Tuesday 03. of February 2009

By: goat

A week back on the Nicoya, and any doubts I may have had have evaporated quicker that the dew in the morning. Not that there is a lot as it is roughly 30 degrees almost all of the time. The beauty of the Nicoya is hard to believe without experiencing, but it is the people that take an amazing region and makes it that much more special.

In the three months I’ve been away, I’d forgotten one of the things I like the most about the peninsula – the fact everybody waves, says hello and is generally friendly. That is everyone, from the locals on the street to the not so local with surfboards and SUV’s. It is really something to experience.

But that is not where the stoke starts or finishes. In fact, that is only where it starts. On Friday night we held our first informal meeting/BBQ with a group of the locals who are already involved in several different projects, some eco based, some social based, some arts based, some ocean based – and all extremely motivated to see something happen in and for the region.

While short term visitors enjoy the beauty of the beach, surf and surrounding jungles, there is a lot happening behind the scenes – not all of it good. Continued development, a lot of it uncontrolled and under the radar. Water, a pending problem world wide, is approaching fast in this part of the globe where uncontrolled development and excessive modern needs threaten above and below ground water flows. The amount of plastic washed up on the otherwise pristine palm lined shores should make us humans blush with shame. And the very animals that make this region unique are pushed back further each year as development cuts their travel routes and domestic animals make their presence felt. All is not perfect in paradise... It is important to comprehend.

 
But if there are problems, there is no shortage of people with energy, motivation and a desire to make a difference.  In the process of that one meeting the rough schedule started to take shape. The all but finished schedule will be released on Friday. All but finished because everyday, something new, strong and must do lands in our field of vision.

Life is an amazing place.

Pura Vida