Today our group splits into two because regulations require groups to be no larger than 16. The bigger group goes to Seymour and the smaller to Plaza. Both groups do some snorkeling where they see all manner of fish, a shark or two, sting rays etc. The water close to the shores is warm enough to have an enjoyable time. Waters deeper out require wetsuits for those diving as it is apparently quite cold we are told.
Those visiting Seymour see blue foots boobies mating and bearing young, Pilate birds mating, Iguanas and many other creatures and birds. Those visiting plaza Island see colonies of sea lions, land and sea iguanas ( apparently this is the only island where they cross breed ) and some birds as well. Both groups are back at the hotel about 4:30 and have a final few hours of free time before dinner at 7.
After dinner the group takes a walk to the pier where the lights in the water attract some schools of fish resulting in small Galapagos sharks coming to have an evening snack . We watch this for a while and then the group gathers and begins to reflect on some of what has changed in them since coming. This reflection time begins tonight but will continue on in Quito and more integration time will be needed as they return home. An email from me to we to help facilitate this has been sent to each student as well.
We now begin our journey home over the next 3 days so this is our last blog. Quito today, then leaving the hotel at 3 am Wednesday morning to Miami. A 4.5 hour stopover there then on to Toronto arriving at 7:30, clearing customs and on to the hotel for a rest . Leaving again for the airport at 6 am to catch the 9 am flight with a stopover in Edmonton arriving in Victoria around noon. The students that you pick up will be quite different from the students who began this trip. The experience has changed each of us in ways that we have begun to know and still are discovering, ways that will become clearer as the days and weeks progress.
Thank you for sharing your teens with us. It has been an amazing and delightful group.
Tuesday 9 July 2013
Monday 8 July 2013
Isabela island
Up with the sun this morning, we have a light breakfast as we have a long boat ride to Isabela Island, the largest in the Galapagos. We head down to the pier where our backpacks are inspected and tag for entry into the island. Then we catch a water taxi our to our boat. It's a simple boat with plastic seats in rows, a cover over top- kind of like a school bus on the water. Maximum capacity 24. Our group is 24. Off we go, full speed ahead into open water for the next 2.5 hours till we reach the bay of Isabela island where we repeat the procedure to disembark ; water taxi, bag inspection, we then pile into a converted grain truck with bench seats and we are off to explore the island .
Our first stop is a lookout hill where we climb 50 steps to the top where we can see out to the ocean where we've just come from, identify some major land marks and get oriented to the island. Next stop is a mangrove tree area that marks the presence of fresh water, a commodity in high demand. This fresh water source merges with the salt water as the tide ebbs and flows.
From here we visit a lava tunnel formation, sea iguana breaking grounds, a flamingo feeding pond. next is lunch at a restaraunt ( fish in a coconut sauce or beef ) and passion fruit juice .
After lunch we head to the beach to play in the water and sand. After water play, the girls lie on the beach and the boys build a sandcastle. The water is green and warmer than ours, the sun is shinning and for many in the group this is an activity they have been hoping for. After about an hour, it's time to pack up and head back to Santa Cruz Island. Many sleep on the return boat ride home.
Back at the new hotel for the next 2 nights, folks change, get cleaned up and wander the streets till supper time, then a community meeting and debrief and we are done for the night. Tomorrow - more creature sighting and snorkeling on yet another island.
Our first stop is a lookout hill where we climb 50 steps to the top where we can see out to the ocean where we've just come from, identify some major land marks and get oriented to the island. Next stop is a mangrove tree area that marks the presence of fresh water, a commodity in high demand. This fresh water source merges with the salt water as the tide ebbs and flows.
From here we visit a lava tunnel formation, sea iguana breaking grounds, a flamingo feeding pond. next is lunch at a restaraunt ( fish in a coconut sauce or beef ) and passion fruit juice .
After lunch we head to the beach to play in the water and sand. After water play, the girls lie on the beach and the boys build a sandcastle. The water is green and warmer than ours, the sun is shinning and for many in the group this is an activity they have been hoping for. After about an hour, it's time to pack up and head back to Santa Cruz Island. Many sleep on the return boat ride home.
Back at the new hotel for the next 2 nights, folks change, get cleaned up and wander the streets till supper time, then a community meeting and debrief and we are done for the night. Tomorrow - more creature sighting and snorkeling on yet another island.
