I’m not sure I have enough to say to weave a story so random thoughts in passing for now:
Our fearless leader for Explorama, Peter Jenson—affectionately known as Don Pedro—passed away in June. Not unexpected as he had been battling cancer for about 9 months but a shock none the less. Per his wishes, his ashes were sprinkled from the top of the Canopy Walkway (120 ft) to be returned to the earth from which he came. His incredible legacy of commitment to the Amazon Rainforest in Perú will not soon be forgotten as family, friends and co-workers carry on his vision to maintain this precious, unique place on earth!
The World Cup is on everyone’s mind here although there will be no South American team in the final match. Interestingly, most folks don’t seem too keen on Spain winning—no love lost there, apparently. I’ve learned a lot about the “Copa del Mundial” and have found the process interesting—although I just got a copy of someone’s Men’s Journal from June and one of the stories is “Why the World Cup Sucks”…haven’t read it yet but it should be an refreshing spin.
I spent quite a large amount of time in the jungle in June working with student groups and other volunteers. We built two water plants, planted trees, painted houses, built a playground, painted murals, plus did a large variety of art projects with the primary-aged kids. Working on the subject of clean water continues to consume me mentally and I hope to make further strides in this direction for 2011 and beyond. The need is great and donors are generous—it just takes so much time to get it all done here with the logistics and educational parts to be implemented. Well, one step at a time.
When I got home from my long trip, I walked into the courtyard area of my apartment and there was this lovely duck! This being an unusual sight in our garden (although not in Iquitos in general) I asked the guard/keeper if this was a permanent addition? He said oh no—his daughter is having her 15th birthday late in July and they were having the duck for a special birthday meal! Fattening it up, I suppose. Having your 15th birthday here is a BIG deal and some families throw these elaborate affairs (like a wedding). But these folks are quite poor so buying a duck for dinner is a wonderful treat for the whole family. I hope I’m at work when they get ready to “prepare” him. I’m going to take the daughter (Evila) shopping so she can pick out her own gift—I haven’t a clue what a 15 year old in Iquitos would like to have so this will be better and more fun, too!
Oh, a big treat coming my way—next week the 3rd movie from the Twlight Series opens in Iquitos. I’m so excited because it’s one of the very, very few movies here which are in English, not dubbed in Spanish. It doesn’t take much to amuse me these days!
Is it me or is it hotter in the States right now than here in the jungle? Hang in there folks, this too shall quickly pass and you’ll stop complaining about the heat and have the snow and ice once again!
My grandson, Jack Holley, turned 5 years old in June—I can’t believe how quickly he’s grown and how it seems only yesterday he was born. I had bought him a gift when I was in the States last fall and made arrangements for my Dad to make the delivery on his birthday. Erin (his Mom) told me he said to everyone, “This is from my grandma in Perú—where is she?” I guess he hasn’t quite connected the distance dots but someday he will. I hope by the time he’s about 10 years old I can bring him here and he can see the rain forest for himself. What a living laboratory for a kid to explore insects, snakes, birds and animals. I’m counting the days…
You know, there are so many things here in Iquitos that one could only describe as insane. At times, of course, I think to myself--I gotta get outta here! But when I really put my mind to it--when I watch the news or read certain stories--I've come to the conclusion that everyone, everywhere in the whole world is nuts...it's just packaged a little differently in each case. And maybe our attempt at making some sense or order out of the of it all is just another form of nuttiness? However I look at it, though, I continue to find myself caught between two cultural worlds (the US & Perú), not really part of either but only passing through. Do any of us really belong anywhere in particular if the only criteria are where we were born and to whom? I know, I'm getting too deep for my own good...I'm missing my conversational buddies back home who love to probe the unanswerable questions of life. Deep breathe...Thanks! I needed to get that off my chest...until next time don't take any of it too seriously and I will try to take my own advice, as well.
Our fearless leader for Explorama, Peter Jenson—affectionately known as Don Pedro—passed away in June. Not unexpected as he had been battling cancer for about 9 months but a shock none the less. Per his wishes, his ashes were sprinkled from the top of the Canopy Walkway (120 ft) to be returned to the earth from which he came. His incredible legacy of commitment to the Amazon Rainforest in Perú will not soon be forgotten as family, friends and co-workers carry on his vision to maintain this precious, unique place on earth!
The World Cup is on everyone’s mind here although there will be no South American team in the final match. Interestingly, most folks don’t seem too keen on Spain winning—no love lost there, apparently. I’ve learned a lot about the “Copa del Mundial” and have found the process interesting—although I just got a copy of someone’s Men’s Journal from June and one of the stories is “Why the World Cup Sucks”…haven’t read it yet but it should be an refreshing spin.
I spent quite a large amount of time in the jungle in June working with student groups and other volunteers. We built two water plants, planted trees, painted houses, built a playground, painted murals, plus did a large variety of art projects with the primary-aged kids. Working on the subject of clean water continues to consume me mentally and I hope to make further strides in this direction for 2011 and beyond. The need is great and donors are generous—it just takes so much time to get it all done here with the logistics and educational parts to be implemented. Well, one step at a time.
When I got home from my long trip, I walked into the courtyard area of my apartment and there was this lovely duck! This being an unusual sight in our garden (although not in Iquitos in general) I asked the guard/keeper if this was a permanent addition? He said oh no—his daughter is having her 15th birthday late in July and they were having the duck for a special birthday meal! Fattening it up, I suppose. Having your 15th birthday here is a BIG deal and some families throw these elaborate affairs (like a wedding). But these folks are quite poor so buying a duck for dinner is a wonderful treat for the whole family. I hope I’m at work when they get ready to “prepare” him. I’m going to take the daughter (Evila) shopping so she can pick out her own gift—I haven’t a clue what a 15 year old in Iquitos would like to have so this will be better and more fun, too!
Oh, a big treat coming my way—next week the 3rd movie from the Twlight Series opens in Iquitos. I’m so excited because it’s one of the very, very few movies here which are in English, not dubbed in Spanish. It doesn’t take much to amuse me these days!
Is it me or is it hotter in the States right now than here in the jungle? Hang in there folks, this too shall quickly pass and you’ll stop complaining about the heat and have the snow and ice once again!
My grandson, Jack Holley, turned 5 years old in June—I can’t believe how quickly he’s grown and how it seems only yesterday he was born. I had bought him a gift when I was in the States last fall and made arrangements for my Dad to make the delivery on his birthday. Erin (his Mom) told me he said to everyone, “This is from my grandma in Perú—where is she?” I guess he hasn’t quite connected the distance dots but someday he will. I hope by the time he’s about 10 years old I can bring him here and he can see the rain forest for himself. What a living laboratory for a kid to explore insects, snakes, birds and animals. I’m counting the days…
You know, there are so many things here in Iquitos that one could only describe as insane. At times, of course, I think to myself--I gotta get outta here! But when I really put my mind to it--when I watch the news or read certain stories--I've come to the conclusion that everyone, everywhere in the whole world is nuts...it's just packaged a little differently in each case. And maybe our attempt at making some sense or order out of the of it all is just another form of nuttiness? However I look at it, though, I continue to find myself caught between two cultural worlds (the US & Perú), not really part of either but only passing through. Do any of us really belong anywhere in particular if the only criteria are where we were born and to whom? I know, I'm getting too deep for my own good...I'm missing my conversational buddies back home who love to probe the unanswerable questions of life. Deep breathe...Thanks! I needed to get that off my chest...until next time don't take any of it too seriously and I will try to take my own advice, as well.
