Spiders in Costa Rica: Day 3
10/17/2023 | General, Women's Lacrosse, Academic Services, Spider Leadership, Spider Performance
Buenos Dias Spiders,
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To start our day, we had breakfast at our hotel in Talamanca, Costa Rica. Then, we departed to the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve, about 20 minutes away, for an informational and immersive hiking experience to learn about the Bri Bri culture and their conservation projects. On the way there, our guide, José, told us about the current controversy involving the Kekoldi and their stolen land. Initially, they owned all the land on the reservation, but over time, people began to move onto the reservation and take their land. Since the Kekoldi are such a small population and relatively spread out, it is difficult for them to oversee who moves onto the reservation. Immediately, I reflected on how similar the problem is to Indigenous people of the United States.
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Upon arrival to the reservation entrance, we met our excellent guide, Alex, a descendant of the Kekoldi; his mother was Bribri, and his father was Cavecha. He lives on the reserve with fellow Kekoldi descendants. After some introductions, we began our long trek towards the Scientific Research Tower which was centered in the rainforest. On the way there, we encountered tropical animals such as the Owl-Eyed Butterfly, Poisonous Dart Frog, and Toucan. It was amazing to experience these animals and the tropical environment in a way we can fully appreciate. Alex informed us that the tower on the reserve is used as a research center for birdwatching. Researchers come during certain parts of the year when different bird species are in the area to learn more about them. After a short respite while learning about a variety of projects, we continued along the trail deep into the rainforest. After following the countless trails and streams, we eventually made it to a waterfall, with a pool of water where we could swim and cool off before heading back. Swimming in the waterfall was a surreal experience with the refreshing water, friendly fish, and company of friends. Something about being in the water and seeing the grand waterfall made us feel so small in the best way possible.
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With fresh legs, we prepared for our return journey back through the rainforest. Alex was an amazing guide, as he knows the trail system within the reservation like the back of his hand. Once we hiked back from the waterfall, we stopped at the main headquarters for a traditional indigenous lunch. Their hospitality and friendliness were there from the beginning but were further emphasized at lunch. Here, we were greeted with a delicious meal consisting of chicken, boiled bananas, cassava, and water squash. It was served on a banana leaf to be more sustainable and with their version of hot chocolate. On the bus, we reflected on the experience and how fortunate we are in various ways. The first is that many do not have the opportunity to explore the reserve and witness the way of life of the Kekoldi. The second is the sheer fact that many of the indigenous live without modes of transportation or implementation of modern ways of life that make it more convenient for us. At school and home, we never have to worry about getting around because we have several modes of transportation. The Kekoldi, on the other hand, do not have the luxury of having access to multiple forms of transportation. Instead, they must walk hundreds of miles to run errands and other simple tasks due to their dedication to the land and nature. This reflection forced us to think outside of ourselves and about how we have much to be grateful for. We must not take for granted the natural resources available to us and learn to be more sustainable while protecting our local and global communities.
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After our time at the reserve, we returned back to our hotel for some rest and relaxation and an evening at the beach. The water was clear, the sand was soft and the sun was high. Some of us couldn't believe how warm the water was, and it felt great after the morning's hike. We swam and just really enjoyed being present in the moment with the people we have experienced this all with. Never have some of us spent so much time in the water, but being with this special group of people made staying in the water the obvious choice. Here at the beach was another reflection point in which I thought to myself how fortunate we are to experience the world in this way and how special the bonds we have created on this trip are. We are thankful for grateful for this opportunity.
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Pura Vida!
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Hannah Custer and Maddy Sesay
Women's Lacrosse
