Visiting Alto Katsi
 
Alto Katsi is a small, remote community in the mountains of Talamanca, Costa Rica.  There are about 16 houses and approximately 80 people.  I had the pleasure and priveledge of visiting this community with another volunteer, Chiara Nardi, during the early part of May. 
 
The purpose for the trip was to disperse medicines and vitamins to animals. I had been given a donation by family friends to spend during my internship here and chose to spend part towards animals after speaking with a few people here about how it could best be used.  In communities such as Alto Katsi, where people and their animals live in close proximity, animal health is important.  Healthy animals mean healthy people.
 
So, the supplies were collected at the vetrinarian in Bribri, our bags were packed and off we went…let the adventure begin!
 
Life in Alto Katsi
 
Disclaimer:  It has been a challenge to write this part of my experience because life in Alto Katsi is another reality. I have grown up in one reality and one way of living on the planet. Alto Katsi is a different way of living in this world, going through daily life, experiencing nature. It is not fair to say one way is better than the other or place judgement.  So please read the following, knowing that is written through my lens and perspective on the world and I hope I can do some justice to what was an amazing experience.

Life in Alto Katsi is peaceful, beautiful, serene and surrounded by nature.  It is a hard life for residents as there is not consistent work for those who live there.  Most work daily is a matter of survival:  on their farms producing and cultivating for their own consumption.  Harvest is not a source of earnings and savings, for most it is the source of food.  In these times of food security issues, perhaps this kind of knowledge and production is some of the most sound.  What is poverty?  Who defines development?
 
There is no electricity and no running water.  As someone who has grown up in North American culture, with running water and electricity, I first assumed this would be a priority need for people.  Not so.  Living without electricity means there is a peace that comes from not having neighbors blaring music or televisions.  The people I did speak with who have experienced how life is with electricity said they preferred living without electricty. 
 
I found the evenings, after the sun went down and the rooms were lit with lamps and candles, became a sacred time of day for me.  People speaking quietly in Bribri in the room above where we had set up our tents, watching fireflies outside, or learning new words in Bribri.  Everyone went to sleep early, everyone woke up early.  Chiara’s best friend was the family rooster, who was very punctual each morning at 3:00amJ.
 
The source of water for everyone is the river.  The river is to bathe, to drink, to fish, to wash dishes, to wash clothes,….From what I could tell, most houses are located very near the river, perhaps a five minute walk.  On a particularly rainy, muddy day I was feeling grateful that the non-running water situation was temporary.  However, that said, the novelty of this beautiful river did not wear off during my four days there.  Beyond the novelty, however, are people who live here daily and it is not a temporary situation.  It is one full of economic, educational, nutritional challenges as well as limited access to basic needs.
 
 
The Balsa
 
Everyday is an adventure in Alto Katsi…crossing rivers on foot and on horseback, watching with great amusement and pigs, goats and cows were being chased and lasooed to receive their injections, battling mosquitoes, navigating muddy paths, bathing in the river, the kindness and generosity of the people we shared with and last, but certainly not lease the grand finale:  the balsa.
 
How would we get back to Bambu?  Horse?  Bus?  Hmmmm….  Justo told us on Saturday that we would get back by “Balsa” on the river.  I did not know what a Balsa was, but I understood via river so I assumed boat.  Then later on Saturday Justo told us that he and Diego would get up early on Sunday to make the Balsa and that we would leave together after that. 
 
         **Rebecca is thinking “MAKE the Balsa??!!  Ok, what is a Balsa?”
 
Think Huck Finn. Think six Balsa logs tied together with rope. Approaching the river and seeing the Balsa, my first thought was fear.  What the hell were we in for? 
 
Then the fear subsided as I saw the expertly crafted basic transport, the knots, the design and built by people who know the river as well as I know my childhood streets and roads.  Not only that, but a bench had been crafted and tied together for Chiara and I to sit on so we didn’t get wet.  I felt peace as we launched off and was very touched by the thoughtfulness, care and time that was put into this. The ride back to Bambu lasted a little under two hours and it was beautiful.  When we reached the riverbank at Bambu, the knots were untied, the logs were set loose and all that remained of the beautiful Balsa was the rope - to be saved for another use and another day.  There is a lot of wisdom, knowledge and expertise here when it comes to living with nature.
 
I feel most grateful for this four days. Much love and thanks to Diego, Justo, Marina and their family for being such kind and thoughtful hosts, and to Chiara who was a great traveller to share this intense experience with.

Rebecca Uncles, intern for Tropical Adventures

I arrived in February, not really knowing what to expect. I was going to do my marketing internship in Costa Rica for a volunteer organization. I knew where Costa Rica was, that Tropical Adventures a non-profit volunteer organization was and that Manuel not only the driver was who was going to meet me at the airport but also a beach.

