Monday and Tuesday of this week were a nice but hectic change of pace. Monday we went to the U of Costa Rica for a guest lecture on biofuels and then hit the crowded streets of downtown San Jose. We were conducting our third field experiment, this one on the public opinion and knowledge of climate change. Coming from New York City, I thought for sure it was going to be very difficult finding willing people to fill out our surveys. I can't imagine stopping a New Yorker, "hey, can you please take 5 minutes-" And they're gone before I can even finish my sentence. Thanks to better attitudes, a slower pace and a smoking habit, Costa Ricans made our homework a breeze.
The only ticos who told Maisie and me no were the ones who had already filled out the survey for a classmate, and even then they still patiently listened to our whole spiel in Spanish before declining. (Granted we were targeting males..) It was exciting to talk to the locals about climate change and answer their questions, and also at times frustrating - as my technical science talk is quite limited en espanol. After 10 surveys completed and a great lunch in the city, we headed back to Atenas for two more lectures, dinner, and some soccer with the locals.
Tuesday was an early morning - I must say it's never a good sign when you have to wear your headlamp to breakfast. Spirits were sleepy but high because we were off to Carara National Park and the Tarcoles River. The Tarcoles is the most polluted river in Costa Rica and Carara National Park is famous for it's birds and biodiversity. We saw scarlet macaws, crocodiles, herons of all colors, mangroves, crabs, iguanas, poisonous frogs and LOTS of trash.
After another long day we were all grateful for the evening off. Now it's back to business as midterms and our second research paper are all happening in the next 6 days. I can't wait for next Thursday when it's all over and we head to the cloud forest in Monteverde, but I also know that I have to enjoy each moment because it will be over before I know it! And just over three weeks in, I can already say that this is truly one of the best experiences of my life.
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