Sunday 7 July 2013
To Quito and onto Galapagos
Up early Friday morning to the sound of light rain but it clears by the time we have breakfast at 6:30 and we are on the river boat by 7:15 having said our goodbyes to the staff at Minga lodge that have been so wonderful to us over the past week. We board the bus and begin our 8 hour journey through winding gravel roads and uphill highways. We stop again at the pizza place in the middle of nowhere and the food is as good as before except this time we get to eat in the restaurant. It's good to have a stretch and get out of the bus. We hit the outskirts of Quito at 4:30 during rush hour so it took us 90 to get to the core where we were staying .
We head to the crafters market for a quick trip thru the many stalls and merchants. It's almost overwhelming with all the options and many buy sweaters,jackets and other souvenirs in a very rushed but fun 45 mins. We head over to the hotel, drop off luggage and head to supper at a restaurant by the main square . This evening is our final time with Hillary and Lilly. Words of appreciation are exchanged, plans made for more Me to We support events upon our return and a video montage is shared that Hillary and Lilly have made of our time. Again lots of tears are shed and folks head to bed as we must be up at 5 to catch our flight to Galapagos .
We arrive to a moderate day just before noon and our met by our new guides for this leg of our adventure . - Isabella and Farydde. We get settled into our new hotel, have lunch and then head to the Darwin interpretive centre where we see the work being done try and reestablish the tortoise population that was once at 250 000 n these islands and has dropped to less than 16000. One species had only 14 left when they began the hatchery. Since that time they have raised the population to almost 60 000. 4 species are now extinct . We see lizards, iguanas and birds. We end our day with a bit of shopping in this quaint little town, enjoy a lovely dinner and head back to the hotel for an early nights as our day again starts early with a 2 hour boat ride at 7 am tomorrow morning.
We head to the crafters market for a quick trip thru the many stalls and merchants. It's almost overwhelming with all the options and many buy sweaters,jackets and other souvenirs in a very rushed but fun 45 mins. We head over to the hotel, drop off luggage and head to supper at a restaurant by the main square . This evening is our final time with Hillary and Lilly. Words of appreciation are exchanged, plans made for more Me to We support events upon our return and a video montage is shared that Hillary and Lilly have made of our time. Again lots of tears are shed and folks head to bed as we must be up at 5 to catch our flight to Galapagos .
We arrive to a moderate day just before noon and our met by our new guides for this leg of our adventure . - Isabella and Farydde. We get settled into our new hotel, have lunch and then head to the Darwin interpretive centre where we see the work being done try and reestablish the tortoise population that was once at 250 000 n these islands and has dropped to less than 16000. One species had only 14 left when they began the hatchery. Since that time they have raised the population to almost 60 000. 4 species are now extinct . We see lizards, iguanas and birds. We end our day with a bit of shopping in this quaint little town, enjoy a lovely dinner and head back to the hotel for an early nights as our day again starts early with a 2 hour boat ride at 7 am tomorrow morning.
Friday 5 July 2013
Bella vista. Final day
It's hard for any of us to believe that our time here in the amazon has come to an end. It's also impossible for everyone to put into words what this community and it's people, especially the children, have come to mean to this group.
We begin with a small detour for our group in stopping at the local market. Every Thursday this community market is open and folks from all around come to stock up on their needed goods as there is no grocery store anywhere near here. Each group of 4 was given 2 dollars with which to buy the needs for their family of four for a meal. They had to negotiate with sellers and plan out what they would do, make a purchase and bring back the food to the boat. You can ask them when they return how well they might have eaten that night if it had been up to them.
We continue up the river to Bella vista where with the community we get the rebar construction finished, the cement foundations finished, wood hauled, and gravel/ sand piles moved. It is a full morning that ends with the community small children sharing a dance with us. A soccer game is played together and a huge number of photos are taken with members of our group and members of the community. These significant relationships that have been built means that the photos now taken are between friends. It is now time to say our goodbyes and this becomes a very difficult time for our group. Tears flow freely as the group tries to bid farewell to this amazing experience and these incredible people. The boat ride back is rather quite as the group tries to pull together emotionally and integrate within all that has happened in this leg of the trip. Thankfully the weather holds today.
After lunch we head to the nearby village of Mondana. We see the school, the medical clinic, the village itself and then make our way to the women's cooperative where we are given a demonstration of the techniques and materials used in making their crafts. The group has an opportunity to buy and many lovely things are bough today. Returning to the lodge we begin the process of packing for our early leave tomorrow.
Supper turns out to be a very special affair and we are served by the staff a candle light dinner. Some youth from Mondana come in traditional garb and they share some traditional stories of their culture that they are trying to recapture in their own community. Our group shares their line dance and teaches their group as well. From there the evening becomes a time of singing, card playing and visiting till light eventually go out and folks head to bed.
