Buenos Dias!
Alas, I finally have a bit of time to sit down and write a proper (but also short) update. I figured it was time to write as yesterday I finally had two mandatory South American experiences: 1) I rode a bus with many many Jesus stickers AND a man holding a live rooster, in which the bus was careening around this mountainous dirt road (with incredible drop-offs) at a neck breaking speed and 2) I peed last night in the company of a small (but hairy and still frightening) tarantula! I was sitting down to do my "business" and looked over and saw a HUGE hairy spider next to the sink (although I felt like it was attack of the gigantic insects, it was probably only about the size of my palm). Eeeeew! I got a picture, but alas you will all have to wait as I forgot the cord to actually upload any of my photos.
Currently I am in the Orient (the area east of the mountains) in the Cloud Forest, on the slopes of the Andes, outside of the small town Cosanga. I have done a lot of hiking and exploring the jungle here, including a two hour walk down a "stream," which turned out to be one of the more scary experiences of my life. There was no trail, lots of rushing water up to my waist at times, huge boulders in the way that we had to climb / slide down (which created a cave with an amazing Swift nest inside) and mud up to my knees. I feel numerous times from slipping on the hidden rocks and emerged from the day with MANY bruises. Often the stream would be too obstructed with fallen trees, mudslides and overgrowth that we had to scamper around on the side. This entailed semi-bouldering and climbing on my hands and knees, in the mud, with my green galoshes full to the top with water (which made for very heavy feet), often times slipping and tripping on tree roots and knee level vines! It was very mountainous and there would be huge dropoffs at any point. It was quite the adventure...it took an solid hour hike to get back to the start, which was a hike straight up in knee deep mud.
Before Yanayacu (the research station I am staying at and where Ryan is doing caterpillar research) we went to Otavalo and Quito. Quito is much like any other city, although very polluted and unpleasant. There are guards everywhere with machine guns, even outside the smallest of stores, which definitely puts you on edge. In Otavalo, there is an incredible native market where you can buy just about anything, although I was more fascinated with observing the local Quechua than actually shopping. Also, I had the best empanadas of my life. Later in the day we noticed an unusual amount of police and military men there (even some with grenade launchers) so we asked what was going on. The president of Ecuador was due to come into town for the day. Well, we waited around and sure enough we saw him. Later, we were walking around the market when there were more guards and we ended up being in his direct route through the market. Long story short, I got the MEET the PRESIDENT of Ecuador, Correa, and shake his hand. He asked me where I was from and looked a bit perplexed to see a gringa there. It was awesome!
Yesterday we just got back from Tena, which is the beginning of the Amazon forest. We didn't have time to do some of the planned activities, but I did get to see lots of monkeys and an ocelot (sp?). Tomorrow we head for the coast for some camping, whale watching and hopefully some successful surfing. It will be nice to get out of the damp and chilly forest and onto the warm and sunny beaches. There have been many other adventures, but alas my time on the Internet is running out. My Spanish is improving, although a bit slow, but I am having fun trying it out with the locals. I have befriended dung beetles, played pool with natives of the Amazon and eaten soup with chicken feet in it (gross!). The adventures are non-stop every day, even with the simple act of going to the bathroom....eee gads....spiders!
I will send pictures upon my return. Hope everyone is well. I miss you all dearly!
Love,
Jennie
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