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aventurasdeunatortuga · 3 years

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Laredo Part 2 Week 2

First photo is yesterday’s grocery haul. Second and third photos show our stock of underwear and boys’ clothes. Fourth photo shows our COVID isolation building, the last photo is the church hall that has been converted into an emergency shelter to accommodate the 200-300 people staying each night at La Frontera. The main shelter building can only accommodate about 150.

I’ve been back in Laredo for about 2 weeks now, which is how long I stayed the last time I was here. I still have about 2 weeks left. Last time I was here I remember being completely and utterly burnt out by the end of 2 weeks and I can feel myself burning out again now.

I’ve been splitting my days between the two shelters, La Frontera and Holding, and they are so different. At La Frontera I feel very welcomed and involved and useful and the people seem a bit friendlier, but the flip side of that is that there is so much chaos and lack of organization it honestly stresses me out so much. There are just so many people in such desperate need all the time and there are maybe 3-4 volunteers each day trying to prioritize which crisis needs to be dealt with first. Usually that ends up being transportation and food. Things like clothing and cleaning and toiletries and organization have fallen by the wayside. We’ve been getting hundreds and hundreds of people in really terrible conditions clear until 2:30 in the morning every single day and we just simply do not have the people needed to make it run smoothly, so volunteers in the evening have just been opening the closet and letting folks grab what they need at random, which results in even more chaos and disorganization. The last few days when I’ve come in there have just been enormous piles of stuff all over the floor and garbage everywhere. It is really stressful.

Yesterday we realized that no one had gone grocery shopping, and there wasn’t much food left in the pantry. I don’t know how that system normally works, if there even is one, from what I can tell it is random volunteers buying food and occasionally community members donating food. We cooked all the food there was and served as many people as we could but here were about 250 people at breakfast who hadn’t eaten in several days.

Most of the groups that come in haven’t eaten in several days, but this group looked truly, truly desperate for food. The children were all screaming and the adults were trying to hold themselves back so as to not push or shove but I could tell it was hard. The heartbreaking part was that we didn’t have enough food for all of them, and about 50 folks went without food. We didn’t even have anything like granola bars or bread slices or cereal or anything to offer them.

Me and one of the nuns went to the grocery store and bought two fulls carts worth of food, we bought this yesterday morning and already today it is almost all gone. I feel frustrated with the leadership at this shelter, it feels like there is none. One of the directors is constantly out of the building driving people places and doesn’t answer her phone and the other is constantly putting out fires with border patrol and the police and the hospital and the city government, etc so she is never there either. The entire shelter depends on the 3-4 community members and out of town volunteers that show up at irregular hours and most of whom only stay for a few days.

The worst part is seeing how this lack of organization impacts the people coming through, who are already dealing with a lot of trauma and I know the chaos here isn’t helping.

But there’s only so much we can do. I started falling apart this morning after wading through so much garbage to try to get through the kitchen. I got very overwhelmed and started getting snappy at people, which doesn’t help anyone. One of the newer volunteers stepped up to help while I took a break. When I came back the both of us were able to get a number of the folks staying at the shelter to help us. We got folks to clean up all the garbage and clean the tables and sweep the floors and help us with the food. They were happy to help and were appreciative of what we were doing.

I’ve been at La Frontera shelter from 9-2 most days, which is usually when we finish serving lunch. Then I head over to Holding Community Center until about 7pm. The difference between the two shelters is night and day. While La Frontera has only 2 paid employees, Holding has 18 employees, most of whom are on site for the entire day 7 days a week. It makes an enormous difference. The flip side of that though is that I don’t feel super helpful there and the people have kind of set systems in place and a few staff members don’t seem very open to volunteers coming in to help as they are overwhelmed and don’t want anyone upsetting their system. It’s also different in that all of the folks staying here stay outside or in the vacant classrooms at the community center, the volunteers all work in a separate building and very rarely directly interact with the folks staying there. So while I’m there I essentially sit at a table and organize baby wipes and baby food for 3.5 hours straight. Then I help serve dinner and then I’m done for the day. We aren’t allowed to directly interact with the folks staying here because there are a lot of cases of COVID on the buses, the folks staying here tested negative but were still exposed so we’re trying to be very careful, but still it is kind of frustrating when folks knock on the door and ask for things like a bottle of water and to hear that I’m not allowed to give them water until a specific time or else everyone is going to be trying to get one. It’s definitely two ends of a spectrum.

I’ve been trying to interact with folks by doing a ‘diaper cart’ every afternoon. I load up a cart with diapers and formula and wipes and just walk around outside offering things to people.

Today I helped serve dinner to the main group of COVID negative people, but then I was also asked to bring dinner over to the group of people who tested positive for COVID. They are being quarantined in an empty warehouse across the street. They have nurses there and everyone wears masks. They have to quarantine for at least 10 days, and receive one change of clothes and a hygiene kit when they first arrive. They get a blanket and a cot and stay there until they recover. I hadn’t been over there before and was a bit nervous about it.

It was truly terrible to see. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a more miserable place. We stood in the doorway while folks lined up by the door. We handed food off to the nurses and they then handed the food to the people waiting in line. There were at least 100 people in there, packed wall to wall on cots and all of them coughing and looking so sick.

The medical team was treating them well and they had the basics that they needed, but it just broke my heart seeing so many sick people in one place. The hospitals will not accept them because they don’t have health insurance. Most were exposed to COVID in ICE detention, because ICE does not test the people they detain and keep people confined in close quarters for extended periods of time. If folks get extremely ill the hospital will accept them for 48 hours. The shelter is the only place in town that will accept them, if the shelter was not there ICE would have just left them on the street.

It’s been a really long week. I’m trying to not let all of this get to me. The most difficult part I think is seeing all of these problems and feeling so powerless to help. At La Frontera shelter it seems like a neverending crisis and lack of resources and organization that me as a part time volunteer cannot realistically fix, which is really hard to accept. There were some rooms I came across today that were in such a state of disarray I just had to close the door and walk away, because there was no way I could take that on. At Holding, there are enough resources and organization, but seeing the people quarantined and seeing the busloads that come in each day of more and more sick people breaks my heart. Right when I was walking out the door at 6:45pm today a busload of 130 more people arrived, and staff was trying to decide if they should feed them or test them for COVID first, because the medical staff and the food team were leaving for the night and they didn’t know what to do. It was hard to accept that there wasn’t really anything I could do in that situation.

I’m trying to do what I can. I’ve been fundraising and have raised around $750 so far. I’m planning on using most of it for underwear and food for La Frontera shelter. Both shelters depend entirely upon donations though and I know that even if I spend all of that money today that all of the donations bought from it would likely be gone by the end of the week.

What really needs to happen here is systemic change. There needs to be drastic changes to our immigration policies, ICE as an institution needs to be shut down or at the bare minimum be investigated for their treatment of folks being detained by them. The fact that people come out of there exposed to COVID and without having eaten for several days is unconscionable. There needs to be government funding and disaster relief teams for folks seeking asylum, it is absurd that a bunch of random volunteers and community organizations are having to take on a humanitarian crisis of this scale.

I’ll go into this in a later post, but the United States is almost entirely responsible for creating the conditions that have caused so many folks to flee their home countries. It is the absolute bare minimum that the US can do to accept folks that are fleeing the situations that we created. They do not want to leave their homes, they are being forced to.

Rant over.

Until next time,

#laredo #texas #borderlands #immigration #asylum seekers

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preppinglite · 5 years

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Prepping for: Wildfires

For the second installment of my “Prepping for” series, I figured wildfires would be a timely topic. Many people don’t think about preparing for natural disasters until they are imminent, and some come with very little warning. Wildfires are often unpredictable, with small shifts in the wind putting areas in danger that thought they were safe.

Some people face wildfire risk every year, and for others it’s almost never. It’s up to you to determine what risks you face given your location, lifestyle, and needs.

Where do Wildfires Happen?

Wildfires happen on every continent except Antarctica. However, some areas are more prone than others. In the United States, the top 5 states in terms of acreage burned by wildfires since 2002 are:

1. California

2. Georgia

3. Texas

4. North Carolina

5. Florida

We often hear about California because of how often their wildfires endanger developed areas. However, whether you live in California or Hawaii (the bottom of the list), you should be aware of the fire risk in your immediate area. Watch weather reports, look up wildfire statistics for your region, and know when wildfire season is for you.

Who Should Prepare for Wildfires?

Everyone should have a general-purpose readiness plan that allows them to evacuate quickly in various circumstances. However, people who live in fire prone areas can do a little more to be ready. You should especially prep if you live in a rural area or at the edge of your metropolitan area.

How Can I Prep for Wildfires?

First and foremost, build your bugout bag. When wildfires happen, your priority is to evacuate before the fire reaches your house. Having a bugout bag allows you to get out quickly when the evacuation order is made, which helps in beating the rush. Non-preppers will still be packing up and deciding which mementos they can’t leave behind while you hit the highway.

In addition to your basic bugout bag, you’ll want:

- Extra Water (3 gallons per adult/teen, 1.5 gallons per smaller child) - you should keep this much stored in your home anyway for general preparedness. The standard advice is 1/2 gallon per day per person, but the real number is body weight / 2 = number of ounces per day. With that formula 1/2 gallon would work for a 128-lb person. Which I, for one, am not. Also, the extra water allows you to use water sparingly for washing and cooking.

- Respirator Mask - In some wildfire situations, the smoke reaches your home long before the fire. When you’re evacuating or even deciding whether to evacuate, avoiding smoke inhalation can help protect your lungs. I like these masks from Amazon which are relatively cheap and disposable while still meeting the N95 certification. For smoke, pollution, and dust, you’ll want a mask rated N95 or P100 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). You can also find masks sized for kids that come in different colors and cute designs. If you’re evacuating with small children, it’s important to keep them calm and in good spirits, and it’s especially important to make sure they keep their mask on.

- Key Documents - IDs, passports, car and house titles, loan and mortgage documents, birth certificates, marriage certificates, social security cards, insurance records (especially your home or renter’s insurance!), medical records (especially prescription documentation) and so on. Keep all of these in a folder or box in an accessible place. You can also consider a fireproof safe, but in the event of an evacuation you’ll want to be able to grab them quickly and take them with you. Consider a bag like this which is fireproof but also easy to grab and go during an evacuation. You can even store a laptop in it if you have key documents stored digitally.

- Inventory and Property Photos - Take an inventory of your valuables that will be left behind in an evacuation and take photos of your property if you own your home. Keep these with your key documents so that you can file insurance claims.

- Insurance That Covers Wildfires - Check your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance to make sure that wildfire damage is covered. If it’s not in there, you may need to change your coverage. Call your agent or shop around for a plan that’s as prepared as you are.

- Family Photos and Videos - If you scrapbook and make photo albums, consider making a “bugout” album. This should have some very special photos from all the important people in your life. Basically, if you had to leave the rest behind, this album would have the best of the best. If you store photos digitally, make sure you have copies on a hard drive (not just the Cloud), and you can store that hard drive in your key documents box. A USB stick is enough if you just have photos, but videos take up more space. If you have a lot of digital storage, consider a water-resistant and drop-protected drive like this one.

- Mementos and Other Sentimental Items - Don’t spend too much time packing up things you’re afraid to lose when it’s time to evacuate. Your life is more important. However, if you have heirlooms or other sentimental items, consider getting a box for those that can be grabbed quickly without having to worry if everything is in there. If you don’t use the items often (such as heirloom jewelry that you only wear on special occasions), consider a safety deposit box at your bank. If you have kids, identify one special item (blanket, stuffed animal, etc) that they can’t sleep without. Make a list of these items that you can check off during an evacuation. Planning ahead can allow you to take some special items with you without those items slowing you down.

- Clothes - Bring two sets of clothes for each person in addition to what you’re already wearing. You can set aside some clothes in a duffel bag (just check every so often to make sure they fit!) and keep the bag near your bugout bag or in your car (which can even be nice for those times when you’re out an about and need a change of clothes - just make sure you wash and replace if you do that).

When Do I Evacuate?

If local authorities or your local news station are telling you to evacuate, do it. Make sure you have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio in case fire damages power lines and cuts off your TV. This radio is hand-crank powered and includes a flashlight and a battery bank for your phone. However, if you do lose power because of the wildfire, that alone might be your cue to leave.

You may also decide to leave earlier if the fires seem to be moving toward your area, if the air is thick and smoky, or if this wildfire season seems worse than last year’s. If you decide to leave before an evacuation is ordered, you’ll skip some of the rush, but you might spend more time away from home. If you’re staying in a hotel, this can add up price-wise, and if you’re staying with family or friends you might risk overstaying your welcome before the danger is over. Consider carefully where you’ll go, and make sure that you know how to get there. Set aside funds for your gas, food, and lodging (this can be part of your existing emergency fund).

What if I’m Trapped?

Part of having a bugout bag means being able to leave on foot if roads are blocked. Ideally, you should wait for rescuers, but a fast-moving fire that firefighters are struggling to contain could mean you’re on your own. If you can, seal up your home using duct tape and plastic sheeting to keep smoke and ash out. Fires move fast, and trying to outrun a fire on foot can be a losing battle.

If you are evacuating before the fire gets too close, but you are unable to take your car (it breaks down, you’re out of gas, or roads are blocked), you may need to go on foot. Head toward your bugout location away from the fire. Leave everything except your bugout bag and your masks. Put as many roads, rivers, and lakes between you and the fire as possible, as these help slow down and stop fires.

What Happens When I Go Home?

As soon as authorities declare your area safe and you head home, take pictures of any damage to your property. Make insurance claims quickly so you can begin any necessary repairs.

Once your claims have been submitted, start the cleanup process. There are various services that can come in and handle most of the cleaning and repairs for you. If your home has been totally destroyed, check with your insurance agency and a real estate agent to figure out your options and resources.

Important Considerations for Emergency Shelters

If you live in an area with frequent and severe wildfires, there may be shelters available once an evacuation order is given. If you choose to go to one of these shelters, know that there are some real downsides. Be sure to keep all your belongings with you at all times and bring your own food, water, and toiletries.

If you own firearms, know that government-run shelters will not allow you to bring them in. Keep this in mind. I would caution against giving up your means of self-defense for a temporary shelter, especially as civil unrest can sometimes follow disasters if the government and community response to the disaster is insufficient (see Hurricane Katrina).

#Disaster Preparedness #Survival #prepping #preppers #bugout #boogaloo #natural disaster #emergency preparation #emergency preparedness

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etraytin · 4 years

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Quarantine, Day 105.5

June 25, early

I don't usually write interstitial journal entries, I just save things up and make super long entries at the end of each day. But it's ten after three in the morning and I'm just getting home and my brain is too full to let me sleep, so here I am, with Day 105.5.

I have been on the Red Cross's Disaster Action team for more than three years now. Not nearly as long as some people who have done it for literal decades, but I've got a little experience under my belt, been on a lot of fire calls. Disaster Action Team is the part of the American Red Cross that responds to disasters that are limited in scope, one home or one building or one neighborhood. If you've driven past the aftermath of a house fire and seen people in Red Cross vests, those are DATs. DATs go to the scene and collect information on the event and the victims, put them into the Red Cross system, and deliver initial, first aid level assistance to make sure everyone has a place to stay for the next couple nights, food to eat, clothes to wear, etc. A lot of money that gets donated to the American Red Cross goes out through our hands, one assistance card at a time. It's the reason that we go out at all hours of the night, so nobody ends up losing their house and then sleeping in their car or on the street til morning.

The call I went on tonight was different than any call I've ever been on. For one thing, it was unusually far away. Typically in Hampton Roads, one Red Cross office takes care of things north of the bridge-tunnels, while another, much bigger office takes care of the south. This call was in the south, but there ended up being three northern DATs called in on it because nobody on the southern team could do it or would answer their phone at midnight. It was also unusual because all our responses lately have been virtual, but this scene was going to be so big and complex that they called for on-scene DATs. It was a 45 minute drive just to get to the location, and only that little because there was no traffic so late at night. When I got there it was a big scene, lots of police along with the fire, several roads blocked off, an actual taped off area they were keeping people out of. It was a big fire. I was glad that the team coordinator, the person who called me in, was already on scene and working because it gave me a place to start. There were four households that all needed to be processed, so I sat down with a woman who headed one household and started asking her questions.

There's a pattern to DAT calls that you tend to fall into after you've done it awhile. I try to build a little rapport with the client, introduce myself, say I'm sorry, say we're here to help, etc, but not too much. Most of the time people are barely paying attention to me anyway and who can blame them? I'm just one more person asking questions on a terrible day. Then there's a whole list of questions about who lives in the house, who owns the house, does anybody have a place to stay, etc. I was just getting into the rhythm with this woman, who was upset but holding it together, when a guy from the police department came up. This is normal too, our interviews are often interrupted by emergency personnel doing their job at the same time. I took the opportunity to jot notes, and I almost missed it when he told the woman that he was sorry but that (woman's name, same surname) had passed away at the hospital. I didn't even process the words fully until she screamed. Then he just stood there as this woman and her adult son melted down. It was her mother. I knew that police officers have to do this, but I thought it would be softer somehow. I thought at least he would say something more to comfort her, but he didn't, just stood there as she rocked and wailed.

