Joanne Lam

Partnerships for all – Dignity for All

This past Monday was the International Day Of Peace. It was established in 1981 by the United Nation’s General Assembly as an opportunity for people around the world to promote the resolution of conflict and to observe a cessation of hostilities. The first Peace Day was observed a year after in 1982. Additionally, in 2001, they established September 21st as an annual day of non-violence and ceasefire.

peaceday

This year is a special year, in the midst of the UN’s 70th anniversary and the 2030 agenda; the 15-year plan to achieve sustainable development. There are critiques on the efforts or lack there of from the UN to create a more peaceful world, especially in the midst of one of the worse refugee crisis since World War II but at the end of the day, having a well known organization to continue instilling hope for a peaceful world is positive in itself.

“Let’s make this International Day of Peace a day without violence, and a day of forgiveness. If, for one day, we can live in a world without aggression and hostility, we can imagine how much more is possible.” – Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

Hostelling International, a non-profit organization that I have been involved with through various positions in the past few years, has an annual initiative in celebrating for this day- this initiative is called Sleep For Peace. It was established to recognize the important role our hostels play in sparking global conversations among diverse travelers, building friendships across borders, and promoting tolerance internally.

Hostels around the globe celebrated Sleep For Peace with various activities, discussions, film screenings, live events, etc. I celebrated myself with HI- Santa Monica last Saturday. We had a short film screening, a peace puzzle, some fun cut out photo ops, and ended the night with a pub crawl to continue our global conversations.

It was a wonderful night with great conversations with local community members, travelers, as well as fellow staff and volunteers. What’s really unique about this Peace day for me is that it lands on my birthday- September 21st. It gives a whole new meaning to what my birthday means and what I want it to continue to mean for future years to come.

There’s no better way to have celebrated my birthday than to celebrate with fellow travelers and local community members a day of peace, to discuss what it means to be peaceful and why it’s important to continue instilling hope in our communities the possibility of a peaceful world.

Too often we read about all the wars and negativity in the world, and it’s easy to dismiss the chance for any change to happen- but yet, without some optimism, and people out there who continuously strives and believes for a better world- we most definitely will not have the chance for change.

So who do you choose to be? Will you be the pessimistic barrier-of-bad-news friend? Or will you be the optimistic sometimes-too-hopeful-but-positive friend?

Passion requires the balance of reality

Today was one of those days that started off a bit rocky. Perhaps it was reading all about Global Citizens last night, and the amazing work they are doing around the world- wishing I was doing more philanthropy with my life, perhaps its the realizing that I only have two quarters left of my program, and three quarters (a year) till I graduate from the Masters Program, or perhaps there was simply something funky in the air today.

With that said, the day definitely got better. I was busy preparing and guiding new students through orientation and their class schedule, and rejuvenated by their excitement and passion to start this program. As the day went on, I was reminded of a specific night in Costa Rica.

I know I haven’t written too much about Costa Rica- it was a lot to digest- but alas, this one particular night- it was hot, humid, and we were surrounded by puddles of mud, rain and trees. Earlier that day, we had hopped on a canoe for almost an hour to get to Yorkin- where the Bribri Tribe lived. They are a tribe of indigenous (though they don’t like to be called indigenous people, they’re simply the Bribri) people who have thrived off of years of agriculture, community, and their own belief system. We had spent the day exploring their community, learning their history, culture, and swam in the lake with some of the community members.

In the evening, we learned how the Bribri’s began their community based- rural-tourism- led by a group of women that started Stibrawpa Women House Association in 1996. You can read more about it here. In addition to harvesting bananas, cacao and creating handcrafts- these women saw tourism as a way to recover their culture. They didn’t not succeed without a couple of failures. It’d be difficult to explain all of their failures to you- read the link above- but all I can say is that they persevered with passion on their minds.

The discussion that followed, with our professor from Costa Rica, is one that I’ll never forget- in particular- this phrase: “Passion requires the balance of reality.”

