April 2010 Archives

In the month of April, there were several events that captured the world's attention. Here are a few small glimpses that you might remember.
 
Iceland:
The recent eruption of the Eyjafallajokull volcano in Iceland proved, once again, that nature can have powerful impacts on the day-to-day lives of people around the world. The eruption delayed weddings, business arrangements, and travel plans of thousands of people from all corners of the globe.

Many had strong feelings about the delays they were unable to control. Airline companies, and some individuals, were agitated by the obstruction in their schedules; others took advantage of the opportunity for an extended vacation.

For many Icelandic citizens, that the volcanic eruption was a welcome diversion.  The attention on Eyjafallajokull released some of the nation's economic worries--at least temporarily.

Some Icelandic people were even quoted as saying that it was a gift from God, while others were just excited about witnessing such an impressive geological event. It seems the volcano has erupted emotions on all ends of the spectrum; it will be interesting to see whether there are any long term effects on people's attitudes. This question of interactions between people and the environment is of primary interest to geographers!

Haiti:
Three months after the massive earthquake, many Haitians are still calling tents home and camps neighborhoods. Most children have still not returned to school; it is a nation in shambles. But, looking at the situation optimistically: Might the earthquake afford Haiti a chance for a clean slate? In my opinion, it is a perfect opportunity for geographers to get in there and show what we can do, through urban planning and other approaches to managing human and natural resources.

Citizens of the world have shown that, even with failing economies, they can still be generous with money, talent and time. New roads are being developed, structures are being rebuilt, and education is on the forefront of people's minds in Haiti. Each of these advancements seems to be a step in the right direction. The question that remains is: Is there enough of a development strategy for this nation to succeed in the future, without sustained outside help from the international community?


Cape Cod:
The oil leak in the Gulf Coast has made many us focus on where--geographically and technologically--our energy comes from. Just Wednesday the federal government gave the green light for a wind farm to be developed off the Atlantic Coast.

Debates over wind turbines have blown around for years, weighing various costs and benefits, human and environmental interests. Wind power is clean and renewable, but more expensive than some other forms of energy production. Some Cape Cod residents and tourists view wind turbines as majestic additions to the natural landscape; others perceive them as undesirable eye-sores.

Poland:
Lech Kaczynski, the President of Poland, was killed in a plane crash in Russia on April 10, along with his wife and 94 senior officials. Polish citizens mourned their leader following his sudden, unexpected death.

The plane landed in a location of geographic significance; the site of an event known as the Katyn Massacre. There, in what is now referred to as the Haunted Forest, many believe that several Polish officers were killed by the Russian tyrant Joseph Stalin. 

The plane crash was believed to have been an accident free from political conspiracy, however; Russia even issued visas to Polish families that wanted to view the crash site for themselves.

For now, Poland may be electing Lech's twin brother, Jaroslaw, to govern the country.

Ukraine:
In Ukraine, parliament speaker Vlodymyr Lytvyn had to use an umbrella for deflecting more than just rain last week. A heated debate over the lease of a Russian naval base led disgruntled citizens to throw eggs and fists. The exchange would result in cheaper gas for Ukraine, a nation concerned about its long-term energy security.

Even with the outrage demonstrated by the people, the motion was passed with 236 out 450 votes. Who says that politics are boring??

Happy Friday! 

POST 4
A sound night's sleep revived us and gave us the energy to start out the day as English teachers. We met Marco outside the school at 7:00am and he assigned us each a class to teach. The children anxiously jumped at the opportunity to learn from native speakers.  By the end of the hour, the students had mastered the "good mornings," "thank yous," and "goodbyes." Throughout the rest of our stay in Sambú, the students would greet us in English on the street just as they had in the classroom, "gut easevenings!"

After class, we ran back to the guesthouse and gathered equipment for our trek with Juan Loco. Bows, arrows, and fishing poles made of caña blanca, a plant that resembles bamboo, were our tools. With our arms full, we carefully walked down the muddy riverbank to the canoe. Though the mud from the banks of the Sambú devoured our boots, Juan Loco's swollen bare feet kept him aloft on the clay. His 70-year-old wife, Otelia, joined us on the trek as well, and her pace was just as quick.

POST 3
All the darienitas we asked about Sambú said that it was beautiful, renowned Darién-wide for its relaxing pace; the opposite of a bustling town like La Palma. Many in the non-darienita world hold Sambú to a more precarious reputation. It is often explained as a place too raw for foreigners. Most equate it to less of a vacation destination than a contemporary setting for Conrad's Heart of Darkness.  The latter group is wrong. Though they may have been correct that the town is an oasis in a hellishly mangled (though strangely beautiful) jungle, Sambú is certainly not too raw... it is just raw enough.
 
The town is cut in half by a rudimentary runway for the semi-weekly Air Panama flights. The concrete stretch also serves as a decent surface for bicycles, horses, and impromptu soccer games on its off days.  Most of the houses in the area are thatched-roof huts built by the Emberá, the local indigenous tribe.  Needless to say, there is a stark cultural duality in Sambú.