I have never been on a DAT call with a fatality. It's not my job. Regular DATs are not trained for that sort of situation because if there is a case with a fatality, someone with special training is sent in to handle them and their fresh grief. I was just sitting there with a clipboard in my hands and watching this woman fall apart. I got her a bottle of water and a new box of Kleenex from my car, even though technically those are fomites. I wasn't even thinking like that at that point. Other members of her family were coming up to her and crying. Some of them were angry. Some were confused and disoriented from the hour and the emotional trauma. I am not a person who knows the right things to say to people. In normal times, I have a partner who does almost all the talking and I put things into the computer and do the paperwork because it's what we are each good at, but he wasn't there and I had to do something. It was an incredibly helpless feeling. In the end, the only thing I could do was finish the interview so she could get her assistance card. I waited ten minutes or so, not nearly enough for her to be okay, but enough that the first overwhelming shock could pass. I took the most bare-bones interview that I could, waiting until last to ask for her mother's information so I could add her to the list as a household member who had died in the fire.

There is nothing you can possibly say in a situation like that. On top of everything else, their two dogs died in the fire as well, and it was two in the morning and they didn't know what they were going to be able to do with the bodies. I was able to at least call the 24 hour emergency vet for them and give them some information about that. The dogs had been horrible enough. Just before the police officer came up, the son had been agonizing over the fact that he had scolded his dog shortly before the fire had broken out, and then he had to hear the news about his grandmother. We were able to get them some money at least, enough to go to a hotel, enough to get clothes and toiletries to wear, maybe enough to cremate their pets. It was all we could do, and they thanked us, and we said we were sorry again, and we left.

This would have hit me hard on any day, but I think maybe it was even worse tonight because FIL died so recently. Losing a parent is such a wrench, much less a loss that is unanticipated, and it just upends your world even if you're an adult. And I thought about how hard it was to get everything in order for MIL, how much there was to do and arrange and pay for. And then I thought about how this woman has just lost her home and all her possessions too, and is very unlikely to have resources to cover any of it. How much harder to try and grieve in that situation? How much longer to recover, if you ever recover? But all we can do is what we can do, and at least we helped some and helped quickly. It would have been worse if we weren't there, so that's what I try and hold onto. When I drove down to the scene, I played the original cast recording of Come From Away, like I always do on late-night Red Cross calls because the energy from singing along keeps me awake and the subject matter is so fitting. On the way back, I just listened to Famous Blue Raincoat over and over or rode in silence. It wasn't four in the morning, but it was close enough. And now it really is four in the morning and I have a long day tomorrow, so I'm going to try and get some rest.

#quarantine #red cross #tw: death #tw: fire

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dsmadmin · 3 years

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#AmarasReign

Written by @SWinchesterDSM & @DeanisDoomed

SAM - The cities still held many people but resources were running out. Those who would make no deals with the demons were left to starve to death or were taken by force to be sold to the highest bidder. Sam has been to hell and while it was horrific atleast it wasn’t filled with innocent children etc. To him this reality was worse. He got board the old bus that he and several others had reinforced best they could to make the journey into the nearest city and try to find survivors and be on the lockout for anything useful they could find.

Everything was needed and so were people to help attend the corps that were underground grown using hydroponics. Because of the constant darkness vegetation and animals were dying out. It wasn’t even about fighting the demons as much as it was just trying to survive. The temptation to harness power by drinking demon blood made Sam consider it but so far he’d abstained. He knew he’d be a lot more useful juiced up but he was afraid what would come if he couldn’t come back from it. Plus, Dean was wearing the mark of Cain.

He knew he needed to keep himself together if for no other reason but Dean. The bus rolled to a stop the driver reported a few cars needed to be moved. Sam got up and went out with a few more to push the cars clear. Cars moved the bus went on. As they got closer he caught sight of a few people or demons. They had to be careful because demons would reel you in and then jump you. Humans were being traded and sold to the highest bidder. It pissed Sam off to his core. Getting out more people emerged from the shadows begging for food and water. One of the other hunters went through the process of making sure they weren’t demons and convinced them to get onto the bus with a promise of more safety in numbers.

Two male hunters joined Sam as they scavenged for things that could be useful. The grocery store was empty of food but Sam found some paper and pens. He stuffed them into his backpack. The most basic of things were needed. Moving on to a clothing store he grabbed a shopping cart and they carried what clothes they could find. With new arrivals everyday you never knew what all could be needed. No food to be found at all and as Sam looked through what was left of a gun shop all he found was a couple knives.

They hauled their goods back to the bus and waited as more survivors were loaded on. He’d liked to have checked out more but the most important part of this was rescuing /humans/ and they had about ten, the precious cargo needed to get to safety. Taking up his position he watched for any possible problems as they began the trip back out into the country where the old missile cool no housing around one hundred people.-

Dean - Living in the old missile silo wasn't the best living quarters for the few people Sam managed to get in the last adventure into the city looking for suppliers, both sam and I would let the few survivors have the food we had gathered up, to the point, we need to ration out the food to the new people staying with us. The last thing we need is our new guests running out of food. Even Sam hadn't been on a demon blood diet for the last few weeks to keep him strong as there were no demons around to kill to keep Sam alive and to help myself with the curse in my arm. After nightfall, Sam and I would secure the silo so nothing would get inside other than us when we would return the next morning. To the guys staying with us, they would understand we were going to work, which wasn't a lie with us going out for hunts to see who would be roaming the streets.

The streets were becoming quieter each night fewer humans around with their bodies laying down in the streets due to starvation in this world of ours or whatever the few vampires were around and the rats had left of the corpses. Everything was starving now, my concern for Sammy was growing that he hadn't had drank from any demons in such a long time. He had gone to being on Cold turkey over the blood. Sam being him never wanted to drink the blood. I could see him becoming weaker I needed to keep Sammy strong with the lack of food around, “Sammy I know you have to do everything you can to stay you. As I know you would never do anything without thinking ever Theory out with us and you haven't drunk any blood in a while, Will you drank if we hunt for demons tonight? “ Dean wanted to make sure we caught a demon for Sam to allow him to drink a demon if he wanted to. Dean needed Sammy to help with this world he never wanted to ever lose Sammy and he would protect him at any cost. Dean wearing the mark of cain having the urge to kill anything in sight other than his brother. His shakes were coming to tremble he need to kill something soon to stop the urge to kill the humans back home. The events of nightfall would give us some cover if needed. We were never hiding when it was just us, we had a timetable to stick to. Trying to find any demons to set some traps for any demons to come to us. Sometimes with the traps set, we would need to urge them out from their hidden places as we need to take our time with the killing.

Our bullets were running low, to the point we were almost out of bullets and we have limited ourselves to using the guns but only in emergencies cases for Sam. My knife skills were getting better with the target practice with the fights. The fights each night were getting more bloody ripping the demon to shreds, not for sport but to survive. Sam and I knew we needed to find some gunpowder soon to make our bullets back home. patrolling the streets searching for any suppliers we can find like clothing, toiletries or just based food was becoming harder each night as there were no deliveries. Sam wanted to adventure out to the next city to see if they would have any supplies but that would need to be kept for another night with the sun rising on the horizon. Sam and I just looked at each other knowing it was time to travel back out of the city and back home with the few supplies we managed to get with the tin food and packets of dried noodles from the store.

Sam: -To his brother's question there was silence, he didn't want to go that route because one of them had to be clear-headed even if it meant being hungry to do it.- I don't think it's a good idea Dean, these people need us. I've got an idea, I know more a long-term plan but there's a couple of farmers and a journeyman that worked on electricity. We need to hit the country's see vault and rig up enough power to run grow lights. There's enough room in the bunker to get it started. Then we need to find a way into military bases and see what we can salvage for security and transportation. There are at least two guys with military experience in there and have been on a couple of the bases close to us. With your abilities, I think you could just transport us right in now keys needed. The humans didn't really know about demons and things till it was too late so the odds they had defenses against them are very low. And with you being a knight, I don't think we need to worry much.

Dean - I know they need us but this guy right beside you, he needs you too. I'm all ears to try anything out to keep you safe and the others too Sammy. Promise me Sammy you will eat when the next meal is prepared. Right now you are all skin and bones. I will do pretty anything to keep you with me but I can't do it all on my own as you need to eat something even if it's just rice and beans Sammy? That sounds definitely a making of a new plan to give everyone hope, safety and warmth here. Have you been getting to know our guests Sammy and their backgrounds for this idea? you can count on me helping any way I can. When we were last out Sammy I thought I saw the old power plan that could be used too if there is anything left in there too. We might be able to bring it back too. Something needs to be done Sammy I don't think we are going to find anyone else out there to save. Right now it's just us and everyone we have here now.

Sam listened to his brother and he got where he was coming from but he wouldn't give up hope of more survivors.- I'll eat something I promise. Yeah, not much else to do but talk, good to know what kind of skill sets people have could really help come up with the garden. It

won't be super easy but with the power guy, I think we have a real shot. I mean we have to think long term not just right now. We get a system worked out we could become self-sustaining with some effort. The power plant is a good idea. I'm holding out hope there are more people out there. Would be nice if we could find a way to purge the demons large scale back to hell... -As he spoke the words he got a thought.- What if we could get something rigged up for broadcasting like it might only reach a block or so but dude this might work. We use the cities own emergency speakers and broadcast an exorcism. We wouldn't even need anyone truly there, just set up a tape recording. We need to figure out where a radio station is located in the city and how many others there are. And so you'll transport me to seed bank right so we can start getting seeds back here?

Dean - *Dean looked around in the small room that was storing the canned and dried food. He knew something desperately needed to done to keep his brother alive and the others too. Their food supplies were becoming limited with each passing day as he listened to where Sammy was coming from. He has always had the best of ideas. Right now his brain was needed for the long run of this fight of such survival and with the hungry setting in with the few people He had been talking to. “Anything is possible. With the broadcasting, the only thing with that is not just survivors coming after us but demons and that might come down on us. I'm willing to give it go Sammy as I will defend you and the 99 odd souls we have here until my dying breath. Do you think the power guy is ready to work his magic? Maybe it is best if we go for a trial run to see what exactly the power plan has as we don't need to put anyone else in danger. “ *Dean ran his hand over his hairs on his ace knowing right now timing would be everything. Knowing he could transfer his brother to the seed plant safety. * Another option to have more choices of food for everyone here. How long do you think you will need in the plant Sam?

Sam - I don't know depends. I'd say a couple of hours to get a look at things see what's needed to make things run. I agree we should do a trial run on the broadcasting but focus on the food first. The seed vault shouldn't take a long time. I'll only bring back what could be started u p for now. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault vault is located about halfway between the North Pole and the coast of Norway, near the town of Longyearbyen (population 1900), in the remote arctic island archipelago of Svalbard.

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wmshappen · 4 years

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Sustainability trends in lockdown

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

From Billie Eilish sharing posts and talking about environmental issues in interviews to Jaden Smith promoting water bottle company JustWater and his Homeless Vegan food van, being in-tune with environmental issues has never been trendier. Whether it is because of celebrities and important figures such as Greta Thunberg spreading the message and inspiring millions to adopt a new eco-friendly lifestyle, or the many hours we have had during lockdown to educate ourselves on what we are doing to the planet, something has shifted in the demand for products, for events and for our lifestyles to be more environmentally friendly than ever.

One big change is the drastic uptake in veganism and especially Veganuary. Veganuary is the movement that encourages people to try to go vegan for the whole of January, with the idea of hopefully staying vegan thereafter. The campaign launched in 2014, and has grown from around 3000 participants in 2014 to over 500,000 participants in 2021. Their mission statement is to create a ‘vegan world’ by supporting people and businesses alike to move to a plant-based diet as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving health. They claim that by encouraging 1 million people to go vegan for 31 days, they have saved 103,840 tonnes of C02 equivalent gases from being produced, saved 6.2 million litres of water, and the equivalent of 1645 tonnes of sewage from entering the waterways. Not to mention that 72% of people who tried it for the month of January in 2020 claim to have stuck with veganism.

Read more about Veganuary here.

For a number of years, events have started to consider how they can be more environmentally friendly. Many UK festivals now go ‘plastic free’, discouraging or banning use of single use plastics. Carbon-off-setting of events is also popular, with Finsbury Park (a festival in North London), having gone as far committing to plant one tree for every ticket purchased to off-set the carbon emissions that the event produced. They also used HVO, a renewable form of diesel, and solar panels to power the whole event. Read more about it here.

Here at WMSH, we’ve been working on sustainability campaigns since 2014 and are constantly looking for ways to go greener. Last year might’ve been a quieter period for us, but we still managed to plant 206 trees for carbon-offsetting, and have been using the down time to work on finding sustainable suppliers to add to our database, with the aim of being able to offer a sustainable option on everything we do by the end of the year. As part of that, we’re working with our print suppliers on closed-loop systems (so printed materials and branding can be returned and recycled), and looking at the materials we use and how to align with the four pillars of sustainability (reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle). Currently all our builds are, where possible, broken down to their core components to be reused or repurposed, with viable items donated to charities and good causes, and others recycled or sent for zero-to-landfill energy recovery.

Having more free time has allowed us to do more research and many of the team have started to implement certain things into our lives that we couldn’t find the time to do before. We asked the WMSH team what things they’d changed in their lives recently, with a view to living more eco-friendly lives.

Lewis (Intern)

Personally, after going vegan 2 years ago, I thought that was all I had to do and could do to for the environment, but during lockdown I wanted to find more ways to be environmentally friendly. One way I have achieved this is by shopping at a shop called “How It Should Be Done”, which allows you to bring your own containers to fill up with things such as cereal and washing up liquid from pumps to avoid single use plastics.

Stephen (Creative Designer)

I’ve ditched plastic bottles in the bathroom and instead opted for shampoo and conditioner bars along with soap bars. Also, in the bathroom I have swapped my toothbrush for a new bamboo one that stops single use plastics. To also stop using single use plastics I have stopped getting carrier bags in our fortnightly supermarket food delivery and I use the bags I have when I go to the corner shop every time instead of buying a new one. Cutting down on beef is another thing, I’d say I’ve cut down on it by 80%, and only have it on occasions now. To save energy I have bought a new TV with A++ energy efficacy that also auto turns off, and I also use my car about 90% less than I was, and only make the rare trip when really needed.

Alice (Senior Event Producer)

I follow ‘The Sorry Girls’ on YouTube – they’re Canadian DIYers, who also have a passion for sustainability, and I’ve taken on some ideas from their channel. I've switched to re-usable cotton pads (they made their own from old towels, but I cheated and brought mine) and try and DIY various things from stuff I already have, to save buying new.

I've also taken to obtaining wood for my DIYs from the Glasgow Wood Recycling centre, not only is it generally cheaper than buying new, and means they aren’t cutting down more trees to sell it, the extra nicks give pieces a bit more character. I made my sister some shelves for Christmas from some reclaimed scaffolding boards.

I’ve also found a supplier that sells whisky barrels, straight from the distilleries, for a fraction of the price you’d buy them at a garden centre. It saves them going to waste, and I make a saving too! Also, my new favourite place to explore (when shops are open) is ‘Glasgow Architectural Salvage’ – they strip what they can from older buildings that are being taken down or repurposed, and sell it, to save them from the tip – there’s all sorts of treasures to be found there, from church pews to vintage lighting fixtures, door handles and stained glass windows. This again helps me to buy second hand instead of new.

JD (Co-founder)

I’ve made a couple of small changes: replaced cotton pads with reusable ones; started getting toilet roll and tissues from Who Gives A Crap? who make the paper with bamboo, use plastic-free (and super cool) packaging and donate profits to sanitation projects; started getting veg boxes from local farm surplus that would otherwise go to waste; also finally got a travel mug for taking on walks that, if anything, keeps my tea way too hot.

The sustainability in fashion projects we’ve worked on also inspired me to focus on buying clothes that are second-hand or made from recycled materials. Was a bit dubious about recycled polyester but it’s actually super soft and recycled wool is incredibly cosy. Re-fashion, Beyond Retro, and Oxfam’s online shop are great for picking up vintage stuff.

Lorna (Senior Creative Producer)

I am going veggie so I have started to cut meat out of my diet, although I seem to be failing when it comes to takeaways. Tips I would suggest would be to avoid takeaways (lol) and try to research what fruit and vegetables are in season. I am not a huge fan of meat substitutes so I plan on researching what fruits and vegetables are in season and finding nice recipes to make with them. I think this is a much more healthy and interesting way to eat when you’ve given up meat.

I do eventually plan to go vegan when I can let go of cheese and chocolate, I’m not there yet!

Megan (Senior Creative Producer)

Like many people, we started a vegetable patch in the first lockdown, growing tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, beans, cabbage, kale, courgette, peas, potatoes etc. Have just started to dig it over again for planting this year, and the kids have got well into grow your own, which has made them eat more.

I’ve also had a massive clear out of toiletries and beauty products, which I seem to hoard, and have been trying to use everything up before buying anything new…let’s just say we’re only halfway through so far!

I’ve also only driven to the doctors surgery twice (which is about 5 mins away) since March 2020, so doing pretty well on reducing emissions so far!

If you’ve got a green campaign or event you’d like some help with, get in touch.

