Reflections on change...Or not?

The pace of the jungle never seems to change. Yes, there is WiFi now at the lodges and even one of our communities on the Amazon (Palmeras II) now has it for the school. Almost everyone--or at least someone--in even the remotest community has a cell phone, canoe with a motor, a few solar panels scattered about which light lights and run communal TV’s for entertainment at night. But as a whole, the rhythm of life continues as it always has—the river goes up and down seasonally, rice is planted and harvested, fields are cleared for planting, fish are caught, music and celebration (along with masato or jungle beer) make regular appearances. Kids go to school but it’s a casual and flexible approach. Moms cook, nurse babies, and wash clothes; dads hunt, fish, farm and care for their families with regular home repairs and improvements when extra money allows—like a metal roof instead of palm fronds. I continue to believe that one day, when the “grid” of our lives implodes--and we don’t have a clue how to function outside our technical, electricity-driven world—the folks who live on the river and in the rainforest will carry on.

Moms & Kids never change

They won’t notice the difference much and they will simply continue to do what they do.  The jungle will continue to grow and recover from the many assaults it regularly endures from our Western need for more wood, more oil, and more beef. When I read world events from here—ISIS, ebola, Syria, the falling stock market, shrinking middle class, useless politicians—it feels very much like I’m not part of that. I can be immersed in a place that offers peace, solitude and life-giving reassurance that even if we (those from the West) muck it up beyond recognition, the humble people from the rain forest—and the rainforest itself—will heal and grow and carry on. Ultimately, I don’t feel quite so discouraged by the things I read happening “out there”. It would be wonderful if everyone could find that one place, as I've found, that feeds their soul.

New water tower-Jorge Chavez

Too much has happened at CONAPAC during the last few months to share it all but the most important thing has been our annual water program audit, handled by graduates students and professors from the University of Colorado-Boulder.  The students were here this past summer for a month and did extensive, but random, surveys in 15 rainforest communities.  Their report has just been delivered and is available on the CONAPAC website. www.CONAPAC.org  Overall, things are trending in the right direction with consistent usage rates continuing to climb. However, the report made it clear that our work is not complete. We must continue to "up our game" with more operator training, regular reviews of accounts, and overall mentoring of communities—encouraging them to make drinking clean water a top priority in the life of their community.

Cedro Isla-Sawyer water filters

We also delivered 50 Sawyer water systems to families in a community called Cedro Isla. Along with water, they also received books and school supplies through the Adopt-A-School program.  The village is up river quite some distance from Iquitos and is sponsored through donations from International Expeditions.  IE is one of our biggest donor partners and the desire of its leadership is to expand education and clean water in more areas of the Amazon basin.  Next year, through CONAPAC,more families will receive this important life-giving resource.  To provide clean water for one family, a simple donation of $195 will do it! For more info, visit our website or International Expeditions at www.ietravel.com 

Sonoma Valley

Doolin, Ireland

Finally, this summer James and I had a wonderful, month-long trip to England, Scotland, and Ireland. It was the perfect time of year and among other things, I now better understand what they mean by an English garden. I’ve never seen so many beautiful and brilliant examples of color and life as I saw in these three countries.  And despite the awful reputation that the UK for its food, I can’t say we had a bad meal the whole time we were there.  Yes, it was a bit different but chefs have invaded this place, too, and really taken the most humble of food and remade it into something memorable. In August I went to California with my daughter, Erin, to visit my other daughter, Samantha, who now lives in Sacramento.  We did San Francisco, Sonoma Valley and the Muir Woods National Park. Also, a great visit to Davis, CA (where Sam works at UC-Davis) and then Sacramento, which is actually quite a nice town--for a capital city.  Although CA is in serious drought conditions, I’ve never seen so many green trees, grass or flowers in a city center as I saw there.  A very walk-able, bike-able, and dog friendly place with great outdoor cafes and pubs, too! 

Seeking Balance...

If the truth be told the primary reason I came to live and work in Peru was that I wanted to escape my previous life.  It wasn’t an awful life--but since life is short, why not live two in one? And then maybe have the opportunity to improve a bit on the first half it.  However, my daily motivation to stay for these many years has been the idea I could help people in some way that might be useful, whether directly or indirectly. Over the years I’ve had many opportunities to say “Yes”, but far more to say “No”, as one person can’t save the whole world.  There is need everywhere in all forms around the world, whether in a developing place like the Peruvian jungle or our advanced societies like the US or Australia. However, the needs that are here are in your face everyday.  On the street there are countless sights of what one can only assume are sad stories, non-existent opportunities, and wasted lives—whether it’s abandoned people or discarded pets. It’s a very fine balance to walk the streets everyday and neither be consumed by guilt for having so much creating a constant sense of obligation, nor a complete lack of caring producing tunnel vision only for the needs of your own life. How to have the wisdom to lend a hand without creating dependence or opening the Pandora’s Box of endless entreaties is never far from my mind.