The Emberá hold tightly to their indigenous heritage. Many of the females walk around without shirts, wearing only the bright, multicolored skirts known as Uhua. Another example can be seen during the evening hours, when the elder women construct a series of fires around their families' huts in order to keep the evil sprits from entering their homes as the sun sets and they prepare for bed.

POST 2
It had been two days since landing in Panama and with only five days left in country it was important to get to Sambú quickly.

In the morning, we asked Pablo to help us find a way to Sambú, a town nestled deep in the Panamanian jungle. He left us at the table on his terrace and came back with a man named Jonny who could take us to the town of Garachiné. From there we would take a truck to Sambú. Jonny, the boat owner, seemed to want to rip us off on the price, (sacar los ojos as they say in Panama, which translates literally as "to take ones eyes.") Pablo paid close attention to Jonny.Once he realized his guests were about to "lose their eyes," he pulled out his machete in the same fashion someone would pull out a nail file. As Pablo meticulously cleaned the dirt from under each of his fingernails with his massive blade, he inquired about the price again for us. With a stammer, Jonny cut the price in half.

Pablo's intimidation factor must have been included in the per-night rate.

Peter Gray Smith is a senior at the George Washington University double majoring in International Affairs (Honors) and Geography with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  He is a cadet in Georgetown University's Army ROTC program. During his final semester, Peter is interning for National Geographic Education Programs and the District of Columbia Geographic Alliance.

Adam Mack is a senior at the George Washington University majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict and Security.  He is a midshipman in GWU's Navy ROTC program.  Shortly after graduation, Adam will be attending flight school in Pensacola, Florida.

The two friends spent their senior year spring break traveling through the jungles of Darién province in eastern Panama. There are four installments to this blog.  In each we tell of our travels, the people, and the geography.   This blog is more than a chance for us to write of our explorations. It hopefully inspires you to take a chance at your next opportunity and do something most others fear to do.

POST 1 Getting to Darién was no easy feat, but with the help of nice people and an adequate understanding of the language, Adam and Peter made their journey deep into the jungle.

Our journey into the heart of Darién began at 3 AM at the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City. Completely disoriented, we received help from a security guard carrying a .357 Magnum.  To say the least, it was an intriguing first experience with Panamanian security forces. He put us on a rickety bus filled with darienitas (Darién natives) returning home after a weekend in the city.

The passengers seemed not to mind the early morning hours. The loud accordion-driven music inspired a boisterous atmosphere that made the seven-hour trip to Metetí seem like a short outing.

Do not let the dots on the map fool you: Towns like Metití have no more than a taxi stand, gas station, and a small, relatively concentrated neighborhood of about five houses.  From the stand, we took a collective cab with nine other passengers to Puerto Quimba. Again, we were deceived by the size of the map dot. There was a dusty parking lot, a boat launch, and a rudimentary police checkpoint. When we registered with the police, we were given a sobering dose of reality. Behind the desk hung a poster of the most-wanted Colombian rebels that were known to lawlessly roam the jungles. Though we would never encounter these rebels, the imminent threat would linger in our thoughts for the remainder of the trip.

From Puerto Quimba, we rode our first of many botes (boats) into La Palma, the provincial capital of Darién. La Palma is a fishing town, the inhabitants of which have a profound curiosity for foreigners. Even the few machete-wielding seamen were gracious hosts.

Colombia, Japan, the Gulf of Mexico; this morning alone you have traveled across the world just by completing your morning routine. From the coffee you brew, to the car you drive, we are living as part of a global community. Earth Day is a reminder to keep ourselves mindful of all the small things we do that affect the planet we share.

Individuals and organizations are putting forth a variety of efforts to show their appreciation for the Earth. One example is the Peace Corps World Wise Schools program.  Teachers can invite returned volunteers to share their stories about environmental issues and culture. Or, teachers can direct students to the new Global Issues Investigations page, where they can explore three WebQuests that focus on the importance of natural resources for the health and well-being of communities. In these web-based simulations, students learn about problems related to soil, water, and environmental health, and work collaboratively to develop solutions following the model of Peace Corps Volunteers. Students will explore essential concepts in science and social studies, and use technology and language arts skills throughout the problem-based tasks.

Peace Corps, along with hundreds of other organizations, also supports the Global Youth Service Day, celebrated April 23-25. Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning.

Established in 1988, GYSD is the largest service event in the world and is now celebrated in over 100 countries.  Check out the map of activities around the world and find out how you can participate in an event or host one of your own.

The Peace Corps is just one example of what people are doing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. If you have a story to share from this year's Earth Day, please post it here on the blog.

Happy Earth Day!  

Baseball season has begun! There's excitement for this century-old tradition of going to the game, getting a hot dog, and enjoying a day or night of fun. However, something has changed...taking a closer look at regional trends, it seems that baseball food around the country has adapted to fit the palettes of those who desire more to eat than just a hot dog. Don't get me wrong, there are still hot dogs to be had, but now, there are many more options.