What does that mean? Well, we are all passionate about one thing or another and more often than not, we’re passionate about multiple projects. When we have an idea, we jump on it, give it 110% of our energy, and expect it to work out- but in reality, was it really the best option? The best idea? I myself fall into this trap on a daily basis. I have 10 projects in my mind at all times, some which I start and fail to follow through, some stay in the back of my mind- for years to come.

Consider the reality. Consider the right place, the right time. Consider the impact you are making around you, the environment and the people. By no means am I saying, don’t take risks because in the end, you might fail. What I’m saying is that, take into consideration not only yourself, your passion and motivation, but also how your actions and ideas will impact the rest of the world.

Coming round full circle, this morning, I put myself down for not doing as much philanthropic work as I wished I did. My passion for it temporarily overtook my reality. Reality is, this next year will be busy finishing up this Masters program, researching and studying my passion for tourism, culture and hostels. So as of now, I’m here exactly where I am suppose to be- and in the future, my reality may reflect another set of passion- which hopefully will involve returning to visit the beautiful Bribri people.

Till then, I’ll continue reminiscing on that sticky, rainy, dark and absolutely transcendence night as a reminder to always follow my passion, in the face of reality.

Pura Vida Costa Rica!

Pura Vida!

I’ve been in Costa Rica for exactly a week now and it’s been so much more than I’ve expected already! Frankly, I didn’t think about what my expectations were, I just knew it was going to be great. I was excited to learn about Sustainable Tourism, to see what Costa Rica had to offer, and of course- to be back in the land of humidity.

Yes, call me crazy…. But I love humidity!

It’s been a whirlwind of nonstop learning, adventures, and experiences. If I were to tell you all of them, you’d be reading a few essays for the next 30 minutes so I’ll just tell you two of my highlights so far- and let the photos speak for itself! (I wanted to write more highlights but time is essential, and my schedule is super busy here!)

Yorkin Indigenous Community – The Bribri Tribe

This is by far one of the most special activities incorporated into our learning. We had the change to stay with the Bribri community for a night last week. They are an indigenous community that is secluded from main cities. We had to take a canoe for about 40 minutes until we reached where they were. Without wifi, only two homes in television out of about 200+ families, and it was- to the western standard- dirty, muddy, and undeveloped. But to the Bribri that was their home, their culture, and they wanted to show us who they were and what they cared about.

Their history goes a long way back, with stories that are only recorded verbally from generation to generation. They speak their own form of bribri language, and have traditions unlike any other communities. I’ll have to explain and describe how tourism began as a business within the Bribri community in another post- when I can focus, give you the correct information- and discuss even further.

They bring in about 30 maximum at a time, to learn about the community, the culture, and what they stand for. It’s one of their own ways to preserve the culture, employing members in the community, and profit goes back into their own use…. Sustainable Tourism in a nutshell.

During the 24 hours we were with them, we learned their history, their culture and values, how they use to hunt (a form of archery), how to put together the roof of a house by weaving leaves together, and learned about the cacao production system.

White Water Rafting – Pacuare River, Turrialba

My first experience white water rafting rocked my world! Pacuare River rafting is one of the best in the world- as mentioned in National Geographic, 24 kilometers long, with levels 1 up to 6 (we only went through 1-4) and had absolutely beautiful nature all around us. White water rafting require so much trust within the group, and especially the guide. Our guide had 15+ years of experience, and was incredibly fun to be around. He joked around, he knew we were scared but made us laugh through the whole ride.

There were scary rapids, some of my classmates fell off the boat and had to hang on for dear life, and then there were moments of serenity, peace, of being carried by the water floating in the river. It was sunny, it was rainy. It was simply magical. 4 hours later, my shoulders were a little sore, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

whitewaterrafting_pacuare

….. Never underestimate the power of water.

There are so many more adventures and trips to be had within the next two weeks, aside from the few essays and group projects we also have to finish for the class. But I’m learning an immense amount – and know that despite missing out on an internship with a big company for the summer because of my time restraints, I would’ve regretted if I didn’t come.

