Costa Rica is arguably the most “developed” country in Central America. But at what cost has this “development” been attained? Is it really an accomplishment to be able to say, ¨We cater to the interests of gringos better than anyone else?¨ Or would it be more noble to pass[...]
Archive for the ‘Op Ed’ Category
Everybody Say Lúcuma: A Follow-Up to “Buying a New Jacket While Surrounded by Poverty”
In response to my post “Buying a New Jacket While Surrounded by Poverty,” I received a number of insightful comments, both privately and through La Vida, on the question of how much personal spending is reasonable to help the underprivileged, and whether this should increase when working closely[...]
Sometimes Reality Hurts for an Idealist
One of the hardest things about being an idealist is that many times reality hurts. A lot. When I heard about the attack on a caravan of activists in Oaxaca, Mexico a couple of weeks ago, which resulted in the deaths of both a Mexican and a Finnish activist, it hurt. I don’t know either [...][...]
Coming to the U.S. “Sin Papeles”
During my time in Ecuador, I have met a number of people who came to the United States to work sin papeles, or as undocumented workers. The current debate about immigration in my country is just as heated as ever, so I won’t get into the politics of immigration. I’ll just tell you what I[...]
Two Questions I Don’t Like to Answer
Every once in a while somebody here in Solentiname will ask me if I believe in God. This has become my second least favorite question to answer. My very least favorite question, however, is how much my digital SLR camera costs. After I realized that my camera alone (excluding my lenses) cost as much[...]
Without Corn There is No Country (Sin Maíz No Hay País)
“Maíz is life, it is happiness, it is parties, it is everything,” said Raúl, a campesino from the state of Hidalgo who we interviewed at the “¿Transgénicos? No, Gracias.” conference this week in Guadalajara. “When the contaminated [genetically modified] corn came into our are[...]
Neighborly Relations
“How can we improve the relations between the US and Mexico and be better neighbors?” Whoa. Big question, right? This is one of the questions we ask every interviewee in the documentary we are creating in Guadalajara, Mexico. US/Mexico relations are embarrassing and sad, and we want to help [...]
My Country, ‘Tis of Thee
What is it about world travelers bad-mouthing their countries of origin? Is it out of shame, or do they really dislike their home country that much? Did I miss something in the secret World Traveler Handbook? I cannot tell you how many countless times I have come across various travelers / vol[...]
January 8th, 2010 - 9:51 pm § in Op Ed
New Appreciation for an Old Concept: The Case for Philanthropy
Travel writer Maureen Moore will forever be a California girl, but her global soul has lured her to climb the funiculares in Valparaíso while learning Spanish, dance salsa with habaneros in Cuba while working in tourism, speak Mexican street slang while serving chelas at a bar in Guanajuato, and mo[...]
