Returned from my trip to Costa Rica, I thought I would
entail my experience at the sustainable eco resort I volunteered at for the
month of July. (Really, for my own memory’s sake!)
I expected to actually continue writing my blog weekly at
the resort, but anytime I sat down to open my tablet a volunteer, employee, or
guest would take my attention. It was what I needed, to step back from the impulse
to be ‘connected’ and not let technology sidetrack me from the moment. 
Rancho Margot is more than just a sustainable resort that
has a positive carbon footprint, it’s mother nature at its core. Just 10 years
ago the property was grazeland, and now it’s a living forest with a sufficient
garden and systems acting together to create harmony. The property emits such
powerful transformational energy-it’s pretty incredible.
I worked as a volunteer in la huerta (the garden), although there were other volunteers for
yoga and the kitchen, compromising about 10 of us. Fun fact: el jardin is more a woman’s danty garden
and la huerta is a man’s mighty
garden … machista nature at its finest. The farm manager Abilio was the source
of direction, as well as a volunteer Kelly who was well versed in permaculture
development. What’s permaculture? Well it’s basically sustainable gardening,
trying to use natural sources to keep the ecosystems self-sufficient.
With some knowledge
in the Spanish language and an outgoing personality, I did my best to
communicate with the fellow Tico and Nico workers (Costa Rican and Nicaraguan).
Every single day I was told at least once that I was beautiful by these men
working on the fields, and I went through a process of dealing with it. At
first I loved the attention, and then I was annoyed by it, but by the end I
learned the characteristics of los
trabajadores and was able to make jokes with them in return. And this, I
later understood, was why I was so welcomed. Because many times Ticos say
things, which in the American culture would be completely against social
decency, just so they can understand another person’s reaction. It is through
reactions that a human’s natural way is made clear.
One of the biggest struggles in la huerta was blending new technique with the old ways of practicing.
Most of los trabajadores had been
working in the fields since they were children, so incorporating a different
way of tending to the land was not an easy transition. Since the permaculture
directive was coming from an American volunteer, and not always well interpreted
or enforced, there was a frustration in the air. I took my part in trying to
translate their reasonings and relieve the stresses by being comical or loco. 
The Rancho is more than any other work exchange program I
have ever been a part of. Every person who goes there is in search of
something, whether they know it or not. The natural beauty and simplistic
lifestyle brings forth a healing power. I remember the first day I worked
Abilio invited me to hike with him to clean the parillas (gates). A half-hour journey up the mountainside, cleaning
the gates from leaves and sticks in order to keep the water channel flowing to
form hydroelectric energy. And as we got to the “source”, the cascada (waterfall), I was asked to sit.
Abilio said, “what does the water tell you” and I remember feeling at such ease
with El Sabio, The Wise Man, but I
was straining my brain trying to communicate some profound respuesta (answer). I was at a loss for words, I just told him I
felt happy. The sides of Abilio’s mouth quickly turned, and as he smiled he
said, “The river talks to me and you, I will teach you its language, the water
is constantly flowing, it passes a rock, or a leaf, and it just keeps on
going.” I nodded, understanding completely what he meant, and I added, “y puro.” “And pure,” he repeated, “Nora,
you did not come here just to help la
selva (the forest), you came here to better understand yourself.” The relationships I built in this wonderland were incredible. In a social context where materialism doesn't exist, it was so easy to get to know people for who they really were. Having the company of individuals whose only worry is to be their most simple self allows for such open conversation. I will always remember the ease of communication, and the abundant substance that came from exchanges with fellow volunteers and workers.
Within four weeks in the middle of nowhere I played with
piglets, I helped a constantly adapting terrace project, I nursed a lettuce
greenhouse from seedling to fruition, I learned to love to desyierba (weed), I developed crushes, I laughed, I cried, I skinny
dipped in the river daily, I talked about my passions, I learned more what
progressive individuals think of the American system, I valued one-eyed vision, I
looked up at the stars in amazement, I saw the sun stretch up over Arenal
volcano, I opened my eyes to the nature that is in front of us every day but
that we constantly fail to notice, I learned patience, I saw the beauty in
dirty hands and farmer’s warts. . . I was reminded of the value of education,
and finally understood the resort’s tagline of the Rancho as a living
university. 
This experience taught me that optimism is essential, and
the endless possibilities of community living. Because when you begin to work
for your food, and nothing more than the basics, not only do your meals taste
more delicious, but you're able to realize what life is really all about:
beautiful conversation and shared energy which leads to inspiration and
happiness.
“Yo confia en mi, por lo tanto, yo confia en ti”-Kelly Walsh
I trust in myself,
therefore, I trust in you.
