The Turrialba Volcano

To all the Sherwood students it seems that the Turrialba Volcano which has been doing nothing for the last 150 years has begun some activity since just before the New Year. No need to worry we will be far away from it but we will have great views of the volcano and its smoking top. When we are in our homestays we will have the best views as the Turrialba Volcano will be located across a valley. This is one of Costa Rica's largest volcanos and before it started its activity you could take hikes up to the top and enjoy the views and look into the crater. Now the top is closed off. So for the tourist passing by the Turrialba area which you are you get a special treat of seeing one of Costa Rica's largest volcanos during an active period. Scientist are studying the volcano to see if it possible to see lava flow. Right now there is no lava flow but they think it might be possible in the future which would make the views of the volcano even more spectacular at night. Although we in the tourism industry get excited for the possibility of seeing lava and a smoking volcano we do have to remember that this plays a negative roll on people that live very near the volcano. There were a number of farms that had to shut down do to the volcano and can no longer operate. This plays a negative economic roll on the nearby communities and has been a part of Costa Rican History in the past. The way it works out is that the Volcanic soil is often very fertile so many farmers look to the volcano for growing crops. It turns out though that the risk they take is putting their farm on the side of a volcano which in the case of the Turrialba and other volcanos in the past means farmers have to get up and move when the volcano says its time to move. Its unfortunate that the farmers who work the hardest might have a hard economic times because of the volcano but other small companies might flourish in areas such as tourism in the Turrialba area for everyone wanting to come see the volcano. This is why we feel it is very important to include rural tourism into our trips where visiting the locals doing our share to give everyone a piece of the pie. Well its only a few days and off to Costa Rica. Dont forget your toothbrush!