I moved some garbage around. 8 hours with a wheel barrow, rake, shovel and thick gloves from a labour standpoint, overcoming a fear of homeless people, and dogs, snakes and needles from an emotional. In the heart of the most dangerous, run-down and sad part of downtown San Jose, it seemed ridiculous to venture out into an empty lot and clean up garbage. From our 5th floor fire exit, it excited me to be able to make a change, imagining a green area full of life instead of plastic, & rubber. It was to be a internal journey in and of itself, and I was not prepared for the rollercoaster of thoughts that beset me throughout.
Without firm statistics, I can only guess that an average Costa Rican creates much less garbage than a North American in one year. I also believe that there are only a few Latin Americans that throw their garbage on the streets: whether they're poor, or just careless. The only difference is that in some areas, their garbage is visible, and ours is not as much. The problem still exists in both countries - what to do, and should we even care, for care's sake?
Well, I couldn't expect anything to change if I was part of the problem. I've had so many cravings for Taco Bell, I think from the advertising, but there's just too much packaging in one meal. My money can help a small restaurant much more than funneling it back to Headquarters in California, or Kentucky. You wouldn't believe the lineups here for KFC, Taco Bell and McDonalds, and they're not cheap. People just aren't eating at home as much anymore.
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