Pest Report II

Rats? Ants? Mosquitoes? Over the last few years I’ve written many times about the trials and tribulations of these various annoying pests. However, for whatever reason they have been quite out of sight for months. In fact, since I returned from the US in December, I’ve not seen a single ant in my apartment, even if I leave food out or dirty dishes in the sink. It’s like the whole village or army just picked up and moved away--very strange. And although a rat got trapped in my house overnight a few months ago and ate its way out through the screen, they too have been quite remote. And mosquitoes? Well, that's a given but truly they're much worse in Michigan. Does this mean I am now animal/pest-free? Well, no. My latest guest has been some giant frogs that seem to find their way in the house while the doors are open and then hide under my bed. A few weeks ago one was found flopping and hopping about and we (me and James in the middle of the night) finally persuaded him out the door after much confusion. Again last night we heard this weird sound and knew the frog was inside again but couldn’t find him. Back to sleep. Then awhile later, I heard all these bottles tipping about on the floor. In my kitchen I had several empty wine bottles for recycle waiting by the door. The frog had found his way there and like bowling pins they were toppling all over the ceramic floor and woke us up like an alarm. This time, we easily found him and sent him on his way. I guess we need to do an under-bed check now but I’d much prefer these huge frogs (or are they toads?) in the house than rats or ants any day!

The river is rising…and rising…and rising! Will it end soon? Not sure but based on Peruvian Navy maps and charts it’s shaping up to be a record year for high water season. Can there be any snow left in the Andes or a glacier? Yes, it’s rained for months here and that adds to the river levels so the combination is proving to be a complete reversal from last year’s historic low water levels. Wow, do I feel like a yo-yo here. The good news is the weather has been very cool, fresh and breezy for months. Truly, you would never know you were 3º south of the equator here. But just like the US had a mild, almost snowless winter, we’ve hardly seen the sun for months. I love it! I just hope the cool weather now holds out for the Adopt-A-School deliveries which begin in just over three weeks. The photo above is at one of the lodges where they dug up the ornamental plants and moved them to higher ground. Next it will be the whole lodge. Adopt-A-School deliveries are going to be very interesting this year!

Big news in Iquitos is there is a high-level security warning out by the US Embassy in Lima that Westerners (read Americans) are considered kidnapping and ransom targets here in Iquitos--seems pretty insane to me! For the first time, the Embassy actually sent a representative to meet with interested ex-pats. Yes, there are people who find their way here to hide out from something or escape from somewhere but not because they have lots of money. This would be Cayman Island stuff where there are hidden bank accounts and such. Or Columbia or even Lima but Iquitos? One of the grubbiest, most unattractive places you will find but it does have heart and that’s why we all seem to love it so. I have no doubt there are few, if any, wealthy Americans here worthy to be kidnapping targets in this part of Perú. None the less, I’ve been advised to alter my route to work (kind of tough to do) and not become to conspicuous or stand out from the locals (impossible to avoid) so I guess I just keep on being me and hope I don’t get run over by a motorcar or fall into an open hole in the street—frankly a much more likely possibility in my opinion.

Finally, once again all the wonderful people I’ve met over the years here in Perú have slowly been making their way back to Iquitos this winter—some folks migrate to Florida but others come to Perú and I’m glad they do. It’s starting to feel like regular family members passing through for the holidays. Thanks to Dave and Dottie Bonnet who always have a kind word for our work here AND bring me, Pam and Megan lots of fun gringo goodies in their luggage. Then Ron Rossi and his Sacred Heart student-volunteers are a wonderful addition to my life. La Doctora has been here since January keeping us all on our toes. My newest friend (pictured here) is Connor from Georgia. His grandmother, Pat Sullivan brought him down for his first visit to the Amazon. I have no doubt he’ll be back again! Soon Pachita will be here and all the AAS volunteers—old and new. Plus for almost a month James has been visiting from Perth. We’ve had a great time doing nothing—it’s really a gift, you know? We’re becoming quite talented at this (kind of like retirement) and look forward to more of the same as we travel around the world. Learning to enjoy the most basic daily routine, even in the middle of the rainforest, is a wonderful way to live one’s life. Learning to just BE is not easy but it has its rewards.

Hasta el mayo mis amigos—gracias para tu interese en mis palabras del Perú!