There's no dial tone here

I'm unpluggin'. For the next 9 days I'm going to be with a group of 18 students, my sister and another teacher on an ecology trip to Costa Rica! I can't wait to show the kids and my sis the awesomeness of the rainforest. Monkeys, sloths, frogs, toucans, etc... It's pretty much a general consensus that anything but spiders is ok.

The company we are using for the "guide" part is from the states and has a strict unplugged policy, which means when the kids arrive in San Jose their phones, IPods, all electronic devices except cameras will be confiscated. I'm actually looking forward to being unconnected and just have face to face communication, especially since I'll have my sis along.

So, hasta el proximo domingo...

Leave a mark, or don't

I needed some zone out time this evening so I decided to watch an episode of Criminal Minds. The very last line of the episode was this:

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” 
Albert Pine

Now, this could be taken two ways... the first part, what we do to ourselves is gone when we're gone, fine, however what we decide to do for others is what will be our legacy. Is this going to be a positive legacy or a negative one?

I've had a huge appetite lately and today I wanted sushi from our school cafeteria. When I went over there I remembered that the school packages the sushi in a quite large plastic container, complete with a plastic bottom and plastic lid. It occurred to me at that moment, if I buy this sushi I will be supporting plastic. I will be telling the company, through my actions, to make more plastic. I refuse. So does that mean I can't eat sushi for lunch? Yes, that is exactly what that means.

I live on an island with no organized plan to deal with trash. This photo was taken less than 20 minutes from my house...

Disgusting, right? Well, where did all that trash come from? People like you and me. People that justify their decisions each day, like, I am really thirsty and I forgot my refillable bottle, so I'm just going to buy a water, this once... Companies will respond if we put up a fight. Consumers have the power.

Make your vote count. You know what company pisses me off? lululemon. Now I could see paying a super overpriced amount for clothes that were responsibly made in the US, by people that are not enslaved and working under ridiculously inhumane conditions, but their clothes, which cost a ton of money are made in third world countries and exported to the US. Blood clothes. Seriously, it's $80 for a t-shirt? Ok, I'd be willing to pay the extra money, if the shirt was made responsibly. You can purchase US made clothes, you just have to inquire. Here's an article by CNN that lists resources of stuff you can buy. And while I'm at it, don't you have enough stuff already? What are you buying stuff for? Does stuff make you feel better? Why are we consumed with stuff?

Let's leave this world better than we found it.

Ticoland - take 2

My next trip is only days away... COSTA RICA

The last time I was there was 2005 and I have vivid memories of macaws squawking, sloths slithering, creeping tarantulas, giant blue butterflies, menacing capuchins, nature paradise. Last time I was a on a teacher trip, I was a super novice traveler and I didn't know a single phrase in Spanish. This time I'm taking 18 students and my sister. I've been planning this trip since last June and it has finally arrived! I pick my sister up in Santo Domingo on Thursday so she can fly to San Jose with us. I'm really excited!

Put your armor on - it's Santo Domingo

Decided to walk to the grocery store... It takes a lot of mental preparation to venture out in the streets of this city. The weather is fantastic, beautiful blue skies, slight breeze, 80 degree sun, so what's the problem?

This...

Welcome to the streets of Santo Domingo. This rotting pile of rat infested trash is a 3 minute walk from my apartment, between my home and the closest grocery store. This stink sits in front of an apartment building. Who lives there? Don't they care about the rotting, putrid stink?

I know this is a 3rd world country, but I live in a half way decent neighborhood. It's not the rich area, by far, but it's certainly not the ghetto. In fact, leaving my apartment, I am surrounded by some fairly nice houses, all with giant concrete walls, barbed wire, and guards. Walking down the street you would think that fairly well adjusted citizens lived here. People that understand the inner workings of a community. We must first and foremost cut down on our waste. We must refuse excess packaging. Then, we must dispose of our waste properly. 

I wanted my walk to be positive. I don't enjoy the grocery shopping experience here, so at least the walk could be pleasant. I guess not today.