So without to many expectations I arrived at the airport in San Jose. Manuel was waiting for me outside together with Susan, the tour coordinator for Tropical Adventures. They were going to take me and my “heavy” labeled luggage to Paraiso. On our way down to Paraiso Susan and Manuel told me all about Costa Rica. Susan kept saying that we were going to the coldest part of Costa Rica, where the weather was really bad and that I just had to follow a big grey cloud if I ever got lost. The only thing I thought was: “I’ll be fine I’m from Holland, no way the weather in Cartago is worse”. Well I have to say I’m really happy I brought some warm clothes with me to “Tropical” Costa Rica.

After a while we arrived in La Castilla, Parasio. The place where I was going to be staying for the next 5 months. After a warm welcome from Scott (Executive Director) and Isaac (Director), I went to bed. Totally overwhelmed by my first two hours in Costa Rica.

 I had to get up very early the next day, as we were going to Arenal for the weekend. It was Scott, Susan, Ray (Operations Manager) and me. On our way to Arenal we stopped to have breakfast, my first time “out” in Costa Rica was breakfast at McDonalds. We had a great weekend. We saw amazing hotels, we visited our projects in Arenal and the Wildlife Rescue center, near Arenal, we laid in Jacuzzi’s and I got to meet a lot of people. Only one disappointment, we didn’t see the Volcano. Not even once! It’s suppose to be one of the most amazing things to see in Costa Rica and in 3 days the only thing I got to see were clouds. A good laugh for my colleagues and I still have to go back to see it. Of course I can use this as an excuse to come back to Costa Rica.

So that’s how my adventure with Tropical Adventures started. A great and unforgettable adventure. It wasn’t hard to adjust to the “Pura Vida” and “Manana, Manana” culture. The Tico’s (Costa Ricans) are the most welcoming people I’ve ever met. “Mi casa es su casa” is a fact in Costa Rica. Big hugs and kisses when you meet someone, always a helping hand when you get lost or need help and everybody always greets you.

My work for Tropical Adventures was also an adventure. Being a marketing coordinator for a non-profit is not easy, but very interesting and I think the best way to learn to understand what marketing really is about. No big budget, just a good story.

I don’t think it’s possible for every non-profit to be able to get that far without a big budget. But I think that that’s it; Tropical Adventures is not just a non-profit, not just a volunteer organization or a tour company. It took me only a few days to see it; they are different. Scott and Isaac are the founders of this organization and it won’t take you long to realize that their hearts are in this organization. I’ve never met such hard workers. Everything they do, 24/7 has to do with Tropical Adventures.

After my first trip to the projects in Puerto Viejo and Bambu I really got to see what they are doing. It’s amazing to see what a big difference they have made in the last few years, but there is still so much more they want to do, to help out. The people are so thankful for everything Tropical Adventures is doing for them and they are so happy to see them. That’s when I realized: Wow they are doing a great job and I can be a part of it for a few months.

Before working for Tropical Adventures I always wanted to volunteer, but I never really go the idea of paying for it. Why spend so much money, when you just want to help. There is actually a pretty simple explanation, well for Tropical Adventures there is. How can you help people when you don’t have the resources to do it? How can you take care of volunteers when you don’t have the money to do that? How can you make sure everything is taken care of and volunteers have an amazing and unforgettable experience, without money? What can you do when a volunteer gets sick or something happens and you don’t have money? How can you make sure there is always someone around to take care of the volunteers, when you don’t have money to pay them? But the most important thing: How can you make a difference in so many lifes, without money?

Without all the volunteers and the money they paid to volunteer, Tropical Adventures wouldn’t have made such a big difference. It’s really simple; money is needed if you want to make a difference and have an amazing experience at the same time.

Having been a part of the “Tropical Adventures Team” was an amazing, unforgettable and great experience. They offer a wide range of internship positions in different parts of the country and I would suggest it to anyone who wants to have an instructive and at the same time an unforgettable internship. I will never forget it and I am sure I am coming back to Costa Rica, the country you’ll fall in love within no time. The people, the culture, the nature but most of all Tropical Adventures and its amazing people are reason enough for me to come back to Costa Rica.

Thank you all for making this experience such a great one for me! I will miss you all and never forget you!!!

Pura Vida!

Lisette

Every year a Cultural market is held in Suretka de Talamanca, near Bambu. This year the market will take place on July 3th, 4th and 5th. It will feature indigenous arts, typical food, drinks, music and dancing. This will all take place on the river banks of Suretka.

 

The Farmer’s market in Bambu will have a stall set up featuring a sampling of products that will be sold at the market in Bambu once it’s open.

This new story is about a few days I spent in Camaronal, supervising and participating in the Sea Turtle Project in the northern part of Costa Rica, on the Pacific coast in Guanacaste. If you feel like you need a new experience, or if you just think that you are not involved enough in daily life, well this adventure is made for you.