We begin with a small detour for our group in stopping at the local market. Every Thursday this community market is open and folks from all around come to stock up on their needed goods as there is no grocery store anywhere near here. Each group of 4 was given 2 dollars with which to buy the needs for their family of four for a meal. They had to negotiate with sellers and plan out what they would do, make a purchase and bring back the food to the boat. You can ask them when they return how well they might have eaten that night if it had been up to them.
We continue up the river to Bella vista where with the community we get the rebar construction finished, the cement foundations finished, wood hauled, and gravel/ sand piles moved. It is a full morning that ends with the community small children sharing a dance with us. A soccer game is played together and a huge number of photos are taken with members of our group and members of the community. These significant relationships that have been built means that the photos now taken are between friends. It is now time to say our goodbyes and this becomes a very difficult time for our group. Tears flow freely as the group tries to bid farewell to this amazing experience and these incredible people. The boat ride back is rather quite as the group tries to pull together emotionally and integrate within all that has happened in this leg of the trip. Thankfully the weather holds today.
After lunch we head to the nearby village of Mondana. We see the school, the medical clinic, the village itself and then make our way to the women's cooperative where we are given a demonstration of the techniques and materials used in making their crafts. The group has an opportunity to buy and many lovely things are bough today. Returning to the lodge we begin the process of packing for our early leave tomorrow.
Supper turns out to be a very special affair and we are served by the staff a candle light dinner. Some youth from Mondana come in traditional garb and they share some traditional stories of their culture that they are trying to recapture in their own community. Our group shares their line dance and teaches their group as well. From there the evening becomes a time of singing, card playing and visiting till light eventually go out and folks head to bed.
Thursday 4 July 2013
Bella Vista - day 4
This morning we know that we are in the middle of a tropical rainforest in the midst of rainy season without a doubt! It has rained on and off all night and as we eat breakfast it starts to rain heavily and gets progressively worse as we make our way to the river to board our very wet boat, the mood among the group is still pretty positive . The water whipped up as we travel on the river makes us wet and we can see the sky light up with lightning in the distance and hear the thunder rumble......yet in the wet boat the group is still singing.
We arrive at our work site and the water is pouring down and we slosh our way to the our building area and move indoors to the shelter to assess what work needs to be done and can be done given the weather. We set up stations within the hut to build the rebar constructs that will be used to strengthen the cement pillars. One group does attempt to move rock and sand in preparation for cement mixing but it is too wet a day to mix cement as it won't cure in this weather. As the morning moves along, we again have help from some of the local children and toward the end of the morning, 2/3's of the group goes out into the rain and muck and mud and plays soccer with some of the children. They end up slipping and sliding in the mud and are covered from head to toe but laughing and smiling from a good time. We head back to Minga lodge and hose down those that are dirty and get ready for lunch.
After lunch we have about an hour of free time. Some use it to sing and play guitar, others join in a cut throat card game of Egyptian rattlesnakes. The rain clears and the sunshines brightly again as well. At 3 pm we head to the cocoa farm to learn about this important industry for Ecuador. We see the plantation, the six different types of cocoa pods grown, how grafting works, how the market treats the farmer, how the middlemen reap most of the profit and what the most prized cocoa pod is for Ecuador. We get to taste the cocoa beans right out of the pods when they are still slimy and covered in a sweet jelly like substance. We learn about the fermenting process. Upon our return to Minga lodge we take part in a hands on demonstration where we learn how to roast the beans, shell the beans, grind the beans and then mix the cocoa with sugar to eat with some bananas. A fun and interesting time.
Then it's time for dinner and following a gathering of the group to look at ways to continue supporting the work of Me to We upon our return to Victoria. Small groups work on both enhancing current projects and dreaming ups some new ones. A final check in about our day and what we have appreciated about each others leadership and folks head to their rooms just as the power for the night ends at 10. Tomorrow is our last day to work at the village so we hope the weather will cooperate so we can finish what we can to keep the project on task.
We arrive at our work site and the water is pouring down and we slosh our way to the our building area and move indoors to the shelter to assess what work needs to be done and can be done given the weather. We set up stations within the hut to build the rebar constructs that will be used to strengthen the cement pillars. One group does attempt to move rock and sand in preparation for cement mixing but it is too wet a day to mix cement as it won't cure in this weather. As the morning moves along, we again have help from some of the local children and toward the end of the morning, 2/3's of the group goes out into the rain and muck and mud and plays soccer with some of the children. They end up slipping and sliding in the mud and are covered from head to toe but laughing and smiling from a good time. We head back to Minga lodge and hose down those that are dirty and get ready for lunch.
