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| Observation Tower |
After breakfast, Jacob and Prof. Lia sat with us and we discussed about the different projects that Jacob was considering doing at BFREE. After giving us a few moments, we all got ready for a mini hike to visit the observation tower. As we start walking the rain comes pouring down on us. We couldn't run away from the rain. As we reached the observation tower I looked up and I knew I wasn't, even if I was dared, to go up to the top. I ended up going up to the fifth floor and just went back down because of my scare of heights. So i ended back at ground level with my professor, under the tower trying not to get more wet than we already was. After my friends and Jacob came back down from the top, we headed back on the trail and ended up at the turtle pond. At the pond we learned what Jacob and the staff do to care for the turtles in the area and study them further.
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| Steven's House interior |
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| Dining Hall from a far |
The Legend of Walkiria's Bag
Day 4
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| Last Years Job of the Cool Spot. Good Job City Tech! |
I woke up to the beautiful sound of Howler Monkeys at 6 am it's nothing like roosters it's actually more tropical and wild... Kidding! The howler monkeys were cool they are my favorite! I wake up at 6, go use the bathroom, then took a shower.. That water was freezing I forgot it's only warm water if and when we have sun and the solar power towers collect sunlight, but what are the chances of that happening ? Regardless, I couldn't shower halfway so I jumped in the cold water shower and washed myself clean and mud free. Breakfast was at 7:30am and as I wait for the other girls to get ready I think about what we could possibly do today. We get to the kitchen and Professor Lia is there already. We have breakfast and then discuss our first few assignments. We were told 4 assignments First was the design of the Kitchen and Dining Space, Rendering of the Tower, Transforming Steven's House into a Educational Center, Or Surveying the Cacao Farm. One out of the four was a bit difficult and not in our field so we excluded the Cacao farm. We had to meet with the Client, Jacob Marlin and find out what we most wants and what are his priorities. Since we were told the projects we also went to see the past projects of last years group.
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| 112' Tall.. Try climbing that in two minutes |
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| Renderings of the Composting Toilets |
Steven's House was proposed to become an
educational facility and it's a very nice and elaborate house with all natural material furniture within the house. The only thing that needs work on it is the lighting. It was interesting to see this house in comparison to say the kitchen and dining area which is a different roofing material over all. The Client, Jacob, was looking to do something different to this house but doesn't expect anything to be done to it as of yet but possibly for the near future, who knows maybe even next year if we are lucky.
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| Our Ideas come to us when we lay in Hammocks |
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| Nice Design |
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| Getting our sketches on ! |
Baljinder's Blog:
Saturday January 10, 2015. Our first morning in BFREE, was exciting especially with the Howler monkeys waking us girls up early in the morning as if they were right outside the screens. In BFREE I noticed that instead of using windows, screens were utilized instead to allow fresh air and light in. This seems to be a good strategy simply because you don't have to worry about window materials. Belize's tropical weather was perfect for screens because it doesn't get as chilly, and if it does you just get a thicker blanket and it'll do. We all got ready, and headed towards the kitchen for breakfast. On Our way to the kitchen we all stopped by the cool spot, which ourfellow colleagues Tasnuva, Andrea, William, George and Fatima design the first and previous study abroad in Belize.
One we finished our second dibs on biscuits, we were introduced to possible projects that Jacob wanted us to start to design. Some of them included renderings of the observation tower (112' tall), a possible educational center, redesign of the kitchen and dining hall, and diagrams with renderings of the cacao plantation in BFREE.
Once Jacob finished explaining what he possibly wanted, we all went to get prepared for tour to all the facilities that were discussed. We worked our way deep into the rain forest and made our way back. The first stop was the observation tower, which Jacob informed us that he bought the tower for 56 US Dollars. Soon enough it started raining, and we were caught in the rain. Once it slowed down we climbed up the tower, Prof. Lia and Patricia made it up a couple of flights and then were overcome by their fear of heights. Only three people were allowed on the top most level, so we all took turns getting up top.
After capturing some amazing views of the mountains and the rain forest, we headed back down the tower carefully, and headed towards the Hicattee Turtle Pond. The Hicattee Turtle Pond assisted the Hicattee turtles that were endangered in the environment. It was unfortunate that we were unable to see the turtles because they did not come out on a regular basis.
From the Hicattee Turtle Pond we went on to the Steven's house which Jacob planned to turn into an educational center one day. All the furniture and equipment was carved and cut out of local wood materials arranged from the rain forest.
Steven's House.
This tour was brought to an end and we decided to head back to do some sketches of the kitchen we were to redesign. The problem that Jacob stated about the kitchen and dining hall was that it was used for eating, hanging out, and work space. He wanted us to come up with a design scheme that would better the hall.
Then came lunch.
After lunch we spent the rest of the afternoon designing a proposal individually with the guidance of Prof. Lia. We measured the kitchen, and dining area and interviewed our cook Maya on what she thought was lacking in the kitchen.
It started to get dark and we needed our head lamps because the solar power was running out. BFREE runs on solar power and it is important to conserve energy because you never know when you will get enough sun to power up the charging station.
Then came dinner.
After dinner, we all took turns introducing our ideas to Jacob and asking him necessary questions. We also asked what the priority was between the list of designs he asked for. And they were prioritized as follows:
1) Tower
2) Kitchen Design
3) Educational Library
4) Cacao plant (omitted)
Presentations were finally over and we were allowed to sleep.
When we reached our Bunk House, Patricia discovered a friend on the screen inside.
