Insights into my work

Currently, I really have a lot to do at the lodge, even though the low season is now very noticeable. Anyway, there's a lot for me to do – the number of guests doesn't really affect my work that much. I’m involved in multiple projects at the same time. On one hand, I am working on a strategic plan for the next three years that includes various analyses, strategies, goals, and their implementation. It was my suggestion to tackle this project because I noticed that the staff here definitely don’t engage with it much. Of course, one tends to live in the moment here, but that’s exactly why strategic planning is even more important.

In addition, I am also focusing on currently important marketing campaigns, for example, to attract people for the Yoga Teacher Training in September, but also generally to better utilize the low season. I definitely see a lot of potential for improvement here!

On top of that, I am also active for the foundation that is committed to rainforest protection and at the same time dealing with a somewhat serious issue: A 50 km long overhead power line is planned to be built nearby, which makes absolutely no sense. It's a complex topic and hard to condense into a few sentences. But one thing is clear: We are currently doing everything we can to fight against corruption – corruption at a very high level.

I have attended several meetings where people come together to fight against it, partly at meetings of locals where the power company presented their plans. Two worlds collide there!

Decentralized energy systems like hydropower or photovoltaics would be so much more sensible and suitable for this region.

The crazy thing was that we even got in touch with the Ad Astra Rocket Company – they are known for developing hydrogen technology for electricity generation in space. The CEO is Franklin Chang – a former astronaut from Costa Rica, and the person with the most space shuttle missions in the world. It was just crazy to have him on a Zoom call and to listen to him!!

Of course, one also needs the necessary financial resources to fight against such things or to finance alternative solutions. This area naturally attracts some wealthy people, and accordingly, Lana and I are also putting energy into winning people to our side. It was really funny the other day: We stopped by an older French couple who own a holiday home here, even though they only knew Lana by hearing about her.

It was definitely a pretty funny encounter and also a bit unreal: Suddenly I found myself with multi-millionaires from France, several bottles of French wine on the table, in a fancy residence, just enjoying life. :D

Incredible experience! :D