Yesterday Nelson and I travelled to Lomas early in the morning to meet the JESHENI kids. We had made plans last week to travel to the Bosque Seco (dry forest) on Monday morning as a field trip. I had seen a few photos of the bosque before we visited, but I was still in awe when we actually arrived there. Upon ascending into the forst, we were sort of swept up by a layer of clouds/fog that felt really clean compared with the constant smell of disel fumes in the inner city. I listened to the youth talk to one another as we climbed and they were sure to show me the most dangerous spots (aka slippery spots, Nelson fell three times) and together we made it to a place where we stopped for a snack of bread and soda. The climbing was more difficult than I had expected, and I was surprised that it took us less time to come down even though it felt more treacherous. I was also surprised by the diversity of plant and animal life that existed in the Bosque Seco. The most common plant there was a very green, broad leafed species that released a lot of water if stepped on (which we were careful not to do as it makes things more difficult when climbing). There were cactus growing there and some different colored flowers as well. We never did make it to the top of whatever mountain or hill we were climbing. Some of the girls were disappointed that we didn´t go further, but we had been hiking for an hour or more. Before we left Lomas to go to the Bosque (which is only about 20 minutes away) Nelson has us all circle up so that he could share some good news with us. He had attended a meeting last week with the Uniendo Manos people in Lima and there he learned of an opportunity that is being presented to JESHENI to restore the Bosque and create a means of tourism to the area. By doing this we might also be able to claim the area as a nature reserve which could prevent the area from being vulnerable to destruction or misuse by companies wishing to use the area as a trash dump (landfill). Check out the new photos I posted of the Bosque Seco!
At the end of this week the YAVs have our first retreat together. We are going to Huánuco for some rest and relaxation over the weekend. I will be sure to take my camera.
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9 comments:
yeah, nice work not falling. you're american and you better act like one! lol! just kidding! that sounds like fun. are the kids nice, do you get along with them well? the retreat sounds like a good time, and it will be cool for you to hear about the other YAVs journies and times.
Hey Michael your Diploma came last week.
Good piece on the Bosque. Those are cool pictures and that would be great if it could be preserved as a tourist spot. What a cute Monkey, I want one!
You didn't get a haircut did you? What does it say on the shirt that you are wearing in the Bosque and where did you get it?
Hahaha, yeah the kids are really nice and they aren´t spoiled at all which makes them more grateful or something (I don´t exactly no how to describe it but they are very respectful and appreciative of the little things). I am pretty excited to get out of Lima this weekend, although today it was sunny all day, which hasn´t happened yet since I´ve been here, and that was nice.
Good thing about the diploma. I have been wondering about that for awhile but kept forgetting to ask you and Dad about it. Yeah the Bosque is unique. It is literally the only place in the entire world that contains those species of plants and animal life so it is really important to protect it. It´s cool because most of the kids are really into the idea of protecting it too. And they know that there are a lot of people (tourists) that have a desire to go there (there just isn´t the development in place yet to make it feel...comfortable i guess would be the word, for the gringos). The idea is to have the Jesheni kids become the tour guides, since they are almost all very experienced with the area and know how to navigate the different paths. They also know where different phenomenon occurr within the Bosque. According to Nelson, we only saw a small fraction of what is there when we hiked on Monday. yeah the haircut plans fell through (like about 90% of most plans made, just gotta go with the flow), but I might get it cut tonight. And I asked Christian about his monkey and where he bought it but he said he just brought it back from a trip he took into the jungle one time. So I honestly was considering doing this (the monkey is really friendly and easy to take care of) but then Nelsito told me that it´s illegal to do this and if the cops catch you they´ll fine you for it. The shirt is from Nelson and it says something about El Dia del Pueblo and some radio celebration they had.
Wow, I wrote "no" instead of "know". I´m forgetting English.
The monkey doesn't live in the Bosque forest does it? Did Christian go to the Amazon jungle to get it? But yeah it wouldnt' be right to take it out of it's environment.
let me break it down for you....you honestly thought about becoming a poacher! defined as the illegal theft or killing of an animal. interesting! we leave you alone for 2 months almost, and you turn into this crazy save the rainforest animal hunter?! hm..
(bring me one too!)
HAhaha! yeah it´s from the real jungle, not the bosque seco.
Hey Michael,
Let us know how your weekend retreat in Haunaco went. Was it fun?
Hope all is well there and give our regards to your family.
Love Mom
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