Hedonisia - Week 2

Aloha!

Our second week at Hedonisiaseems to have flown by! We've been dedicating most of our work time to working in the gardens and battling the jungle weeds. It is truly interesting that in the jungle we must reclaim our space as humans, it is not as simple as in the mainland and non-jungle climates where a simple mowing will do. Here we use machetes and pick axes to make room for our crops and housing. It's very exiting!

We have also become familiar with Hedonisia's effort to promote sustainability through thorough reducing, reusing, and recycling. It is quite impressive how effective this can be. Not only do we recycle the usual plastic, paper, and glass but most of the housing structures here are built from recycled and natural materials. Check out the detailed portfolio of Lee Doyle, the on-site Eco-Builder, who has created most of the structures on the land. This page offers an impressive breakdown of the recycled, natural, and new materials used on each low-impact structure.

Perhaps one of the more thrilling quirks of Hedonisia is the Bum-washing Bidet made of reclaimed parts. Though the toilet is a regular flushing toilet, connected to the Rainforest Generated County Supplied Tap and sewer system, they colorfully encourage us to use the Bidet in order to save paper:

"Toilet paper is one of the greatest paper disasters on the planet. Millions and millions of trees die every year so we can wipe our bottoms in a fashion that is not very hygienic. Toilet paper is of course provided but at Hedonisia we do encourage guests to use our build in bidet "bum washer" which allows you to use less toilet paper as well as to enjoy a "cleaner" feeling that comes from washing instead of wiping!"

I've heartily taken on using the Bidet for all my potty needs! I find it quite refreshing and feel much better about not using toilet paper at all.

We have also been enjoying the experience of community at all levels. Though this is not a traditional community with more residents than visitors at any time - it still operates as one. There are shared community facilities such as the toilet, shower, computer, laundry machines, living room, kitchen, refrigerator, and all the fruits and vegetables on the land is available to the community. There are also bikes and snorkel gear that we can all partake in!

Their unique economic structure of being a Youth Hostel is their main financial support system. With frequent visitors that stay from one night to several months, there seems to always be an appropriate amount of funding coming in...not to mention new people to meet and adventure with everyday!

There is still so much to learn, so keep posted!

~Dani