Why Costa Rica? Why this project?

Draft of quick reasons why I care about this project:

-purely for the people by the people – working as much to be a vessel through which they can voice concerns and perspectives -(puramente?) de la gente para la gente

– yo deseo estar un (medio/vessel) en donde ellos pueden hablar sobre preocupaciones y perspectivos  

-combination of academia, agriculture, governmental project, international agencies

-es la academia, la agricultura, proyectos del gobierno, y las agencias internacionales juntos

-environmental responsibility

 -de quien es la responsabilidad del medioambiente 

-really learning spanish

-estoy aprendiendo el español muy muy bien/bueno (jaja)! 

-map making – routes, locations, land space distribution

 -estamos haciendo las mapas, rutas, ubicaciones, y mirando a la distribución de la tierra y la propiedad en este region   

-at this point in my life I really feel as though I don’t have much else to contribute other than purely listening

— ahoritica yo solamente necesito escuchar, ya no sé mucho de estos temas a fuera de las clases a la universidad y  es muy importante que yo presto mucho atención en las temas que son muy importante a la gente y el medioambiente 

-learning how to drive a motorcycle

estoy aprendiendo como manejar un moto! 

-every day is a surprise, teaching flexibility, patience, understanding, how to really serve

– cada día es una sorpresa, necesito tener flexibilidad, paciencia, acuerdo?, y serve la gente

-“stuck with” mundane tasks that I really enjoy!

– Yo necesito hacer todo de las cosas tedioso…pero me encantan…! 

-photography that is non-intrusive and only when they ask! and they are getting the copies

– fotografía que es sutil (?) y solamente cuando ellos quieren! Y les regalamos todas de las fotos también

-feel morally good about this overall

– me siento que es un proyecto con principios éticos que me gusta mucho.  

Field Work Costa Rica

I have recently arrived in Puerto Jiménez Costa Rica where I am assisting Greg on his project and simultaneously sorting through what my own research goals/thesis will be about. Greg is investing the Payment for Environmental Services program and gender disparities in the region.

To do so he has/we have:

– a motorcycle

-a list of names

-a road map

-raincoats

We set out on the motorcycle each day and interview the farmers of the region; when it is appropriate I will talk to the women in a separate room. This process in the last two days alone has created a wealth of opportunities to engage with and give voice to farmers outside of any political or economic motive. We are purely here to listen, learn, and try to make sense of the changing agricultural practices, perspectives on conservationism, governmental/international organization programs, with, when possible, an emphasis on the female viewpoint.

You can read more about the Payment for Environmental Services program here or here or here.

I will, as often as possible and with consent, be posting photos of our daily adventures. We have an outline of questions but allow for as much flexibility of time, interviews ranging from 30 minutes to 5 hours. We want to build trust and be a positive outlet for the farmers, anonymously, to contribute their perspectives and concerns. We will both be writing our thesis’ in english and spanish to make the material accessible and worthwhile to all parties involved.