But the miracle of nature was the great Mexican aloe, or maguey, whose clustering pyramids of flowers, towering above their dark coronals of leaves, were seen sprinkled over many a broad acre of the table-land.
This quote about agave plants by historian William H. Prescott eloquently sums up most of our first day working at the Tijuana River Estuary in Border Field State Park. We spent the early morning of our first day transporting both large and small agaves to plant on the side of Bunker Hill overlooking Tijuana. Planting the agaves took lot of work and occasionally took more than one person to lower into the ground. We also had to plant with caution as you have to make sure to not prick yourself, which I did a few times. However, a few pricks with the agave plant were nothing compared to getting a cholla cactus stuck in your leg, which I also had the good fortune of doing. Thankfully, my fellow team member Mandie came to my rescue and helped remove the cactus. To be fair, we were warned several times to avoid the cholla, but you know how it goes. One minute you are walking around trying to pick up your shovel and the next it feels like a dozen needles are repeatedly tearing into your leg. However, I asked myself WWKD (What Would Katniss Do?) so I think I was able to keep myself fairly composed. When I was not being stuck by the cholla, I was also helping my team members plant San Diego barrel cactus and California sage, also known as “Cowboy Cologne.” While at the estuary, we planted over a 100 plants to help restore roadways that have been destroyed over the past few years. It was quite an accomplishment in two days.
These past few days have been eventful to say the least: making our way through the big city in the morning, planting native species by day, and fighting our way through the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations by night. San Diego knows how to party on its Irish holidays, they don’t care who’s trying to sleep. San Diego’s version of St Patrick’s Day is quite different from the small celebrations at the handful of bars we have in Laramie. Most places have a few bars blaring Irish folk or punk bands while everyone dons green attire. Not San Diego. This town closes off most of downtown and blares Dubstep that I am pretty sure could be heard all the way out on Coronado Island and the streets are jam-packed with people.
Speaking of Coronado Island, we were also able to take a peaceful ferry ride out to the island Sunday night. While slightly chillier than we had anticipated, I say there are few things more peaceful than seeing San Diego at night from the water. On the other side, we were able to make our first direct contact with the ocean since being in California, at least until Tuesday when we go kayaking in La Jolla.
Ferry rides and St. Paddy’s Day celebrations aside, we’ve also faced some more serious issues down here. While looking down directly into Mexico was captivating, it brought us that much closer to the harsh reality most of us have only seen in the news. Within about 15 minutes of being in the Tijuana River Estuary, we witnessed Border Patrol apprehend a man for what we can only assume was illegally crossing the border. For us, walking up and touching the fence along the border seemed like a tourist attraction. For some, it is all that stands between them and their loved ones on the other side. We witnessed a handful of children talking to their father on the other side of the fence, unable to actually be with him.
Meanwhile, we were also faced with social issues taking place in the middle of San Diego. On our way to Border Field State Park, we noticed a settlement of tents along the interstate. I personally have not thought of people living in tents since the Great Depression. Yet, here in the 21st century in a fully developed country, we see people doing just that.
We did not come to San Diego to delve into its social issues. We are here on a sustainability mission and I think we have done a great job contributing to those efforts. But, one group cannot do everything and I have realized that is what is really great about these alternative breaks. Different groups travel to very different locations and tackle issues that are relevant to those locations. The alternative breaks program has a group in New York City that is volunteering at homeless shelters and a group in Jamaica focusing on projects to generate income in the community. With this trip, I have realized that people are starting to make social and environmental issues their responsibility, even if it does not directly affect them. I think that really shows what human nature is all about; taking care of one another and the earth we have been given.
On that note, I don’t have much to conclude with, but I know tonight I will go to sleep with a greater respect for volunteers and a greater appreciation for what I do have.
Until tomorrow…..
