ELECTRICITY, POWERPOINT, AND TALKING – IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

This weekend I had the privilege to give a presentation at the Kéköldi lodge and scientific centre. Why is it a privilege?

Well, for many reasons, being the first that this amazing new lodge was built in the middle of nowhere, just by 3 people, over the last 3 years: Sebastian, Lucas and Dimeiston. These three guys are building an elaborate wood building with 2 floors and a side building with showers and toilets… I repeat, in the middle of nowhere, in the forest, in Kéköldi.

On the presentation day, which was set up for an university group that came to visit from San José, the lights were turned on for the first time at the lodge and at Kéköldi. This indigenous community still lives in houses with no electricity, so this was a big event, and I could see they were fascinated and emotional about it.

What came next was more magic for their eyes… a Powerpoint presentation I set up, with photos and drawings of landscapes, birds, beautiful places of Kéköldi. Lucas said “To see that presentation, with photos of my home, a presentation like the ones you have at fancy places - not to say that my home is not fancy - but I could not believe my eyes”!

The presentation that followed went on pretty well, and I talked with the students for 1 hour about the Migratory Raptor Conservation Project. Everyone loved it and I was surrounded by people after the whole thing… questions, and more questions.

That day, a lot of good news and ideas made there way into our minds and the project, and we are now facing the most challenging days of our times in this place. There is so much to be done, so many people that want to help us set up new projects, new activities, and there is so little time to do everything.

It was a beautiful day and although I was tired, when I could finally go to bed, after coming down from the lodge at 9 PM with a flashlight, I couldn’t sleep! My mind just wondered around for a long time, making plans, setting priorities, trying to see what can be done and what might have to wait. And I do believe this is just the beginning of everything and that we’ll be dreaming awake and working on these new ideas for a long time. It fills me with joy, hope and feelings of challenge.

Electricity brought a new life to the Kéköldi too, and they will have many more adventures in the next few months, trying to get some money for solar panels, and they are already receiving their first guests! Their work should be an inspiration for all of us, and we should continue to believe that with a little bit of effort, passion we can go far, and achieve great things, depending on our priorities, even if we are in the middle of nowhere.

We take so many things for granted too… electricity is one of them. Have you ever thought of that? Without it we almost stop breathing… no computer works, we stumble around... We have forgotten to open the door and enjoy the brightness of the stars without other city lights to compete with them…

Turn off the lights, go out and enjoy simple things… like watching the stars!