Where am I? .....
I’m back ---- in the central mountains of Costa Rica.
The doctoral research continues as does my love affair with the
mountains and rivers here.
Upon returning to the banks of the Rio Pacuare I
realized that some little piece of my soul is now forever linked to its
waters. Perhaps this is my nature with
wild rivers, or perhaps the Pacuare is “special” somehow – either way, it feels damn good to be here
How did I get to work here again?
… Last year while completing the first year of field work on the Pacuare (funded through SYLFF Intl research fellowship) I also drafted and submitted grant proposals to
ensure that the study would be completed.
Not every application was successful but the Geological Society of America and the National Science Foundation both chose to fund my study on the
geomorphology of the Rio Pacuare. Yeeeeha!
let the science happen.
And so far? …..
These
first nine days have been full.
First I researched many, test drove four, and
then bought one field rig. This can be
an arduous processes in any country. However, it did kick-started my Spanish. Though just 6 months Spanish-free did notably
reduced my vocabulary it’s coming back.
Plus, whilst in the process of purchasing her 1989 Toyota 4Runner I made
a new grand friend.
Next, I moved in to
my apartment in Verbena on the flanks of Volcan Turrialba about 5km outside of
the town of Turrialba Costa Rica.
This
will be my headquarters for the next couple of months.
I needed a day of prepping for field work which included getting parts and pieces at the local hardware stores.
AND FINALLY – three days of field work
completed with my trusted assistant.
Today
was a “home office” day with data and email and other such relatively dull
things to sort.
I have also connected with a few local friends and am generally getting my feet under me ….. Here we go!
I have also connected with a few local friends and am generally getting my feet under me ….. Here we go!
Highlights from the first field work days include:
1 ) submerging
myself in the sediment-rich rainy season waters of the Rio Pacuare;
2) siting seven poison dart frogs (red with blue legs) in one day;
3) seeing a small but torrent cabeza de agua on the Rio Suiza;
4) finding all my survey points from last year at the 3 sites we worked at;
5) noisy flocks of parrots in the afternoon just before the clouds close and the warm heavy rains start;
6) getting re-inspired to complete this work.
Stay tuned!
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