Street Dogologist

My kids started a Doggie House Jr club at school. Doggie House is a non-profit organization that one of the school parents started. Her goal is to help educate people about spaying and neutering pets, loving mutts, and humane treatment of animals. She takes in dogs from the streets, cleans them up and tries to find homes. In a 3rd world country, with issues like - how am I going to feed my family - finding homes for streets dogs is hard. People that can afford dogs want purebreds, so mutts get overlooked. There is some sort of weird status to owning a pure pit bull when you live in a area where people can't seem to make ends meet.

I like to push my kids into finding a passion and starting a club. I have a few that, like me, are dog lovers, so Doggie House Jr. was born... Now I am, not only surrounded by dog news when I walk the streets or park, but at school as well. This weekend we have our big spring fair and there is a dog costume contest, which will hopefully raise money to spay and neuter pups like this...

Yes, everyday I am bombarded with adorable images. I love the power of social media. No longer can we feign ignorance. You KNOW the issue, so help. Donate time, money, adopt a pup, do something.

Brontosaurologist

I've had an open love affair with the brontosaurus for 37 years. Who wouldn't love that long neck, gigantic body, slender tail? That dainty little head with the peanut brain. Teeth for nipping at leaves. Such an awesomely cool animal. I was in first grade when I declared that I wanted to be a paleontologist, although I actually wrote "pythonologist". I guess I had snakes and dinosaurs confused back then (my mom still has the little book)

I spent my elementary and high school years being showered with dino gifts. In an act of rebellion during high school I refused to wear any clothes you could buy in the store, so I had my mom make my clothes. Yes, I had a dinosaur skirt, shirt and underwear to complete the obsession.

In college I decided, wtf, I should totally study dinosaurs and after a bit of research decided to major in geology. It was in grad school for paleontology that I realized that my career as a dinosaur hunter did not help make the world a better place. Yes, learning about dinosaurs is awesome, entertaining, fascinating, but this energy and effort I was giving to, back then, bones and tracks, did not help me feel like I was contributing to the good of the earth. Why, even back then, did I feel that I had to have a meaningful job? Where did my passion for making the world better develop?

During a break of escape from the lab one afternoon I found myself out in the Museum in South Dakota, giving people make-shift tours. This is when I knew I had to take my passion for dinosaurs, science, the natural world and be an educator.

As I digest this leap of faith and wonder where my next stage will lead me I am reminded that the most important, vital job to our future and to making the world a better place is in education. I need to take a break from being a classroom teacher in a warped, broken system, but what else can I do in education? What will I do to leave my mark?

The magic of Fronton

Have you ever been to a place that just feels inspiring? A place where it seems that artists flock? A place that when you go there is a blanket of energy that swarms around you? Playa Fronton is magical. I don't think you should just go for a day trip, I think you should camp on the beach.

You can hike from Galeras, or take the boat. Be warned... there is no fresh water, no bathrooms, and the locals have seemed to have started their own landfill...

I've noticed that the mentally here is that they future is not "our" problem, "our" problem is the bottom line for today. Money, money and more money, pennies at a time, is the main concern and because of that there isn't a concern for sustainability. 

The trash piles are behind rocks and out of the first views of the beach, but it doesn't take long to discover the filth.

One of the problems here is that the beautiful parts are so freaking beautiful that there doesn't seem to be any problems. I mean look at this...

Crystal clear water, the calmness caused by the reef protection. Shadows of palm trees, contrasting blue skies. Does this look like a problem? Not at all.

From the surface, all seems well. Dig a little deeper and you'll see damaged coral. Those same corals that are providing a barrier of protection from the crashing waves.

Get a little higher, on the cliff and you can really see the impact of the corals...

These tiny animals that build houses made of calcium carbonate are not only providing a physical barrier, but they are also providing an underwater habitat for other creatures. Living systems like to have balance. You like balance, the coral reef ecosystem likes balance. 