Sustainable tourism is so much more than we think it is. It’s a complex network of system thinking that involves everything from social, environmental and financial. Classes and these trips have allowed me to question my own actions and lifestyle, to think even more globally of how everything is interconnected within this global world- and I have learned more than I could’ve imagined.

Despite the writing of this post being a little rushed, I hope you’ve enjoyed a few photos of my highlights in Costa Rica so far. Please be on the look out for more posts in the near future!

As for now, keep up with my adventures through my photos on instagram!

The sun will always shine through the cracks

About to head to the airport, but wanted to write a quick update!

A month of living in San Francisco came and went within the blink of an eye. I definitely am sad I did not get to explore the city, or the surrounding nature as much as I would’ve liked to- but at the same time- I gained incredibly valuable experience working at the hostel. The stories my colleagues and I can put together will leave you laughing in tears.

It’s a bittersweet day packing to leave not only SF, but the US for a month. I’ll be heading to Costa Rica for a program on Sustainable Tourism for three weeks, then visiting family for a little bit before heading back to LA for my final year of my program. Trying to pack with less than 3 hours of sleep proved to be quite difficult and draining, but it got done. I’ve definitely had my fair share of emotional rollercoasters the last two months, but at the end of the day, there is always brightness in the dark times.

As I learn to adapt to Costa Rica for a few weeks, explore the vast amount the country has to offer me, and simultaneously working on my thesis and school – I just have to remember that in every situation, there are tears of sorrow and tears of joy together.

You just have to look up, and if you don’t see it right away…. just keep your chin up, and watch as the brightness seep through the little cracks of darkness.

Photo taken at – Muir Woods National Monument

On living, relaxing and traveling

“Relax and be free. You don’t have to prove anything” – Marty Rubin

In the last couple weeks I’ve been in San Francisco, I’ve been working 5 days a week with two days off here and there for my “weekends.” In my previous hostel job, I worked only part time a few days a week but am now currently working full time for the summer. It’s been a blast, a struggle at times, and definitely tests my patience on a pretty regular basis- but as each day passes, I’ve learnt to appreciate the experience, the learning and the incredible people I get to work with.

In terms of getting to know the city, I regret to say I do not know the city as much as I should. There are tons of tourist spots that I have yet to visit, lots of areas I have yet to explore and yet- during my days off- I find myself sitting in a coffee shop writing, reading, and people watching. Part of my mind keeps nudging saying, “Get out there and see the city! You’re only there for a few more weeks!” And yet another part of my mind says, “Take this time to relax, to read for your oh-so-daunting thesis proposal you’ve got to write before September, to jam on Soulection, and just let your mind and body rest.”

The latter part of my mind has taken control every time I have a day off, and you know what? I’m okay with that! I sure do want to explore and see the rest of San Francisco, the culture and the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge but as a traveler who wants to experience the culture, and the authenticity of what it’s like to live in SF- I’m doing a pretty damn good job.

Working at the hostel, as much as I love it, is draining by the end of each day. Being able to spend my free time in Oakland, coffee shop hopping to find the perfect coffee, lunch and wifi spot to read and write as well as going to various work out classes to keep up my health and fitness- may not score me a ton of great photos for the world to see- but it does renew my mind. The older I get, the more I appreciate those little moments alone, and how scarce they could be if you commit to everything that the world offers.

With that said, I have attended really incredible events, explored neighborhood bars and food joints with my housemates, and will continue to seek out everything that SF and Oakland has to offer. But I have learned that it’s okay to simply relax, even when you’re traveling to a city for a short period of time- especially in a incredibly vibrant city such as San Francisco where you could fill your schedule up with events on an hourly basis every single day.

I’ve got a couple real fun events lined up for the next four weeks before I jet off to Costa Rica. I plan to make the most of it and keep ya’ll updated on my adventures. Despite sounding like a boring person who doesn’t do anything fun- I promise I still have more stories than you think!