Lewis Forster

#sustainability

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followingmywanderlust · 4 years

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Revisiting Pura Vida

for access to more photos and videos, visit: https://kyliebreenphotography.com/2020/05/01/revisiting-pura-vida/

Over two years ago I left the country for the first time in my life. I have always had a sense of wanderlust, known as a strong urge to travel. In April of 2018, I signed up for a mission trip to Costa Rica through my high school. Little did I know that my experience abroad would shape me completely (read more here). After experiencing the beauty and peace that I found everywhere in Costa Rica, I knew I would have to return to the place that holds such a special place in my heart.

This January I was fortunate enough to return to Costa Rica through pure luck. My father won a free vacation through his work and he was able to pick from a list of destinations. On that list was a trip for two to Costa Rica. After some serious convincing and a lot of procrastination on my family’s part on deciding where to go, we decided that my dad and I would go to Costa Rica (thanks Mom & Bro!).

My dad and I are the travelers of the family (considering my mom dislikes planes) because my dad has lots of experience traveling for work and I want to see the world. We planned our trip for two weeks, one week with the Caravan tour that he won and one week adventuring on our own. Caravan is a touring service that offers tours in several destinations at an affordable price. You can see the route we decided to take in the map below.

In January it is Costa Rica’s dry season which lasts from mid-November to May. The dry season typically consists of sunny, hot, and windy days. The Caribbean side, however, basically has its own weather pattern and is still rainy even during the dry season. The difference between the Carribean and Pacific side are vastly different which I will explain later in this blog.

GETTING READY

PACKING

I am definitely an overpacker when it comes to travel and the thought of a two-week long trip made me nervous. I started out by making a very long list of things I needed to bring and narrowed it down from there. Here are some key items that you should bring to Costa Rica:

Hats & Sunscreen: you must protect your skin from the blazing sun.

A Camera or GoPro: Costa Rica is absolutely stunning and you will want to capture the wildlife and landscapes, but remember that anything can be lost or sadly stolen when traveling so be extra cautious when brining valuables. I brought my camera and laptop and everything was fine, but on my prior trip I was advised to only pack what I needed. Don’t forget to pack your camera batteries, chargers, and memory cards.

Portable Charger: You never know when your phone will run out of juice so make sure to bring a portable charger so you’re always on the grid!

Bug Spray: There will be several hikes that will introduce you to some unwanted bug bites, so in order to avoid them make sure to pack some spray.

Water Bottles: The tap water in Costa Rica is mostly not safe to drink, so bring water bottles and fill them with fresh water from the grocery store instead. During our trip Caravan provided us with bottled water each day, but on our own we bought gallons of water and filled up our bottles before we left for the day. It is so important to stay hydrated when you are working up a sweat.

Comfortable Clothing: Keep in mind that comfort should come before fashion, especially in such hot weather. There are a series of activities that I did that required a change of clothes, so make sure to pack efficiently. We were able to use a laundromat during the trip so we did not have to pack as much! Make sure to pack hiking shoes, sandals, and water shoes because you will need them.

Toiletries: In many places we stayed, the hotel did not provide shampoo, conditioner, etc. so make sure to bring some of your own or check with where you are staying.

Journal: This may seem silly, but if you are someone like me and you have a bad memory, keeping a daily log of your activities will allow you to revisit your trip at any time.

¿HABLAS ESPAÑOL?

Costa Rica is primarily a Spanish-speaking country so it is a good idea to download a translating app onto your phone. A lot of Costa Ricans speak English as the country depends on tourism for their economy, but don’t expect everyone to. And it’s fun to learn a new language when it is everywhere around you! Go out of your comfort zone and try to ask questions in Spanish.

DATA PLAN

Many data plan providers have an international plan that you can sign up for, but a cheaper option is to buy a new SIM card while you are in Costa Rica. My dad is a tech wizard and he can explain this way better than me, but buying a SIM card is a more affordable option than paying a provider day-to-day. My dad bought one right outside the airport when we landed (it was a little sketchy), and it didn’t work very well so I would recommend talking to your data provider instead. My provider had a special plan for $10 a day and I only used it for 3/4 days when I needed to check in with the world. For the most part I was able to get away with using our hotel’s WiFi.

MONEY

Every Costa Rican shop I went to, whether it was an artisan shop or a restaurant, accepts U.S. dollars as well, but it is not a bad idea to exchange some of those dollars for colones. Most places, especially in San José accept both Visa and Mastercard credit cards, but once outside of the city there are a few small, family-owned businesses that only accept cash.

TRANSPORTATION

We were on our own for the first few days we were in Costa Rica, so we needed a rental car. We used the rental service Adobe rent a car which was very reliable and they even picked us up from the airport and drove us to our car. During our Caravan tour, we were provided transportation everywhere and we had our own bus (shoutout to our bus driver Chega for doing an amazing job).

THE ADVENTURE

TURRIALBA BED & BREAKFAST

After a long day full of travel, we finally arrived at Turrialba Bed & Breakfast, a comfortable, family-owned hotel located in the heart of Turrialba, two hours outside of San José. There are 11 rooms avaliable that are all different sizes. This bed & breakfast is not a typical, luxurious hotel, but it was an excellent way to observe the lives of many locals in Costa Rica. Every morning, one of the staff members would make us breakfast which included pineapples, papayas, rice and beans, juice, toast, and eggs. There is a gorgeous outside patio with many hammocks, a jacuzzi, and several fish tanks that add to a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. Additionally, there is beautiful rooftop seating with an incredible view of the mountain range surrounding the city. The family was primarily Spanish-speaking, so make sure to know some basic spanish (like if you want fried eggs you should know huevos fritos)!

Within walking distance of the hotel is a beautiful park with a gazebo that the locals love, and restaurants that will not disappoint your taste buds. During my stay, I dined at More Than Words which is right around the corner from the hotel where we enjoyed a delicious pizza and salad.

We stayed at this B&B for two nights and had an amazing time experiencing Costa Rica outside of the populated city.

RIVER RAFTING

After an early morning breakfast at the B&B, we made our way to Tico’s River Adventures. Their base is located in Turrialba only about 10 minutes away from our hotel, and they even offered to pick us up and drop us off! Make sure to pack a change of clothes with you and be aware that you will have the opportunity to swim near the end of the trip, so wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty/wet. Tico’s website suggests bringing:

swimsuit/shorts (no jeans)

sunscreen or visor

strap to secure glasses

tennis shoes or sandals with ankle straps (no flip flops)

light rain jacket for rainy days

cotton T-shirts for sunny days

A day trip is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., so be prepared for a long day! Tico’s is the first rafting company to get to the river giving them a competitive avantage over other companies. From Tico’s base, participants are picked up at various destinations on the way to the Pacuare River where the rafting takes place. Be aware that you are all squeezed together in a van depending on how many people are going on the trip. The ride took around an hour to an hour and a half total, and near the end of the drive were some very rocky and steep roads. Between the water and the drive, this trip is not for anyone who has motion sickness.

That being said, the long drive was 100% worth it and rafting was one of the biggest highlights of the trip. The Pacuare River is one of the top five most beautiful ratable rivers of the world according to National Geographic Magazine. Flavio was our guide and we were in a six person raft. Flavio spoke fluent English and had worked in California for a long period of time, and he made our rafting journey comfortable, educational, and hilarious. There are bathrooms located at the start of the river, but after that you will not see another bathroom for around two hours. For equipment we wore a lifejacket and helmet to ensure our safety during the trip. We started the rafting by going over basic instructions on how to paddle forwards and backwards which was easy to learn. There were rapids from difficulty levels one to four (none were too difficult in my opinion), and the rafting started out fairly easy. Along the river are two stunning waterfalls, small villages of the indigenous people of Costa Rica, and several rapids.

There are foot straps within the raft for stability, and falling out of the raft is not a problem as the guides are well trained. I only *almost* fell out of the raft once when Flavio decided to do a 360° turn while going down a rapid. I nearly flew off the side but I was thankfully saved by my dad.

At a calm section of the tour, we were able to get out of the raft and swim. It was one of the most calm and relaxing moments of my entire life. I floated on my back and heard the sounds of wildlife from birds chirping to howling monkeys in the distance. The rainforest trees towered above me on either side, and the water’s current swept me through the warm yet refreshing river.

We drifted towards a set of smooth rocks where we docked the rafts and the guides made us a delicious lunch. We were able to build our own tortillas and for dessert there was fresh pineapple.

After lunch, we continued for a while longer down the river until we reached the end of the rapids. We docked the boat and ended at a small restauraunt where we had the option to buy drinks or use the restroom facilities. Throughout the rafting journey, there is a photographer who kayaks ahead to take photos, and they are offered at the end of the trip for those who want to buy them. Overall, I would highly reccommend river rafting to anyone adventurous enough to try!

SAN JOSÉ

While we were at the B&B, someone who was staying there highly recommended the Mercado Central in San José. We had our final breakfast in Turrialba and drove to San José to find the market, but sadly we found it to be closed on Sundays. We paid a small amount to park in a fenced-in lot and we decided to walk around San José even if we didn’t get to go to the market. We decided to try and find Museo del Oro Precolombino (The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum) after doing some research. On our way to the museum we walked through Central Avenue Boulevard which was lined with shops and fast food restarants. Families, couples, and individuals crowded the walking areas with one hand holding an ice cream cone and another grasping a shopping bag. There were vendors along the sides of the path that were selling handmade bracelets, keychains, and more.

On our way to the museum we found ourselves pretty hungry for lunch so we stopped at the National Theater of Costa Rica (Teatro Nacional Costa Rica) for some delicious food. The interior of the theater was stunning and had several statues just inside the enterance. There was a small cafe located within the theater that served brunch. The cafe was very high-end with paintings and sculptures that decorated the interior. Waiters and waitresses were dressed in black and white and the overall feel of the cafe was prestigious. My father had more than one latte they were so delicious, and I enjoyed my meal as well. We got a window seat which was perfect for people-watching and enjoying the warm breeze.

After our lunch we asked directions to the museum and found right next door to the theater (you have to go down some stairs to find it). The museum was massive and had 3 different floors, one for a history of Costa Rican money, another for artwork, and the third for the gold. There were interactive stations, a fascinating video on the indigenous people of Costa Rica, and hundreds of beautiful artifacts. There was an entry fee that was a little pricey, but with the amount of history and art you got to see, it was worth it.

After our adventures in San José we headed to meet our Caravan tour at the airport where everyone was arriving.

CARAVAN TOUR

When traveling, I fear limitations and impetuosity so I did not expect to have the greatest experience with a guided tour. I like to venture off the formed paths and explore on my own with my camera in my hand – free from time constraints and noisy crowds. Nature has always resonated with me and calmed me down so I was afraid I wouldn’t have the same experience on this tour as I did when exploring Costa Rica on my own.

My fears were silly. This tour was incredible and because of it I was able to see some of the most stunning spots of Costa Rica. Martha Seeyle was our amazing guide and she made the experience so much better by teaching us about the culture and history of Costa Rica. There were some long bus rides, but Martha always had something new up her sleeve to teach us.

After settling in at Hotel Barceló in San Jose, we prepared for our first day of activities: a trip to a coffee farm.

COFFEE TOUR & BUTTERFLY FARM: ALAJUELA If you are not an early riser, this trip may not be for you! We woke up at 7:00 a.m. and grabbed a buffet style breakfast at the hotel (which was very yummy). After breakfast we departed for Alajuela, but on the way we stopped at an artisan souvenir shop and saw the world’s largest ox cart! We got a mini tour of where they make the wheels of ox carts and saw some artisans in action. They provided some fruit and a lemonade-tasting drink (that apparently wasn’t lemonade) for us to snack on. We were given time to shop around the store and use the restrooms, and then we were off to the Doka Coffee Plantation.

Once we arrived we ate a buffet-style lunch in an open area full of seating, and we were the only group there. After we finished eating we were given the opportunity to explore the grounds which had a butterfly garden! There were two levels to the garden and plenty of open space for the butterflies to fly around.

Our guide for the coffee tour was very knowledgable, but in my opinion I found the tour to be a bit bland at times considering I have no interest in coffee. Our guide took us through the step-by-step process of collecting coffee beans from picking them to roasting them and we even watched a short video about the plantation before we started our tour.

One pretty great part though was that we got to sample some chocolate and vanilla covered beans (if you couldn’t tell I have a sweet tooth). We were also given the opportunity to buy the bags of beans directly from the plantation which was pretty neat after just watching the step-by- step process.

I think that a lot of people on the tour enjoyed the plantation, but because I am not a coffee drinker and I prefer activities with a little more action, this was my least favorite activity while on the trip (it only goes up from here!).

We arrived back at our hotel around 3:30 which gave us plenty of time to do some exploring around the hotel and get some rest before dinner. We walked to a local market to pick up some snacks because we had already run out of the ones we brought, and had a relaxing evening. Hotel Barceló was one of the nicest hotels we stayed at with functional wifi, great food, and comfortable and spacious rooms. The only issue is that they played the same exact song on repeat for every single meal to the point where it became a running joke and we could all hum along to it.

RESCATE ANIMAL ZOOAVE: FORTUNA We left the hotel at 8:00 a.m. after enjoying another buffet-style breakfast at the hotel and in no time we arrived at the Rescate Animal Zooave, a wildlife rescue center located in Fortuna. The center is home to 800 animals that are not able to be released into the wild due to injury or becoming desensitized to humans. We watched a short video about the history and mission of the center and we were encouraged to donate to help the animals in the end for surgeries or for new equipment. I took over a thousand photos alone at the center of all the stunning birds, iguanas that roamed free, crocodiles, monkeys, and more. We didn’t even get to see all of the animals the park was so big, and we had a pretty funny encounter with one of the monkeys. We had another buffet-style lunch (we got used to it) at the center which was very yummy, but we ran out of time to try and see the rest of the park. All of the animals seemed to be treated very well and the establishment was clean and welcoming which made me feel really good.

We headed to our next hotel, Magic Mountain Hotel located in Fortuna. To break up the drive, we stopped at a stunning park where we grabbed ice cream and walked around. There were two adorable, stray (we think) dogs in the park that were very friendly and hung out with us while we ate our ice cream.

The great thing about this tour was that Martha always made sure we broke up the longer drives which gave us a chance to grab some food, stretch our legs, and use the restroom. I believe the longest we were in the bus at one time was 2-3 hours.

We arrived at the hotel around 4:00 and instead of eating dinner at the hotel, my dad and I decided to take a 20 minute walk (2km) into town to grab some local dinner. Before deciding on a place to eat, we explored the local shops and bought a few postcards to send out to our family in California.

We ended up at a place called Lava Lounge which had delicious food and not to mention one of the best smoothies I have ever had. The lounge had nice seating that looked out onto the street and an artisan was crafting at the enterance for entertainment. The menu was very extensive and a relief after having too many buffet-style meals (see the menu here). I ordered a Santa Fe wrap and a strawberry banana smoothie which were both very filling. I am a dog lover and the lounge had various advertisements about the importance of adopting or volunteering at shelters which made my heart happy. You could even buy a digital food item and the proceeds would go to the dogs.

Walking back to the hotel was a little sketchier considering there were limited sidewalks and it was dark outside, but it was totally worth the yummy meal. The Magic Mountain hotel had a great view of the volcano (when it wasn’t cloudy), a pool, and very comfortable rooms with air conditioning. The WiFi, however, did not work very well and we were only a few steps away from the lobby which was a little frustrating.

CAÑO NERO HOT SPRINGS: RIO FRIO

We departed the hotel at 8:00 after eating breakfast and drove north until we reached the Rio Frio river. We stopped at a small restaurant and then we proceeded to take a short walk to the river where we boarded a boat. We saw so many fascinating animals from monkeys to lizards. We travelled so far north that we were able to cross the border of Nicaragua!

The boat cruise was only an hour long, but afterwards I was known as the “camera lady” because of my massive lens and how I ran around the boat trying to get as many photos as possible – I was definitely in my element.

After our tour we ate lunch at the restaurant we parked at and then headed back to the hotel. Miraculously, on our way there Chega, our bus driver, spotted a three-toed sloth and a two-toed sloth in the same tree! We pulled over and took a look at the sloths which was very rare to see.

Our next destination was the Baldi Hot Springs which was not exactly as natural as I expected. We were given the option to opt out of this activity, but my dad and I wanted to fill our day. I was expecting a few pools that were completely natural and warmed by the volcano, but I was surprised to find more of a man-made waterpark. There were bars, food, lounge chairs, slides, and lockers for your belongings. Rather than the sanctuary I was thinking of, it was more comparible to a waterpark.

The food and drinks were incredibly expensive (one smoothie was $16) which was disappointing. On the positive side the water was incredibly relaxing and there were separate pools with different temperatures including a cool-down zone.

Because of my initial expectations I was disappointed with the hot springs, but it was nice to sit down and relax in some warm water after a busy day.

HANGING BRIDGES: ARENAL We had a very early morning and woke up at 5:45 a.m. and had breakfast at the hotel at 6:00. Our next destination was the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, and to my surprise I had actually been to this park on my last trip! During this trip we were able to see some monkeys, but we didn’t see much other wildlife. The hanging bridges were so cool and the sounds of the forest surrounded us at all times. The walk was around 3.2km, but there was also a shorter version (1.9km) for individuals who didn’t want to walk as far.

