Education for Sustainable Development

We recently took a field trip to Nacientes Palmical as part of our Education for Sustainable Development class (see http://www.nacientespalmichal.com/rural_tourism.html). This is a community collective that began as a means to protect and preserve the water source that serves most of San Jose. It has grown into an inspirational example of how people can work together to improve their lives and their communities. The highlights? The worm farm, homemade cheese, the community education center and a biodigester, which has to be the simplest most ingenious idea ever! Of course it was beautiful - but no surprises there. This is Costa Rica after all.

Asia Night

The incredible diversity at Upeace is something that continually amazes, teaches, and humbles me. The Asian students recently put together Asia night to share with the community the dance, food, music, movies and cultural traditions of this massive and diverse region of the world. Some of the highlights included dressing up in kimonos, learning traditional Cambodian dancing, watching Burmese cultural dances, Korean drumming, Philippine poetry and of course- the FOOD!!! I am so lucky to be part of such a dynamic and interesting group of people. Yea intercultural communication and understanding!

Rancho Mastatal

Sustainable building practices. What does that mean exactly? I recently found out when I accompanied my friend to go visit Rancho Mastatal- a sustainable farm where her boyfriend is doing an internship. We swam in the river, hiked on the 600 acres of rainforest, ate yummy vegetarian food, hung out in the hammocks and got a chance to learn about all of the cool things they are doing at the farm.
Rancho Mastatal builds and teaches cob and bamboo building. Cob is similar to adobe, but holds up better in the wet rainforest that is Costa Rica. The ranch also uses composting toilets, a wood burning stove to bake all of its bread products, and included classrooms, cool bedrooms and gardens. It was beautiful and inspiring to see people that are dedicated to and living their vision- a simple, rewarding life that works in tandem with the natural environment.

photos all taken my emily zionts