The Global Classroom

Laying on my back in the warm summer night I look to the heavens and see millions of stars shining down on us as we lay scattered about like fallen leaves. Our campsite has everything one could ever hope for. Swaying trees, green grass, flowers and even running water. The only down fall is that we are sleeping a mere 100 feet away from the front door of the international airport in Costa Rica. With Mohawk High School's U.N.Y.T.E. students arriving after 1a.m. and our bus to the mountains leaving at 6a.m, we choose to spend our few hours of "sleep time" on the grass rather than venture into the concrete jungle of downtown San Jose.
It is quite unusual to see stars visible this time of year. At 1195 meters San Jose is more often in cloud than not. As we were to find out later on our trip, the arm of El Nino has a very long reach.

Global Classroom Volunteer Begins Agricultural Project

Becca Saunders, from the University of Massachusetts plant and soil science program arrived in Santa Elena to begin her internship position at the High School. Originally planning to arrive in December, her arrival was postponed until April allowing her more time to prepare for the project.

While guiding a trip to the Santa Elena area this April I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Becca. Walking together up into the mountains I inquired about her progress with the project. Her reply came rolling off her tongue in a mixture of excitement and concern. "Oh my god" she said, "they took me to the farm and we talked about organic composting". The tone of her voice started to get more serious and I detected a slight bit of nervousness. She went on. " The director pointed to a pile of rotten old wood scraps and said, "OK Becca, I'll get you a hammer and some nails and you build a compost system out of these pieces of wood." " Becca went on. "I thought that was the compost pile." I laughed and said, "Welcome to Costa Rica."

As we sat talking from our elevated perch high in the mountains, the view of the surrounding forests and the perfect cone of Arenal volcano was spectacular. We sat together in the warm, dry breeze discussing different compost bin possibilities. A few quick sketches and a little sarcastic humor seemed to lessen her anxiety. Working and living in Costa Rica always demands pulling a few rabbits out of the hat. Having been involved in many service projects around the world I could relate to her anxiety. I have come to realize that no amount of pre-trip planning will prepare you for the "cross cultural experience". The best thing to do is creep over to the edge, pick your mark and take the plunge.

When the Well Goes Dry

It seems El Nino has become the star of the global show for 1997 and 1998. While on route to the mountainous regions of Monte Verde with a group of U.N.Y.T.E students, I looked out the window of our bus in amazement. For miles all the vegetation was brown and parched. It had not rained in nearly 50 days. After 5 hours of bumpy, hot, dusty roads we arrived in the mountains. A student replied "When one goes to the rain forest, one expects to see rain". Indeed!

We continued up the mountain another 3 miles and entered the Santa Elena Reserve. For 6 years now the staff at the reserve has offered us a small haven in the cloud forest free of charge. Volunteering is an integral part of the Global Classroom project and we offer our services in exchange for the use of the Reserve.

It felt so good to be out of the pounding sun and entering the cool shade of the forest canopy. The difference in temperature is remarkable. How anyone can suggest that clear cutting the worlds forests will have little impact on climate is beyond me. It did not take very long to realize what our work would entail. In 1992 the first high school group to visit the reserve spent many hours assisting in the digging of a well for the reserve. This well went dry in 1995. Upon our return in April of 1995 we began the task of digging yet another well, both deeper and more strategically placed. The second well was nearly 9 meters deep and lined with concrete tiles to alleviate the erosion problem experienced with the first well. While digging the first 3 meters we came across the remains of a tree buried thousands of years ago by Arenal volcano's big sister "Cerro Chato". In a single cataclysmic explosion half of Cerro Chato blew apart and buried nearby forests under several feet of ash. Upon completion of the well we had a full cross section of a giant tree that had been preserved still standing, albeit more soil like than wood.

With the second well failing, the staff at the reserve had to re-think their plans for water. After some deliberation the reserve staff agreed that plastic pipe would be carried into the forest to a natural spring nearly 3 Kilometers away. With only two days of water left in the well the pipe would need to be laid immediately. After a ten minute pep talk with the students they agreed to assist reserve Staffer Mauricito (little Maurice) in carrying the pipes into the mountains. I have learned many times over that what "little Maurice" lacks in height and stature, he more than makes up for in tenacity and shear endurance. A trait I see quite frequently with Costa Ricans.

