June 4-6, 2023
Hi Besties™,
Once again been so so busy with everything I forgot to catch up with y’all! How’re you doing? Hope this has been as cool for you guys as it has been for me!
Anyways! For those who don’t know, two days ago we went to a banana plantation run by Francine and her family. Francine — who, mind you, is very intelligent and incredible force to be reckoned with — showed us her work around banana irrigation, creating goods from bananas and plantains, and educated us on other topics like bees and what it means to be organic. I actually ended up preliminarily interviewing her as a trial run with Marinna, which went so well!
The day after we went to a cocoa plantation/education center to learn how chocolate is made. Let’s just say the dopamine was off the charts there, and I’m so glad I went even though I was soooo exhausted that morning. We ended up interviewing our guide, William, too. Later that day we revised our survey in preparation for today — interviewing local citizens in the nearby town to La Selva.
Truthfully, it was quite hard. I thought I had a bit more Spanish knowledge than I did, and a lot of it was because of the rate at which they speak. But Marinna and I bonded over differences in dialects and languages between sipping yummy drinks and getting responses/informing future modifications for out survey, so it was pretty darn cool if I do say so myself 🙂
I’ve just been so thankful for the social interactions I’ve both had, and had the privilege of watching – especially in the animal kingdom too. I don’t think I’ve ever been around so much nature for so long. It’s fascinating to try and understand how the balance of the ecosystem works, and how completely different animals can communicate messages with each other. It’s so similar to human interaction, and yet so different.
As I am writing this I am exhausted and resting on a hammock outside the library building. Life is good. I am thankful for it all, despite the chaos of academia. Still one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Hoping to get so much sleep tonight.
Chat soon,
Trin
The Road – McCarthy
Watermelon Man – Mongo Santamaria
June 7, 2023
Hi friends,
Feels like I’ve been working all day. Marinna and I’s project has really been giving me some grief lately, and in combination with the start of an online Spanish class, I’ve been a bit overwhelmed, but I’m trying to not let it get me down. Right now I’m sitting by my room window, listening to howler monkeys, drinking coffee, and resting.
It can be so, so peaceful here. It’s interesting though, because it’s never silent. I’m actually grateful for that – in my apartment, I swear it can get so quiet you hear a pin drop. It’s nice to have so many signs of life all around you. Reminds you of that earthly, small feeling.
Our project has also definitely reminded me of the beauty of other people too. The ecologists here are so kind. Marinna and I talked to a few of the staff, as well as a researcher and Ph.D. students about their work, and it was really eye opening to see how passionate they were.
In a scary, big story, I learned firsthand just how small and seen one can feel in the forest. The other night, after learning to dance salsa and bachata with a few people, I had not heard about a poisonous snake that was seen on the walkway. Luckily, my friends helped me out, but it is a jarring feeling being stuck on a bridge checking either side looking for a predator at night…
But, in smaller, sillier stories, many things have been seen today! A tiny green bird resting on her eggs, a huge black bird blocking the sidewalk, leafcutter ants developing new systems to transport their pre-fungal food… all so very cool.
Alright, time for me to finally rest my brain. Check in soon!
Best,
Trin
ALL CAPS – Abstract Orchestra
Plantasia – Mort Garson
June 8-10, 2023
Hello Friends,
It is once again late and I am once again tired! Let’s chat academia and overarching experiences first.
I think a grand theme of this trip for me might be social interaction – it’s shown up in so many ways throughout my learning on this trip! For example, in the animal kingdom, I have learned now the many different sounds animals like birds, monkeys, and bugs make to indicate messages like “stay outta my space!” or “heyy i’m interested!” I’ve also learned from my species presentation on white-throated magpie-jays that they are capable of empathy and even grief. They will work together socially to help mourn the passing of a friend, or to help raise their youth! Also, I learned from a tour guide that not only will iguanas change colors with their environment, but also with the season, to indicate when they want to mate.
It’s just really been fascinating to see all of their little interactions mirror ours in ways that we might not acknowledge as significant interactions without knowing more. A few weeks ago, I seemingly knew nothing, and while I would’ve appreciated this place nonetheless, I just feel so thankful for the knowledge I’ve gained while here from the locals, professors, and other students.
And yet, there’s still so much animal communication I don’t understand – how does a leafcutter ant know it’s job, or where to go? At birth, or instinct? Can fish communicate with each other? What can we define as meaningful animal communication? Still so much to be learned.
There has also been so much human communication throughout these last few days. Thursday, I worked with Marinna out in the town. It’s so interesting to see how fragile our communicative links are – forget just one word, and you might lose the whole conversation or survey response to difficulty and wasting time. And yet, sometimes nonverbal communication, like a big smile or hug, went a long way too. I think I’ve learned the most here from the way locals seem to approach life. There is a huge atmosphere of gratitude here.
Marinna and I even made a new friend after pushing through some rejection sensitivity. Not only did Melvin take our survey, but he also made great conversation, and if I ever go back to that town again, I’d really hope to see him and talk more over a dinner as friends. He was just so sweet, and I wish we had more time with this project, because his input (especially as an older disabled person!) felt invaluable.
I’ve also learned to have more social interactions in Spanish here. I’m so thankful that the people here generally take the time to slow down to my pace. I rarely feel rushed when the interactions are so casual. It gives me the time to think about my words.
At this moment I am engaging in a lack of social interaction – writing my journal, all things packed for a boat tour tomorrow of this absolutely stunning resort in Tortuguero National Park. Living conditions wise, while La Selva gave us everything and more a research facility can offer, these rooms and conditions here are truly honeymoon-level.
Honestly though, a treat is still just a treat. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts, but La Selva was an invaluable experience. Leaving La Selva this morning was hard. I’d be down to live at La Selva if the weather was 10 degrees cooler and the mattress was 3 times as thick.
Yours Truly Exhausted,
Trin
June 10-11, 2023
Hola mis amigos!
Voy a attemptar que escribir esta letra en Español. ¡Es importante que practique la lengua de los Costarricenses aquí!
Ayer celebramos el cumpleaños de Faith. Jugamos en la piscina y disfrutamos de la vida. ¡Espero que se haya sentido amada!
Hoy yo fui al barco a las 5:30 de la mañana para ver los animales. Yo nunca pensé que me gustaría levantarme temprano, pero aquí es muy facíl porque las mañanas son bellisimas.
Una vez más, me encuentro muy agradecido por la gente de aquí que tiene paciencia con mi Español. He realizado que los humanos no es diferentes que los otros animales – solo queremos ser entendidos. Este experiencia me ha hecho pensar que estudiar en algún lugar que habla Español en el futuro. Pienso que había olvidado como otras lenguas son facíles que aprender cuando los estás immerso. Como el reino de animales, en el reino humano, la comunicación es la llave que abre puertas.
Pronto planeamos ir a la playa. ¡Estoy muy emocionada! Espero que todos nos divirtamos mucho, y continuamos que conectar con el grupo y otras personas Costarricenses. También Marinna y yo planeamos hablar y encuestar a la gente allí.
Puse fotos en el sobre de nuevo – ¡disfruta!
A otra vez y pura vida,
Trin
Te Regalo una Rosa – Juan Luis Guerra
That Life – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
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