Dominicans refer to Fronton as a "Virgin Beach", but that status is changing. Fast. This trip we took 20 students and instead of trying to tell kids about the reefs from a book we sat in the sand and had class.

Teaching is an awesome profession. Teachers make the world a better place. 

Back to heaven (aka Fronton)

Remember my trip to Playa Fronton last year? Well, I'm taking 20 students back to Fronton this weekend. I am really looking forward to it. Camping, snorkeling, rock climbing, hiking, adding to my positive feedback loop!

The realization that you can do anything can be paralyzing

This is Jason Silva. His mom is an English teacher at my school and one of the most amazing human beings I've ever met. She is connected, grounded, spiritual, but real. She has a lot of life experiences and her stories are relevant and life changing, but not fluffy, she is blunt and positive and real. Her words are special, thought out, and she makes the world a better place. It's no wonder that she has such a centered son. Jason has tons of videos out there on the internet, and I've watched many of them, but today this video came up on my YouTube home page and I want to share it.

I do not consider myself an optimist, or a pessimist. I've been accused of being a pessimist, but at a teaching training a long time ago I heard a speaker that referred to pessimists as eternal optimists that keep getting disappointed over and over again. In fact, we try and try, optimistically hoping that the results will be different, that people will actually care, only to be let down once again and yet here we are still trying.

I do spend quite a large chunk of my day being overly sarcastic, and sounding a bit bitter, but those people that really know me, know that deep down I have the biggest heart and desire to make this world better.

I love this idea of a feedback loop of optimism. We do have more control than you think. We can control what happens in our lives more than you realize. This connects with this idea that you are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with. You have the choice who to spend time with and give energy to. Turn your life into a work of art.

Road chickens and trash

If you could be drawn to what you love, where you you go? I guess the point is you don't really know, right? Just do and be what you love and the rest falls into place?

It's hard. It's really hard. How do you avoid feeling bogged down by what you observe every day? It is easy to sit in front of a computer and type about following your dreams and making every moment count, but it is a hard hard concept to put into practice.

I am still affected by the reeking piles of trash I walk by on the way to school everyday. I still interrupt the family of chickens crossing the street every afternoon, and I still notice every detail.

I would like to enjoy my mornings more.
I am grateful for this cool breeze.

it's worth it

if you give

you begin to live

but you might die trying

;)

Chocolateluva88 just sent me a "wink". Chocolateluva88, because there were 87 other chocolate luvas? Can a profile name revolt you? Is that rude? Judging a book not by it's cover, but it's title? How else am I supposed to judge? I mean, icecreamluva might have caught my attention. 

"I've made a huge mistake" - Gob Bluth

Do you like pina coladas?

Ok, seriously, how am I supposed to meet that guy that wants to travel, exercise, have good conversation and take the dogs to the park? I started to get mad at my sister and new brother in law for not setting me up with anyone, but then I remembered that I haven't lived in the States for 5 years, so that is a bit unfair. What about my other friends? I suppose they'd have the same excuse. Who knows where I'll be or what I'll be doing. Well, kids, I am feeling a pull to North Carolina, even though my weather app warns me otherwise. I can see myself in a little house near my sister, taking my dog to the park to run and actually dating. Dating like a guy that has similar interests and can carry on a conversation about something other than sports or TV.

Well, today, after a long day out and about in Santo Domingo I came home and when I opened my computer made the decision to just "look" at a dating website. I've never actually been on one and honestly I'm a bit terrified at the idea of meeting a guy based on a photo and a few paragraphs that he wrote about himself. Have you done this? I don't really have anyone here to talk to about this, all they hire is married people at my school. So now I'm on this website and before you know it I've answered a few questions and uploaded a photo. Shit.

I suppose the reason that this works for many people is because this is just like that positive intentions stuff. Put yourself out there, see yourself with that match and go for it. Of course the first "match" that came up was a guy with a hunting vest on... I seriously doubt we could have 86% compatibility, but hey, what do I know? 

