At Home With "AT HOME WITH" ARIADNA DORADO
Written by Brendan Macarthur Friday, 11 November 2011 15:45
Hello everyone,
Welcome to my next edition of "At Home With". Today I am spending some wonderful time with Ariadna Dorado, one of the beautiful ladies that call Costa Rica Sims their Second Life home.
BM :> Hello Ariadna and welcome to "At Home With". Thank you for allowing me to spend some time with you. I would like to open our interview by asking, how long have you been on Second Life? And what kept your interest to stay on?
AD :> I created my avatar in October, 2006, but it was until the end of 2007 that I began to use SL more often. At the beginning, I was just curious about metaverses. However, I realized the potential that SL has for educational purposes. I have been using it basically to socialize, teach, and research.
BM :> A few questions about calling Costa Rica Sims your Second Life home. I see from your profile that you actually live in Costa Rica in your real life. How lucky you are (smiles). How would you compare the Costa Rica represented on Second Life to that of your real life country?
AD :> I think that the Costa Rica Sims team did a great job by developing a themed project that is very coherent and successful. Parks and attractions that represent Costa Rica's nature and biodiversity truly reproduce local flora and fauna. We can find volcanoes and rainforest as we have in my country. I understand that several people who visited the Costa Rica Sims, later decided to visit the country, certainly stimulated by the beauty that they experienced at Costa Rica Sims's attractions.
BM :> Thank you. That is a very huge compliment. How long have you been part of the Costa Rica Sims family?
AD :>I have resided here since 2007.
BM :> How did you find Costa Rica Sims?
AD : I was looking for information about how Latin Americans were using SL. At that time, there was a Sim called Heredia. I looked around and I was astonished by the natural landscape and architecture. I contacted Giancarlo Takacs who helped me to get my property. He and his team have always been very helpful and friendly. So far, I think it is the most beautiful place to live in all of Second Life.
BM :> Why do you love residing in Costa Rica Sims?
AD :> I adore it. I 'm very proud of it. I always bring my SL friends to show them the national parks and other attractions that we have. I teach several of my classes at my house and my students love to sit at the beach or at the pool instead of going to campus to a regular class. Sometimes I also arrange my meetings there; it is not only more convenient, but much more relaxing and enjoyable.
BM :> What is your favorite activity in Costa Rica Sims and is there anything you would like to see added?
AD :>To visit the natural resources such as parks and forests, and the hunts. I also attended DJ parties and fashion shows. I really miss Coco's island. It was a wonderful place. I would love to have a park with caves, as we do have in Guanacaste at Cavernas Venado.
BM :> Let's move on and talk about your beautiful home here in Costa Rica. I am really impressed by what you created here as your home. What made you decide to go with this architectural style and landscape?
AD :> I love it because it's simple, but elegant. I wasn't looking for a big house. I spent hours looking for something appropriate for a house at the beach. I finally got this was and I'm pretty happy with it. It has elements inspired in an Italian Villa, but it also has a modern twist. Since I was planning to use SL for teaching, I envisioned nice open spaces to gather with students. I developed a research project on how students can enhance their learning experiences in a virtual environment, so I decided that I will not have an auditorium or regular classroom, but relaxed outdoor spaces where we can gather. I created 8 different locations two gazebos, a pool, two ponds, a greenhouse, a bar and the beachfront space.
BM :> You really have done an amazing job here. Ok, I have to ask you…..do you have any favorite home builders, furniture designers or landscapers? I am sure many of our residents would be interested I how you went about creating this gorgeous home for yourself.
AD :> I love Botanical, JC Design, JD Design, K Design, 2Xtreme, Tesh Gardens, Real WavesHeart Tropical plants, Animania, Music Alchemy Simply furniture. However, I always look for high quality graphics instead of a particular brand name.
BM :> I’m sure you have certain clothing designers that you adore. Could you share a few of them with us?
AD :> Armidi, MADesign, Styles of Edo, LeeZu are some of my favorites.
BM :> What are your feelings about Second Life relationships? Do they really amount to anything? How would you compare a real life relationship to one on Second Life?
AD :> For me there is no difference. As in real life you begin to know each other little by little. I guess that the fact that you are using an avatar sometimes makes people open themselves more than in a face to face relationship. So far I don't have regrets. I love the friends I encountered in SL and I use social media such as Facebook or Wayn to get in touch with them. I send them "real postcards" to their real address when I travel abroad and share pictures as well. I disagree with those who think that virtual worlds and relationships are not real. They are real indeed, and have real consequences.
BM :> Thank you so very much for your valued time Ariadna, and do you have any closing comments you would like to share with your co-residents?
AD :> I'm really thankful to The Costa Rica Sims team who work hard every day in building this project and I hope to keep enjoying the values and vision that we share as a virtual community.
Until next month, I’m Brendan Macarthur, Costa Rica Sims Reporter