Near the end of the walk is a natural waterfall that serves as a great photo spot. Additionally, the entrance of the park has a perfect view of the Arenal volcano, and I was able to recreate a picture from my last trip!

I love the hanging bridges because you become one with nature, and there were barely any crowds so it was incredibly peaceful. After our walk we went headed to our next hotel and stopped for lunch and at another souvenir shop in order to break up the drive (we spent most of the day driving). We even drove by the hotel that I stayed at during my last trip (a.k.a. my favorite place in the world).

^^^Hotel Los Héroes – Read more about my last Costa Rica trip here.

We eventually arrived at the Marriott Resort just in time for sunset. After settling into our rooms, we walked down to the ocean (the resort is located on the beach) and took some amazing pictures of the landscape.

JW MARRIOTT BEACH RESORT: GUANACASTE

We had the entire day dedicated to this resort, so we got to wake up whenever we wanted. In an effort to not waste the day away sleeping, we woke up at 8:30 and got breakfast. There was a separate restaurant just for our tour and we had access to it during a certain time frame. When I walked into the buffet, my jaw DROPPED. I have never seen so many pastries, fruits, cereals, eggs, and more in one place. I quickly filled my plate and as much as I wanted to go back for seconds, I was way too full.

We had the entire day to ourselves, so we decided to go for a hike located on the hotel’s grounds. We didn’t see anyone else during the hike, so it was just us and the birds. I got to take pictures of some beautiful birds, but I saw even more wildlife. While we were walking we were shocked to hear some movement above us, and we looked up to see a pack of howler monkeys! They were so calm and didn’t move for quite some time so we were able to observe them closely. One of the monkeys was carrying a baby and I was able to take one of my all-time favorite photos.

After our hike we decided to cool off at the hotel’s infinity pool which overlooked the ocean. I ordered a strawberry banana smoothie (they became my obsession on this trip) and took some time to relax under the sun. After swimming in the pool, we told ourselves we had to jump into the ocean ( I didn’t get to on my last trip), so we ran into the waves for a surprisingly very refreshing swim. The water was a perfect temperature and the sand was so smooth – the best swimming conditions in my opinion.

While we were on the way to the hotel, Martha mentioned that there were horses only a short distance from the entrance so we decided to go pay them a visit. Our timing was impeccable as the sun was setting, so a beautiful, golden light backlit all of the horses. They came right up to the fence and let us pet them, and one even started to eat my dad’s shirt (it was very amusing). We spent a lot of time with them until it was dark and then we decided to grab dinner and hit the hay.

Our entire group basically had to be pulled away from this resort because between the food and the amenities it was the best hotel we had been at so far.

BIRD WATCHING CRUISE: TARCOLES RIVER We woke up at 5:50 a.m. and grabbed our last, best breakfast. My dad and I “stole” extra bananas and apples from the buffet and ran to the horses with the spare time we had before we boarded the bus. We fed the horses both apples and bananas (they preferred the apples) which made for a pretty magical morning.

We sadly departed from the Marriott and headed to Tarcoles River, but on the way we stopped at a small, Monteverde restaurant for restrooms and ice cream (yes, I ate ice cream before lunch – it was delicious and only $2). We continued on the road again and stopped at a different restaurant for a buffet-style lunch. We had the choice between steak and chicken with some rice and a few other sides. The restaurant was completely open-concept with a cool breeze coming in on all sides. We even saw some iguanas crawling around outside!

We continued to drive to the river, and when we got there, a boat was waiting for us. This river is known for its crocodiles, so don’t fall overboard! On the cruise we saw birds, iguanas, crocodiles, and more. The directors of the boat tour were able to identify the crocodiles by name based on what they looked like and where they were hanging out which was pretty neat.

The boat tour flew by (it was around an hour long) and we headed out for our next hotel once again. Hotel San Bada had a stunning rooftop view of Manuel Antionio National Park on one side, and the sunset on the beach on the other.

When we arrived we enjoyed another buffet-style dinner and then we went to the roof for “cocktail hour” and the sunset. I brought my camera and managed to see some Squirrel Monkeys climbing through the trees which was so cool because they are difficult to find!

The sunset was absolutely breathtaking and it was paired with some people who were parasailing which made the photos even more exciting.

Before our big day in Manuel Antonio National Park, our Caravan group watched a short video about the history of the park and learned about the trails that we could take. We were told to bring hiking shoes, a change of clothes, a towel, and a bathing suit in order to be able to do everything at the park. Martha said we could sleep in until whenever, but if you want the best experience of the park, you should go right when it opens at 7:00 a.m.

MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK We woke up at 6:00 a.m. and ate breakfast at the hotel. We found our group at the entrance of the hotel which is conveniently located a few steps away from the park’s entrance. We chose to take the long route through the park with lots of stairs and lookout spots (I would say this hike was difficult, but an 80 year old woman with our group did it with no problems). During our hike we saw monkeys, agouti, sloths, and some birds. There was a group of Capuchin monkeys that came right up to us (they were so close that I couldn’t even take photos with my lens). In hopes of finding more birds (specifically toucans because they are my favorite), we climbed a lookout tower, but we had no luck.

After our hike we took a quick dip in the water which was a perfect temperature! The park filled up quickly and it seemed like most people went for the water and not for the hikes.

We left the park at 11:30 a.m. to grab lunch at the hotel, and said goodbye to our Caravan group as we were beginning our individual trip. I was the youngest one on the trip and the tour was definitely more orientated for an older crowd, but we made some memories with a lot of the people on the trip so it was a heartwarming goodbye.

INDIVIDUAL EXCURSION

We stayed at San Bada for a little longer to plan out our day on our own, and at 1:00 we taxied to our next hotel which was only around 15 minutes away. Peace of Paradise was a very cute apartment-style hotel which had a balcony with a sliding screen door.

We later found out why the door was sliding – monkeys had figured out how to open regular push/pull doors and had raided the kitchens for food! I went to take a nap, but I was incredibly surprised when my dad opened my door and told me there were monkeys at the door. I completely thought he was joking, so I dismissed it until he told me to grab my camera (then I knew it was real). I sprung out of bed to find a group of monkeys raiding the neighbors house for sandwiches and eggs. They were so close I was able to use my phone to take photos, and their visit was definitely a highlight of my trip.

After that excitement, we decided to explore the town so we went to a grocery store and picked up some snacks for the next few days. At 6:30 p.m. we decided to find a place for dinner and walked through town to see what our options were. We ended up at Victoria’s – a gourmet Italian place which had absolutely delicious food. I got fettuccine alfredo with chicken and I wish that I could have finished it it was so good. The customer service was the best we’ve ever had, and we were waited on by several people. One waiter, Manny, is a photographer and showed us his photos and shared his Instagram with us – I still follow him! We had a lovely evening at the restaurant and I highly recommend it to anyone in the Manuel Antonio area.

DAY 1: TRAVELING TO DRAKE BAY We woke up at 6:15 a.m. and packed up to leave Peace of Paradise, and one of the employees asked to take our photo in front of the sign for the hotel (they do this for every guest and compile the images on Facebook).

We spent most of the day traveling from Manuel Antonio to the Osa Peninsula where we would be staying in Drake Bay for three nights. We took a small van from the San Bada hotel to Sierpe which was a scenic two-hour ride with palm trees lining both sides of the street.

We arrived at a small restaurant that sits right where the boats to Drake Bay depart and spent two hours there waiting for our boat to be ready. I had some scrambled eggs and a strawberry banana smoothie (what else is new) and worked on some photo editing to kill some time (there was stable WiFi).

Eventually, we loaded the boats which were very crowded (around 30 people), and we had to put our lifejackets on (all of the luggage was stored in the cabin of the boat). The first half of the boat ride was very calm, but it became pretty bumpy when we reached the ocean. In order to dismount the boat, you had to get out into knee-high water and walk to shore because the boats could not go all the way so make sure to wear some sandals. The crew will take care of your luggage for you and will carry it over their heads to shore.

Hotel employees of Cabinas Murillo, the hotel we were planning to stay in, met us on the beach and carried our luggage to a pick up truck. We got inside the truck and they drove us a quick two-minute ride to the hotel. Almost immediately you could feel the heat difference on the Osa Peninsula. Unfortunately this hotel had no A/C (although it had two fans), so the heat easily made its way inside the room. The only way I could cool off was by sitting completely still or taking a cold shower. Sure, the hotel itself wasn’t 5 stars, but the view from our balcony was breathtaking and the price was very affordable. We spent some time cooling down by sitting on our balcony watching birds of all different colors and sizes fly around us. We decided to stay in Drake Bay for a few days because of our love for birding (specifically bird photography in my case), and the Osa Peninsula is renouned for its unique birds.

After finally cooling down, we grabbed lunch at a local place where I got a piece of pizza (I missed pizza) and yet another smoothie. The town in Drake Bay is incredibly cozy, small, and you will see a lot of locals. There are two markets in town that have any food you’ll need during your stay, serveral restaurants, a church, and some tourist-y stores. For dinner we went to a place called La Choza which had some of the best shrimp and rice we have ever eaten. We ended up having this almost every single night for dinner while in Drake Bay because of how delicious it was. The restaurant was always very busy and was a popular destination for many locals.

DAY 2: EXPLORING DRAKE BAY Because our sleep schedules were trained for early mornings we ended up waking up at 6:30 a.m. and grabbed breakfast at one of the local restaurants. I can’t remember the name of the restaurant, but I remember that they had a variety of pastries and a complete breakfast menu. We walked through the town and down to the beach where we ran into some four – legged friends who followed us on our walk through the bay.

We booked a birding tour online the day before (we didn’t exactly expect a response as most people book tours months in advance) and hadn’t heard anything from the company, so we spent some time looking to get in contact with the tour guide. After about an hour of searching, we recieved a phone call that we could do the tour the next day instead. If you are looking to do any type of activity or tour, I would recommend booking in advance to ensure that you’ll have a spot.

With our new free time, we walked some more through the bay (it��s very small), spent time scouting some birds from our balcony, and got ready for an early morning.

DAY 3: BIRDING TOUR

We woke up at 5:00 a.m. (our earliest morning yet) and got ready for our tour with Drake Bay Birdwatching. We packed binoculars, camera gear, water, and a change of shoes. Walter, our tour guide, picked us up at 6:10 a.m. and he explained that we would make a few different stops to see the most diversity.

Our first stop was at an open field lined by trees where we saw hummingbirds, chachalachas, and more. We spent around an hour at the field and even heard some rare birds as well. Walter was incredibly educated on the subject and got so excited when he saw a bird that it made you very excited too. His passion was clear and he was dedicated to helping me get the photos I envisioned.

Our next photo spot was Los Planes which is part of Corcovado National Park, but is more quiet and remote. While we were hiking through Los Planes, we did not see anyone else. In the forest we saw a variety of wildlife including lizards, insects, racers, monkeys, and of course – birds. We trekked through the forest for around 2 hours and stopped at several spots along the way when we heard bird calls or when we saw something moving. There was even a (very rare) chance that we could encounter a jaguar which was exciting and chilling.

After carrying around a 7-pound camera around in the humid forest, I felt a little lightheaded; it could also be the fact that I didn’t eat anything before our tour. Make sure you either eat before a long day of hiking, or you bring a snack along the way to avoid any overexhaustion.

Walter provided us with a snack of watermelon, bananas, and lemonade after Los Planes which were all very fresh. We made a quick stop on our way back to drake bay center to try and see a king vulture, and we did! You couldn’t see it with a bare eye and my 600mm lens barely picked it up, but I managed to get the photo below.

Walter drove us to a restaurant located right near our hotel where we had a scrumptious lunch (appetizers too) that were all included with the tour. Walter offered to drive us back to the hotel, but we opted to walk instead. I was exhausted by the time the tour was done and I ended up napping for a few hours before we grabbed dinner at La Choza again. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is patient and has a passion for wildlife, and if you can have Walter as your guide, his excitement, talent for spotting the wildlife, and his overall knowledge made the tour great. A few weeks after our tour Walter sent us a copy of all of the birds that we observed (heard and saw) during our trip (see photo below).

DAY 4: TRAVELING TO SAN JOSÉ

We woke up at 6:30 a.m. to catch our boat ride back to Sierpe, and from there we took a taxi to Adobe Car Rental in Uvita. We had to stop at a bank on the way because we ran out of colones in Drake Bay because there are no ATMs (make sure you load up on cash before you go to the bay!).

We were a few hours early for our rental car, so we ate brunch at Marino Ballena which was located across the street. I easily spent a lot of time at this restaurant because of the great food, customer service, and WiFi. The owner was from New Jersey and was very friendly and even provided me with the WiFi information (which was a blessing after not having it for a few days). I ate the “American breakfast” with some orange juice which hit the spot! Our car was ready at 12:30 p.m. (a little early!) so we were able to head out to our next hotel. The car ride to the hotel had some great views of the central valley.

Marriott Courtyard in Alajuela was kind of luxurious compared to Cabinas Murillo (but hey – you get what you pay for!). It was nice to finally have a night with A/C tucked under the covers.

DAY 5: HEADING HOME After two, long weeks away from home we were both ready to travel back to Massachusetts (home sweet home). We woke up at 8:00 a.m. and had a very relaxing morning at the Marriott. We went downstairs for breakfast and similar to the JW Marriott in Guanacaste, the buffet was full of scrumptious choices. We had some time to kill before our flight, so we visited the Botanical Orchid Garden in Alajuela for one last adventure.

The garden was unfortunately underwhelming, but it may have been the time of year we went. There were some birds on display, a pretty pond, a unique bamboo trail, and greenhouses full of different types of vegetation. We spent some time taking some photos at the garden and listening to the thundering of massive bamboo hitting each other in the wind before we went on our way to the car rental place to drop off our car.

We got a ride to the airport from the car rental place and we began the journey home. We took two connecting flights to Boston from San José and after a day of travel we got home at 2 a.m..

AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

I know I haven’t travelled much yet, but my experiences in Costa Rica have been some that I wouldn’t change for anything, and this magical place will hold a special place in my heart forever. I’ve seen a lot of Costa Rica, but I haven’t seen it all, so I want to go back and finish my journey one day. The wildlife, people, and landscapes, are all reasons to visit this country. In Costa Rica, I was able to exercise all of my passions, expand my appreciation for nature, and try things outside of my comfort zone (leaving home for two-weeks was certainly a start).

Trust me, you are going to want to visit this stunning country in order to discover the laid-back nature of living with Pura Vida (Pure Life).

#costarica #caravantour #birding #photography #blogging #travel #travelreview #review

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kiss-my-kitty · 7 years

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I need help.

(I am posting here on Tumblr because my domain name expired, and my hosting account is suspended due to non-payment.)

This is, without a doubt, the hardest blog entry I’ve ever written. In this post I will reveal just how bad things are, and the depth of my failings, humiliation, shame, and despair. But I have truly hit rock bottom, and I am in desperate need of help, as well as an outlet so that I am not internalizing everything - because it has become too much to bear. The summary is: we have lost our home and just about everything we own, Alyssa and Ryan are in foster care, Daniel had a mental health breakdown and hit me (he punched me in the face, giving me a black eye swollen cheek), and we have nothing left and no money, with our only resource being our 12 year old vehicle with a nearly-empty gas tank. We need help, desperately. PLEASE HELP: my PayPal address is [email protected]. * * * * *

Six years ago Daniel had to resign from his restaurant management position due to debilitating and worsening anxiety, depression, and physical fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbances.

Five years ago I lost my very well-paying job due to the company I worked for going under.

Around this time (2012) I began suffering from significant medical problems myself - multiple emergency and planned surgeries to correct a variety of life-threatening gastric issues, including twisting/strangulating intestines, perforated ulcers, strangulated hernias, and twisted ovaries due to PCOS and endometriosis. I became very ill and septic twice, nearly died, have dealt with various painful procedures as well as feeding tubes and drainage tubes, and needless to say, have spent a lot of time in the hospital.

As if all of the gastric issues and surgeries weren't enough, three years ago my lower back suddenly gave out - I deal with constant severe and unrelenting lumbar pain due to arthritis, degenerative disc disease, a torn, leaking, and bulging disc at L4, a completely degenerated disc at L5, and healed fractures at L5 and S1.

In January of 2017 I suffered a medical emergency that led to a large vertical abdominal incision, a 6-day hospital stay, and over a month during which I needed assistance just to get out of bed and go to the bathroom. I was very, very sick and weak from this surgery; and I was still weak and underweight from surgical complications that caused sepsis and organ damage in May-June 2016.

Around this time I was also taking a prescribed SSRI, Amitriptyline (also known as Elavil), to help me sleep. While it did not help with sleep, as the pain in my lower back and random bouts of abdominal pain from all of the surgeries and consequent scar tissue and adhesions woke and continues to wake me up almost every night, it ended up causing SEVERE short-term memory loss. The best way I can describe it is like this: every two to three days my short-term memories were completely wiped from my memory. On a Monday I might go grocery shopping. By Wednesday of that week I would have no recollection of shopping on Monday, or of doing anything else that day.

