words of the trip:
These are words we have learned, I have picked up along this adventure or I just generally appreciate.
biomimicry: sustainable practices or techniques that originate in nature. The shells of some sea creatures are harder than man-made ceramics. So the question would be asked how can these creatures create their shells with completely natural materials, but humans cannot create ceramics as durable as the shells with synthetic materials. The idea is how to mimic nature to create more “green” products.
gear: things we put in our packs, suitcases and then generally need through out the day. We typically yield knifes to do everything from cutting brush to widdling when bored. We all have some sort of head light and when it gets dark at 5:00, we are all running around camp with our head lamps (I think we all secretly look forward to this part of the day). Mine clips onto a crazy hat and has been a big hit. I attribute this word to Mary Mitchell Williams, she is the biggest fan of gear.
environmental interpretation: different methods and ideas about how to communicate and teach sustainable practices, ideas of ecology and generally being “green”.
With the growing presence of the Green Movement many ideas are emerging about how to translate different practices into teachable ideas to students and other people. I learned about this term from the Millsaps graduate who is living in Oxkutzcab, teaching and doing anthropological research. I hope to learn more about these ideas.
machete: an extremely sharp knife used by Maya manly men to chop imposing forces like brush. Today, Mary Mitchell and I were taught how to use the machete by Carlos, one of the men who maintains the reserve.He of course makes it look easy and we both needed more practice. It will be one of my favorite memories from the trip. The language barrier was impressive. I was speaking broken Spanish to a man who was a native Maya speaker and translates to Spanish. It was a reminder than laughter transcends many languages. (Please, see below for photos).
vernacular architecture: the style of structures native to the area
As you can see in some photos, the buildings at Kaxil Kiuic are grass roofs with adobe walls. These architecture was used because it was developed by the Mayans in this area. The archeological research done in this area shows how this style was used and its still present in many of the small villages outside larger cities. The roofs are extremely tall to let hot air rise and the grass roofs are also water proof. Modern additions are glass pane doors and windows. These are set up where each one has a path for a breeze, the windows are constantly open and the air quality (as well as the temperature) is amazing.
wheeling: when you produce more power than your house needs and the meter wheel runs backward. Then your production of electrons travels back along the wire to the the energy company.. In return the energy company pays you for the electrons.
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