50 shades of green: clarity in the rainforest

I feel like I can think more clearly here. Hear clearer (except for that water still in my ear from Saturday’s tree rope). See better. I feel like I am much more aware of my surroundings and environment. I mean, who wouldn’t be here? The air is fresh. Nature feels pristine and untouched. The river is sparkling and crisp. Animals and insects are all around us. Flowers in bloom. Monkeys and toucans in trees, not cages. I feel like my mind has been uncaged.

Just this morning before work I was sitting in the hammock letting the sun kiss my legs, listening to nothing but the sound of the birds and insects, and watching the two dogs play in the dirt. At that moment, with no other thoughts clouding my mind, a breakthrough in my thesis argument hit me. Out of the blue. Until then, I hadn’t given it a thought in months.

The other day after supper at the one restaurant in Chilamate, enjoying our beers on the terrace in the sun, Cena and I slipped in to a passionate conversation about changing gender roles and barriers through modern history, and their place in modern Latin America.

Work here doesn’t feel like it takes up all of my mental capacity, leaving me only thinking about work and work related subjects. Everything here is conducive to relaxation and peace. (Perhaps the root of the reason why Costa Rica hasn’t had an army since the 40s).

The first few days at work here I slipped right back in to my ‘office’ mode of efficient, organized, go go go. However I realized that I was wound up and stressed after work. There was no need to be. Since then I’ve been working on retaining the organization and efficiency, but really taking my time in doing things. Everything moves slowly here, there is no need for me to rush. And if it’s not done perfectly, it’s not a big deal. (A very big difference from my last few jobs like this). So now, rather than being cooped up in my office all day staring at my computer. I sometimes work at Selva Verde next door, surrounded by trees, staring out at the river, watching monkeys and birds. I sometimes work in the air conditioned library, chatting along the way. I sometimes work on the deck in the sun gazing out at our end of the river and rainforest for inspiration. And only sometimes in the office.

I feel that’s a very big reason why people down here in Central and Latin America are so happy and laid back. They’re not worried about controlling and perfecting everything little thing. Shit happens, and they let it. They go about their days taking things in as they come. Deal with problems when they arise. Sure, this means that they most definitely do not have the best economies in the world, nor are they the richest countries with “high” standards of living (say the people with “high” standards), but they are very happy and relaxed. And in the end, isn’t that what we all want?