Thinking outside of the box
Since the swelling has gone down, it’s been a busy couple of weeks. I feel like I’ve been on a bus more than in my bed.
After a whirlwind trip with my travel buddy, Diane, around the La Fortuna area of Costa Rica, I returned to explore some interesting findings. Just outside of the more touristy area of La Fortuna, there is a monstrous sustainability project called Rancho Margot. This place takes first prize for finding ways to put alternative energy sources to creative use.
Who would think of feeding pig and cow manure to a biodigester, which in turn will generate methane gas to heat, what I think just might be, the world’s first methane-powered Jacuzzi! The green decadence doesn’t stop there. This biogas hot tub will also have a wet bar—now we’re talking!
Last weekend, I visited an equally interesting, less well-funded, initiative in the southern zone of Costa Rica. A group of women in the Boruca indigenous territory have formed a group called Sô Cagrú— Sô means ancient, and Cagrú means masked warrior.
In addition to mask making, they are reviving their textile traditions including growing their own cotton, and using achiote, the annatto apple also known as the saffron of Latina America, bark from the Nance tree, murex from sea snails, etc. to make dyes.
They just got their business license, not an easy or cheap process in Costa Rica, and have begun leading tours of their area. The group has also constructed one of what will soon be eight ranchos, which are wood buildings topped by a-frame grass roofs, for guests who want to stay overnight.
The spirit, pride and intelligence of these women as they find creative and sustainable ways to survive and to rescue their culture was incredibly inspiring.
I’ll be sharing more about all of this in the upcoming weeks.