After lunch we have about an hour of free time. Some use it to sing and play guitar, others join in a cut throat card game of Egyptian rattlesnakes. The rain clears and the sunshines brightly again as well. At 3 pm we head to the cocoa farm to learn about this important industry for Ecuador. We see the plantation, the six different types of cocoa pods grown, how grafting works, how the market treats the farmer, how the middlemen reap most of the profit and what the most prized cocoa pod is for Ecuador. We get to taste the cocoa beans right out of the pods when they are still slimy and covered in a sweet jelly like substance. We learn about the fermenting process. Upon our return to Minga lodge we take part in a hands on demonstration where we learn how to roast the beans, shell the beans, grind the beans and then mix the cocoa with sugar to eat with some bananas. A fun and interesting time.
Then it's time for dinner and following a gathering of the group to look at ways to continue supporting the work of Me to We upon our return to Victoria. Small groups work on both enhancing current projects and dreaming ups some new ones. A final check in about our day and what we have appreciated about each others leadership and folks head to their rooms just as the power for the night ends at 10. Tomorrow is our last day to work at the village so we hope the weather will cooperate so we can finish what we can to keep the project on task.
Wednesday 3 July 2013
Bella Vista. day 3
In the morning the clouds hang low on the river but they are beginning to lift and we find ourselves heading out hopeful of some sun this morning as we head again to Bella Vista to continue our construction. Children are waiting on the shore for our arrival and we make really good progress. The sun comes out and at times it is very hot to be mixing cement and bending rebar. More relationships are developing and it's wonderful to see smiles and hear conversations as the day unfolds. One of the parents arrive mid morning with a wheel barrow full of oranges he had collected from the trees around the site to share with everyone working. We work an extra 1/2 hour today in order to finish some of cement work. Progress is going very well.
The same routine as the day before occurs as we return to the minga lodge: children swimming, boat singing and a refreshing breeze to cool us down before arriving for lunch. Lunch is a special treat today served on a leaf instead of a plate. Platters of palm heart and thistle salad, yucca root fries, and banana leaf steamed tilapia fish. Even the skeptics tasted and enjoyed !
After lunch we head back down the river a ways to visit a local shaman. We are invited to take part on groups of 5 in a cleansing ritual that involves having tobacco smoke blown over us and then having the spirits and energy cleansed by being "swept" with a wand of yukka leaves. Afterwards we get a chance to blow darts with a dart gun (a traditional hunting method) at a papaya that has been slice open and place on a stick as a moving target. 4 of our group are successful. Following a group picture with the shaman and his family, a spear throwing demonstration and an opportunity to buy some handmade crafts by the family, we head back to Minga lodge for supper .
We are invited before supper to a special cooking demonstration of an amazon delicacy and treat. A wrapped banana leaf package is unwrapped to reveal the biggest weevil larvae I've ever seen ! They are wiggling like crazy . An invitation is given to anyone who would like to try them raw first. One must bite down on their head and pinchers first so they don't bite the inside of your mouth. Two of the group give it a try ! Then the rest the group must squish their heads and threat them onto a stick where they are roasted and then tasted. A " special" treat and appetizer before dinner.
At suppertime we begin to have a conversation about how we might share our new insights and make connections back home with both the issues we are encountering and the ongoing work of Me to We.
Then, it's back into the jungle for a short walk at night to see some of the creatures whose sounds we hear at night. We see several different species of frogs, various bugs and moths, bats, tarantulas and the head of a tiny water snake. It's been another full day and many are feeling weary . A final check in in the circle and it's off to our respective cabins at 9:30.
The same routine as the day before occurs as we return to the minga lodge: children swimming, boat singing and a refreshing breeze to cool us down before arriving for lunch. Lunch is a special treat today served on a leaf instead of a plate. Platters of palm heart and thistle salad, yucca root fries, and banana leaf steamed tilapia fish. Even the skeptics tasted and enjoyed !
After lunch we head back down the river a ways to visit a local shaman. We are invited to take part on groups of 5 in a cleansing ritual that involves having tobacco smoke blown over us and then having the spirits and energy cleansed by being "swept" with a wand of yukka leaves. Afterwards we get a chance to blow darts with a dart gun (a traditional hunting method) at a papaya that has been slice open and place on a stick as a moving target. 4 of our group are successful. Following a group picture with the shaman and his family, a spear throwing demonstration and an opportunity to buy some handmade crafts by the family, we head back to Minga lodge for supper .
