Back Home in Iowa, For a While.

Hello to you all

I know it has been a considerable time since I've last updated this thing. Sorry to those in my family who have been 

wondering "where in the world is Ben Roberts." I'm here, back in Iowa, for a while at least... I'm afraid I'll be leaving

 this beautiful fall landscape once again for the hot and humid island in little more than two weeks. Part of the stipulation that I work at the VOICE is my return for a month while our editor Thomas, departs for Africa to begin work on his project, Africa Heart Beat. Here's a link: http://africaheartbeat.com/index.php

My time back in the heartland has been an opportunity to stop and exhale for a moment during a chaotic time in my life. If I can say one thing with absolute

certainty it is that being away for six weeks helped me

 appreciate my home more than ever. I have always believed that right here is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and although a tropical island is also aesthetically stunning, the two cannot equate. Especially during these amazing fall days we have seen with some (of course), more pleasant than others. The brilliant colors of the turning leaves and the warm fall light reminded me of what I missing on Roatan, which is a sense of self awareness and a connection with your natural environment. A sentiment not always known to islanders as well as to those on the mainland. The weather rarely changes there, and when it does it can be nothing but a nuisance. Rain or wind. But usually just rain, straight down to the ground as if it fell directly from the stars... Unless there's a hurricane or typhoon. 

My second to last week in Central America I traveled south to visit my very good friend, Mike, who is a reporter in San Jose, Costa Rica. Mike needed to make a Visa run to Panama and I, obviously, wholly obliged. We visited an archipelago off the northern coast called Bocas Del Toro or "Mouth of the Bull" after a rough translation. A 5-hour bus ride, one hour taxi, and a 30 minute water taxi later we arrived on the main island of Colon. This is wear the majority of business is done and where the majority of the Spanish population resides. This is where Mike and I spent most of our days laying on the beach, sitting on a dock, or walking about this island or that. We managed to

spend one night and an island named Bastimentos and although the we were only located about 2-3 kilometers from Colon, this place felt, looked, and sounded like completely different country! Instead of a spanish population, everyone on the island was dark-skinned black. Instead of Spanish being spoke everywhere the official language there is Patua, a combination of Spanish, French Creole, and "satirical" forms of English. A common example of the language's satirical fashion is the use of the "money" or better known as "share" when speaking Patua.  

After returning to San Jose for a few days we also made our way to a resort in the northern region of Costa Rica called Termales del Bosque, or "Hot Springs of the Rain Forest." Situated near the mountainous town of Ciudad Quesada, the resort had natural volcanic hot spring pools under a three or four layer canopy jungle. This place was simply amazing and Mike and I took full advantage, wading around at night during small lightening storm, both our mentalities were obviously not in favor of using our discretion but rather savoring a fine moment and setting worry aside. The

experience of visiting all three places was truly amazing and I find it incredible to have been able to receive a taste of Costa Rica and Panama. It is easy to see the polarities between Central America and the United States but it was even more educational to see the differences between urban and rural areas. Now that I look back and reflect upon it, the contrasts are most similar to regions right here at home, and the societal/cultural rules remain largely the same. 

I return to Roatan around the second or third week of November only to turn around and visit home for the holidays before beginning my full internship which is expected to last until the end of spring. But for right now it feels great to be home, with all of my friends and family. I will keep you all posted on my whereabouts when there is news to report as it looks as though my "journey" plans to continue for some time now.

Take care and God bless.