Our ongoing financial issues because of Daniel's health problems and mine snowballed. The short-term memory loss complicated and worsened everything.

In June of 2017, we lost our home of 10 years. We were able to put everything into storage, and we moved in temporarily with my mother and 19 year old brother in their 2-bedroom apartment while we figured out what to do next.

In August of 2017 we were accepted into a transitional living program. This entailed the five of us -- Daniel, myself, Alyssa, Ryan, as well as my 19 year old brother, who had nowhere to go because my mother was evicted from her apartment due to non-payment of rent -- living in a hotel room in a large hotel that had been converted into a transitional living program. The program was very supportive, and entailed us living there, abiding by curfew and other building rules, and working with counselors to rebuild our life. While Alyssa and Ryan went to school and various after-school programs, Daniel and I helped my brother get re-established with high school, his SSI payments, getting a state ID, etc. - all of the things that my mother should have done for him but didn't. She, meanwhile, had been hospitalized since late July due to infected and gangrenous diabetic ulcers on her feet, and blood infections stemming from those infected ulcers.

By September of 2017 Daniel and I told my mother that we were done helping her. We could barely help ourselves; but worse, she did nothing to help herself with her own financial and medical difficulties. Instead, she was dragging us down because she would create numerous disasters for herself, take no responsibility for them, and do nothing to try to improve her circumstances. She expected everyone else to do this for her - namely, Daniel and I.

Writing my mother off caused a lot of conflict and drama between her and us. In her rage and fury, she went so far as to create a lot of drama based on outrageous lies and accusations. While we tried to stay ahead of this mess by informing the staff at the transitional living program of our problems with her, her allegations and pot-stirring ended up causing us to be abruptly evicted from the program - while my brother went to stay with my mother at the hospital/long-term care facility she was in, the four of us (Daniel, myself, Alyssa, and Ryan), were literally thrown onto the streets.

We were evicted on October 2, 2017. For the next six weeks we bounced around between a friend's home, a pastor's cabin, a retreat camp, and motel rooms.

On November 20, 2017, a false allegation about us staying in a cabin with no electricity or water was made against us, and Alyssa and Ryan were removed from our custody. Currently they are staying with the family of a friend of Alyssa's. Fortunately they are with people they know, and they are still attending the same school and are still active in the same extra-curricular STEM programs as they were before.

Because of having to spend so much money to keep ourselves afloat after being evicted from the transitional living program, we fell behind on our storage unit payments. We were unable to save our belongings - we have lost everything we own, with the exception of the belongings we had with us (about a large duffel bag worth of clothing, toiletries, and personal items for each of us; along with my laptop and cameras, and most of the kids' small electronics).

Through all of this Daniel and I have done our best to try and tackle one problem at a time, to see and talk to Alyssa and Ryan as much as possible, and to desperately explore all of our options to try to rebuild. His Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI/SSI) application, which was started in April of 2014, is still at the highest level of adjudication - we are awaiting a hearing date. Meanwhile, Daniel has had several more sleep disturbances and diagnoses added, and it looks like he has a very rare disease called Neuromyotonia - basically, all of the nerves in all of his muscles are constantly firing. It's comparable to a seizure, because of the nerve overactivity. But instead of seizures, Daniel endures constant and severe muscle pain and fatigue, due to his muscles constantly spasming and mis-firing.

I am working on my own SSDI/SSI application - with the memory issues, but more significantly all of the gastric surgeries and complications, and my severe back issues, I qualify five times over for both SSDI/SSI, and because of the constant pain I am in and the resulting fatigue I deal with, there is no way I am capable of working a "traditional" job - or even work online/remotely as much as I did before. I am ashamed to admit this, but it is true.

The final blow, which is a poor choice of words, came to us on December 29th, 2017: after abruptly and inexplicably cold-turkeying his anxiety and depression medications in mid-December, after days of escalating irritation and verbal clashing between Daniel and I, he snapped and lashed out at me - literally. We were having a relatively calm verbal argument, and out of nowhere he punched me in the face. He has never laid a hand on me before. He punched me, full strength, in the face - his fist hit my right cheekbone. I had, and still have, terrible bruising and swelling. Even with layers of makeup the injury is still visible, and obvious. It has been hard to go out in public and deal with the stares and silent as well as not-silence questions and judgment, on top of everything else I am dealing with. But while I make no excuses for what Daniel did, I do understand that the severe stress he has been under (that we have both been under), combined with the mental instability caused by the sudden lack of and withdrawal from his SSRI medications, definitely played a role in him losing control.

Immediately after Daniel hit me I exited the vehicle where we had been sitting. He took off. Not knowing what to do, and afraid Daniel might do something to himself out of guilt, I called the police to report what happened, and to ask them to please find him because I was afraid for his mental well-being.

That same evening, Daniel overdosed on three medications. He researched what medications to take in order to overdose and die, and wrote a suicide note. He was barely conscious when he messaged me an apology and goodbye via Facebook Messenger. But he did answer when I called him, and after pleading from both me and my friend's husband, he gave us his location, I called 911, and he was found and taken to an emergency room. He was given charcoal to drink as well as Narcan and other medications via IV. After he was medically stabilized, he was involuntarily committed to the hospital's psychiatric ward.

This past Monday, January 8, he was discharged from the psychiatric ward, and taken directly to jail because of the domestic violence charge against him from when I called the police on December 29th.

Yesterday was the domestic violence court hearing. Because I have been in touch with Daniel since December 29th, visited him daily at the psychiatric ward, and most importantly because I have truly forgiven him for what he did and I am not angry, and he himself is guilty, remorseful, and determined to make things right for himself and more importantly for both of us, I spoke with both the domestic violence advocate assigned to him and the district attorney who brought the charges against him, and it was agreed that Daniel would plead guilty to a harassment charge. This is a lesser charge that means he will not serve jail time; but he will have to take both domestic violence and anger management classes. And, his check-ins with a psychiatrist and a psychologist will also be mandated.

Daniel and I need to rent a room somewhere in the county, at the cost of anywhere from $75 to $100 per week, in order to have something to call "ours". From there we can rebuild:I can continue to do the bit of online work I have been able to find, he can focus on his mental health recovery and working with a local retained lawyer (free, due to our limited income) to get his SSDI/SSI case pushed through, and I can also focus on finishing up my SSDI/SSI application. While Daniel has more diagnoses than I do, I have a consistent trail of doctor visits, specialist visits, hospital visits, tests, surgeries, and diagnoses going all the way back to 2009 to prove my case several times over. Daniel's medical trail is more inconsistent due to all of my emergency surgeries and hospitalizations.

* * * * *

This is my plea: we need financial help, desperately. At this point we have nothing except our vehicle, a gas tank on empty despite me using the last $4.00 I had to put one and a half gallons in it, Alyssa and Ryan in foster care, and only several duffel bags and a laptop bag of belongings.

I am begging anyone who reads this: please help us get back on our feet. Any and all PayPal donations will be used to pay as many weekly/monthly rental fees as we can to ensure a room we rent remains ours. We'll also use any donated money to fill our gas tank, and to buy as little food as possible to keep us going. PLEASE HELP: my PayPal address is [email protected].

Please know that Daniel and I have been doing everything we can to rebuild ever since we lost our home last June, but we have been hit with one financial and/or medical crisis after another - in fact, in the midst of all of this, I was hospitalized for two days in October and then had an urgent surgery to remove my remaining ovary, because it was twisting and torsing due to the presence of cysts as well as many adhesions. I know that I have asked a lot of my friends both offline and online, but please know we are desperate, without any resources, and are truly trying the best we can. At this point I don’t know what else to do. I have nowhere to go, and I can’t stay much longer where I am now. In a matter of days we will be living in our car, but with no money even for gas, let alone food or shelter. I am putting all of this out here, online, in the hope of not just asking for help, but to clear up the vagueness and silence that has taken over my social media accounts. I’m so sorry to anyone I’ve offended or upset and I promise that once we are finally back on our feet, however long that takes, I will right the wrongs I’ve committed in inadvertently with any of my friends. PLEASE HELP: my PayPal address is [email protected].

#homeless #homelessness #cys #cps #foster care #fostercare #medical #emergency #mentalhealth #domesticviolence #money #help

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mylifeasavetstudent · 7 years

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Nerves About Ross

6/22/17

I heard I was accepted 3 weeks ago, but I’m still waiting to hear about whether I start in September 2017 or January 2018. I should know within the next 5-6 weeks - which could give me only 3-4 weeks to get ready and move down there.

Trying to get my thoughts in order, here are some of the logical and illogical things I'm scared about in regard to starting Veterinary School and in regard to moving down to St. Kitt’s. I’m sure some are normal and shared by most students, but I’m sure some are me just being a whiny 23-year old New York girl.

_____________

1) Packing. (Overpacking, underpacking, forgetting). How am I gonna fit everything in two suitcases? I plan to use vacuum seal bags and bring the two biggest overweight suitcases and a carry-on that I can. I just keep thinking about all the bulky stuff - kitchenware, bedding/pillows, shower/beach towels, steel-toed farm boots, shoes/clothes, toiletries, makeup/hair/cosmetics, electronics, books/school supplies. I went away to undergrad college about 30 minutes away and lived on an on-campus dorm/apartment for 4 years. However, I was in a big city, and could easily get anything I needed down the block. I was also so close to home, that I often went home on the weekends, and could pick up anything I needed. Also important to note that I could use Amazon, unlike St. Kitt’s. Every time I moved in/out, it took about 2-3 car loads of stuff!

2) Buying textbooks/school supplies.

I guess I should wait till I get to the island to get books? Do they have a school bookstore? Will other students be selling them? I worry if I wait till I get down there, I won’t be able to find them.

Should I order them in advnace and pack them? I worry this will take up too much space/weight in my suitcase. Should I order them in advance and have them shipped to St. Kitt’s? This would probably be super expensive, and what if they take too long to get there or go to the wrong location?

3) Buying a car (getting license/insurance/mechanics, etc.)

When should I buy a car? Second semester? I’m worried I’ll be taken advantage of and pay a lot of money for a really crappy car. I’m nervous about driving a dangerous car. I’m nervous about going through all the processes of getting a license, insurance, legally buying the car, etc. I love my US car and I’m gonna miss it and hate leaving it at home for a few years! I’m also terrified to find a reliable St. Kitts mechanic, since I’ve heard horror stories about being overcharged and taken advantage of. Mechanics who “fix” your problem, but purposely create more. Criminal mechanics who steal your car and sell parts. Agh.

4) The bus system/traveling.

Super nervous about figuring it out and navigating it while I don’t have a car yet. What if I get stranded in some bad area alone as the sun sets?!

5) Food shopping (bugs, giardia).

I've heard horror stories about food on grocery store shelves being rancid and expired. I’ve been told to check the dates on everything before buying it - even milk and cheeses. I’ve been told about boxes of pasta full of bugs and peanut butter full of worms. I’ve also heard there is giardia and mycoplasma in the tap water? Definitely scared of that. Is this true of bottled water or other drinks?

6) Bugs/centipedes/spiders/ticks.

I am terrified of bugs. The pictures I see of giant spiders, moths, and aggressive, hard-to-kill venomous centipedes in homes/beds/clothes give me absolute nightmares. I’m also scared of ticks and tick-borne diseases due to all the outdoor activity.

7) Living arrangements.

The uncertainty here is killing me. I know I'll be living in a dorm my first semester, but that’s only 3 months. And will I be living alone? With 2 roommates? 3? How do I apply? I’m nervous to be living alone - but what if I get roommates I hate?

8) Wild animals/monkeys/sea animals/hiking.

Are there dangerous wild animals? What about the monkeys? What about in the ocean? Are there aggressive fish/octopi? Do I need to worry about jellyfish? Sharp sea urchins? I know there are a lot of great hikes - but I'm an inexperienced hiker. Do I need to be scared of animals on the trails? What about tick-borne diseases? What about being robbed/attacked by humans on the trial? Or getting lost in the woods with no cell signal? I don’t even know what clothes to wear or what hiking shoes ARE! HELP.

9) Personal Safety/Being burgalarized.

I’ve heard that as long as you are generally street smart, you should be okay. But I also hear horror stories of native drug deals gone wrong right near St. Kitts students - of guns shots and murders. I’ve heard of armed car jackings, robberies, rapes. I’ve heard of break ins and burglaries. Definitely nervous about personal safety. Even if just my STUFF is stolen - I’m so nervous I'll lose expensive items, as well as personal valuable like photos and class notes. I’m investing in personal property insurance that extends to St. Kitts, as well as external hard drives to copy all my stuff. Do I need to buy a pocket knife or mace or something?

10) Cell phones.

I still don’t really understand this concept. So I can bring my iphone, and simply put it in airplane mode and turn on the wifi? That way I can use iMessage, email, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, viver, etc. for phone calls/text - but, it will only work when there is wifi around. This way, I won’t be charged an exorbitant amount for international cell service. Should I stop paying for my phone plan?

I’m also told you’re given an old block phone from Ross for calls to other students and businesses on the island.

11) Massive debt.

Yep. Probably gonna be in $325,000 of debt and start at $40,000 a year while I have clients scream at me about how rich I am and don’t care about animals.

12) Failing out.

Definitely scared of vet school being “too hard” and failing out. I know I’m a good student and I’m planning to study my ass off - but this fear is still there.

13) Living on my own.

Like I said, I lived about 30 minutes from my house for four years in undergrad college. I could go home on the weekends, and ask my mom for help with anything. I lived on campus, so I had maintenance and security staff always present. I never lived off campus. I also lived with 1-3 roommates every year, and always shared a bedroom - so I was never completely alone.

14) Making friends and knowing no one.

Definitely a big fear - but everyone else seems to manage it, right? I guess when you’re all in a completely new country with no friends/family, everyone’s a bit more open.

15) Logistics - setting up a bank account, loans, FAFSA, paying pills, receiving monthly loan allowals, visas, passports, customs, flights, vaccines.

SO MUCH TO DO.

16) Rabies vaccine

It’s gonna hurt, isn’t it? What other vaccines do I need? Can I get them on the island? Is it cheaper?

17) My dog.

My dog is 13 with CKD. I’m terrified that when I get on that flight, it’ll be my last time seeing her. ):

18) Mail system.

Seems very complicated and expensive. I’ve heard people dig through your personal mail right in front of you. And SO. EXPENSIVE. Also gonna greatly miss amazon.

19) Disease (Zika, HIV, Lyme, parasites - vaccines)

Definitely scared of getting some crazy topical diseases that we don’t have up here in NYC. Definitely scared of parasites - is that gorgeous water there safe to swim in? Not just the oceans/seas, what about lakes? I don’t need some crazy vagina parasite swimming into me or accidentally swallowing some giardia. Or is just the drinking water dangerous?

20) The health system (getting insurance, birth control, allergy shots, hospital visits)

Trying to figure out how to continue my birth control and allergy shots while I'm down there. Apparently my birth control is $4/month over the counter down there. Apparently Ross Health Services can administer my allergy shots, but I’ll have to bring the refrigerated vials down from NYC with me, and have them changed out every 9-12 months. God knows how much that would cost to ship - might be cheaper for me to just fly up and back and get em!

Definitely nervous about the quality of health care and emergency health care down there. I heard chickens roam the hospital. Hoping to get all my general/preventative care done on my breaks back home.

21) Being okay with “island time” (everything being closed)

I’ve lived my entire life in a busy city - nothing closes, ever. Weekends, nights, holidays - there’s always somewhere I can stop and get food/drinks. Adapting to there being no drive throughs or quick delis to stop into when I had 5 minutes before class is gonna be rough. And so is realizing that by 5pm on a Friday, I’m screwed until 8am on a Monday for any business I need to go to or contact. Especially dreading this with a car breakdown.

22) Not being able to find things from the US (Certain drinks, snacks, cosmetics)

Again, this is just something I’m gonna have to adapt to - but I will miss it!

23) Deciding when I can afford to go home.

I have no idea if I should go home after every semester? Is that something people normally do? Or once a year?

From what I'm reading on flight websites: It’s gonna be about a $400-600 flight ($1000-1200 round trip), take about 5 hours (10 hours both way) and need to have 1-2 stops. With the stops, it’ll be about 7-22 hours one way (14-44 hours round trip). Ugh.

24) Not taking advantage of all the great opportunities/trips available.

I’m scared I’m gonna be so overwhelmed with classes and exams, that I’ll miss out on some of the great extracuricular activities, clubs, sports, games, hikes, etc. Or the great “vacation” trips abroad available on breaks.

25) Second semester - rent, laundry, landlords, safety, finding roommates.

Definitely scared of moving on to second semester and out of the dorms where I'll be pressured to find a safe, convenient, cheap apartment. I’ll have to move all my stuff (how? rent a car?), pay bills, pay rent, deal with a landlord, all for the first time in my life. And I’m definitely scared about picking the “Right” roommates to live with.

26) Restaurant food/native food

How is the food there? I’m unfortunately not a huge seafood fan, but not averse to trying the native food. However - is it safe? Should I make sure I ask for no ice (water parasites)? Is there a possibility of undercooked meat/seafood or spoiled/expired meat/seafood? Is there a possibility of parasites in the food?