We are invited before supper to a special cooking demonstration of an amazon delicacy and treat. A wrapped banana leaf package is unwrapped to reveal the biggest weevil larvae I've ever seen ! They are wiggling like crazy . An invitation is given to anyone who would like to try them raw first. One must bite down on their head and pinchers first so they don't bite the inside of your mouth. Two of the group give it a try ! Then the rest the group must squish their heads and threat them onto a stick where they are roasted and then tasted. A " special" treat and appetizer before dinner.
At suppertime we begin to have a conversation about how we might share our new insights and make connections back home with both the issues we are encountering and the ongoing work of Me to We.
Then, it's back into the jungle for a short walk at night to see some of the creatures whose sounds we hear at night. We see several different species of frogs, various bugs and moths, bats, tarantulas and the head of a tiny water snake. It's been another full day and many are feeling weary . A final check in in the circle and it's off to our respective cabins at 9:30.
Bella Vista -day 2
Our day begins with a 7 am wake up call and we make our way to the dining "hall" for breakfast. We eat, get into our gear ( steel toe rubber boots, hard hats, safety glasses and gloves), don sunscreen and pack water as the sun is shining and its gonna be a hot day. We carry on working at the 4 different stations, digging, building cement forms, cutting and bending rebar. Some children are around but most have left the school grounds for the day as they were there at 7 to write exams and are done for the day. Some of the younger kids are very curious about what we are doing, and over the course of the morning, they begin to join in and help in a number of ways. Conversations ensue and the group as a whole is making amazing progress with their Spanish. During break time the children and the group enjoy some volleyball together and at one point our group shares a line dance demonstration which everyone enjoys.
At noon we pack up, go to the boat and head back to minga lodge for lunch . Around where the boat docks, children are jumping from trees and rocks into the river to cool off. Luckily for us, the breeze as the boat speeds up the river serves to cool us as well. It has become a tradition that as soon as we get on the boat, singing ensues for the 30 min trip home.
After lunch we head out on our jungle hike led by Roberto, a local resident and guide with the lodge. We begin by hiking uphill for 240 steps and as we reach the top we find another incredible view. The air is dense, humid and hot though the trees provide respite from the hot sun. Roberto talks to us of the different kinds of plants, the destruction of amazon rainforest, cultural uses for the various different plants and the way traditional hunting and harvesting happens in this area. He also demonstrates for us the way palms are used for shelter, basket making etc. We hike for about 2 1/2 hours and eventually we have to descend down some very muddy and slippery paths resulting in several spills and muddy individuals by the end.
Time for a quick shower and then it's dinner time. Just as we begin, a major storm of wind and rain rolls in and blows throughout our dinner time. It's amazing how quickly the weather changes here. Following supper we move the the classroom, we're we participate in a leadership activity of a simulation game where we are given roles of families coming to a Minga gathering to try and make a community decision about where to put community resources and energy - building a water system, a school, a church or a women's cooperative, At the end of 2 hours the group has made excellent arguments and debate and learned lots about about the process of a minga. It's now 9:30 and we only have power for 30 more mins so everyone heads back to their rooms to get ready for bed. An impromptu singing of o Canada breaks out to celebrate Canada day . Another storm whips up and it pours and blows most of the night.
At noon we pack up, go to the boat and head back to minga lodge for lunch . Around where the boat docks, children are jumping from trees and rocks into the river to cool off. Luckily for us, the breeze as the boat speeds up the river serves to cool us as well. It has become a tradition that as soon as we get on the boat, singing ensues for the 30 min trip home.
After lunch we head out on our jungle hike led by Roberto, a local resident and guide with the lodge. We begin by hiking uphill for 240 steps and as we reach the top we find another incredible view. The air is dense, humid and hot though the trees provide respite from the hot sun. Roberto talks to us of the different kinds of plants, the destruction of amazon rainforest, cultural uses for the various different plants and the way traditional hunting and harvesting happens in this area. He also demonstrates for us the way palms are used for shelter, basket making etc. We hike for about 2 1/2 hours and eventually we have to descend down some very muddy and slippery paths resulting in several spills and muddy individuals by the end.
Time for a quick shower and then it's dinner time. Just as we begin, a major storm of wind and rain rolls in and blows throughout our dinner time. It's amazing how quickly the weather changes here. Following supper we move the the classroom, we're we participate in a leadership activity of a simulation game where we are given roles of families coming to a Minga gathering to try and make a community decision about where to put community resources and energy - building a water system, a school, a church or a women's cooperative, At the end of 2 hours the group has made excellent arguments and debate and learned lots about about the process of a minga. It's now 9:30 and we only have power for 30 more mins so everyone heads back to their rooms to get ready for bed. An impromptu singing of o Canada breaks out to celebrate Canada day . Another storm whips up and it pours and blows most of the night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)