Bridging my life in Costa Rica and the United States
New Backwater
I've been lucky enough to live in places of great beauty, which have also taught me a lot about myself and how the world works.
Join me as I bridge my life in Costa Rica, Northwest Indiana, and South Dakota, and think about what these "backwater" places reflect.
Some themes are emerging for me: "Intercultural," "Critical," and "Development."
What is a "new backwater?" The term "backwater"usually means that a place is considered backwards, undeveloped, undesirable. Often it refers to ruraI areas. These are places from which we get fisheries, farming and ranching, tourism and recreation, mining, and increasingly financial outposts. They are also places with histories of conflict, exploitation, and violence. I hope to reflect on the beautiful and valuable aspects of these backwaters, things like simplicity, natural beauty, and community, while also exploring the ability of backwaters to leave behind the hurtful and conflictive aspects of their histories and presents.
