Amazing weekend!
I realize it's Thursday - things have been pretty busy all week so I'm gonna try to update the best I can about my weekend in the Amazon rain forest!!!
I skipped classes Friday and my host mom dropped me off at the airport at around 7:10am. Immediately spotted the group I'd be going with - we were about 16 and so we went through security (which is significantly less harrowing than in the US, especially with this being a domestic flight) and waited around for about an hour, sleepy and trying to find breakfast. The flight was so short - barely 30 minutes and we landed in Coca. Here we waited for those who checked bags and then got on a little bit, which drove through town to a little riverside hostel. From here we got on a boat which had lawn chairs and sat for 2 hours. The river looked more like a lake - veryyy big but this is where we got our first glimpse of the forest. Beautiful. They passed out a good bagged lunch and we bundled up because the wind made it chilly.
After 2 hours, we got out at this little oil company place, where we had to present ID and scan our bags, and here we got on a chiva, which we rode for maybe an hour and a half. (A chiva is an open-air bus, if you don't remember.) Around this oil place we weren't allowed to even take out our cameras because apparently nearby there is one of the largest illegal animal markets around (apparently totally sad and cruel) and in the past they've had some issues with tourists taking pictures. Anyway, we got off the chiva, climbed down the side of this river and jumped on another giant boat. 2 hours later, we come into site of the Tiputini Biodiversity Station. By this time, you can imagine, you're seriously in the middle of NOWHERE. There is no way to get back except by boat.
We climb up the pier and they give us a quick tour. There is large open air "comedor" which is the dining hall, then you walk through the forest using these makeshift steps, made by wood they bolt down to the ground (otherwise you'd be traipsing through mud all the time) which leads to the lab/library (the only air conditioned building) and the you continue and reach the cabins where we stayed. Instead of walls, we had screens so it really felt like we were sleeping outside. We only had electricity from 10-2 and 6-9:30. There was no hot water and we were expected to be quiet at 9:30. Also, breakfast was at 6:30am every day so you pretty much wanted to sleep that early.
The first night we just ate, got a presentation about current projects then we went to bed. They have what they call "camera trap" put up everywhere (sponsored by National Geographic) which snaps pictures when motion is detected. They've gotten thousands of pictures so far, sometimes of animals never before photographed. This way they can keep track of the wildlife, including jaguars!!!! Also giant anteaters, deer, tapirs, monkeys, etc. It's an amazing project.
Next morning, we had our delicious breakfast and split into two groups. They gave us rubber boots (heaven-sent seriously) and we set out. Oh also, we soaked ourselves in bug spray.... very important. Our group took a boat upriver, disembarked then just followed the guide as he searched for things to show us. If I can for a second reiterate - WE WERE IN THE RAIN FOREST. That fact alone made the walk just incredible. Of course it was hot and humid, and there were so many species of plants and bugs I'd never seen. And birds. And MONKEYS! We were always running around trying to spot monkeys in the canopy - ended up spotting 5 of the 10 kinds that live there.
You'd think the rain forest would be super dangerous but as far as I can tell, the worst is these giant black ants that are pretty common - they bite you and apparently you experience the worst pain for nearly 15 hours. If more than one bites you, you get a fever and shivers, and more than that you could just die. They were pretty easy to avoid though. There are jaguars, anacondas, crocodiles, manta rays, and tarantulas but of these I only saw one tarantula (story later). Sort of disappointing.
In the afternoon, we climbed a giant tower and stood basically above the canopy. We saw lots of birds (like macaws!) and saw some monkeys pretty close up. What a view though - it was so high up and a seriously incredible feeling to see everything from such a private view. You also truly realize how you are in the middle of NOWHERE.
On Sunday, we climbed up another tower, but this time we had to harness ourselves in and we got to walk on these bridges from platform to platform. This was the same kind of canopy-excitement effect, which lottts of ants. From here you actually got to climb up a ladder and sit on a platform EVEN higher, which was terrifying and awesome. The harness didn't reassure me too much here.
Anyway, we came back, had another great meal and commented on how ridiculously hot it got. Of course, within 2 hours it was pourrringggg down rain and we gather for the next event completely soaked. Luckily, we were just going to go swimming in the Tiputini river, which is a tributary of the Amazon. We waited until the rain stop and jumped out. It was colddd, maybe because we were cold from the wind in the boat. The water was pretty swift so we got carried downstream for around an hour, the boat close behind. So while we were floating and making noise and generally being obnoxious, 2 of my friends start screaming because 3 feet from them was a tarantula, floating on water!!! It was squirming and kind of moving. So apparently they can swim, didn't know that.
At one point, it got dark, windy, and rainy again so we got back in and returned. I was so happy to put on real clothes and eat some more delicious food. Another quiet early night. We got up early again the next morning, had breakfast, and resumed the longggg voyage home. Seemed even longer - we left at 7:30am and I walked in my front door at 6pm. In Coca this time, we chilled for a bit at the resort, got to see peacocks, I gave food to a cute monkey and a bird, and there was a giant turtle too. Pretty exciting.
Anyway, of course I got home and passed out after doing a little work. Didn't do too much this week except go on a date last night (that was fun!) and TONIGHT was crazy too.
I went with Julie to el Centro at around 7 to support her art teacher's art exhibit. He was legit - he stayed with us and explained his art while we sipped wine. Felt so sophisticated. A little later, we argued with a cab and went to the other end of the city and get to watch LIGA play someone Independencia in fútbol. That's Quito's team and of course everyone gets crazy here. It was an exciting game - we won - but unfortunately 2 of my friends didn't enjoy it too much because were robbed! Someone stole Juliana's phone and camera from her jacket pocket (outside - which is sad because it's kind of a 'duh' thing - never put them in a jacket pocket!) But then my friend Stephen had his wallet and camera on an inside pocket of his jacket, with a zipper!! And someone jacked that as well. They were so upset but what are you gonna do!?
So that was my week - I'm exhausted. We're going to Cuenca for Carnaval, but the buses only leave on Saturday night so we'll be coming back probably Wednesday. We get Monday an Tuesday off and the bus to Cuenca lasts around 10 hours. But we're going on a night bus so I can sleep I guess. I'm pretty excited - Cuenca looks beautiful and fun. I'm happy to have Saturday off too - I just need to chill, seriously.
Anyway, I am SO tired. I love you all and miss you!
Cynthia
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