Thursday, May 9, 2013

TPA-->MIA-->BZE 2013


 

May 1, 2013

Belize 2013 Day One:

TPA to MIA

MIA to BZE

 

            Our time in the fuselage was under four hours, much shorter than anticipated.  American Airlines flight 2167 from Miami to Belize was quick and painless, and almost empty.  The airport is tiny…..very tiny.  I am assuming we hit rush hour, three planes had landed within an hour.  Clearly, Belize is a well known tourist destination, one that I had been very unaware of.  I am used to customs and accustomed to waiting long periods of time at the counter being quizzed about my anticipated plans.  Three minutes after standing in line, I am outside waiting for the next portion.  A young gentleman was holding a sign “LCRS”, and patiently counting all of us.  I believe sixteen is the magic number and off to a magical bus ride we go.  It is a yellow school bus, no A/C, no seatbelts and no radio.  This completed the buzzing atmosphere.  We stopped at a grocery store.  It reminded me of a bodega in NYC, or the corner store on the Dutch side of St. Martin.  Sunchips, granola bars and GORP. Traffic slows along the highway with speed bumps that would bottom out the undercarriage of ay car or truck.  Not many other vehicles are on the road, but the bus stops that are located everywhere are always occupied with at least one awaiting traveler. A school bus traveling through any town is bound to attract attention, but it is obvious to all observers along the road that the occupants are more fascinated with the activities of the local towns.  I spot a University in the last town; it holds no similarities to any USF campus, or even an elementary school.  I find Belize to be very spiritual, perhaps it is due to all of the Catholic Church’s located on every corner, or it is the beautiful country all by itself.  After the last town, we start to venture into the forest, where no one seems to be going.  It is another two or three hours from the entrance of the forest and it is the start of an eye-opening experience that will put my spoiled world into perspective and gain me some much needed gratitude. 

 

May 2, 2013

                                                                       

            First full day in Belize and the sun is up at 5:30 a.m., the coffee is instant and   the food is beyond fantastic.  Simple, and yet more flavor than anything I have ever had before.  They had bacon, but it doesn’t feel very Belizean to me.  Oh, and the coffee is instant.  But, I feel I have said that before.  Out into the forest right after breakfast for a broad leaf forest overview and exercise in the forest.  We spent the morning marking off 50X20 square foot areas, and tagging them with bright orange tape.  We learned how to measure tree’s and how and why to count the different species of trees.  Walking 20 to 30 meters away from the base of the tree and using the Clinometers, the right side has the numbers that provide a % for the base and also for the top of the tree.  The diameter was also measured.  These are useful in analyzing and keeping up with the growth of the tree which provides an insight to the overall health of tree.  One of the main types of trees here is the Quamwood tree, they have low density, they are emergent and they grow very fast; however, they don’t sequester a large amount of carbon.  The carbon that is held is released after their very short life span ends.   The rangers set plots in this area according to what they are trying to analyze or study.  The set plots are common rectangular 20X50 square meters.  They are set in a specific ways including North, West, South, East directions starting from a central point.  The outside trees are tagged every ten meters, which will end up surrounding the central point.  12 plots would be equal 1,000 m^2; 50 m North/South, 50 m East/West, 20 East/West, and 20 North/South.  To find the volume of the trees in the forest are measured by the height vs. diameter.  The height is the total vs. the marketable timber.  Objectives are set first, for example different timber vs. carbon sequestration.  Breast height is considered to be 1.3 meters; the diameter is measured by a diametric measuring tape.  Use the spool in the right hand and the end in the left hand to unravel and wrap around the tree.  Measure 1.3 meters from the top of the hill If the fork of the tree where it branches falls above the 13 meters, disregard the area below, and measure as two trees.  Tress with the buttress roots need to be measured about 30 cm above where the roots stop and tree becomes the trunk.  The Liana vines are now being reported more due to the fact that climate change is becoming more apparent.  Carbon sequestration vs. retention is now a huge issue in all of these forests.  The volume of trees will give an idea of biomass, the density which will be connected to the growth rate increments.  Recruitment and mortality rate which is the dead trees and tress that are one to two years old.  Biomass growth is minus biomass death is how CO2 sequestration can be calculated.  Reduction of emissions due to the deforestation and the land degradation or REDD is the new issue that involves the developing nations that hold the key to carbon The developed countries will help and pay money to developing countries to consume the forests, and the only compensated the carbon sequestration no the storage.  9 metric tons in 1 year per hector of CO2 in the Chiquibul Forest for carbon sequestration.  I am gaining a better understanding that the forest does a lot for the Earths atmosphere.