I don’t know if I’m finding that balance.  At times I feel overly generous and practically anyone who crosses my path with some need, I find a way to help. Other times, I blow people off, turn a cold shoulder and pretend I don’t see.  I try to be kind to myself when recriminations seep in that I'm not doing enough. But avoid falling into complacency by remembering that we are all interdependent.  Americans like to think they’ve made their own way and rugged individualism is our call to arms. But who among us has not been helped by a family member or friend through the years with a small loan to buy a house, business or go to college; received leftover food when there’s is too much for one; shared in sweat-equity for a building project; enjoyed tutoring in our studies or mentorship in life; or were gifted with kind words and loving hugs at just the right moment? I can recount numerous times in my life when exactly these small gestures made the difference in my path and lifted me to the next level. This has been my intention while living and working here in Iquitos. 

I don’t know if I’ve been successful in all things.  I’d like to think the time I’ve shared with others has provided the benefit I intended. Friends here have shown interest in my thoughts and experiences and seem to gain from them.  I've given countless small loans and handouts, offered rescue and care to street animals, cooked gringo food and shared it with others. I've donated mounds of clothes and household goods, and spent time celebrating other people’s joys and sorrows (who are not of my culture or my language) yet seemed appreciative for my presence. These things can be done anywhere but somehow here, where there's so much obvious need, they seem to mean more. My aim is not to get philosophical or spiritual in this post, but rather to remind myself (and maybe you) that each day is a gift. The least I can do is find a way to give a gift in return--however small or inconsequential--because you just never know, now do you?

Ah, 2014!

I feel a year-long party coming!

Ouch!  It’s been two months since I posted. Where did December go?  I’m back in Peru and back to work. I’ve never felt better--and full of enthusiasm for my work and my life here in the rainforest.  This time was a soft landing home.  Despite a 40 hour door to door trip from Perth, I didn’t have any jet lag other than goofy sleep patterns, which took about four days to settle.  I always like starting things fresh on the first of the month or the year.  It was great to get back to Iquitos on the last day of the year to wake up on January 1, 2014 in my own bed!  It was five years ago on January 1, 2009 that I first moved into my apartment. I still love it--it’s small but well designed, with lots of glass and a jungle garden right outside my doors and windows. I can't believe I've been here just shy of six years as it continues to be a life-changing experience. Remember, my door is always open for visits—my couch and hammock are free, the water is hot and the beer is cold!

Sawyer PointONE

The big push is on to get ready for Adopt A School.  There’s still time and space to join our volunteer expedition trip to deliver books and school supplies the first week in April.  If you want more info, let me know.  We’re going to place Sawyer PointONE filters and buckets in all our classrooms this year.  There will be 200 new water systems thus each child will have access to clean water during school hours.  Many of the student's homes have clean water options, but not all.  CONAPAC is still pushing for more donations to complete the final 12-15 communities that need clean water systems.  In the meantime, kids without clean drinking water at home will at least have it at school.  It’s a start so here's the link to help further: http://www.conapac.org/water_plant.html 

Also check out www.sawyersaves.com for more insight into this lifesaving water filtration system. To place one Sawyer filter with related delivery, set-up and training support costs $175 per family.  Once we finish with the classrooms, we’ll move on to those final families still waiting for clean water. The bucket and Sawyer filter in this photo is in my flat.  I don’t drink the tap water so this is a great solution for me, too!  

With luck I’ll be living and working in Peru for three more years.  James will join me for a good part of the time next year--the next step in our implausible, but joyful relationship.  Unfortunately, the wheels that turn here are coming off.  I can’t renew my contract and reinstate my work papers despite officially documented proof of the reason for my absence.  I have to start all over again.  This is complicated, time-consuming and costly.  It will require communication with a lawyer in Lima, at least two plane flights to Lima to go to immigrations, a visit to INTERPOL, and a vast gathering of documents.  Along the way there will be fees, taxes and bribes--yet no guarantee of  success.  They sure don’t make it easy to do the right thing but I will press on and see what happens.  If I’m meant to stay and continue my work, I will. If not, then the journey has only detoured not ended. 

 As always, if you'd like to follow the work we're doing here in the rainforest of Perú, go to www.CONAPAC.org to see how you can help financially or participate directly. Remember, our US parter, the Detroit Zoological Society--a 5-Star Charity--receives and manages your donations to CONAPAC. Literacy & Clean Water--A winning combination!

A Life Simplified?

Yellowstone

Am I traveling light? Hardly.  Some of you may recall that the reason I departed Brighton, MI and the USA in general was to "simplify" my life.  I sold or gave away most everything I owned and left behind a very small number of personal items in storage. I paid off all my debt and packed two suitcases to move to South America. For a long time I didn’t have a computer and used the local Internet cafes.  I didn’t have a cell phone, a car, a house or apartment, a TV or even a toaster!  I lived out of a suitcase at a local hostal and when it was time to move into a small apartment, I packed my too suitcases and walked the three blocks it took to arrive—unpacking and moving into my new place in less than an hour. Then I settled in and didn’t return to the US for almost three years.  