My first day, I was a bit overwhelmed and uncomfortable, I didn’t know anybody from the center, they were all speaking in Spanish with a beautiful but strong Costa Rican accent. Then, I found out about the place and I saw that we had just the necessities to live, a kitchen, a bathroom and a couple of tables! No Internet, no phones, a TV but which didn’t really work actually! It can be frustrating for some people but don’t worry, the time goes even faster in this place and it is the best way for you to understand how some people live, and you will love it! I guarantee you , there is no way you can be bored in this area, located between two steep rocks, the beach is just amazing. And this is where you are going to spend a great time looking for sea turtles, caring for their  eggs and relaxing, once in a while.

When you are not on the beach, Herman or Ricardo, in charge of your program in Camaronal, will suggest  some activities for you. For example, you could be sent to plant trees or catch Herman’s horses which escape every night! Another activity, really interesting even if hard physically, is the building of a trail through the jungle. You will feel like an new Indiana Jones but at the service of the environment and the nature! If you like adventures, you can even find some nice trails, especially one which follows the river, on the edge of the jungle, with beautiful birds and other animals, you will find the where the river and the ocean meet, take a breath, relax for a while, sit still and enjoy the sunset!

There are not only nature activities. If you are more interested in cultural aspects of Camaronal life, you will love the children from Camaronal School, and you can be sure they will love you back. Very smart kids, Susan, Felipe or any other children catch everything you .say and, in a laugh, leave you with an unforgettable time! I came back from Camaronal happier than ever. I was marveled by the place, the people and my time spent there. It is such a peaceful and calm beach, I will never forget it.

I come from Paris, in France, I have never thought of myself as anything special, but, after this experience, I feel like a new man, full of great memories forever.

More information about this project, click here!

Romain, lucky Marketing Intern for Tropical Adventures

    Just arrived from an impersonal and industrialized European country, my apprehension concerning Costa Rica was all about animals biting me or about my Spanish, so hard to understand for local people. I could not imagine how far I was from the truth… Actually, just a couple of days have been enough for me to consider things differently. Of course, I haven’t yet met any scary snakes or spiders bigger than my hand, but I’m not afraid any more. Do you know why? Because this country gives you confidence. Because people here give you faith in what you can accomplish. Because nature here gives you a reason to fight. All my apprehension and my fears completely disappeared after a few steps into this culture, this lifestyle.

    When you first arrive in a country you have never been before, you wonder how people are going to welcome you. You hope you won’t hurt any tradition or any habit they have.

Ticos are wonderful for helping you deal with that. I spent my first night in a hostel in San José, close to the Costa Rican University and I had really no idea about where I was. I didn’t even need to ask. People just helped me out. While I was waiting for a bus which didn’t want to come, a boy just dropped me to place I wanted to go. I didn’t even need to ask. The day after, I wanted to have lunch in a typical local restaurant while avoiding the pest Mc Donald’s and I found in San Pedro what I was looking for. Inside the restaurant, all the meals names looked the same to me, and a man came to me (I obviously looked as a tourist!) and told me, have a “casado”. I didn’t even need to ask. I don’t know how people here can anticipate all your needs, but as long as it is possible for them, they will give you everything. I guarantee you, you won’t have to ask!

    The name Costa Rica sounds good to your ears. When you hear it, you think about a heaven, beaches made of the most beautiful sand ever, and wonderful landscapes, taken from a movie. This is actually not imagination. The sight will take your breath away, no matter where you are in the country, you will have a pleasant view. The night I arrived, I was skeptical. I thought: “Ok, it is the night, but still, I’ve been told so much about all the mountains and the landscapes, where the hell are they!!” The morning after, I just shut up. I couldn’t speak anyway. The day after, I had a walk through the rainforest and I saw all the prosperity of Costa Rica.

    What I’m talking about here, it is love at first sight. No matter what you thought before coming here, you are going to love it even more. This is the point of no return: you cannot get over Costa Rica!

Romain, new Marketing Intern for Tropical Adventures

Catholicism is the main religion in Costa Rica and this is reflected in all the different festivals that are held year-round across Costa Rica. There are so many festivals in Costa Rica that no matter when you come here, there will almost certainly be a festival going on at that moment. These festivals are a great opportunity to make new friends and learn the local traditions. We have listed the biggest, most important festivals for you:

January                                                                                                    

New Year’s day – Zapote, San Jose
Fireworks light up the city of San Jose. There are street parties with music, dancing and food in Zapote, downtown San Jose.

Palmares Fiestas – Palmares
First two weeks of January. Two weeks of concerts, dancing, bullfighting, carnival and local food.

Santa Cruz Fiestas, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste
This religious festival takes also place in the week of January 15th, for the same reason as the Alajuelita fiestas. A festival featuring folk dance, marimba music and bullfights.

