So, what do you think about the new facility?

Yes.  That's the question I KNOW I will be asked today, especially considering I was just approached by a photojournalist who informed me he would like to interview me later.  Today is the inauguration of the new research lab which has been in construction for the last year.  Yes, it's done.  Well, in theory...still missing desks and things, but interior and exterior of the facility itself are said to be finished.  The building which has spurned the screeches, crunches, and howls of saws which awake me at 6am every morning, the gringa-hungry stares of construction workers which greet me a mere 10 feet from my bedroom door every morning/noon/night, and a controversy which is shrouded in high fives by those ignorant of what it means or has meant to the people of Galapagos....yes, it is FINALLY done.

So, what do I think of the new facility?  Well, it's great....a new state-of-the art building (Well, state-of-the-art in the context of Galapagos) which will enable researchers from around the world access to one of the world's most fascinating biospheres and land masses.  I mean, what bad can come of the creation of more classrooms, a more technologically enhanced and enabled infrastructure, and an increase in scientific instruments which were seriously lacking.  I mean, personally I love the fact that its inauguration and construction has lead to small renovations within the school such as repainting, replacing light bulbs in the bathrooms which had previous been pitch-black, and a massive cleaning which was well-needed.  It has also lead to the instigation of future renovations such as repairing holes where rain pours into our classrooms, the creation of a more integrated public space for students, and probably new books for the meager library.  Hurrah!

But, per my usual, I DO have a few questions regarding it....

• How is it that a USA enterprise hidden under the guise of a university was able to creep its way into an area that is not only protect by Ecuadorian law but is also a national park?
• Who signed off on the okay to bulldoze a colleague's home in order for this place to be built, and what consolation prize was this person given in exchange for losing his home other than a one room bedroom at the university for he and his family?
• Who is going to work here considering the job description is well above the academic training and work experience that is available to basically nay native of this island?
• Who is going to be not only translating all of the research into Spanish but translating it into plain language for the locals so they can use all of this great output?
• What happens to this island and the people who call it home when science finds its newest cure or they decide exactly how "detrimental" the people are to one or all of the species living here?
• When push comes to shove and X pisses off Y, who actually has control of this building, us or them, and can local students and professors be guaranteed access?
• Whose tuition dollars are going up to provide security, personnel, repair, and maintenance?
• What happens now that the precedent has been set that it is okay for USA enterprise to enter the island and someone else wants to set up a new school/facility/business?

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not hating on science or this facility BY ANY MEANS.  I think it is an amazing and wonderful thing, and I love the idea of having a new facility for educational purposes; it is something fantastic.  (God knows the tuition of the local students would never be enough to fund a facility such as this).  And, if the cure to cancer or some horribly atrocious disease IS sitting on this island, then hell yes I would probably selfishly sellout every species and person on this island to avoid seeing one of my loved being slowly eaten by some horrible disease.

But, that time is not now and the devil not standing at my door with that offer... What I DO know right now is that when I have constantly seen this bullshit throughout Latin American history where the USA tromps in and the local higher-ups, in an attempt to put a notch on their belt say, "Yes, welcome!" while the local people stand by bewildered and unaccounted for---I sure don't fucking like it.  (Yes, excuse my French but these issues evoke a little bit of emotion within me).  Perhaps I AM snobbishly and naively throwing my five years of academic training/research and second time of living in the region in everyone's face (Yes, how dare I!!!), and I don't actually know anything at all.  Or, perhaps I am simply acknowledging that maybe I DO know a thing or two about how this happens and the frequency that it does occur, especially considering that I interact with the people every day and have actually ASKED their opinion. (Novel idea, no?)

The fact of the matter is, the USA has the money, we have the power, and no matter how pure our intentions are, we NEVER do something purely intrinsic.  It is human nature, and I accept the fact that I am no different.  If this was some impoverished village in the boonies of Guatemala where it rained daily and there were mosquitoes the size of horses, I can't say that I would have jumped on board with the idea of spending the next six months here.  But, again, I AM here.  And, I AM the observer of a controversial situation.  And, when push comes to shove right now and I have to pick between the side of the bewildered, homeless latino standing there saying, "What good does this do for me?" and the staunch foreigner standing there screaming in full volume in English (because, you know---shout a foreign language slowly and it is easily understood by people who don't speak it) "Look what we did.  We're heroes!!!" while patting himself on the back---well, what can I say....I'm a schmuck for the underdog and downtrodden.

So, Mr. Reporter Photojournalist Man, what do I think of the new facility?  "I think it has brilliant prospects for the academic world."  However, until the passage of time tells me that end has in fact justified the means, I'll be here, eating the reception cake, superficially smiling, keeping my opinions to myself, and waiting to see what happens....just like any good employee would.

(DISCLAIMER: I am a proud USA citizen and neither Anti-American, Anti-USA, unpatriotic, or Anti-This-Facility or this university.  I am someone who lives here, speaks the the local language, and would like to believe those five years of studying my ass off in college were NOT completely in vain.  I also acknowledge that I DON'T know all of the facts, politics, nuts and bolts that went along with the construction of this facility nor do I pretend to.  I am simply someone with open eyes, open ears, and an open heart that, in whatever form it comes, does not like to see well-intentioned people, ideas, or projects the victim of injustice.  So, please, by all means, prove me wrong and the ignorant, uneducated fool--in cases such as this I'd welcome it.  Thank you.  Oh, and please, let me keep my job also.)