I just got back from a job in Costa Rica for Glamour Magazine. I am in such a calm state of mind right now, it was so beautiful. We stayed in Manuel Antonio and Quepos on the Pacific side of the country. In this area the encroachment of the American companies such as Walmart, Starbucks, and McDonalds wasn't exsitant. However, in the capital San Jose, these such companies are everywhere. For example, in the airport there was a Popeye's Chicken, Starbucks, Cinnabon, Dunkin Donuts, etc. Clearly the starting point for the massive tourist groups that load up their busses and take the masses to the resorts set up by American corporations. Thankfully we worked in a relatively pristine area filled with rainforests and gorgeous beaches. It was amazing to see large amounts of expats from France, Spain, Germany, Australia, and America here living in conjunction with the Earth completely content in the lifestyle present here. No T.V., no phone, no internet access unless you sought it out. It is amazing how quickly you become adjusted to this.
This picture was taken in a national park during our lunch break. This cove was surrounded by mountains and the water was like bathwater. A little further out to the left was a great surfing spot, a little dangerous with huge rocks, but great breaks.
Orchids grew wild everywhere!! This one was right off of my balcony hanging down from a tree that smelled like maple syrup. Never found out the name of that tree, but it provided a huge canopy of shade.
This shot is right before we landed in Manuel Antonio, about 20 miles from the volcanoes. I was freaking out because I couldn't see any place for the puddle jumper I flew in to land. I mean FREAKING OUT!
The puddle jumper. Not sure if I am going take that again when I go back. I will probably just drive, because talk about turbulance! Very nerve racking when we flew over the volcanoes, in a rain storm at 7 thousand feet. The pilots were joking in Spanish with each other about "the rollercoaster ride". I wasn't amused. At all.
I couldn't complain about the plane for more than five minutes because when I walked the one block to the beach and saw this view at sunset, I literally burst into tears. I sat on that beach for hours, and later joined a group of surfers along with the crew I came with, having a bonfire. They were such a great, welcoming group of people. My faith in the human race was bolstered a bit more on this trip.
This is a GPS photograph from the boat that I was on today for a shoot. Notice in the upper right corner that is in a square stating "Dump Site". When I asked the captain what that meant, he told me that is where a lot of waste (human or otherwise) from the city of Miami goes. That's right, a huge dump zone for waste in about 600 feet of water very close to the Gulf stream. Apparently it is either put in large steel containers or concrete and just dumped overboard. Is it any wonder why the north part of Bicayne Bay is on the EPA's watch list because of the massive amounts of polution including but not limited to mercury, arsenic, and fecal waste? 
This is an overview of the shoot from atop the boat. I was going to jump in the bay and enjoy a nice swim until I saw the GPS monitor. This after spending a few days in a beautiful and uncontaminated country that takes pride in its preservation of its rivers, lakes and ocean. This dump zone is apparently one of 20 along the eastern seaboard. Yippy!! Down with Earth! There is no such thing as global warming.