Copa del Café – San Jose
The Copa Del Café is a week long tennis tournament Mid-January hosted at the Costa Rica country Club.

February

Fiesta de los Diablitos – Rey Curre, Boruca
In late February. A reenactment of the rights between the Spanish and the Indigenous take place. The indigenous are represented by the Diablitos (devils) and the Spanish by a bull.

Puntarenas Carnival – Puntarenas
A week long celebration with music, dancing, exhibitions, food and beer.        

March

Bonanza cattle show – San Jose
In the first week of march, there is a cattle show with bullfights, rodeos and horse races.

Dia de los Boyeros – San Antonio de Escazu
The second Sunday of March is Dia de los Boyeros in San Antonio de Escazu. A colorful celebration with traditional parades of oxcarts and blessings of the animals by local priests.

National orchid show – San Jose
Mid-March is the national orchid show in San Jose, featuring over 300 species of orchids. This weekend-long annual show attracts growers worldwide.

April

Semana Santa (holy week) – country wide
Huge processions in all parts of the country are held during Easter week. Costa Ricans take their Holy Week seriously, but not always religiously. All hotels are booked and most Costa Ricans go to the beach with their families.

Juan Santamaria Day – country wide
The 11th of April is Juan Santamaria day. Parades, music and dancing to honor the nation’s hero, Juan Santamaria, who helped Costa Rica defeat William Walker and the invading Filibusters.

May

Día de los Trabajadores – country wide
May 1st is Labor Day. Parades, marches and the Presidential “state of union” address to congress and the people.

June

Dia de San Pedro y San Pablo – Country wide
June 29th is Dia San Pedro y San Pablo. A Religious celebration to honor the Catholic saints Paul and Peter with processions and masses.

July

Fiesta de La Virgen del Mar – Puntarenas
On the Saturday closest to July 16th. This fiesta of the virgin of the sea takes place in Puntarenas. This day is celebrated with a procession of decorated fishing boats carrying a statue of La virgin del Monte Carmelo.

Dia de Guanacaste – country wide
July 25th is the day when Costa Rica celebrates Guanacaste day. They celebrate the annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua in 1824. This day is celebrated with fiestas, folk dances, topes, cattle shows, bullfights and concerts.

August

Virgen de los Angeles – country wide
August 2nd the largest religious holiday takes place in Costa Rica. On this day Costa Rica honors the patron saint of Costa Rica, La Negrita. Pilgrims come form all over the country, many on foot, to celebrate the mass in La Basilica de los Angeles in Cartago.

Día de la Madre – country wide
Mother’s day is a national bank, school and business holiday in Costa Rica.

September

Dia de La Independencia – country wide
September 15th is Independence Day. On this day in 1821 Costa Rica and the rest of Central America gained independence from Spain. The nationwide celebration starts with parades, traditional dancers and street parties. The day ends with the delivery of the Freedom Torch that’s brought from Nicaragua to Cartago. This is when everyone in the country stops and simultaneously sings the national anthem.

October

San Isidro del General – San Isidro, San Jose
On October 9th the celebration of the anniversary of San Isidro’s founding takes place is San Isidro, San Jose. This anniversary is celebrated with street fairs, fiestas, dancing and sporting events.

Dia de la Raza – Limon
This celebration of Columbus' arrival in the new world starts on the twelfth of October (Columbus day). It is celebrated with week long street dances, parades, and popular carnivals with loud Caribbean rhythms, rum and dancing.

November                                                                                           

Dia de los Difuntos – Country wide
November 2nd is All Soul’s Day in Costa Rica. Day of the dead has people paying their respect to lost loved ones.

Coffee picking contest – Central Valey
In mid-November local communities in the Central Valley have coffee picking contests, accompanied with music and dancing.

El Desfile de Carretas – San Jose
In late November one of the largest parades of Oxcart drivers takes place in San Jose. This celebration honors Costa Rica’s oxcart and agricultural traditions.

December

Festival de la Luz – San Jose
The first week of December is a week long festival with lights, lights and lights. Fireworks, lightning displays and live concerts are some of the ways this week is celebrated.

Fiesta de los Negritos – Boruca
In the week of December 8th, La fiesta de Los Negritos is held in the Indian village of Boruca. This fiesta is a festive combination of traditional indigenous celebrations and catholic rituals.

Fiesta de la Yeguita – Nicoya
December 12th. Parades, bullfights, fireworks, concerts, dancing and food to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe.

El Tope – San Jose
December 26th a horse parade is held in downtown San Jose. The famous horse parade strolls through the center of San Jose.

San Jose Carnival – San Jose
December 27th a carnival in San Jose with floats, music and a big parade.

As you can see there are a lot of Festivals and Carnivals in Costa Rica and there are a lot more. For a complete list with all the festivals and other events you can click here.