27) Hobbies

I’ve been going to school part time and working full time the past year, and I haven’t participated in any of my hobbies in over a year. I love learning foreign languages and I love horseback riding - and I haven't had time (excuse excuse) or money to do either. I worry this will just continue on in veterinary school, as I’ll be even more stressed, and have even less time and less money. Is there even any horseback riding availability down there? I mean, I can’t really pack all my language books (guess I can do a lot online), and I definitely can’t pack all my riding stuff (boots, helmet, clothes, saddle, etc. etc.)

28) Fun one: So when do I change my blog name from mylifeasaPREvet student to mylifeasaVETstudent? I also think I’m gonna start a website blog about life on the island - no only for future nervous students (like me right now) - but for my friends and family to see via Facebook. Don’t exactly wanna share all my tumblr info on Facebook! Best website for a blog?

#ross #ross vet #rusvm #ross university school of veterinary medicine #st kitts #st. kitts #st kitts and nevis #st. kitt's #vet school #vet student #rossie #rossies #advice #help #Caribbean school

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gaparime · 8 years

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Let's Talk About Gear!

While mental fortitude is ultimately what will make or break your success in completing a long distance hike, gear is equally as imperative. I began my thruhike of the Appalachian Trail by carrying 30 pounds (exactly 30.0 on the scale at Amicalola) and received a shakedown to 20, give or take a few pounds here and there depending on food and water supply, and my replacements/upgrades throughout the first quarter of the trail.

During your planning process for a thruhike or any kind of a long distance backpacking trip, it’s important to remember that there’s usually no right or wrong for good, necessary products. Albeit, you still want to use common sense (buy nice or buy twice, have a properly-fitted backpack, don’t wear cotton, don’t carry too much or too little, don’t buy cheap tents that can’t withstand all weather conditions, et cetera). Otherwise, your backpack and its contents are the oyster that is your world, and it’s your preference that matters the most. This sounds simple enough, but these are things I wish I knew before going into my thruhike.

You may like hammocks more than tents. You may prefer trail runners over boots. You may prefer a Kindle over a paper book, if that’s what you choose to bring as a luxury item. I just so happen to prefer tents, boots, and paper books. It’s okay to prefer hammocks, trail runners, and Kindles because your level comfort is going to be different from every gear list you come across online during your strenuous research. Whatever it may be, you have to test it out and know what works for you. Comfort and practicality are the major keys when it comes to gear for long distance hiking.

I made a lot of changes early on. That being said, I initially didn’t know what worked for me and had to figure it out the hard way. I took someone’s gear list and assumed if they were successful with those items, I’d enjoy them just as much. Wrong. Because of that, I now know exactly what does work after having tried just about everything else. This is why I can safely stress the importance of that, based on my own trials and errors. Replacing gear, especially if you’re getting it mailed to you 100 miles ahead of you, can be a pain in the butt. Trust me, I would know; I had to do this a few times. If there’s any advice you should take from my gear list or someone else’s when you’re preparing to live off of your back for six months, it’s that you really, really need to know what works for you, and then everything else will take care of itself.

For most of the trail, this is what helped me get from Springer to Katahdin. Before reading my list, line the entire inside of your pack with a garbage bag and know that ziploc bags are your friends. You can’t get more waterproof than that, and I happen to be neurotic about waterproofing so I had just about everything organized and protected in stuff sacks/ziplocs. Without further ado:

The essentials (shelter and sleep setup): - Osprey Aura 50 pack. I sent the detachable brain of the pack home because I didn’t need it. Brains only encourage carrying more crap. Should you decide to keep yours, some of the pros are: town purse/bag (since it is detachable), using it as a way of securing your tent/poles/etc, and storing easy-to-reach snacks. I kept my food at the bottom when fully resupplied, so it was easy to unzip and grab my food bag that way. As it got lighter, I’d move my food bag to the top of my pack for equally as easy access. The way you pack your backpack is a matter of preference for what will work best for you, and you’re the only person who can figure that out as you keep going. If something feels uncomfortable, stop and adjust it. Keep adjusting it until you find that perfect balance. All that matters is that the weight is distributed effectively, and that it’s not pulling you back or pushing you down. - Sierra Designs Lightning tent. I used Tyvek as a footprint, which fit just fine folded up in the sack for the tent. It’s cheaper, dries quickly, and works all the same. You’ll see a lot of people on the trail using Tyvek. Regardless of whether or not you choose to use Tyvek or the expensive footprint designed for your specific tent, you need some kind of protection between the bottom of your tent and the soil. This is to prevent rain and moisture from soaking through, and to preserve the condition of your tent. - REI AirRail inflatable sleeping pad. If you’re the type of person who values the quality of sleep, inflatable sleeping pads are worth the few extra ounces as opposed to foam pads. Of all times for mine to pop, it happened in the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine just days before I finished the trail. By this point, I was pretty careless with where my tent went and it was easy enough to tolerate for the remaining days. You’ll want to camp on the flattest surfaces you can find, free of rocks and roots. I found that I didn’t sleep well on a foam pad, and they’re bulkier. - Mountain Hardware Lamina Z Spark women’s sleeping bag in the dark raspberry color with orange interior. While this wasn’t as warm as I would’ve liked for it to have been, I liked how small it packed, so I made it work for me because that’s where my values were. Sleeping in cold weather was tolerable with all of my clothes on. Depending on the type of person you are, if you’re not like me when it comes to adapting and accepting, then you may not want to use this sleeping bag. There are certainly better options.

Stuff sacks of… well, stuff: *Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Stuff Sacks* - Food Stuff Sack: Self-explanatory. Amount of food carried = mile calculation to next resupply point. This is something you’ll figure out over time. Your mileage will change per region, thus, so will your food bag. The general rule of thumb is that you should never carry more than 4-5 days of food (with the exception of the 100 Mile Wilderness), and ideally, you want to be able to stroll into town as you’re eating your last snack from the food bag. I also kept my lightweight metal spork in my food bag, too. The longer the handle, the better; it’s easier to stir your food, especially for freeze dried meals. - Toiletry Stuff Sack: Compact tampons, travel sized toothbrush and paste, ibuprofen in a ziploc (note: ibuprofen is like candy for hikers- I used it for both inflammation and headaches, so I carried a lot of it at all times), small pack of baby wipes (“hiker showers”), small roll of medical tape (preventative blister care), and travel size Body Glide. - Clothing Stuff Sack: This changed with the seasons. I’ll just list everything I had. Before I list them, some important notes: If there was anything I did 100% right, it was preventative blister care and clothes. The key is minimalism. But don’t underestimate the beauty of dry socks and semi-clean undies; they weigh almost nothing and are worth carrying a couple extra of. You should generally have one pair of clothes for hiking and one for sleeping/town. All clothes were a dry fit material. I had a Marmot rain jacket and that stayed rolled up in the front mesh of my pack. I also had a Patagonia sportsbra, but that obviously stayed on me. *Winter/Spring (Georgia to Pearisburg, VA):* leggings, REI pants, Marmot tshirt, REI puffy jacket, long sleeve tshirt, three pairs of Exefficio undies, two pairs of Injinji toe socks, two pairs of Darn Tough socks, Outdoor Research glove liners (edit: I recommend Northface E-Tip gloves over the OR glove liners. Same glove style, but the Northface ones are warmer and a better material. For the most part, the OR liners were fine all on their own, except for one time when I was in the Smokies and it was 11 degrees and super windy), and a beanie. *Spring/summer (Pearisburg, VA to Hanover, NH):* Mountain Hardware shorts, Patagonia tshirt (eventually switched it out for a Northface shirt but that’s neither here nor there; point is, 1 tshirt at a time), a random tank top I found at Walmart in Pearisburg (usually wore the tank top for hiking and tshirt for sleeping/town), same three pairs of Exefficio undies, same Injinji and Darn Tough socks. I got the same things back in Hanover, NH that I used for Winter/beginning of Spring, and threw away the shorts/tank top. Ignore the rumors to send your winter gear home in Damascus. Seriously, don’t do that; everyone who did was really, really mad at themselves for it. It still gets cold on Mt Rogers (VA’s highest peak) and through Grayson Highlands. Somewhere in Vermont is usually a good time to get your winter gear back, but Hanover, NH (barely) worked for me. I had some issues with package timing, otherwise, I would’ve had them back in mid Vermont. - Electronic Stuff Sack: Anker battery bank, cord for phone, cord for battery bank, and an Apple USB adapter for my iPhone/Anker charger. I kept all of this inside of a ziploc inside of the stuff sack to ensure no water damage.

In between my stuff sacks: - Camp stove/pot/fuel. Kept stove and mini fuel canister inside of pot. All lightweight choices: MSR pocket rocket stove, GSI minimalist hallulite pot, and fuel canister brand varied depending on what was available at resupply points. Fuel is fuel, brand doesn’t matter. - Toilet paper in a ziploc. - Journal, pen, and stamps in a ziploc. - Paracord for hanging food bag. - My favorite luxury item: Sea to Summit inflatable pillow. It’s light, and you’ll thank yourself when you wake up well-rested every morning. You can get by just as well with using your clothing stuff sack as a pillow, but I am such a princess when it comes to sleep.

Side Mesh Pockets: - (2) 1L Smartwater bottles. Replaceable at any grocery or convenient stores, but if you’re gross like me, you’ll carry them for a long time before doing that. Carried a 3rd bottle through the Midatlantic because most water sources dry up. (PA, NJ, and NY). If you’re not carrying these from the beginning, at some point, you’ll notice most hikers around you are and then you’ll never look back at your Nalgenes or Platypus bottles. - Aquamira drops in a ziploc. Aquamira drops are in two 1-ounce bottles, part A and part B. The directions are directly on the bottles, and they’re easy to use/resupply with. - **This is super important. This is the lightest possible way to carry water and treatment. I tried a Sawyer Mini, and then a heavy Katadyn pump. I also had Platypus bottles, but they’re awkward to fill. I’ll never use anything other than Smartwater bottles and Aquamira for treatment.**

Front Mesh Pocket: - Aforementioned Marmot rain jacket rolled up. - Pack cover rolled up. - Headlamp. This is a 100% needed item, no matter which one you choose. Batteries can be resupplied; no need to carry extras unless you’re night hiking often. I night hiked often in the Midatlantic because of the brutal heat, so I definitely had backups then. - Bug net. Unless you enjoy prying about 15 dead bugs out of your eyeballs in the summer per day, you’ll appreciate having one. I should’ve had one much sooner than I did. - Trowel. Don’t be that person that leaves your poop close to the trail or a shelter. Bury it with a lightweight trowel. I stepped in someone’s poop once nearby a shelter, and I think that was understandably the angriest I was at any point during my hike. - Cheap sunglasses. Sunglasses aren’t necessary, but I like ‘em. I used them all the time through the open, rolling fields in VA-PA. - Travel size sunscreen. I eventually threw it away, but I needed it for a while. My Irish skin is quite fair. - Drink mix packets. These are also not necessary, but plain water does get boring after a while. Hawaiian Punch and Arizona Green Tea packets are delicious.

Side hip belt pockets: - Cell phone. - Earbud headphones. Be careful with headphones on the trail. I almost stepped on a huge rattlesnake curled up in the middle of the trail because I didn’t hear it while I was hauling ass and blasting music at full volume (I have a video to prove this story). They also make it difficult to hear if anyone is coming up behind you. - Lighter with a little bit of duct tape wrapped around it. - Needle and thread to repair tears on my pack. - Small knife. I am a huge fan of cheese, and that’s pretty much the only purpose I used it for. - Pepe the plastic dinosaur. My fiancé gave me this stupid little green dinosaur, and I just wanted to be able to say a dinosaur made it across the country. - ID, insurance card, debit and credit cards, and cash in a ziploc.

Hanging from the outside: - AT 2016 tag. - Crocs. - Bandana, off of one of the loops where the shoulder straps is. This is another must-have for me. I used it mostly to wipe sweat off, but it came in handy when I needed to give myself a “hiker shower” with just water in a stream, or the two times I got sick on the trail. I simultaneously hiked and blew infinite amounts of snot into it. (Yes, I washed it in towns before switching up its uses.)

Trekking poles: - Leki. Don’t ask me which ones because I don’t know, haha. They’re green and black. You can’t go wrong with any type of Leki poles.

Mode of transportation: Shoes - Superfeet insoles. Replaced them per every pair of shoes. - Keen boots (Georgia to Daleville, VA) - Salomon trail runners (Daleville, VA to Delaware Water Gap) - Oboz hiking shoes (Delaware Water Gap to Katahdin). These were my favorite. They were lightweight and like a combination of boots and trail runners (the best of both worlds). Very durable. Could’ve lasted longer than Katahdin, but they smelled like death so it was time to say goodbye.

Guidebooks: - Used both Awol and Guthook on my phone. Awol is available PDF and Guthook is an app. Both serve different purposes. Awol is good for knowing exactly what’s around the trail/in town/maps of towns/detailed descriptions of those places. Guthook is a GPS based trail guide that is perfect for the trail itself, and it��s pretty much idiot-proof (unless you’re me). It doesn’t require cell phone service, and you’ll know where you are at all times (although I somehow still managed to get horrendously lost twice; hence, the “unless you’re me” part). Another cool feature is that it allows you to comment on any listed waypoint, and the comments upload once you have service or Wifi. This comes especially in handy for planning ahead with water sources. If you’re the first person to notice a listed source is dry or almost dry, be a pal and leave a comment. Those behind you will love you.

#update

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aestheriele · 8 years

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The Antidote to Forever

This is the second member installment of my BTS - AU series!! Yey!! *showering hearts and flowers* Anyway, enjoy reading!

Masterlist 🐧 Jeon Jungkook’s AU

Summary: Transferring schools wasn’t part of your plan but when given the means and opportunity, you transferred in a blink of an eye. You thought transferring schools will become easier but with new classmates who seemed to be always talking to you like you’re a different person, you’re slowly having doubts about who you truly are.

Setting: College/University

Word count: 1,773 words

JinXReader

1>>

Chapter 1

The students of the class were all glaring at you and you don’t even know why. All that you know was that the school administrator summoned you through the school intercom during your math class. You knew you weren’t in trouble. You don’t do trouble. But why was your name being blasted on all the available speakers all throughout the campus? You calmed yourself and quietly walked away from class and began repeating that you didn't do anything wrong to yourself. Well at least you know you’re not in trouble with the school management but with your schoolmates? You don’t think so. Now they know who you are. Heck, everyone knew who you are right now. You’re good at being that classmate who will not be remembered and will always be forgotten. You don’t know why but maybe it’s your way of surviving this school. With that intercom thing that happened, you knew you weren’t safe here.

This school only has 3 groups; the known, the bullied and the unknown. Of course, it’s better to be the unknown instead of being the bullied. One thing good about being the unknown is the feeling of being alone. The feeling of attachment is absent and you’re good with that. You were even unattached to your family that’s why you chose this school even though you know about its reputation. You know the consequences of choosing this school and you knew that you might end up being bullied but you’re so good with blending in with the people they don’t even remember you even if you have the same classes with them for almost 3 months now.

You entered the admin’s office and he was beaming at you in the most unnatural and annoying way. He quickly gestured for you to sit and he clasped his hands in front of his smiling mouth.

"You were chosen by a different school for a special scholarship that they had been giving every 50 years," his tone was so high that you thought you were talking to a 5-year-old girl, "It’s a one-time opportunity and it comes with the whole package, lodging, books, allowance and etc. Many people had been fighting for this opportunity and they chose you."

You looked at him and you can see the twinkle in his eyes. You don’t know why but you were bothered just by looking at it. He doesn’t seem excited. It looked like he was pretending to be excited yet he looked like he was afraid of something.

You weigh your options despite his look. Staying here and get bullied right after you decline the scholarship offer and continue with visiting your family which you don’t feel like because you never had feelings for them or just accept the scholarship and move on and just accept what might happen with you moving. The second option was much better so you said your thoughts.

"When can I move?" you asked the school admin and he quickly released a breath of relief.

"You can now go there," he said and he really smiled this time, "the school won’t be able to accompany you today given that it’s already 3 o’clock but if you wish to travel tomorrow then I will take care of the arrangements."

You shook your head and told him you’ll go there right now. There’s no reason to stay anyway. He gave you your record and he called someone to help you pack your things even if you don’t need one. You really didn’t want to bother the person he called because there’s nothing to pack. You have one luggage and a big backpack and that’s it. Your whole clothing is always inside the luggage in case someone decided to pick on you, you could easily runaway from this school. Another reason is being the Girl Scout you are, you tend to be always ready with what might possibly happen.

When you get inside your room, you packed your toiletries and your bath towel. You put on a thick jacket with a hoodie, tied your hair and you’re ready to go. You send away the person the school admin asked to help you because you don’t need him. Not in the rude way, no. You just don't need any help with packing.

You walked with your head up high because finally, you'll be leaving this place. You may have chosen this school to be able to get away from your pretentious parents but this school does not give you certainty. Every day you felt like walking over a thin and scratched glass and below were your schoolmates who will eat you raw and alive.

You were once good with people but after having weird dreams, you isolated yourself more than what you wanted to, that when you graduated high school at 18, you barely had any friends. When your parents let you chose a school, you choose a school so far away from them because you've also grown unattached to them.