A quick journey around the island (with my photos)

I've been thinking about this place, the Dominican Republic. The weather is fantastic, perfect, I couldn't ask for better weather. On the surface, not digging too deep, there are some amazing spots here. In my year and a half here I've explored quite a bit. There is still one more place I'd like to go before I leave, Monte Cristi, but all in all I've done a pretty good job seeing the beauty. Of course, under that surface there is a huge pile of burning plastics and trash, floating styrofoam, but right now I'm going to show you the beauty. The reality will come in time and my time here is coming to an end. You don't want to say never, but right now I can't imagine coming back here, there are just too many unexplored places on my world map.... For now, enjoy a short ride around the island.

Let's start in the Samana Pennisula. From Santo Domingo you'll need to drive east towards the airport but then north for a few hours.

This is Playa Bonita near Las Terrenas. Now that there is a new toll road the trip is pricer, but a lot quicker. You can stay in a little hotels right on the beach here. If you are in need of peace and quiet, calm waters, gentle breezes and palm trees this is your place.

Playa Bonita

Las Terrenas is a tiny town that has some good qualities. The French have settled there and they have started some programs to help vaccinate and tag stray dogs. You gotta love that. One of the big condo-resort places is called Balcones del Atlantico, and the beach in front of the resort is amazing. There is a coral reef here and the resort actually spends money to help protect the ecosystem. 

Las Terrenas

East of Las Terrenas all the way to the end of the Pennisula is Galeras. From here you can take a boat to the west and end up at Playa Rincon...

Playa Rincon

Take the boat in the other direction and turn around the bend a bit and you'll end up on Playa Fronton, heaven on earth. I'm lucky to be heading back there again in a week.

Playa Fronton

Now head back to the mainland. On a recent trip when we were just about to turn south from the pennisula I looked in the rear view mirror and saw this.

 After enjoying the view keep driving south and to the east and you'll end up in Bavaro, which is a town north of Punta Cana. This is resortville and filled with tourists and locals that all want a shot at your dollars. 

Bavaro Beach

From the east coast you'll need to head back towards Santo Domingo. Right outside the airport is La Caleta. The government has declared the waters here a marine national park. The coral reefs here are trying to be protected. This place is usually not quiet, on the weekends it's filled with local people, food and music.

La Caleta

Before passing through the city you could stop at a cave called Tres Ojos. Literally three eyes. Don't look too gringo or they'll try to rip you off. If you can get down in there with your wallet you'll see some amazing views.

Tres Ojos

Now you can keep driving through the city west to Las Salinas. This little spit of sand jets out and in the formation of a little bay you get a super windy side and a super calm side. Here's a shot from the calm side.

Las Salinas

Not to far out in the shallow waters is a coral reef in need of protection.

El Durrumbao

Get back in the car and drive towards the south western part of this side of the island and you'll get to Barahona. 

Barahona

This is usually a stop before continuing on the long desert journey to Bahia de las Agulias. Many people think this is the most beautiful place on the island. I don't disagree, but it's such a pain to get to that most people will never make it there.

Bahia de las Agulias 

Before we head back up to the coast let's stop in the mountains. The highest peak in the entire Caribbean is Pico Duarte. The trip takes 3 days minium, but here's one of my favorite photos from both trips.

View from La Comparticion

For a great, but somewhat risky adventure, you can head to 27 Waterfalls. This is just north of Santiago and the north coast.

27 Waterfalls

Driving north and going a bit west you'll end up in Punta Rucia. The Atlantic waters here are also filled with corals. 

Punta Rucia

From here drive a short distance east and you will encounter a protected area of manatees. A couple takes care of the area and you can rent kayaks and head out into the green organic waters in search of the sea cows.

Estero Hondo

On the north coast drive east to Caberete. This is actually my least favorite beach on the island. People love it because there are actually waves for surfing, and wind for wind surfing. The sand and water reminds me of North Carolina beaches, not the perfect paradise you think of here.

Caberete

You'll probably need to head back to the Capital to catch your flight...