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Kalu Yala: A Summer in Hindsight

July 29, 2011

by Chris Brickell
Posted In: Adventures in the Tropics, Our Global Community, The Creation of a Culture, Voices of Kalu Yala

As I sit down to write my last blog, I reflect on everything this summer has encompassed. From A to Z, I feel like I have had the privilege to experience a number of things I will forever remember, learn things that aren’t in my textbooks, and meet people I will never forget.

Working on Kalu Yala’s Renewable Energy plans has been a roller coaster experience in and of itself. We had days of domination, positivity and tangible progress, and also had days of multiple obstacles, negativity and roadblocks forcing us to question if what we were doing was even of worth. But with all of that being said, it appears Marco’s and my work has all come together to be something tangible, applicable and of worth. Whether our work is used as is, or future interns pick the ball up and run with it, I am confident it will be put into action to further Kalu Yala and the progress to be had.

My unique experiences with Kalu Yala and being in Panama are countless. I am confident that I could piece together a New York Times Best Seller “Memoir” of just from my weekend travels here. The stories created, the people I encountered, and the adventures had would surely be an entertaining read for the common man. Stories ranging from being invited onto a random European’s huge boat to island hop in Bocas Del Torro, to posing as member of the U.S. Surf Team at the Billabong ISA’s in Pedasi. The stories created and the chapters written here in Panama have been of great substance and are value to me.

Being surrounded by fellow interns who possess the same passions and awareness as myself has been majorly beneficial to me as well. People from all over the country, from all different backgrounds, choosing to work and support a project (Kalu Yala) we believe is the future: the future of building, investing, community and simply living. I believe Kalu Yala and it’s model is on the front lines of a revolution. It is representative of generations of people who have learned from history and its consequences and aspire to flip everything we have ever known.

As I begin to wrap up my time here in Panama, a big thank you goes to the entire Kalu Yala team and all of the interns. It has been a privilege working with you all and an awesome time getting to know you. Thank you

Chris