been fascinated with Latin America ever since I studied abroad to Costa Rica in 2006, and now I finally have the opportunity to go back.  I’ve been putting off this trip for about 2 years trying to save up enough money to dedicate a part of my life to volunteer. 

I am not sure what I expect to get out of this trip but I hope to find a sense of peace and accomplishment, however I know that it is not about me, it is about those who need my service.  I feel that once a person stops worrying about their needs, they will eventually find that they are able to be sustained without anguish so long as they are thinking about others. 

I have no plan, just a set of countries that I would like to visit and a few organizations I have keep in loose contact with.  It is such a different lifestyle down there that I hope to get swept up with the love for life that they possess. 

It’s funny that a region without great luxuries seems to be more content with life than say, the United States.  They don’t yearn and expect more and more, they are happy with what they need, which is the basics, and of course being surrounded by loved ones is what keeps them truly happy.  It was amazing to see the great importance of family when I studied in Costa Rica.  I guess you could relate it with small town America, running into a cousin or two every day. 

I am anxious, nervous, and pretty much scared to death, but I know that with a strong heart and an open mind I will be able to touch some lives for the better. 

Oct 19^th 2012

There went another seasonal job, another broken heart in need of mending.  This seasonal work is starting to take its toll on my sanity, I find a group of extraordinary people then after the season ends must be torn from them.  I am ever grateful for everyone I have met on my journey and I think of my memories with them often. 

This past experience stands out culturally and I also continued to deepen within myself.

I truly found that the west still lives strong and the cowboy is as steadfast as ever before.  This sub-American culture was one that fascinated me because of the history and the firm pride it possessed.  The people had a very hospitable charm and openness as well as an admirable independence.

I lived about 28 miles from a town of approximately 1,600 in a valley of the Rocky Mountain Front.  Our little cabin was situated at a base of a beautiful rock cliff called Indian Head.  It was a place of peace and solitude being situated up a treacherous driveway surrounded by conifers and Aspens.  It was my refuge, my simplistic shelter amid the world of falsities.

Somehow I was blessed with 2 unbelievable roommates/colleagues.  These 2 girls were my heart and home while I was in Montana, we bonded fast and deep.  A majority of time was spent together pulling knapweed and learning about each other and being with these girls made pulling weeds a more than tolerable task.

I couldn’t believe just how vast Montana really was.  We lived about 10 miles away from the Bob Marshall Wilderness, a wilderness that extends for over 1 million acres.  It was a truly wild place to have the opportunity to share my space with Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, and Mountain Lions.  At first I was very timid to wander around alone but I knew I needed to conquer that fear.  I would tell myself that the native people used to roam these lands before me, however I didn´t have any dangerous encounters.

I will remember the crystal waters always and never forget just how free I felt looking off into the endless abyss of either mountains or rolling grasslands.