Recently, there was a discussion among the National Geographic interns about what a BBQ means. In Colorado, California, and likely other West Coast states, it means having hamburgers or hot dogs--basically putting something onto a barbeque grill. In Kentucky, BBQ means eating food that has barbeque sauce on it, like ribs. This little miscommunication fueled an interesting discussion about what food was going to be served at our get together. Clearly, there are significant regional differences in food choices, and even food definitions, across the United States.

Some of these same variations can be seen in the food served at baseball stadiums, from sushi in Seattle to barbeque ribs in Baltimore. I took a closer look at five different stadiums to see how concession stands are supplementing traditional fare with local favorites.

For Mariners fans in Seattle, Safeco Field has undertaken the biggest menu change I have found. It has an organic concession stand with fruits, vegan soups, gluten-free snack bars, veggie dogs, and Seattle's own Cucina Fresca pasta.

Moving a little further east, Target Field in Minnesota features Tex-Mex, bratwursts, sausages and Killebrew root beer. These menu items are state favorites that support local businesses in Minnesota. The variety of food reflects a list of nine themes that the concession stands have developed for the Twins fan base.

Next is one of America's favorite stadiums, Wrigley Field, home to the loyal fans of the Chicago Cubs. The spread of food that the concession stands feature is moving beyond the traditional hot dog, but only slightly. There are Cub subs, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, and even veggie burgers. However, there is still a very traditional feel to the menu, from Cracker Jacks to peanuts.

Boog's Barbeque is making its name in Baltimore. The Oriole fans at Camden Yards like their BBQ (the sauce kind). Even though Boog's tent is outside the actual stadium grounds, it is a very popular stop that has become an important part of the games. Fresh lemonade is also a very popular item. The beautiful stadium, with its delicious food and overall positive atmosphere, is one of the happiest places in Maryland, according to fans.

Our final stop is one of the oldest stadiums in the U.S., Fenway Park. Here you can find food that reflects the Boston seafaring tradition, like lobster rolls and clam chowder. These are a few of the items that you find alongside nachos, hot dogs and other ballpark favorites.

I hope you have enjoyed this quick sampling of regional stadium selections.  For those of you who are looking for more of an experience than just watching players run around the bases at a baseball game, check out the menu--you might be surprised at what you can find!  

Sarah Kozicki is program associate for National Environmental Education Week (EE Week), a program of the National Environmental Education Foundation designed to connect educators with resources to improve K-12 students' understanding of the environment. An annual event, EE Week will be held this year from April 11-17. For more information and to get involved, visit www.eeweek.org.


Have you had a glass of water to drink today? How much energy do you think went into treating and transporting that water from its source - probably a lake or aquifer - to your kitchen faucet?

In the United States, 13 percent of the total energy produced each year is used to treat, transport, and heat our water. While that sounds like a lot of energy, getting clean water in the United States is as easy as turning on the tap. In some places around the globe, it is not that simple. 

In some parts of the world, water is pumped by hand to fill buckets that are carried by women and children from a public source to their homes
Photo Credit: WaterAid/
Layton Thompson


Water around the World: Carrying Water

In the United States and other developed countries, cleaned and treated fresh water is piped directly into our homes - we can turn on the tap for drinkable water any time. However, in less-developed countries, human energy is a necessary part of daily water use. About two-thirds of the world's families do not have a water supply in their homes and must fetch water in jugs and buckets from wells, rivers, hand pumps, and other public sources. This water is usually collected and carried by women and children.In Asia and Africa, the average woman walks a total of 3.7 miles to collect and carry fresh water home each day. The average weight of water that a woman in Africa and Asia will carry is about 40 pounds! Water is usually carried on the head, back or hips, which can cause severe health problems. On average, a person living in sub-Saharan Africa uses four gallons of water a day, while someone in the United States uses 82 gallons of water a day or more.


How many trips would you have to make if you had to carry all the water your family uses in a day?

Do you have an inspiring story of how you and your organization are bringing environmental education to students? National Environmental Education Week would like to hear about it! Simply upload your photos and stories to the EE Week Photo Blog. Your story can be about activities, either inside or outside the classroom, before, during or after EE Week.

Keep reading for details about the photo blog contest!

Above: Recycle Bicycle, EE Week 2009 Photo Blog Contest winner.

It has come to our attention that National Geographic has plans in the works to change the color of the magazine border.  The more-than-a-century-old border has adorned the magazine since its first publication in 1888 and has become a symbol of the excellence that NGS strives to achieve in journalism, photography and, of course, geography.

An insider, when questioned on the decision to change the classic yellow border to a new, more identifiable color, noted, "We're avoiding calling it a 'change'; it's more of an update.  We're freshening up, a spring cleaning if you will."

Semantics aside, the general consensus seems to be that yellow just is not 'in' anymore.  "Sure, in 1891 yellow was all the rage, but now we need a color that says 'life' and 'growth,' not 'jaundice,'" senior editor Ann DeSanctis told My Wonderful World early Wednesday morning.

The society is considering green to reflect its dedication to environmental initiatives.