 

May 3, 2013

Friday

            Today was a travel day in the awesome yellow school bus.  Alberto is an excellent driver; we have yet to crash or fall off the side of the mountain.  It is fascinating to experience a different culture with similar activities and tools, and the difference in carrying it out is vastly different.  There are no speed limits and three second stop rules, it’s just drive to get there and don’t burn out the clutch.  An hour and a half drive back down the mountain and pass the guard’s house, take a sharp left.  The bus takes us down a twisty and rocky road, to the entrance of the Caracol Archaeological Reserve to look into the majestic beauty of the Mayan Culture.  The ruins are incredible.  Three separate locations with massive and impressive structures produce a window into the souls of the Queen of Caracol.  The location was once home to a powerful family, and it is thought the ruins were built in honor of the Queen.  A female grave site had been discovered on the first magnificent site.  She was said to have been found buried standing up, to show her respect and to remind her people she is watching.  Stunning is as adjective that lingers in my head, how? How?  A question I ponder as I walk up and down the massive structures and am blessed with a view of the surrounding land cannot be replicated.  How did they have the ability to build this?  I have burned my pots and pans so many times trying to make Macaroni and Cheese.  I am quickly reminded again that I would never have survived.  Survival is an interesting subject that pops up during this time of awe and reflection.  A guide that works at LCRS and always accompanies the group is Mr. Mesh.  Turns out that he is Mayan and has a mind of pure history and beauty.  He can speak in his own dialect, one of the many versions of the Mayan language.  He speaks with beautifully broken English and it is so perfect that it completes the subject.  He tells us that his culture is being forgotten by his own people.  Not due to memory lapses or poor story telling.  The very people have been beaten down by  non-natives of their land to leave their culture and history behind.  To be western is a dream of many, but is tragic to even more.  Mr. Mesh speaks freely of his people being shown that Westerners are better and much more powerful.  In reality, none of this is so.  History proves that all invaders try to eradicate the past of those before them.  Heavy sadness is floating in and out of my head, but most of all, my heart is sighing with shame. Boris directs our group around the area, talking about the past and how to change the future.  How do we prepare the world for a healthier planet?  What can be done?  How do we educate those who do not believe that our planet is unhealthy and in danger of being placed on a respirator and other means of life support?  The thought process starts, the reoccurring thought that in the United States, I am a completely spoiled brat and have no true experience or knowledge to understand what the majority of the world does not live like me, nor do they have the privilege to think like me.  I am starting to face the word: sheltered.  As my eye lids become less heavy and I look around my surroundings at Caracol, I realize that the 100 sq. ft. “gift” shop is heavily guarded with…..armed guards.  A tourist from Europe perhaps lifts his camera and try’s to snap a picture of the four heavily armed army soldiers.  The park explodes with broken words; we all manage to understand “No pictures”.  The soldiers eyeball us and follow us to the “Caracol Bulls” pavilion.  I quickly think about our “USF Bulls”.  I am spoiled.  I cannot even imagine how it would be to wake up anywhere in the world and have this “normalcy” play out.  Gratitude is seeping in.  It has taken a very long time, but at it is making its way to the center of my mind.  A lunch has been prepared for us, hoagie sandwich and a muffin, wrapped up and placed on bright plastic plates.  The soldiers are not eating anything of the sorts.  The conversation continues about the earth and all of her resources.  She is and will run out.  We may never run out of the amount of water, but the amount of fresh water is on the horizon.  Another war will spark for this resource.  It actually is already a battle to many, but not to me at home.  I groan when I have a high water bill.  We take the bumpy ride back to Las Cuevas Research Station, reflecting on the day.  Reflecting on our luxuries that we constantly take for granted.  Actually, is it even considered taking them for granted when you don’t have an inkling of what privilege your life holds?  I am taken aback at my ignorance, for the umpteenth time.  Looking back at the Mayan Ruins, so many items of ignorance run rampant in my head. 

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