Before going out of the school's last exit door, you looked back and you met all the angry glare thrown at you again. They've been glaring at you for quite some time now and you actually considered if their eyes don’t hurt. You giggled and quickly stopped it.

It’s the last time you were going in here so you made it memorable. You flipped your middle finger while sticking out your tongue at them.

Their faces were so funny and it might be the best memory of this school that will be forever be stuck with you.

You put on the white hoodie and began pulling your luggage to the outside world that you once thought you will never see.

You walked until you saw a waiting shed. You saw some people in there and luckily, there's an available seat so you grabbed it and waited for the bus.

You searched for the school's location but you couldn't find it on google. When the bus arrived, you told the driver to drop you at your location but he said this bus will not go to that school. You will have to walk at least 2 kilometers to be able to get to the school.

The travelling time is 5 hours, that means your computed ETA is 9 o'clock pm. You'll probably arrive at the school around 10:30 so you probably need to buy food and drinks when the bus stops for a break.

You bought 2 rice meals, bread, some chips, candies and 1 liter of water. You ate the food inside the bus while listening to music. No one really paid attention to you except for the little boy who kept on smiling at you.

"Hello!" he said before sitting beside you, "What are you eating?"

You smiled at him before answering his question. He just nodded at you and he kept on asking questions until his mom went inside the bus.

She apologized for her son but you quickly told her it's okay. She let you have him to talk to until they reached their destination.

He then reached up and gave you a weird necklace. The necklace was quite old but it's the first time someone gave you something so you used it. The pendant looked like a sculpted stone with a sharp looking edge but it's not really sharp. You tied the necklace around your arm and made it a bracelet instead because you’re not a necklace girl.

The only weird thing about travelling was you're the only one left inside the bus when 8 pm struck. You arrived at the last bus stop at around 9:30 pm and you started walking after asking for directions.

You took a break after walking for an hour. You sat on your luggage and drank water and began eating your food when you heard something weird. You didn't mind it though. You just started plugging your earphones again while eating. When you finished taking a break, you walked again for another 1 hour and you finally arrived at the school at around 12 am. You wanted to punch someone because damn it you were so tired.

You almost pushed the doorbell when the gate opened by itself. You walked inside and the whole school lit up. You stopped walking in the middle of it and sat on your luggage instead.

A pair of black leather shoes was walking towards you. Before he spoke, you looked at him, "I'm not in the mood for the welcoming committee right now so please. I just want to sleep because my feet and my legs are both killing me. Don't mention I walked for more than 2 hours alone. And yes, I know it was a test. You wanted to see if I was strong enough to walk alone, on a dark road in the middle of nowhere with some weird sounds that's still creeping the hell out of me."

The boy looked at you smiling, "You're exactly who we were looking for." he said and he smiled, "you can leave your luggage in there and I'll have them arranged on your room. Everything will be on its place the moment you open your eyes tomorrow. Come follow me."

You stared at the ground, it really looked pretty. "Can't I just ride your back?" You asked because you really can't take more walking, "please?"

"If I can do that, I already did but I can't." he said and then he patted your hair, "I don't want to end up hurt just because I touched you."

"Okay, so I'll just stay here. Good night, Ken." you said before covering your mouth. From the looks of the boy, you're right. Ken is his name. How did you know his name was Ken? "HOW DID I KNOW YOU’RE KEN?"

"Well, I don’t have any idea." He said not bothering to correct you about his name, "Stay there, just stay put. I’ll talk to someone whose allowed to touch you."

You lay on the ground as you put your head on the luggage. Your mind is already drifting when you heard the creepy sound again. You hurriedly sat and count to 6 before standing up and pulling your luggage to the door attached to the hallway of school entrance. When you saw Ken, he was with another person. You didn’t have any idea why your heart was beating so loudly when you see him. It wasn’t Ken that made your heart race, it was the other boy he has on his side. Ignoring the loud beating of your heart, you called Ken’s attention and he walked toward you.

- 1>> -

1/20/2017

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accuhunt · 4 years

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The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Fashion in India.

Sustainable fashion in India is on the rise with homegrown, upcycled, fair-trade, organic, ethical and eco-friendly brands. Now that’s a real fashion statement.

Guest post by Parita Bhansali

“Never buy anything that’s less than fabulous. Then you’ll wear it over and over again!”

I often remember the words of Carrie Bradshaw’s character in Confessions of a Shopaholic before I buy something. She might not have meant it that way, but for me, it represents everything sustainable fashion is about.

The on-going Covid-19 crisis has made many of us pause and introspect about our impact on the planet. With the minimization of human consumption across the globe, nature seems to be healing and the air seems to be cleaner. We know we need to act now to save this planet we call home.

What does fashion, the clothes we buy and the brands we support with our money have to do with any of this?

Also read: Sustainable Living Ideas to Embrace in the New “Normal“

Sustainable fashion in India | There is no Planet B. Photo by Sean O.

Turns out, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of the world’s annual carbon emissions – 5 times that of flying! It’s also one of the most polluting, water-intensive and waste-generating industries.

That’s exactly why I decided to write this massive guide to sustainable fashion in India. Here’s how we can reduce our individual impact on the planet, one piece of clothing at a time:

In this post:

What is slow, sustainable fashion anyway

What’s wrong with fast fashion

How to embrace sustainable fashion in India

Affordable sustainable clothing brands in India

Maati

Hoomanwear

PANI Swimwear

No Nasties

Increscent

Brown Boy

Renge

Hemp Kari

High-end eco-friendly clothing brands in India

Ka Sha

Nicobar

Eco-friendly winter clothing

Himalayan Blooms

Save the Duck

Ethical, vegan and cruelty free cosmetics in India

Disguise Cosmetics

The Switch Fix

Plum

Veganology

FAE

Kay by Katrina

Colorbar

Khadi Essentials

Lotus Herbals

Himalaya

Vicco

The Body Shop

Mindful fashion influencers in India

Your questions

Sustainable fashion brands in Mumbai

What does ethical clothing mean

Where to find eco-friendly clothing in Pune

Sustainable fashion brands in Mumbai

Comments: How are you embracing mindful fashion?

What is slow, sustainable fashion anyway

Sustainable fashion in India | PIN for future reference!

As the names suggest, fast and slow fashion refer to the pace at which you change / update your wardrobe.

Do you impulsively buy new clothes that are environmentally harmful, water intensive, exploit humans, abuse animals and have a small shelf life?

Or do you consciously invest in clothing brands that are mindful of the resources they use, refrain from using animal products, pay fair wages and last a lifetime?

Broadly speaking, sustainable fashion refers to clothes and products that:

Are made from eco-friendly or recycled fabrics.

Use organic (chemical-free, pesticide-free) materials and dyes.

Employ fair trade practices – no forced labor, no child labor, reasonable working hours and fair pay.

Refrain from using materials, inks and other ingredients derived from animals, and say no to animal testing.

Also read: Can we Stay Safe Yet Reduce Single Use Plastic During the Pandemic?

What’s wrong with fast fashion

Sustainable fashion in India can reduce our individual footprint on the planet. Photo by Monika Geble.

Fast fashion uses up excessive natural resources

Every year, the fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters of water – enough to meet the water consumption needs of 5 million people!

150 million trees are cut and turned into fabric every year, through land clearing and plant pulps.

Every year, disposed off clothes result in half a million tons of plastic microfibers in the ocean – the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles. These microfibers are spreading through the food chain and are probably in our bodies now.

With the rise of online shopping, more fast fashion brands setting up shop in India and the constant pressure to keep up with fashion trends, India is already on its way to embracing fast fashion – at great cost to the environment.

Slow fashion can reduce our individual carbon footprint

Only 15% of our clothes are recycled or donated. Even those gradually land up in landfills where they slowly release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change.

Humans and animals are exploited to cater to our fashion demands

Even though child labor has been declining, the International Labor Organisation estimates that 170 million children worldwide are still forced into labor – many of them manufacturing textiles and garments for big international brands.

Leather is made from the skin of various animals: Oxen, cows, alligators, ostriches, snakes, even kangaroos. Unlike popular perception, leather is not simply a by-product of the meat industry. It is an industry in itself – one that makes billions of dollars by cleverly convincing consumers that they want to wear the skin of a dead animal or carry it on their arms!

The wool industry has been in the spotlight for aggressively shearing wool off sheep, goats (cashmere) and rabbits (angora wool), often leading to open wounds, pain and trauma to the animals. These animals ultimately land up in slaughter.

A single silk saree involves the death of 10,000+ silk worms – by smoking their cocoons or boiling them alive – even before they can mature into those pretty silk moths. According to the Higg Index, silk consumes more water and emits more greenhouse gases than most common textiles like polyester, viscose and cotton.

Also read: 11 Tips to Ease Your Transition Into a Vegan Lifestyle

How to embrace sustainable fashion in India

There’s an urgency to switch to sustainable fashion brands in India. Photo by Sara Kurfeß.

Given the obvious urgency to switch to more eco-friendly, ethical and conscious fashion, here are some ways I’ve learnt to make sustainable fashion choices:

Ask before buying

Do I REALLY need that dress? Am I adding to my non-biodegradable cosmetic collection? Am I using hair products tested on animals?

Before I buy anything, I do some quick research. Brands do reply to queries. I hit them up on their Instagram pages, drop them an email or call them.

Recently, I was curious about Sugar Cosmetics, so I both googled and called them – and was surprised to learn that their products are cruelty free (not tested on animals). I recently dropped a message on Chumbak’s Instagram page asking about their accessories, and learnt that their belts and watches are made from animal leather.

Invest in eco-friendly, organic, cruelty free brands in India

For me, buying less means being able to invest more in better alternatives:

Look for clothes made of organic cotton. Check for labels from the Better Cotton Initiative, to ensure less water and chemical dyes.

Replace your cotton clothes with eco-friendly natural fabrics like hemp and bamboo. Cotton is water-intensive and depletes the soil, while hemp produces twice as much fiber per acre, uses less water and enriches the soil. Itshemp aggregates all hemp products available across India!

Purchase accessories, bags, shoes and belts made of faux (fake) leather. These days, innovative brands are making leather products from cork, upcycled flowers, hemp and even pineapple leaves!

Choose personal care and cosmetic products like shampoo, lipstick, kajal, mosquito repellent, toothpaste etc that contain no animal ingredients (vegan) and haven’t been tested on animals (cruelty free). China has made it mandatory to test all products sold there on animals – so any brand that sells in China is unfortunately not cruelty free. Look out for the cruelty free label to identify products.

Most colored cosmetics use ingredients like red carmine dye made from beetles, lanolin from the glands of wool-bearing animals, keratin from the horns and claws of reptiles, fish or birds, and silk protein from silkworms boiled alive! Opt for natural, vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics instead.

Use toiletries and cosmetics free from plastic. Replace plastic bottles with soap, shampoo and conditioner bars – easier to carry while travelling too.

Identify ethical fashion brands

I’ve been using the “Good on You” app – which rates brands based on their impact on humans, animals and the environment. It doesn’t feature Indian brands, but can be useful for international ones or while shopping abroad. It also has brilliant content about sustainability, ethical sourcing, vegan fashion etc.

Embrace slow fashion in India

Upcycle or recycle your clothes with Indian start-ups like WeAreLabeless, Adah by Leesha and Refash.

Upcycle used sarees into dresses and other clothing with organisations like LataSita, Bodements, WanderingSilk, Pitara and Mishcat Co.

Attend a Clothes Exchange Program in your city. See Instagram for accounts like Bombay Closet Cleanse or participate in Swap Soiree by Mahima Agarwal.

Let your friends visit your wardrobe. Asking your friends to mix and match your clothes can give you a new pair from a different point of view!

Donate clothes in good condition to old age homes, orphanages and anyone who needs them. Some retail companies like H&M ask you to exchange your old cloths for points/new buys.

Also read: How I Fit All My Possessions in Two Bags as I Travel the World

Affordable sustainable clothing brands in India

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A post shared by Rengé (@renge_india) on Aug 8, 2020 at 5:34am PDT

Even as fast fashion is taking over the country, several sustainable fashion brands in India offer clothing that is not only creative but also homegrown, upcycled, fair-trade, organic, ethical and eco-friendly. Now that’s a real fashion statement!

Maati

Maati, founded by Neha Kabra, works with a community in Rajasthan to create unique clothing with traditional Indian printing techniques. A part of the fabric is upcycled, the dyes and print colours are borrowed from nature (not animals) and the packaging is plastic-free.

Hoomanwear

Hoomanwear is India’s first – and perhaps only – causewear brand, which donates 15% of all profits to organisations involved in meaningful work. Founder Harshil Vohra is a passionate vegan, and all their t-shirts, crop tops and hoodies are plant-based (less than 5% synthetic fibers) and customizable with different vibes. They are made only on demand (zero waste), use certified sustainable inks, are free of animal ingredients and delivered in recycled pizza boxes or cloth bags!

PANI Swimwear

I was surprised to learn that most swimsuits leach microfibers into the ocean. And amazed to discover PANI Swimwear, founded by Leila, an international development professional from Mauritius who now calls Mumbai home. PANI makes body-positive swimsuits catered to a wide range of body types, designed from recycled fishing nets!

No Nasties

No Nasties is Goa’s first organic clothing brand, founded by Apurva Kothari. They use organic cotton seeds on fair trade farms. Synthetic pesticides and GMOs are a strict no. The entire seeds to clothes process is eco-friendly and ethical, right down to the inks being used (made without any animal ingredients).

Wearing a skirt from No Nasties. Photo: Parita Bhansali.

Increscent

Founded by 24-year-old Anya Gupta, Increscent offers affordable vintage clothing (dresses, tops, skirts etc), crafted in small batches by a community in Rajasthan. 60% of the fabrics they use are recycled from the dead stock of various export houses!

Brown Boy

22-year-old Prateek Kayan quit his banking job in New York to start one of the few sustainable fashion brands in India exclusively for men. Brown Boy is all about organic, fair trade cotton, animal-friendly printing and smart casual t-shirts, yoga pants etc.

Renge

Founded by animal lover Sheena Uppal, Renge sources surplus fabric from warehouses to produce unique, limited edition designs for women. Proceeds from Renge are also used to support animal sanctuaries in India.

Hemp Kari

The latest addition to India’s growing hemp movement is the homegrown brand Hemp Kari. They offer natural hemp-based fabrics with traditional hand embroidery done by local artisans in Lucknow and nearby villages. The tops are delivered in plastic-free packaging, and use tags / labels made of hemp paper.

Also read: The Shooting Star Collection: Travel Inspired Clothing for a Cause

High-end eco-friendly clothing brands in India

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A post shared by K a – S h a (@ka_sha_india) on Jul 16, 2019 at 1:12am PDT

Ka Sha

Karishma Shahani Khan created a clothing line from plastic gunny sacks, old chandeliers and second-hand sneakers while studying in London. Now based out of Pune, her Ka Sha label explores natural fabrics and works closely with artisans across the country. Her zero waste “Heart to Haat” collection focuses on upcycling discarded clothing.

Nicobar

Nicobar is the slow fashion brainchild of Simran Lal and Raul Rai, inspired by tropical living. They’re bigger than most sustainable fashion brands in India, with physical stores across the country. That only means more responsibility.

Their core line uses only organic cotton, along with natural fabrics like bamboo. Their woolen collection uses recycled wool, and the kidswear is made entirely from leftover fabric. Most of their products come in plastic free packaging.

Also read: Responsible Travel Tips for Authentic, Meaningful Experience on the Road

Eco-friendly winter clothing

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Himalayan Blooms (@himalayanblooms) on Oct 29, 2018 at 9:03pm PDT

Himalayan Blooms

Bangalore resident Pratibha Krishnaiah quit her corporate job to work as a Teach for India fellow in rural Uttarakhand. After the fellowship, she decided to stay on in the remote village of Kheti Khan, and began Himalayan Blooms – a social enterprise that seeks to create financial independence for local women. Using acrylic yarn and cotton (no wool), they hand-knit the most gorgeous ponchos, sweaters, scarfs and neck warmers – available for India wide delivery right from the heart of the Himalayas!

Save the Duck

Save the Duck is an American brand that specializes in animal-free, high tech winter wear. Their jackets are made from recycled plastic bottles and hoodies from recycled fishing nets. And yet their winter collection is warm enough to successfully put a vegan mountaineer on Mount Everest!

Unfortunately India doesn’t yet to seem to have its own ethical and eco-friendly winter sports brand. Wool and down feather-free jackets are available at Decathlon, made with polyester or other synthetic materials (not very eco-friendly though).

Also read: How to Travel as a Vegan and Find Delicious Food Anywhere in the World

Ethical, vegan and cruelty free cosmetics in India

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Disguise Cosmetics (@disguisecosmetics) on Jun 30, 2020 at 8:22am PDT

It is shocking that several animal ingredients are hidden away in our daily toiletries and cosmetics. Some of these include: Honey, the food of bees. Beeswax, derived by destroying their painstakingly created combs used to house their young and store honey. Gelatin, extracted from the skins, bones and tissues of animals.

In 2020, despite being well-versed with what works on the human skin and scalp, some (big) brands like Maybelline, Estee Lauder and Clinique still test on animals!

