tirimbina

We just returned from an EPIC field trip to the rainforest in a place called Tirimbina. There are like three zillion species of everything there. It was a threeish hour drive from the center, which I slept almost entirely through, but when I opened my eyes every so often I would be surrounded by rolling hills covered with trees or little local farms and farmers… Have I mentioned this is the most beautiful place in the entire world?

When we got there, we went on a long hike up to the field station where we were staying. We saw leaf cutter ants and so many amazing birds. Not to mention just tropical rainforest trees and plants, which are wicked cool. The place we stayed was really nice. Dorms and a kitchen… Once interesting thing here is that you don’t flush your toilet paper down the toilet; you throw your paper in the trash. Sometimes people don’t do that and then the toilets clog and it’s gross.


Anyway, we chilled for a while… had dinner… goals. It’s interesting getting to know everyone here and spending time together. The group is genuinely really great.

Yesterday, we woke up to see TOUCANS!!!! So incredible. Some of the other birds we saw, you ask? Tons of black vultures, white collared manikin which Edgardo held, zillions of species of hummingbirds, parrots like the montezuma oropendola, and so many more.

We saw we did our first project in field research. We were basically measuring the carbon sink of a 2 hectare pasture by measuring the heights and diameters of trees. It was fun! We also went on a hike and got some information from a local farmer at an oriental plant plantation. In the middle of a massive rainstorm. They do not exaggerate the rainstorms in rainforests; they’re epic. We had class after dinner, first in econ and then we went searching for frogs. We found a ridiculous array of incredible frogs. We walked around for a while at night and basically every frog we saw was a different species. Then Edgardo taught us a class about frogs, which was epic.


By the way, our professors are the shit. Check it. These are my professors. And these are my classrooms.




Today we woke up early, ate a bomb breakfast as usual, and then took off to a banana plantation. Probably one of the coolest things I’ve done. We learned about how bananas are produced and bred and marketed… So so so so so so so cool. I am obsessed with bananas. We heard the perspective of the Dole banana company, which is apparently less corrupt than Chiquita. It was really cool though. I love bananas.


Long drive home, and went out tonight for the second time in Atenas. And now I am home, being homesick. It has only been a week, but it feels like months. Every day is jammed packed with so many activities. And the heat is unbearable sometimes. I just get so fatigued. Lots of coffee and naps help… tomorrow we have a day off. I think quite a few people are going to rest hopefully. That’s what I’m trying to do.

Missing some things about America… today we went to a grocery store and stocked up on chocolate, which is expensive. Not too many people eat dessert here. I legit miss ice ream. Also have I mentioned that we take cold showers? Hopefully I'll get used to it!

I live in paradise though. I can't deny that.