Dredging Project Controversy

In the recent article, "Pastora: Dredging project a done deal" Adam Williams reports on an interview conducted by The Tico Times with former Sandinista fighter Edén Pastora and his controversial project of dredging the San Juan River. The river runs along the Nicaraguan and Costa Rican border and Nicaragua is in favor of the project which will make the river easier to navigate, hopefully increasing tourism, while Costa Rica opposes the project.

This article doesn't provide Costa Rica's opposing argument, but it appears that they may be in opposition to the destruction of more forest, and the fear of encroachment onto their territory. It is interesting that Pastora's response to their opposition is as follows: "What are 172 trees cut down in comparison to millions and millions of trees that Costa Ricans have cut down along the river? They are the ones that have done ecological damage for years. For decades." Is it really a justification to destroy forest because someone else has destroyed much more?

I think Nicaragua sees the prosperity that Costa Rica has experienced due to its booming tourism industry and wants to see the same results in its own country. In a related article "Could the dredging project bring more tourism to Costa Rica?" Williams reports that "in southeast Nicaragua, a sign in front of the mayor’s office boasts: “With the arrival of tourism, poverty recedes.” It is clear that Nicaragua is looking to be as successful as Costa Rica has been economically, but Costa Rica realizes the environmental consequences of their economic success.

El día de las culturas

In the U.S. our calenders have a day marked Columbus day and during Thanksgiving the schools present our youth a picture of friendship between the Pilgrims and Indians. In Costa Rica they celebrate a day, formally called El día de la raza, "Day of the People," and now renamed El día de las culturas, "Day of the Cultures," in remembrance of Christopher Columbus's arrival near Limón on October 18, 1502.

The change of name for the celebration is due to disparate feelings amongst the people towards Columbus. Rather than, as in the U.S., forcing a holiday on its people that is received with disparity (and frankly rather overlooked by many Americans), Costa Rica has uncovered a universal likeness for the occasion of the merging of the cultures.

The Costa Rican government models the effectiveness of flexibility in their policies beyond holidays and to more serious issues such as conservation, health care, and education. It is important as a people to be able to change policies that have promise for better outcomes. Celebrating the "Day of the Cultures" allows Costa Ricans to celebrate the ultimate result of Columbus's "discovery" rather than simply a victory for Europeans.

Banana Plantations

There is an increased awareness of the environmental effects of pesticides and fertilizers these days, yet we feel so far removed from these effects. I went to the supermarket earlier this afternoon and bought a little bunch of cute red bananas imported from Costa Rica for my kids to dote over... I'm destroying the Cahuita coral reef!!!


The massive deforestation to construct banana plantations has caused erosion, leaving unwanted soil sediments to negatively effect the reef.



Although I think that it would not be bad to indulge in bananas every once in awhile, I will definitely pay the extra few cents and get organic to eliminate the demand of buying products that were produced using pesticides. Moreover, I still stand by the local farmer's market to obtain local fresh fruits and vegetables (winter months are abundant with Michigan apples around the Midwest).



Note: See the blue bag in the picture... These are used to protect the bananas from the sunlight. At one point, they were being thrown into waterways and later dispensed into the ocean until environmental groups threatened banana boycotts, resulting in the construction of a recycling plant for plastic bags.

Weather in Nicoya

This is where we will be spending the majority of our time in Costa Rica and where are host families live. The weather is even nicer in Nicoya than in the capital San Jose reaching the 90's most days.

Día de la amistad

Costa Ricans celebrate Valentine's Day too!

7th Annual Poetry Festival

In Janice Gallagher's article "Granada Gossip" on The Tico Times newspaper website, she highlights Costa Rican community events:

"Granada is getting prepared for the 7th Annual Poetry Festival which brings in poets from all around the world. The festival begins on Feb. 13 with events and poetry readings planned throughout the week. Don’t miss out on the burial of “Miseries and Poverty of the Soul,” a cultural, folkloric parade and “funeral procession” that will fill the streets of Granada the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 16."

It appears that events like these have boosted the tourism in the area alongside the eco-tourism.

Poaching in Peninsula de Osa

It appears that even in peaceful Costa Rica poaching is an issue. In The Tico Times article "Memorial held for Canadian woman slain in Costa Rica" David Boddige reports that Canadian Kimberly Blackwell appears to have been beaten and killed by poachers whom she has continuously confronted about their illegal hunting on the nearby reserve.