Here are some homegrown brands that support local entrepreneurs, source ethical ingredients and do not test on animals:

Disguise Cosmetics

Disguise Cosmetics is an Indian brand which believes in setting an honest, ethical and pocket-friendly beauty standard for our skin. All their cosmetics are free from animal oils, fats, pigments, secretions and proteins. Their matte lipsticks and all-day gel kajals are all the rage!

The Switch Fix

I cannot stress how much I love this brand, setting the benchmark for sustainable fashion brands in India. The Switch Fix is everything I could wish for: No plastic, no palm oil, cruelty-free, vegan, plant-based, water-saving and non-polluting!

From shampoo bars (no spill, no issues while checking in, last up to 50 washes) to bamboo toothbrushes, they have all our personal care needs covered.

Plum

Homegrown brand Plum offers a wide range of vegan and paraben-free hair, face, body and skincare products. They also recycle your empty plum plastic bottles with a gift voucher of Rs 50 for future use!

Veganology

A young brand nurtured with love and compassion, Veganology uses essential oils to create moisturizing soap bars, body butters, lip balms and even a vegan, chemical-free talcum powder.

FAE

FAE, which stands for Free And Equal, is an Indian start-up trying to challenge conventional, biased notions of beauty. Their wide range of lipsticks is vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free.

Sustainable fashion in India – the real fashion statement.

Kay by Katrina

India’s first celebrity cosmetic brand Kay was launched last year by Katrina Kaif – and it’s reported to be vegan and cruelty-free! She said she wanted to create products that would spark a vegan cosmetics revolution in India – and I think she’s on her way.

Colorbar

Colorbar is India’s third largest cosmetic brand. It is cruelty free, with a wide range of vegan products, well-labelled on the website.

Khadi Essentials

The homegrown Khadi Essentials brand is based on the principles of Ayurveda. Most of their personal care products are vegan, cruelty-free and paraben free.

Lotus Herbals

Lotus Herbals is hardly a stranger to Indian consumers. This local brand commits to nature’s wealth in tandem with being compassionate to all. No chemicals, nothing synthetic, no animal ingredients and no animal testing.

Himalaya

Back in the early 1900s, Mr Manal was travelling in Myanmar (then Burma), when he stumbled upon locals feeding the roots of a local herb to calm a herd of agitated elephants. His curiosity led him to start a revolution out of Dehradun in 1934, to develop all-natural personal care resources based on Ayurveda, science and nature. Himalaya continues to be a game changer among sustainable fashion brands in India and around the world! The Himalaya toothpaste and wide range of products make it much easier to be vegan in India and elsewhere.

Vicco

I guess we all remember the Vicco Vajradanti commercial from our childhood in India! Sounds old school, but Vicco is actually a pioneer of vegan and natural products in the country.

The Body Shop

British brand, The Body Shop, pioneered the cruelty free movement but some of their products still contain animal ingredients like milk, honey, beeswax, etc. The vegan products are well-labelled though. They mostly come in plastic but The Body Shop has recently started an initiative to engage women in local communities to make recycled bottles.

Also read: Offbeat, Incredible and Sustainable – Travel Companies Changing the Way We Experience India

Mindful fashion influencers in India

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Ya local textile fanatic found a new fashion fiber: Ramie ⁣ ⁣ #Ramie is one of the oldest fiber crops, having been used for at least 6,000 years. It’s older than cotton and uses less water to grow. It’s very similar to linen, looks like silk, and even more absorbent than cotton— all while being incredibly easy to naturally dye because it’s so highly absorbent. ⁣ ⁣ In the words of @AjaBarber, “Now is a great time to remind you that the fashion industry is quietly keeping the fossil fuel industry plugging along. Polyester, spandex, Lycra, acrylic… are all synthetic fibers made from fossil fuels.⁣”⁣ ⁣ Sustainable fashion isn’t about reinventing the wheel, it’s about returning to ancestral + indigenous wisdom— especially when it comes to fashion fibers + fabrics. ⁣ ⁣ Historically, fashion fibers used to be grown locally and often used to be byproducts of food production— whereas now, over 60% of fashion is synthetic. @fibershed_ is one of my favorite leaders in the “farm-to-closet” movement, which challenges people to think locally + regeneratively when it comes to fashion.⁣ ⁣ [dress via @savannahmorrowthelabel in ramie, naturally dyed]

A post shared by ADITI MAYER • ADIMAY.com (@aditimayer) on Jul 16, 2020 at 8:37pm PDT

A couple of Instagrammers you can take inspiration from, as you learn about ethical, fair-trade, cruelty free and sustainable fashion brands in India:

Anya Gupta

Anya Gupta is a fashion and lifestyle influencer who makes DIY products like detergent, toothpaste etc look uber cool! And damn, her clothing and cosmetics recommendations are super inspiring.

Aditi Mayer

Aditi Mayer is all about sustainable fashion and social justice – two topics that rarely meet each other. Her profile focuses on South Asian fashion, and is one of the rare ones that deeply explore ethics and eco-friendly living.

Also read: Why Long Term Travel is Less Like Instagram and More Like Real Life

Your questions

Sustainable fashion in India | Own experiences, not things. Photo by Henry Gillis

Thanks for sharing your questions around sustainable fashion. Those not directly answered in the post above are included below.

If you have more questions, please ask them in the comments to this post.

What are some unique sustainable fashion brands in Mumbai?

Some sustainable fashion brands born in Mumbai include Nicobar, Inaaya and Co, and Bhumika & Jyoti.

What does ethical clothing mean?

“Ethical” encapsulates anything that is kind to people, animals and the environment. Typically, ethical clothing is made with natural materials like organic cotton, hemp or bamboo. The artisans involved in crafting it work in respectable working conditions and are paid fairly. No animals are harmed in the making of the products, neither by making use of animal-derived ingredients nor by testing on animals.

Where to find eco-friendly clothing in Pune?

Pune’s homegrown sustainable labels include the Ka Sha boutique and Outliers Clothing Co.

What are recommended sustainable fashion brands in Bangalore

Bangalore’s SwapStitched clothes swap events are one of a kind!

Bangalore’s sustainable fashion options include House of Primes, Ethic Attic and Kaiyare.

Do you think about slow, eco-friendly fashion? What steps have you taken (or will take) towards it? What are your favorite sustainable fashion brands in India?

*Note: This article does not endorse or represent any of the brands mentioned. Views and opinions are entirely the author’s own.

If you’d like to contribute a guest post to The Shooting Star, please see guidelines here.

PIN this guide to sustainable fashion in India!

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terraformtinyhomes-blog · 7 years

Text

How to make your own car camper.

When designing any car camper, a lot of research goes into finding the perfect "thing" to fit a specific (and ideally multiple) needs. Terraform Two was an easy build since most of the features and functions were purchased straight from Amazon. Just about any vehicle can be converted to a stealth camper, it's all about finding what works for you. Here's what I found worked well with my 2010 Honda Element build:

SLEEPING:

SLEEPING PLATFORM: This would have been the most complicated part of the build. Luckily I found a previous Honda Element owner who was selling exactly what I needed for $50! But even if I were to build it, the design is relatively simple. A piece of 3/4" plywood was traced and cut to fit the back of the Element, 7 Gas pipe floor flanges were screwed on around the perimeter and 7" pipe nipples were screwed onto those. At the front, the plywood was cut down the center and piano hinges were attached in a way that they could fold down when the seats moved forward. The whole thing was wrapped in speaker felt, and Viola! a platform was made. By getting taller or shorter pipe nipples, you can easily customize the height of the platform to fit your needs. A taller platform means more storage, while a shorter one means more headroom. I found the 7" pipes worked perfectly for me because my four storage boxes just fit underneath.

MATTRESS: On the first four-month trip, I used the ALPS Mountaineering Comfort Series Air Pad 4" memory foam self-inflating camping mat. Comfortable, durable, easy to clean, the camping mat served its purpose well for a solo traveler. The only downfall I found was that it made "sleepovers" very difficult and uncomfortable. As an over-optimistic hopeless romantic... I upgraded from the single person mattress to the double-sized Lucid 4" memory foam folding mattress. This I found fits perfectly in the back of a Honda Element once you take one section out, is water and stain resistant, and could comfortably fit a cute gypsy travel partner (now accepting applications).

STORAGE:

UNDER PLATFORM: When I started the trip, my car was FULL of plastic storage bins, 4 "under bed" style plastic boxes and two large bins beside the bed. As I traveled I learned more efficient ways to pack and got rid of everything I wasn't using (about 50% of the car), After freeing up most of the back platform, the car started feeling SO much bigger and a much more comfortable place to live. I now only have the 3 "under bed" boxes inside the car, one for food, one for cooking supplies, and one for camping gear. The rest of my travel supplies go into the life changing roof cargo box.

THULE ROOF CARGO BOX: It took me three months on the road before I broke down and spent the money on the cargo box... but from the moment I installed it I thought "Why didn't I do this from the start!". The cargo box was life changing. All of my "soft and bulky" stuff got removed from the car and thrown up on the roof. Clothes, blankets, my solar water heater, and so much more were out of sight and out of mind. This completely changed the way I car camped and made it possible for me to make room for a second traveler.

CEILING NET: Another essential (and cheap) storage component of the Element was the Truck bed storage net. While this doesn't hold a lot of things, it does wonders to keep things organized. Believe it or not... even living in 32 sq ft, I lose my keys, phone, wallet, mind.... about every day. With the cargo net, I was able to clip all the small daily use items (Swiss army utensil set, keys, Luci light, mesh toiletry bags, and more) up and out of the way to keep them from getting lost in the nooks and crannies of the car. The net also worked as great storage for my window shades, and to keep a pair of clothes handy just in case someone were to knock on the window in the middle of the night.

CENTER CONSOLE: This may or may not be necessary for every vehicle, but with my Element, I felt the center console was very poorly designed. So I ripped it out and built a custom box in its place. It's nothing fancy, just some leftover 3/4 plywood, a hinge, lock, some foam, and fabric, but it provides much-needed locking storage for my valuables. Moral of the story, don't be afraid to start ripping things out of your car if they don't work for you.

BIKE RACK: Another great purchase was my Thule bike rack. I began with a cheap $40 rack, but after a few thousand miles of bumpy roads, it completely fell apart on me. Having a bike in addition to your car is a great extension when traveling. Often when visiting a city, I would park on the outskirts in a neighborhood where I could find free parking for the day, then bike into town for events or just to explore. Biking lets you see a new city in more detail and makes it easy to just lock up and go into that cool little coffee shop or art gallery that you otherwise would have missed.

STEALTH:

Stealth was one of THE MOST important aspects of my Honda Element camper design. Unless you plan on paying for campsites and hotels your whole trip, there will be times where you will have to pull off into a neighborhood and sleep. The more stealthy you can be — the better you'll sleep. Trust me.

A few tips on converting an existing vehicle or things to consider when buying a new one:

BLEND IN: Keep neutral colors and lose the polarizing bumper stickers. "420 friendly" may be something you're proud of but your collection of bumper stickers or flame decals are going to make you stick out in an upper-class neighborhood. The less interesting you look, the better. This applies to your clothing and mannerisms while traveling as well, but that's an article for another time. For more on blending, I recommend the Grey Man Principles of Survival article. In short, it's the nail that sticks out that gets hit.

GO DARK: The less it looks like you're living in your car the better. By the end of my trip, I had my entire back empty except for my sleeping mattress, pillows, and cooler. All of my bedding was BLACK by design so I could just throw my blanket over everything and to anyone looking into my windows, it just looked like an empty car. I didn't have to worry about someone seeing my laptop bag, expensive cooler, or anything else that someone may find it worth it to break into my car for. Black bedding also makes you invisible at night when you're sleeping. The biggest thing that'll give you away when you're sleeping in your car is someone seeing a body part. If you're wrapped in black sheets and blankets, you just blend into the night.

Another big part of stealth is making sure people can't see into your car in the first place. If you feel so inclined to spend the money, tint your windows as dark as legally allowed. But even without tinted windows, it's very easy and inexpensive to make blackout curtains for your vehicle. My Element has seven windows, three on each side and one rear. The rear windows and back hatch windows do not open. For those, I got Reflectex, Black thrift store fabric (I used $0.25 XXXL T-shirts), safety pins, and black duct tape. Cut the Reflectex to fit your window. Cut your fabric and wrap around the Reflectex. Safety pin (make sure they are on the inside of the car), and then use black duct tape to secure them in place and fill any gaps. The black fabric makes the windows just look dark tinted rather than aluminum foil and the Reflectex actually helps to insulate and keep your car more comfortable in addition to blocking peering eyes.

For the front windows, I used cheap bungee cords attached to the sun visors and passenger grip handles as a curtain rod, then simply safety pinned black thrift store fabric around the bungee for a cheap DIY curtain. With a window shade for the windshield, this makes the car 100% black from almost any angle at night for just a couple bucks. The car is easy to set up in 2-3 minutes without ever having to get out of the car and gives a lot of peace of mind when sleeping in front of a stranger's house.

For more information about stealth camping and living for free on the road, Schedule a consultation!

COOKING:

Being able to cook on the road is another critical aspect of living cheap and staying healthy while traveling. While my kitchen is compact, it's powerful and I frequently cooked for fellow rest-stop visitors, couch surfing hosts, and campsite neighbors. Being able to give someone a good meal who may have been in less than ideal living quarters for weeks or months is a great way to make friends and give back.

THE KITCHEN BUILD: My kitchen has changed more than anything else in the Element. It started with a large table between the two doors, but that proved to be too much of a hassle to set up and tear down just to make a cup of coffee. The current version which served me for most of the trip is nothing more than a left over piece of 3/4 plywood and drawer hardware attached to the bottom of the sleeping platform. It pulls out, I can stick my stove and cutting board on it, then hides away and takes up zero space in the car. A hook and plastic grocery bag work as a great trash can and a camping shower bag thrown on the roof provides running water.

STOVE: For my stove, I opted for the two burner camping stove. Since I like to cook for people, I wanted something a little bigger with two burners (I cook eggs and boil water for coffee just about every morning). You could do a backpacking stove if you wanted to save a little space. The 1lb propane tanks are readily available at most Wal-Marts and I also purchased a cheap 15lb to 1lb fill adapter so I can save $3-$5 per bottle and refill my spent tanks off those RV'ers large tanks (who I just cooked dinner for).

POTS/PANS/UTENSILS: I cook a lot, but run a minimalist kitchen. I use one 12" cast iron skillet for 90% of my cooking. I carry one small sauce pan to boil water, beans, etc., One decent sized cutting board and most importantly a HIGH-QUALITY chefs knife! Keep one plate, bowl, Swiss army utensil set, pour over coffee maker, can opener, one coffee cup, one water bottle, and one hydroflask growler. Most of the time I eat out of the pot I cook in to cut down on dishes, so one set of everything can usually suffice for two people, and most campers have their own stuff. For more information about minimalist cooking, I recommend The minimalist kitchen article.

COOLER: I traveled for four months using my Yeti 45 Cooler. For the most part, it worked great... It would keep bagged ice frozen for 3-4 days and block ice frozen for nearly a week. The one downside I found to using an ice cooler is... you have to keep getting ice every few days. For Terraform 2.2 I am researching a DC 12v cooler. Thus far though, I haven't found a cooler in my price point that seems worth getting so, for now, the Yeti will have to do.

ELECTRICITY:

BATTERY BANK: In my last trip my main source of power was a 5-in-1 Portable Power Pack with Jump Start. For what it was, this bank served me well for the trip. It was cheap, but it provided enough battery to charge my phone, laptop, and hot spot when I needed it. But, it would only run my o2 Fan for about four hours during the night, which was less than ideal. The bank charged off the 12v outlet in the car, which was nice when I was driving consistently, but on days I was parked, it wouldn't get any charge. Because of this, I upgraded to the Goal Zero Yeti 400 Power pack. The Yeti will run my same fan for 20 hours on a full charge, has built in inverters for USB and 110v, is more compact, and best of all... after some creative wiring, it pairs with a 100-watt flexible solar panel mounted to the roof of the car. This way, while I'm driving the Yeti is charging off the car alternator, when I'm stopped it's charging off the sun.

Since my phone keeps me alive while I'm traveling. I also use a solar battery pack (the one I got turned out to be junk, but I do recommend having one) to help top off and for lighting, I use the 2.0 Outdoor Luci Lightsolar LED light.

CONCLUSION:

The gear here has served me well for over 10,000 miles and four months of travel. New road trips are planned and I am super excited to get out on the road again.

Full disclosure, many of the links in this article are Amazon affiliate links, meaning a small percentage of the purchase price comes back to me. Any of the purchases I've made that I do not feel are up to my standards were not included. Also, what works for me may not work for you and while I've tried to include the "best for your money" items, Amazon is always changing. What I've listed in these links may not be the best or cheapest at the moment. I encourage you to shop around and do your research, but if you do choose to purchase anything you've found in this article, I would appreciate if you do it through the links provided (it doesn't cost you a penny more but it helps me continue to write and give advice).

If there's anything else I can do to help you with your car camper or travels, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

Thanks!

#Tiny house #car camper #Rv #DIY #Travel #Camper #Honda #Element #fulltimerv #fulltimetravel #cheap travel

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