Rainforest Realities: A Week of Unexpected Hurdles

I feel that the best way to describe Costa Rica, and La Selva, so far would be eye-opening. I am from Indiana, but the heat and humidity is nothing compared to La Selva. I think its just because here I am up all hours of daylight, since the sunrises so early and sets so early. Comparatively at home, I never am up around sunrise, especially during the summer months. However, within only four days I am already adapting pretty well to it. My learning ability definitely is better in the air conditioned rooms and Bloomington, but I am getting through it. The longer I stay here, the more I get used to the humidity, and it helps to not choose a research project that makes you be out in the forest!

The food here is really starting to grow on me. Before coming on this trip, I was very close-minded and very picky. While I am still picky, I have opened my horizons to always try new things. I do feel so much healthier in the last week than I do at home. I am not sure if it is the organic and non-processed foods or the portion sizes, but I never feel disgustingly bloated or sleepy after eating. Maybe I’m actually getting all the nutrients I need, or maybe I’m just not overstuffing myself. With all of that being said though, I would do unspeakable things for a Chick-Fil-A spicy chicken sandwich right now. Don’t let me fool you.

The La Selva staff is also amazing. There is a little bit of a language barrier, but most people understand my Spanglish. I’ve always heard of southern hospitality, but never thought that continued out of the states. Everyone is so welcoming and makes sure that the visitors are having a pleasant time. The guides are very knowledgeable about the species and have an amazing eye for finding the smallest things in the forest.

My one key take away from this first week is how grateful I am to be able to experience the rainforest, but also how America differs. This has inspired me to travel to the national parks in the states to see what we can offer the world. I can see all of the things I take for granted, such as air conditioning, sleeping with the window open, and not having the fear of tarantulas at 2 in the morning on the way to the bathroom. I have become much more vigilant with my surroundings here, but that allows me to connect better with nature. My favorite experience this week was the night hike. I was so nervous beforehand, worried about large snakes and spiders and everything else that could sneak up on me. However our guide took a small group of us and randomly urged us to turn off all of our lights. We were all so terrified, but complied. There was bioluminescent fungi growing on dead tree bark, and it might have been the coolest thing I have ever experienced. We all stood there, in the complete darkness of the forest so stunned by it. Having no lights, besides the natural tree bark, made me connect with nature even more than ever. I could hear every little thing in the forest, and I do not think I will ever be able to recreate something so magical.

This beauty however comes at a price. Our living quarters are in the middle of an active rainforest preserve, so you cannot choose where nature ends and begins. There are a set of bathrooms I refuse to use because of the tarantula who set his home nearby and the praying mantis (which can apparently fly) have set up quarters under the sink. The frogs, spiders, and bugs that roam freely in our rooms has made sleeping a little uncomfortable, but each night I am more exhausted after the day and just pass out.

I feel that our group is extremely lucky in terms of spotting things. Within the first hour of being here Eric, Leah and I saw a puma at the end of the bridge, which is very out of character. They are hardly seen and we spotted it an hour in! I have countless great pictures of monkeys, tucans, and sloths, that I thought would be harder to spot. I ended up being nose-to-nose with a coati today, and it was so interesting. I haven’t been that close to a wild animal in so long (not counting Bloomington squirrels), and it was awesome to experience the details of it without the use of a telescope.

I have also had the luxury to meet new people from across the globe. Today, I spent the majority of my day talking to a man originally from Britian but moved to Peru maybe fifty some years ago. It was eye opening to hear experiences from Southern America. In my life, I only hear of people travel to Europe or fun little beach Caribbean Islands, and not unique places like the rainforest. He offered lots of keen advice, and made me feel like I was back home talking to my grandpa.

Overall, this experience has been extremely different for me. This is my first taste of being outside of the country, and everything is a learning curve. Especially being in the rainforest as our first pit-stop. I am very excited for the pineapple, banana, and chocolate farms early next week. The pineapple here is so good I am worried I’ll never look at fruit the same back home in the States. I am liking La Selva, but I am ready to say goodbye and go to Tortuguero and Monteverde to see more of Costa Rica rather than just the rainforest.

Until Next Week!

Genevieve