We went to find help, and were helped by the one of the environmental group girls who captured the spider and set him free outside.
We were free to sleep!
Dani's Blog
So today we were finally forced to do work. After waking up at 6am (used to it by now) we all come to the mutual agreement that we shouldn't be holding it (as in our bladder) the entire night at the convenience of others.
At this point my camera decided that the moisture content of the rainforest was too intense for proper functioning, so you'll have to take at type value that breakfast (like all the other meals I experienced here so far) was delicious.
After breakfast we were given a debriefing as to the many wishes, hopes, and dreams of Jacob for BFREE for some of the facilities and took a tour of some of the structures of question. First stop: Observation tower.
Jacob gave the exciting story of using the 56 dollars burning a hole in his pocket to purchase the impressive (awesome) 212' observation tower. To gain a academic perspective, of course we checked it out (and the sick view).
From there we toured the hicatee pond; the renderings being the project of last year's class, the composting toilet infographic, and the education center (to be renovated from a private home on the site). Then lunch!
After we returned to the dining hall, (and ate) we began measuring the existing conditions for the dining hall, and sketching design solutions for a more efficient kitchen/dining space. Eventually dinner rolled around and we proposed our first sketches, we also took the time to prioritize what projects Jacob wanted first and foremost, to make the workload for the course more manageable.
Once the meeting was over we decided to call it a night, and returned to the bunkhouse. Unfortunately, an unwelcome guest (see: giant spider) made it's way onto our screened walls. Because we were unable to find a container big enough to catch it (and no one is in the market to kill a monster spider) we wandered off into the jungle in search of assistance. Eventually we found another one of the temporary tenants of the field station (our savior) and was kind enough to catch the beast for us.
After meticulously checking our beds and belongings, and shaking everything out for good measure, we finally went to sleep.
Cool Spot.
Breakfast
One we finished our second dibs on biscuits, we were introduced to possible projects that Jacob wanted us to start to design. Some of them included renderings of the observation tower (112' tall), a possible educational center, redesign of the kitchen and dining hall, and diagrams with renderings of the cacao plantation in BFREE.
Once Jacob finished explaining what he possibly wanted, we all went to get prepared for tour to all the facilities that were discussed. We worked our way deep into the rain forest and made our way back. The first stop was the observation tower, which Jacob informed us that he bought the tower for 56 US Dollars. Soon enough it started raining, and we were caught in the rain. Once it slowed down we climbed up the tower, Prof. Lia and Patricia made it up a couple of flights and then were overcome by their fear of heights. Only three people were allowed on the top most level, so we all took turns getting up top.
Renderings by Colleagues.
Lecturing in the rain by the tower.
Looking down from the tower.
Up top 112' on the tower.
After capturing some amazing views of the mountains and the rain forest, we headed back down the tower carefully, and headed towards the Hicattee Turtle Pond. The Hicattee Turtle Pond assisted the Hicattee turtles that were endangered in the environment. It was unfortunate that we were unable to see the turtles because they did not come out on a regular basis.
The Hicattee Pond.
Steven's House.
Then came lunch.
After lunch we spent the rest of the afternoon designing a proposal individually with the guidance of Prof. Lia. We measured the kitchen, and dining area and interviewed our cook Maya on what she thought was lacking in the kitchen.
Then came dinner.
After dinner, we all took turns introducing our ideas to Jacob and asking him necessary questions. We also asked what the priority was between the list of designs he asked for. And they were prioritized as follows:
1) Tower
2) Kitchen Design
3) Educational Library
4) Cacao plant (omitted)
Presentations were finally over and we were allowed to sleep.
When we reached our Bunk House, Patricia discovered a friend on the screen inside.
We went to find help, and were helped by the one of the environmental group girls who captured the spider and set him free outside.
We were free to sleep!
Dani's Blog
So today we were finally forced to do work. After waking up at 6am (used to it by now) we all come to the mutual agreement that we shouldn't be holding it (as in our bladder) the entire night at the convenience of others.
At this point my camera decided that the moisture content of the rainforest was too intense for proper functioning, so you'll have to take at type value that breakfast (like all the other meals I experienced here so far) was delicious.
After breakfast we were given a debriefing as to the many wishes, hopes, and dreams of Jacob for BFREE for some of the facilities and took a tour of some of the structures of question. First stop: Observation tower.
Jacob gave the exciting story of using the 56 dollars burning a hole in his pocket to purchase the impressive (awesome) 212' observation tower. To gain a academic perspective, of course we checked it out (and the sick view).
From there we toured the hicatee pond; the renderings being the project of last year's class, the composting toilet infographic, and the education center (to be renovated from a private home on the site). Then lunch!
After we returned to the dining hall, (and ate) we began measuring the existing conditions for the dining hall, and sketching design solutions for a more efficient kitchen/dining space. Eventually dinner rolled around and we proposed our first sketches, we also took the time to prioritize what projects Jacob wanted first and foremost, to make the workload for the course more manageable.
Once the meeting was over we decided to call it a night, and returned to the bunkhouse. Unfortunately, an unwelcome guest (see: giant spider) made it's way onto our screened walls. Because we were unable to find a container big enough to catch it (and no one is in the market to kill a monster spider) we wandered off into the jungle in search of assistance. Eventually we found another one of the temporary tenants of the field station (our savior) and was kind enough to catch the beast for us.
After meticulously checking our beds and belongings, and shaking everything out for good measure, we finally went to sleep.
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