Both were extremely rich experiences, totally exceeding my expectations. Since this blog is about my Earthwatch expedition I will leave my impressions of Costa Rica to Facebook, and focus on Puerto Rico here.
So yes, the Earthwatch Expedition was ALL that I had hoped for and more!!
Simply a WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!!!
I would go back in a heartbeat if I had the chance - I recommend anyone who wants to go, to GO. Apply NOW and GO!!!
When I left I thought I had done too much preparation as to ruin the 'wow' factor, but I was proved wrong. Being there in the forest, getting down and doing the research work was not only fun and enjoyable, but also educational and meaningful. I learnt so much about the local ecology, and feel more enlightened about the real challenges the environment and researchers face. I have a renewed respect and appreciation for the Scientists who dedicate their time to this work.
On the social side, the four permanent staff members that we were working with were great, so down-to-earth and knowledgeable, evoking enthusiasm about their area of study (yes, I have actually become excited about fungi, lizards, trees and of course frogs!). The team of 6 others volunteers was a smaller group than usual but we formed a great team, really focused on working hard and being diligent, and also enjoying our free time. One of the volunteers (Karina) was from the same company as myself, although working in a completely different department, we only met once we had arrived.
The activities were not as strenuous as I had initially expected, and were in fact quite relaxed and manageable most of the time. But there were moments when I looked at the river we had to jump across or the steep muddy bank we had to climb, and wondered to myself how it would turn out :-). However every time we made the leap and survived. And at those times we didn't quite manage to stay on our feet, sitting down and sliding down in the mud was good fun too. :-)
So yes we did work hard, but got time to relax and enjoy our surroundings too. One day we went into Old San Juan for some sight seeing, and another day we went to the Botanical Gardens to listen to a well respected Forester talk about his lifetime of work. One evening we also ventured into the nearby town to take to the streets our newly learnt Salsa dancing skills that we had aquired the night before at a private Salsa class.
And then there was the food! We were fed well, spoilt in fact with the great food. It just kept on coming, and all so yummy it was so hard to resist. We joked that they were trying to fatten us up for the kill at the end of the trip ;-) Of course no one forced you to eat the brownies or cakes, so the real problem was my lack of will power. :-)
We were very lucky with the weather, mostly dry (about 1h of rain in one day and just 1 rainy night) and not too hot, about 25C during the day. Actually the researchers kept saying it was "unseasonably cool". I did need a light sweater and long trousers at night. But even with the dry weather, we did get very muddy, but after the first day, it doesn't matter anymore!
But instead of just telling you about it, let me show you! In the next posts I will publish pictures and more detailed about the activities
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