Today is the 4th of July in Peru. The weather is perfect for a BBQ, swimming, parades and fireworks, just like home. Unfortunately, I’m working but it’s the easiest, most fun job ever so how can I complain? Most Peruvians know the date of America’s independence—do you know when the Peruvians declared theirs? July 28th and it’s a big deal here--everyone is very proud of their country. What do they do? Well, BBQ’s, swimming, parades and fireworks! I feel right at home ☺


I’m back out at Explorama Lodge (50 miles downriver from Iquitos) after having spent a wonderful month in Michigan. I’m not sure anymore which is the dream—being here or being there? This trip finds me working with a couple of groups from the North Carolina Museum, specifically educators and others interested in intense learning here in the rainforest. There are several scientist who will be speaking so a wonderful chance to learn more about where I live and work. On this trip, there are three Peruvian teachers joining the group for the week, participating in all the activities. These teachers speak some English and are part or our Adopt A School program. Their expenses are all covered by the museum and they should come away with some real insights about the jungle, teaching tips and Americans! They really seem excited about the chance to spend time with native English speakers, which is a rare opportunity. Just like me, there’s nothing like speaking and listening to the natives to learn a language well. Books just don’t cut it. 


The river has dropped dramatically since the first of June. Many crops were wiped out, such as peanuts, thus there is no peanut butter to be found in the city. We are hosting a large number of American students this summer expecting to have their P, B & J’s for lunch. Not sure how that will be received but when in Rome so I guess they’ll be eating more juanes! I noticed coming down river that rice is being planted again and little my little new crops will go in. The good thing here is plants regrow in a 1/3 of the time that one might expect in the northern hemisphere. Although there is hardship at the moment, by the end of the year, cash crops will be available for sale and life can get back to some semblance of normality. As I’ve commented before, these folks in the rainforest are resilient and pragmatic. If the “grid” ever implodes in the West, we’ll all be clueless how to survive but these folks won’t know the difference. They will continue on with their subsistent lifestyle as they’ve done for millennia.




Life goes on for me here in Perú but slowly the pull of the “West” is calling. More on that later!