Stephanie's Comments
Hi everyone,
I am back from my trip, and what an amazing experience. I hope that everyone will do a trip like this at least once in their lifetime. I enjoyed it so much, I’m already thinking about doing another one next year. And if, AND WHEN, I have children, I want them to take part in trips like this as often as possible. It’s so important to know the world outside of the U.S.
Anyway, wanted to let you all know the details. But first, I want to thank everyone who helped sponsor this trip. The place I visited is a very poor country (yet not lacking in anything, as I will explain below). I often get so caught up in my American life of total consumerism that I forget the value of money. One of the farmers that I met on this trip makes sugar from sugar cane that he grows and sells every Sunday at the local market. It is a LOT of work (as you can read below) and he makes 100 blocks of sugar cane a week, which he sells at the market for $0.50 a piece. So he makes $50.00 a week. This is enough to feed and care for his entire family - him, his wife, four children, and two grand children. I hate to admit it - but I spend double that in one trip to Target. Makes me realize what a consumer-monster I am!
But I also want all the sponsors to know that the money donated helped a great deal in this very worthy cause as it went to the people that live in San Antonio.
I think the biggest change that occurred was the one inside of me - learning about this different world, these people, this town.
Basically, the cause we went to support was this - San Antonio is a small community of families that have lived there for generations. This community is very close, everyone knows everyone. Families live together, and as children grow up, they build homes on their parent’s property and take over the family work (reminds me of the Stevens clan!). The town of San Antonio is located on the beautiful mountain of Escazu.
San Antonio is about 45 minutes from San Jose. San Jose is the largest city in Costa Rica and is growing. It is growing so much that it has grown all the way to base of the mountains of Escazu. This is what is creating the problems.
Now that the city of San Jose has grown to the base of the mountain of the small town of San Antonio, San Antonio is being forced to deal with urban growth. Many rich people are buying up land on the mountain and building huge homes. Of course, the rich people want to build their big homes on the mountain, it is an amazing view. But this building is causing very serious damage to the mountain. Also, investors are buying land on the mountain and planning to start building tourist resorts on the mountain which will change the dynamics of this small town.
Building on the mountain, is causing major problems, including:
1. The mountain is still growing, by tearing down trees, and digging up dirt, the natural growth process of the mountain is being destroyed.
2. By tearing down trees at the top of the mountain, along with all the rain during the wet season, mudslides are occuring, which run down into the town of San Antonio, which is at the base of the mountain.
3. Sewage is a problem in Costa Rica (even in the richest places, you cannot put toilet paper in the toilet as the sewage system can not handle it). As big homes are being built at the top of the mountain, where no development has ever been before, the sewage is running down the mountain to the town of San Antonio.
4. The river from the mountain is how the town of San Antonio gets it’s water. The development on the top of the mountain will affect the very important water supply of this small town. Most of the residents of San Antonio are farmers and the water supply is vital to their very existence.
There is an organization in San Antonio, made up of it’s residents that was formed 20 years ago to work to protect the mountain. This is the group that Ana and I worked with during my trip.
Having nothing to do at all with this important cause, but still a very impactful part of my visit was were I spent my evenings. The best and the worst part of the trip for me was the same thing - living with the family. The family I lived with has WONDERFUL and I became very close to them. I hope to keep in touch with them and hopefully visit again.
The parents were named Jesus and Crista (Crista is kind of like Christ), so I was staying with Jesus and Christ. (Jesus gave me this beautiful silver cross as a gift, right before I left to come home.) They had four children, including a daughter named Stephanie who had a little girl named Stephanie. So there were three Stephanie's in the house!
They did not speak English, and I speak little Spanish. And there was a cultural difference. The Latin American culture is very close - you are always with people. I, as an American, am used to being alone a lot of the time. It was out of my comfort zone to have people around me so often. Yet, by the end of the week, I felt part of this family. They were so welcoming. Now that I am home and I make dinner all by myself, I miss having the entire family with me - laughing and trying to do sign-language to talk!
And even though this family was poor by American standards, they were not lacking of anything. The house was very scarce, yet by having little, they had so much. Here’s an example - one day Ana and I helped make signs to put up on the hiking trails. The next day we put them up, and we put up one in front of my family’s house. It said “We want the mountains green, not gray.” In other words, don’t build on the mountain.
When we were putting it up, the entire family came out to help and cheer us on. The children, the parents, the grandchildren. I wondered if this would ever happen in America. I thought, probably not - the children would be off playing video games, the youngest daughter would be off with her friends, the father would be off at work, and the mother would probably be at work too. Too bad, that we have so much, and yet so little too.
So that was my trip! My journal is below, but it is long, so do not feel that you have to read it. I will send photos next.
It was a great trip and I hope the first of many!
Love to you all!
Love, Steph
Saturday, May 13
Today Ana and I were picked up from Casa Ridgeway by Kyra and Martha. I packed way too much!
We drove from San Jose, through Escazu, to San Antonio. I was surprised how close to San Jose we were - only about a 30 minute drive. I also thought we would be in very primitive living environment - I thought no electricity, no water, almost camping conditions. But the town of Escazu is a very modern city, with Tony Roma’s and TGIFriday’s, etc. The town on San Antonio is about 10 minutes from Escazu and is a bit more primitive, but all the homes have electricity, phones, the whole bit!
