When originally signing up for this trip, Dr. Libby described it as challenging yet rewarding, and he’s been completely right. My goal for this trip is to try new things because it is my first time in a new country and I want to get the full experience. When entering La Selva, I realized that I was legitimately staying in the forest. It was the first time in my life that I was sleeping with the bugs, and with windows that had no glass, only screens. I would have literally done anything to leave after having to cross a bridge in the near dark and seeing our rooms the first night. I thought I was going to die from some animal attack or the heat. The first hike was when I realized I actually loved the forest, and all of the diversity it had to offer. We saw colorful toucans, sloths, leaf cutter ants, bats, and monkeys. It was one thing to learn about monkeys in anthropology class, but seeing them in action was a truly amazing experience, and seeing cute little white bats sleeping under leaves was not anything that I ever thought I would get to experience in my life. The hikes have continued to spur my excitement about all of the biodiversity that Costa Rica has to offer. For example, the bird hike gave me a greater appreciation for the many different species, colors, and sizes of birds that call the jungle home. The night hike was honestly terrifying to me at first, and not because of the snakes which I actually enjoy seeing, but because of the bugs. The bullet ants honestly terrify me, and the giant spiders make my skin crawl, but this trip has built my understanding of their importance in the ecosystem and why it is important to research and protect them. My favorite hike so far has been with Dr. Libby, Eric, and some of my other classmates. It was my first time going off one of the main trails and seeing capuchin monkeys, which have grown to be my favorite species. We also had an insightful conversation about psychedelics and their future in medicine. Through these hikes I was slowly getting used to the sticky, sweaty mess that I would be for the foreseeable future.
In the spirit of trying new things, I played soccer with some of the La Selva regulars, my professors, and some of my fellow classmates. Dr. Libby and Dr. Wasserman really surprised me and were honestly great at soccer. I had an amazing time, and scored three goals despite it being my first time playing. That was my first experience being active in such high humidity and heat and it was honestly brutal, but has been one of my favorite experiences so far. Playing sports was a gateway for meeting new friends here, like Sari, who is very kind and showed us how to have fun while in the jungle, and Lizzy who is outgoing and chill. The people here have been so wonderful, and the little bit of culture that I have experienced so far has been insightful. The food here has also been amazing, and although I was a little skeptical about eating beans and rice for breakfast, it has slowly grown on me and I look forward to trying all of the new foods that they offer at every meal.
Coupling HUBI-200 with this trip has been so eye-opening and takes something that I learned on paper and makes it real. The professors have now discussed their research interests, like phytoestrogens for Dr. Wasserman and globalization for Dr. Libby, and I love seeing them in their natural habitat and teaching about their passions. The lectures and discussions have truly made me think about the part humans have played in shaping and destroying precious ecosystems, and how I fit into the system. This trip has made me appreciative of the interconnectedness of nature, and I now want to do my part in helping conserve all of the biodiversity that the world has to offer. The sheer number of species in this one section of the country is insane, and one of my favorites has been the poison dart frogs. Seeing the tiny little guys hopping around made me realize their helplessness against deforestation and pesticide exposure, and I decided to base my research question on these colorful creatures and how the local pesticide use has been affecting their ability to thrive and reproduce. The research hikes for the project have been exhausting, and my caffeine intake has doubled in the time I have been here, but I feel fulfilled every time I complete the trail loop. Although our project is still ongoing, and we have had ups and downs, like changing our climatic variables twice, I feel like the finished product will be something that I am proud of.
I never knew that I could be so sweaty, so hot, or have my legs ache so bad, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Costa Rica thus far. This trip has taken my love of nature and hiking up to a new level. Although this trip has been a pretty difficult adjustment, I am truly starting to realize why many people call this beautiful country home. The friends that I have made along the way have been a primary reason why I am having such an enjoyable experience in this country, from playing cards together, to going on night hikes back to the cabin, everyone I have met has made this trip even more special. I am looking forward to making more memories in the next two weeks to come.
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