Momentos Esenciales

​El tour de Bogarin fue un punto de inflexión para mi y mi apreciación para la conservación del medio ambiente.  Las contribuciones no son tan grandes, pero todos hacen la diferencia - para los animales, las plantas, el clima, etc.  La naturaleza es increíble, pero muy frágil.  Este viaje fue importante para mi ver el impacto que puedo hacer. 

While visiting the ULatina San Pedro School of Medicine, it was introduced to me how much more accessible a medical degree is for those in Costa Rica - costing $10k-$20k total and 4-5 years to become a licensed physician from a world renowned medical practice.  This system incentivizes and encourages those who have the skills and desire to work in the field the opportunity to do so without years of debt or 10 years of education/experience.

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Upon visiting the public hospital, I was able to observe these practitioners in real time.  Despite a line forming just as the sun rose, professionals were working around the clock to provide care to everyone who walked through the door.  What struck me most was how the community aspect of the Costa Rican population translates to public healthcare - with 6-7 women per maternity ward room.  While this seemed like an invasion of privacy at first, the way these women engaged with each other was quite beautiful, seeing the birth of their children as an experience they shared with each other, providing a sense of unconditional support I have yet to observe in the U.S.. 

Para mi, esta experiencia hizo el mejor impacto de mi entendimiento de la medicina holística.  Quise traer a los Estados Unidos información del sistema de salud holística en Costa Rica así que pude ayudar en la integración de las hierbas, farmacéuticos, y prácticos energéticos para la salud de la gente. 

After this lecture with Jorge Vindas, I was convinced that I need to slow down - not necessarily with my goals and, but with the way I approach achieving them.  The community of Nicoya lives to live rather than living to work or working to live.  I admire that about them.  Now, they exist within a level of socioeconomic poverty that aligns with that mentality, but I think there is something to be learned for the effect that our environment has on the longevity of our bodies and that is something we ultimately have control over.  It may not be easy, but things that are worth it rarely are.