The following day several rolls of 2 inch plastic pipe appeared at the reserve. Breaking into groups of two and three we began unrolling and dragging the pipe. Like a huge black serpent, the 100 meter pipe snakes its way along trails, through pasture and into the deep reaches of the forest. With a student placed at each end and one in the middle we made good time pulling our loads. We were a mile into the forest when the terrain changed from moderately negotiable to quite adventurous and seemingly unlikely. They say "many hands make light work". In this case many hands made the project possible.

With precipitous mountainside on our left and right, the only way to advance was to drop down into a stream bed and start slogging our way directly up the stream. Slipping and sliding our way over wet rocks, around sharp "S" turns, under fallen trees, over roots and vines was made our giant serpent a bit recalcitrant. One by one students abandoned their load and teamed up with the lead crew.

PULL! PUSH! HAUL! Slowly we made headway. The trail had long since vanished and we were now bushwhacking our way through the jungle. (oh, did I mention the mud?) Looking like an advertisement for industrial laundry detergent, we finally reached our destination. Maurice was elated. He was smiling ear to ear when he told us that what took our group three hours would have taken him several days. As we began our hike back through the forest the smell of wild Peccaries, the sound of tree frogs and three Resplendant Quetzals rounded out our already full day.

Into the Night

Sometimes in life we do not see the things we are surrounded by. During a stay in the mountains of the rain forest it is quite easy to miss out on a lot of animal activity because we are sleeping safe and sound in our cozy sleeping bags. With this in mind late one night I gather the group and we head of into the darkness. Asking each person to turn off their flashlights and line up single file, I blind fold them. Linking hands, these trusting souls are led through the darkness. Lowering my voice to a whisper forces each person to listen closely, reducing their nervous chatter to dead silence.

Taking the hand of the lead person I ask them not to talk or peek. I then begin leading them in single file. Now the group of individuals has become one large organism. Without the use of their sight they are required to use other senses. Suddenly hearing, sense of touch and smell become the eyes of the group. We walk in silence for some distance before I ask the group to remove the blindfolds and then to block their ears. Again we walk into the darkness unaided by lights. We walk a quarter mile more (with ears blocked) before stopping on a mountain ridge. Motioning for them to remove their hands from their ears I ask some basic questions. Which activity did you find most difficult? What did you notice different with each activity?

"When I was blindfolded I could hear every foot step I made. I began listening to the person's foot steps in front of me to know if they were struggling or climbing over something." Some one else replied; "I put my blindfold on and suddenly I could hear the tink-tink of tree frogs and the buzzing of insects in the trees." Another voice chimed in; "When I blocked my ears I realized I was breathing. I could hear each breath so clearly. Suddenly the shadows of the forest became trees, people, and animals lurking in the darkness". All agreed it was easier walking blindfolded holding hands than it was walking alone with ears blocked. Perhaps there still resides in us a sense of safety in numbers when things are lurking in the shadows.

For the next activity we turn on our head lamps and go exploring in the dark forest through which we had just traveled. For those without head lamps I suggest they hold their light at eye level. If you can recall those horrible old photos of grandma sitting at the Thanksgiving feast looking demonic and sinister with bright red eyes glowing from the camera flash then you can understand why head lamps are best for discovering night creatures. All Nocturnal and most diurnal creatures eyes will reflect light back to the source. If you happen to be looking eye to eye with a Jaguar you will see a brilliant green eye if caught in the light beam. (Some may not consider this prospect very attractive.)

We did not see any Jaguar on our hike but we did see many eyes staring down from trees, crossing trails and swinging on vines. At one point we could see several tiny glowing beads of brilliant yellow and green. Taking a closer look we discovered that they were the eyes of spiders. Though spiders have 4 pair of "eyes" only one pair reflect light. If it were not for the glowing eyes they would be all but invisible hiding in the mosses and leaf litter. In some areas several dozen eyes can be seen at once. Bright red, green, yellow and white. Close to our sleeping quarters an Olingo leapt from tree to tree, using its tail for balance. Being a mammal of the procyonid family, the Olingo looks like a cross between a raccoon and a monkey. For many, the night hike is a high point of the trip.