Student Voices:
This trip has shown me that people have lives and histories that we would never know about. The guides, Hugo and Isaac, who spoke with us when the night hike was cancelled, shared their knowledge with us and showed photos of the land – their knowledge is unfathomable. All of the local guides that we have been lucky to work with have made this trip even more incredible.
This trip has shown me that dreams can come true. This rainforest was once a dream, and now it is true. Being in Costa Rica has also shown me that things can change for the better unbelievably fast. The Children’s Eternal Rainforest used to be farmland, and forty years later, it is a fully grown rainforest with animals, plants, lakes, and research stations. This is a special place that we are lucky to be in.
From Adrienne:
This morning was all about giving back. The trails around Pocosol Research Station were built over 40 years ago by volunteers from Canada over a few years, and it was extra special to have a group of students from London, Ontario, work with local guides to maintain them. Trail maintenance is a vital task that allows more people to come and experience this place and to ensure that the trails are not washed away by the near-daily rain. The work and effort that the students put in were admirable, and they were rightfully proud of what they accomplished. The final night at Pocosol was one to remember. After celebrating a birthday, the students shared what they learned from their research projects. To celebrate the work, effort, and time that the students put in, we welcomed local guides and research centre staff to watch the presentations. The people who took care of the trails we walked, prepared the meals we enjoyed, and the centre’s environmental educators joined the circle for one of the most memorable moments of the trip. The students presented their research and findings, and then Katherine, the biologist who guided the students, translated the presentations. Through the evening, the guides who know this land asked questions about the research, and Katherine translated for the students. Watching science transcend language and bring strangers together was simply magic. Ronny, the chef who has been preparing the delicious meals, asked the students to share their names again and the highlight of their time at Pocosol. The highlights included seeing spider monkeys, seeing how important it is to slow down to appreciate beauty, and helping to maintain the trails and see things that people only see in the movies. What resonated was that no matter what language you speak, it is the love of a place and the magic it holds that brings people together.
