Hello!
So yesterday we got back from our exciting trip to the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon rainforest. It really felt like an adventure, and I had an astounding time.
The way there was quite a journey. We started out our day at 6:45, taking a bus to the airport. We had a short planeride after a delay. Then, we took a pretty long boatride, then a "ranchara," a bus of sorts with open sides. After that it was another boat, until finally, we arrived.
We got there around dinner, but had time for a swim in the river before. I still can't get over that I went swimming on January 5th. We spent the two days hiking, canopy walking, and eating really good food. My friends and I would get up early, 5;30, to go down to the river, listen, and watch the sky. I know this sounds sort of cheesy, but I really felt at peace. We experienced the rainforest through all of our senses- hearing the howler monkeys, seeing the crazy wildlife, feeling the heat/humidity, tasting ants that taste like lemon because of the symbiotic relationship they have with this acidic tree, and smelling the plants/animals.
Highlights from our hikes:
The view from the bird watch tower, the view from the canopy top, chasing monkeys with our insaney amazing guide seeing spider and woolly monkeys playing, various birds, huge ants, poisoness trees, frogs, turtles, a strangling vine that grows from the top down, flowers, mud, humongous fig trees, huge roots that stick out of the ground, army ants, medicinal plants, crazy fungi
Also, it was great to hang out at night under the stars. We had some great talks.
I was sad to leave and make the long journey back. Our flight back was super-delayed, so we hung out in this pool where I lost my nosering, yet again. Overall, it was an astounding experience and I am so glad I went. I hope that someday I can go back.
I have pictures but can't post them now. Thursday I go to Riobamaba, Saturday to Cotopaxi, and Sunday to the Galapagos Islands!
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3 comments:
Hi Julie,
The rainforest sounds so amazing. Louie left yesterday and I heard from him today, he called. He probably won't have much internet access.
Ican't wait to see your photos.
Love Pat
Things you are missing out on because you are in boring old Ecuador:
1. the Wildwood dog show (mom)
2. some Buddhist monks destroying sand paintings? (pat and friends)
3. training Molly to jump through a hoop (me, unsuccessfully)
4. a dodgeball tournament (melissa)
5. talking to people on the phone through the car radio (supposed to be dad, but mostly mom)
Now, don't you want to come home?
Love big sister
Hey Julie,
How do you get to the Galapagos? I need to make arrangements and I can't find any flights.
The dog show was good. I voted today. I felt like I was doubling down on the casino slot machine. My finger kept hovering over Hillary, then Obama, then Hillary, then Obama. Eventually I went with the woman because woman just seem to have more sense. I miss you!
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