First we went to the house where Ana would stay. Ana is staying with the Fernandez family - they have lots of animals at their house - chickens, ducks, geese, dog and puppies. And a beautiful view of the mountains!
I am staying with Jesus and Crista Rosas. I think I am very lucky to be with this family. They have a wonderful house with two other homes on their property - their oldest daughter lives in one and their son in the other. I love it that the whole family lives together on one property. This is very common here. Makes me miss my family!
Neither Jesus or Crista speak English, and I speak no Spanish - so lunch with just the three of us is a bit awkward. But we do our best to communicate via sign language and my Spanish American dictionary.
Still - the acceptance and love these two people show towards me, towards each other, towards all that enter their home - it warms my heart in a way I can’t explain.
Their daughter, Stephanie comes homes (which is also my name and also Stephanie’s daughter’s name - so three Stephanie’s are in the house!). She is sweet and bubbly and immediately makes me feel safe and accepted.
Later Kyra comes to pick me up, then we pick up Ana. We go downtown Escazu where a very important meeting is being held. All the townspeople are getting together to discuss opinions on what to do about zoning laws for the very sacred mountains of Escazu (where the family I am staying with live).
Although I do not understand Spanish, I can easily see the passionate views of everyone speaking. We stay for an hour and Ana translates for me.
Kyra speaks too. She explains how tourism is inevitable - but if they do not control it, it will control all who live in the mountains. She explains how programs, such as the one I am traveling with, allow tourists to come see the land and understand the culture, without driving out the ones who live there.
We do not need to tear down what is here and build big resorts, she says. We need to invite people to come live with our people, have dinner at our tables, to understand and see how we love and depend on this land. I agree with her. And yet I wonder if this can be accomplished when 100’s and 1000’s want to come - and not just one.
The rich people spoke about how they purchased their land and they should get to build what they want. Of course, they are only thinking about themselves, and not what is best for the mountains or the people who have lived there for generations.
The people who have lived on this land, for generations spoke - of their concern for the safety of the mountain. How it is still growing, and by building on it and destroying it’s natural process - both the water supply and the mountain itself, could be destroyed forever.
But they also shared that they would like to build homes on the property of their parents. Like their parents did. And their parents before them. But they can not build because of the new building restrictions.
I think of the family I am staying with. How wonderful that the grandparents, parents, and children all live together on one property.
I see there is no easy answer.
But I do have to go back to something Kyra brought up - by allowing other cultures to travel this way - not in some big resort with a swimming pool and tennis courts, that could be built anywhere, but traveling into the homes, the lives, the supper tables, the work places, and the hearts of another culture… I learn to care and understand about this place in a way I never would have by reading about it in a newspaper.
I don’t know if there is any answer for these wonderful people, and I doubt there’s anything that I alone could do - but if there is anything I could give, any way I could help - I know I will.
They are kind, loving, and accepting - hard working and passionate.
I feel this week will be teaching my many things.
Monday, May 15
Today we made signs at CODECE. This morning, Crista made a wonderful breakfast of black beans and white rice and scrambled eggs. And delicious coffee.
For lunch, we went to Maria’s house (she lives right next door to CODECE). We had an amazing lunch of squash soup (sounds weird, but it was delicious), beans and rice, and potato something that was amazing.
Dinner was - you guessed it - rice and beans, and fried ‘carne’ patties that were YUMMY!
These people know how to eat! They are so wonderfully sweet to me.
Tonight Warner (the only son, and the only one who speaks English in the house), and I talked for a very long time. He is a very nice guy.
The house is so small, you can hear everyone - where they are, what they are doing. The family is all very aware of what everyone is doing all the time.
This is such a good thing though. Tonight, we all sat in the kitchen, where Crista, the mom, and Nadien, the eldest daughter, where cooking dinner. We all sat in the kitchen with them and talked and laughed. We all ate together. We all sat around the table afterwards.
Oh yea, the electricity was out tonight, so it was fun.
So different than American families, who all have such separate lives - usually eating dinner in front of the TV, the kids running off as soon as they are finished to play video games.
Still I am not used to not having privacy. It is uncomfortable for me, to have someone around me, aware of what I am doing, all the time. Also makes it hard to poop!
I am counting down the days…
Still, I know, when I get home, in the comfort of my own bed, and my own life - I will remember this wonderful family.
And hope and pray that I can someday be a part of something so beautiful.
Tuesday, May 18
Woke up at 6:20 am for 7am pick up by Antonio. I like Antonio, he is Romano’s son, he has dread locks, very laid back, and very kind.
He came over and we put up the sign we had made yesterday in front of the house I was staying at, ‘We want green mountains, no gray ones.’ Jesus helped and Warner and the whole family came out to cheer us on - Stephanie, Stephanie Jr, Maria, Nadian, and Crista. We got the sign up (well, Antonio and Jesus did), and we all cheered.
We took a taxi to the church at San Antonio - then walked up the very, very steep mountain to Farmer Nino’s organic farm.
