... a la pura vida!

It's been a year since I've posted to this blog, and oh, what has happened! A study abroad trip to Costa Rica in May; focusing on sustainable or 'eco-' tourism, organic and small-scale agriculture, and globalization's effects on communities; was an absolutely life-changing experience. From the humid lowland Caribbean coast to the central mountain range to the tumultuous Pacific coast, we really milked our mere 2.5 weeks for all they were worth.

Some of our destinations:
- Las Vueltas lodge, where we worked on the Seelye farm with Andy and his family
- Jaguar Rescue Center just outside Puerto Viejo
- Ditsowou Centro de Communidad in BriBri, Limón
- La Finca Educativa Don Juan in La Fortuna
- La Cusinga coastal rainforest ecolodge
- Diamante Falls
- Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge
- Kéköldi Indigenous Territory & Iguana Sanctuary

Boundless peace <3

credit: (c) Álvaro Campomanes

Festivals for free through Earth stewardship!

Work Exchange Team

Clean Vibes

The above links are two awesome organizations that allow you work to help keep various music festivals clean and promote recycling while in attendance! You can volunteer in exchange for a free ticket-- but most of the time you must submit a deposit of around $200 (or about the festival's equivalent entry) that will be reimbursed upon completion of your shifts.

"Recyclmania" is just one option through WET; there are opportunities to work merchandise, ticketing, vending, and even artist relations!

I'm working during Wakarusa in Ozark, AR with WET; as a "trash talker" spreading awareness of the recycling and composting available at Phish Superball IX at Watkins Glen, NY; and as a post clean-up volunteer at AllGood in WV with Clean Vibes... this one is a great opportunity because I don't have to miss any of the music since I'll complete all my hours after the festival. We get to remain camping onsite for free and are provided some meals, too... not to mention all the amazing people we'll meet while helping to keep fests green. =) Check it out!

AllGood Festival 2011, West Virginia. credit: (c) Álvaro Campomanes

"Stream of Life" by Rabindranath Tagore

The same stream of life that runs through
my veins night and day runs through
the world and dances in rhythmic
measures.

It is the same life that shoots in joy
through the dust of the earth in
numberless blades of grass and breaks
into tumultuous waves of leaves and
flowers.

It is the same life that is rocked in the
ocean-cradle of birth and of death,
in ebb and flow.

I feel my limbs are made glorious by the
touch of this world of life. And my pride
is from the life-throb of ages dancing
in my blood this moment.

(from Gitanjali)

War Dance

"Music is life." The message of hope for the youth of Uganda in the stunning documentary War Dance.