Dear Brian aka big brother B

Hey Brian,

How are you? A little birdie told me that somebody just had a birthday! YAAY! So what are we now, like 25? 30? LOL that’s okay, you’re secret is safe with me, big brother.

Any who, in your journal entry, you mentioned how ‘every tropical, beautiful, and lush resort you’ve ever been to was always a stone throw away from towns and neighborhoods stricken with poverty’ and right you are. Of course, such an observation always confirms my belief in that if wealth is manmade, then so is poverty.  One of the projects I’ve been working on is a grant proposal for the indigenous Bri-Bri tribe. It is in an effort to create sustainable tourism that will benefit the people of the tribe rather than merely a big mainlander agency. My prayer is that the project furthers after I leave. Nothing resolves my displeasure of visiting a touristy shop featuring something like Bri-Bri arts & crafts or foods; it only leaves me to question whether or not a cent of dividends earned will ever return to the village from which the culture originated. Bri-Bri is one of the few tribes here, which have held onto its original language and spirituality despite the long lasting affects of colonization. The indigenous Costa Ricans have an astounding respect for the earth and to be honest, Westernized culture could learn a thing or two from their ecological knowledge in our own efforts of greening. After all, if we didn’t ruin it, we wouldn’t have to re-green it, right? LOL Well, hopefully, what the Bri-Bri has to teach and offer will not go exploited or under valued.

Oh! To your other request, budget kept me from going off the grid too much, but I did manage to squeeze in some wonderful beach time! Please check out the pictures when you get a chance. I didn’t do the usual bungee jump adventure; that will indeed, have to wait until I’m in CR strictly for leisurely purposes. I do however,  plan to do a little bit more traveling before I leave. (exciting) :-D

That’s all for now. Love and miss you much! Please be well and thanks so much for being a great husband to my sister. From what I know and can tell by watching married couples, marriage is such work. Couples have to work hard for their blissful reward. Any who, you two have taught me more than you know. I admire you both!

Love Love Love!

~Shonna