Wyoming or Idaho?

How times and circumstances have changed. My simple life becomes more complicated yet rich and and fulfilling with ever passing day. With the infinite wisdom that only comes with advanced aging, I choose to fall in love with a man from Australia!  Finding someone in South America or maybe somewhere in the US apparently just wasn’t bizarre enough for me. I now have clothes and shoes stationed in Iquitos, Peru; Perth, Western Australia; and Brighton, Michigan.  My US address is my brother’s house Michigan, my shipping address is at a friend’s house in Brighton, my mailing address is in Peru, and my favorite man and weather is in Australia. To complicate matters more, I go and get breast cancer, have it treated in Australia then follow up in the US. I now have oncologists in both countries and my suitcase is more full of paperwork and medical records than clothes or my favorite consumables--which I can’t get in either Peru or Australia.

Cultural Adaptation

I now have a laptop, a cheap flip phone, and IPhone, a Kindle, a camera, a toaster oven, a blender, a TV, and and an Internet in Peru that’s slower than dial-up (for those of you old enough to remember dial-up!). Is my life more complicated, essentially living part time in three countries on three different continents?  For sure!  Is it the most exciting, fulfilling and adventure packed life I could lead? Absolutely!  Am I happier and more at peace than ever before? No doubt! I love my family, my friends, my man, my work, my opportunities and my ability to have found the world again through fresh and exciting eyes.  Yes, it’s complicated but as in all things, one day at a time.

Hmm, can't remember!

I’m heading back to Australia for December then Peru on New Year’s Eve.  It will give me great joy to be back home as I ring in the New Year.    I consider 2013 to be a “reboot” year for my health and my attitude.  My goals and interests haven’t changed but the cancer has put a finer point on the subject and I fine myself not wanting to lose any time doing all the things I want to do, see all the people and places I want to see, eat all the yummy food I can enjoy, and reach as many of my professional goals as possible.  Thanks for going along on this ride with me—as we all know, it’s not the destination but the journey and the company you keep along the way!

Life Is Wonderful!

Finally, James and I took a wonderful trip out West for the month of October.  We visited eight states, saw countless mountain ranges and enjoyed endless natural beauty—and in so doing put 7,000 miles on our rental car. I’m so happy to know that these irreplaceable wonders of nature are being preserved and maintained by our federal park system. In the meantime, we did eat in a lot of restaurants and enjoyed a variety of interesting meals.  As you may recall from one of my earlier posts, I found Australia to offer outstanding cappuccino virtually everywhere you go.  Not so here in the US, at least in the Brighton area  and the Midwest—although it can be found here and there.  When James and I did find a cup of cap, we started rating them, the name of the café or restaurant and in what town.  Our list and ratings are as follows and will give you an idea of our October journeys:

1.   Petals & Perks, Frankfort, MI--3 ½ stars 

2.   Brass Café & Saloon, Mt. Pleasant, MI--2 stars

3.   Wooden Spoon, Brighton, M--2 stars

4.   Afternoon Delight, Ann Arbor, MI--2 ½ stars

5.   Diana’s on Main, Rockford, MI--3 stars

6.   Bean & Leaf, Royal Oak, MI--3 1/2 stars

7.   Gandy Dancer, Ann Arbor, MI--3 ½ stars

8.   Common Grill, Chelsea, MI--1 star

9.   Starbucks, DTW Airport, Romulus, MI--4 stars

10.        New Moon Café & Bakery, Nederland, CO--3 ½ stars

11.        Yellowstone Hotel, Yellowstone, WY--4 stars

12.        Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone, WY--3 ½ stars

13.        Cowboy Coffee, Jackson, WY--4 stars

14.        Higher Grounds, Kamish, ID--2 stars

15.        Le Café de Paris, Boise, ID--5 stars Perfect I

16.        Shivers & Jitters, Venal, UT--3 stars

17.        Sweet Cravings, Moab, UT--3 stars

18.        Mon Ami Cabi, Las Vegas, NV--5 stars Perfect II

19.        Crema Café, Cottonwood, AZ--3 ½ stars

20.        The Avalanche Café, Silverton, CO--3 ½ stars

21.        Mountainview Mall & Café, Chama, NM--3 ½ stars

22.        Lamberts, Toas, NM--4 1/2 stars

23.        Midtown Bistro, Santa Fe, NM--4 stars

24.        Root Down, Denver, CO--4 ½ stars

25.        Steve & Rocky’s, Novi, MI--3 stars

Cody,

Our system was one to five 

Wyoming

stars. Only two were perfect they were both found in French cafes.  What can we say, the French simply do some things better than anyone else!

See you again in the New Year as Perú beckons one more time :)