Had a GREAT morning with Farmer Nino. I felt very awkward at first but he made me feel fine.
Antonio did a great job of translating as Nino speaks no English and I speak no Spanish.
Nino has a beautiful farm right behind his house. He has an amazing view of the entire city of San Antonio, Escazu, and San Jose.
We started working right away - planting onion bulbs. Then we made rows with the hoe and planted more. Then we walked all through his farm and he pointed out all his vegetables and fruits and explained how he does his organic farming.He saves much money by not buying pesticides and fertilizer. But what is saved by money is made up by lots and lots of LABOR.
He explained how he makes fertilizer - with chicken poop! (which is the only thing he has to buy)
The natural fertilizer is quite a process - there are two kinds…
1. The first kind - He makes lots of and is not so potent - in a small three sided hut - he mixes chicken poop and compost. The compost is pretty much everything natural on the farm, including chicken egg shells - which is an important part. It sits for three months and then it is ready.
2. The second kind of natural fertilizer - is VERY potent but more labor intensive. It is made with chicken poop and egg shells and only select compost. It is covered with plastic but not in the hut. It is covered with plastic which makes heat and causes the process. It has to be turned every 3 to 4 days for 3 months. It is dark black in color and when you touch it inside it is hot!
The funny thing is, the fertilizer does not smell, even though it is made from chicken poop.
Our second project consisted of fertilizing rows of growing lettuce. The natural fertilizer can’t just be thrown on top of the plants, Nino says we have to ‘help’ the plants along. We dig small holes beside each lettuce plant and pack in the natural fertilizer / compost.
It was truly fascinating learning about organic farming from Nino. This man is truly a great person to meet - rich in tradition yet very progressive in thought.
He believes in organic farming and is very proud. He also explains that the whole family must also support this effort.
We then had lunch with him and his wife and granddaughter. He told us more about organic farming and about the organizations and groups that support it. He often attends seminars and meetings with other organic farmers around San Jose.
I really liked meeting Farmer Nino!
Then we walked back to CODECE - in the pouring rain (luckily Farmer Nino let us borrow two umbrellas). Ana was there and Ana, Antonio, and I went off to the recycling center in a taxi.
The recycling center was good - I did find out it was started by a group of abused women. I think it is wonderful that the town of San Antonio recycles - I wish more US cities would.
We spent three hours going through newspapers and pulling out the ‘propaganda’ (ads), that cannot be recycled.
Antonio picked us up at 5pm and we went back to our families’ houses.
We had to go back to CODECE at 8pm to listen to guitar. But Crista (mom) and Nadien (sister) and I went via taxi. But we had a great time! ALL the CODECE group came - Carlos played traditional Costa Rican songs on guitar and sang.
Antonio’s brother also brought his guitar but he only knew modern rock songs, so he only played two songs.
Antonio’s mother, Julia, played some songs and she played and sang really well.
I especially liked when Carlos and Julia played and sang together.
Wednesday, May 19
Today has been a good day!
This morning Warner and I picked up Ana at 7am. I, of course, did not wake up early enough to have breakfast with the family so Crista, the mother, had to keep my food warm for me - and with no microwave, I know it’s difficult for her. Anyway, for breakfast she gave me four pieces of toast with butter, a biscuit, and a cracker biscuit - lots of carbs in this country!
So Warner and I picked up Ana in a taxi and then caught a bus from San Antonio to San Jose and then caught a bus from San Jose, two hours to Pau - a volcano / natural park. It was very beautiful, but it rained the whole time, so we ended up spending most of the time waiting at the café for the bus.
We went back to San Jose and went to the market, which was nice. But I did not want to buy things because it was awkward to spend money, when living with a family that has so little. I did not want to come in with bags of things.
We walked Ana home and then had dinner - black beans and rice, and mashed potatoes - can you believe it?
Warner hooked up his camera to the TV and we all looked at the photos he took.
Friday, May 21
Today we woke up early to hike up the mountain and clear up any trash for the run that is happening in two weeks, through the trails of the mountain. Unfortunately, it has been raining all night and it is still raining so we cannot hike the mountain.
Clara, Warner, and I sat around the table, waiting to see if the rain will stop (which it does not). Clara is from France and is spending 6 months volunteering at CODECE. We have very, very interesting talk about world history and politics. It is always interesting to hear what people from other countries know about American history and politics, often very different from what we learn in school.
Tonight is “International Dinner”. Ana and I are going to cook dinner, with two women from the town, for everyone that we have met this week. We are cooking at the CODECE headquarters. We have a wonderful time with Flo and Gladys. We cook Costa Rican dinner and American dessert (bananas foster). Ana and I make Pina Coladas with real pineapple!
Flo and Gladys teach us to cook many Costa Rican dishes, including tortillas. We dance and sing while we cook. We cook mashed potatoes (for 15 people) and mash the potatoes with a fork! (they do not have a potato masher).
Everyone arrives and before we eat, I make a speech (which Antonio translates) - thanking everyone for such a wonderful trip. Then Warner speaks (on behalf of his family), saying how wonderful the visit was. I feel warm and fuzzy inside and so, so happy to have made this visit (and to be coming home).