The visit by school kids was good. The staff here did an excellent job. I could tell the kids enjoyed it tremendously. Wonderful thing they are doing… educating the youngsters.
I mended some butterfly traps today. That I can do.
The Saturday fun night was ok. We did charades. Everyone seemed to have fun.
Sunday is rest day. I did laundry, read and caught up on writing and texting.
We’ll see what next week brings. My feet feel pretty good.
Looks like this coming week will be a challenge for me. Tomorrow morning I will do colpa at 5 am. Starting to storm again so may be called off. Colpa is nice though… a boat ride and waiting for the birds to come.
Not too many birds saw today, but I love the boat ride and if we are lucky get to see a sunrise. Worked on the computer today and inputted data and spent some time cleaning up the staff room.
The next morning went on a tilt in the forest. Left at 4:10 and returned at 7:10. It was nice to see the forest reveal itself. Was pretty quiet though. We didn’t see anything just heard noises and saw an animal footprint. It was rocky, hilly, muddy and slippery. Sam was wonderful as she offered her hand at treacherous places and slowed down for me. These leaders are forever my inspiration. They are solid and I place my life in their hands.
Reminds me of my walk with God. Always there leading the way and I put my faith and trust in Him. Solid, strong, caring, guiding and keeping me safe!
The rest of the morning saw me rest, nap, wash clothes and read. It is hot and I’m sweating, buggy, but nice with the trees, birds etc.
This afternoon I have data entry and tomorrow working in the bio garden and doing a VES at night – my first one.
Worked in biogarden. Tilled the dirt added in compost then planted lettuce and raddish. Weeded and tore dry leaves into bite size pieces.
Was very very hot. Took a shower, had lunch, waiting for spanish lesson.
Very hot again. Need another shower. Waiting for Luis… he is in a meeting. After his meeting we met for our 1 on 1 where I learned more Spanish.
Went on Ves tonight. Kinda nice. Went out at 7:30 pm returned at 9:30 pm. Got one frog and captured a lizard. Cora and Sam caught him by hand, bagged him and brought him back for identification.
Went on pitfalls in the morning with Cora. We checked the pitfall traps in P1 and P2. Got caught in the rain. Left 8:30 and came back at 11:00 or so.
Worked bio garden again. Most of the beds are weeded and watered so we made some compost and planted some big seeds in starter pots.
I have rest of day free. Guess I will take a good shower, maybe a nap and try calling home. My phone is almost dead, however.
Today went for a colpa. Saw many more birds this time. Saw more feeding. Cloudy day so no sunrise. Going to set up butterfly traps this morning.
Got back from setting up butterfly traps in P4. Hilly and muddy. Luis and Jackie helped me alot. Left at 8 returned at 11:30. Saw the most unusual bug and a transparent butterfly.
That bug was a plant hopper.. cigarette cock they tell me.
Cleaned up the project room in the afternoon, then rested till Saturday night fun. Did musical chairs and salsa, bachatta as well as line dancing. Stayed up talking to Sophia, Jackie, Margaret and Luis. Was nice.
Sunday is rest day. Washed clothes, took a nap, shower and talked on phone as much as wifi would allow me.
Waiting to find out if we are doing collpa. It has been thundering and raining this morning, but seems to be stopping. We’ll see.
Only one more week and 3 days. For this week I have scheduled in the forest 2 tilts. One in morning and one in afternoon and one colpa. Not too bad.
Going to Salvation for a Fair on Friday. Teaching one dance class.
We’ll see what next week brings. Don’t know what I will ask for.
Saw some birds feeding at salt lick (colpa) Should have brought my camera. We went to the closer beach today.
Working in medicinal garden today. Haven’t gone there yet. Should be interesting. Then this afternoon a 1 to 1 with Max.
In the medicinal garden we had to clear the path way. Lots of raking and bringing leaves to compost (although Luis did most all of that) I just did raking.
My 1 to 1 with Max was nice. Sharing more than anything, but was nice to get to know him. He loves his work here.
Tomorrow going to bio garden again. Dance class in afternoon then a tilt after.
Lightening soo bad last night. Rolling thunder and pouring rain. I have bio garden today so it should be fine. This afternoon a tilt but by then maybe cleared up.
Long tilt night. Left at 4:30 and got back at 8:30. Saw interesting frog. Very tired. Legs and feet sore. T4 did me in. Ate little then went to bed with throbbing feet.
Tomorrow am have a collpa.
Colpa was nice. Saw many birds.
Today relaxed a bit getting ready for Tomorrow tilt.
Left a 4:45 for a tilt with Max, Sam and Sophia. Saw monkeys and heard lots of birds
The walk was good and it may be last time in the jungle. I feel that might be enough forest walking. It takes alot out of me. Walking on slippery rocks, roots, branches and mud puddles. My feet are tired. Can’t believe I made it for 1 month. It has been challenging to say the least. I taxed myself. I am not getting younger. My age is showing. We shall see how the next project is made for 50 plus in age. Maybe I won’t like it. Machu picchu is my next challenging adventure… along with rainbow mountain. I feel, though, as if I can do anything now. These past weeks and some of the hikes on lake Titicaca were very challenging. Along with some of those hikes in and around Cusco… due to the high altitude. We shall see how the attitude affects me when I go back to Cusco. I regress… now back to the Manu…
Yesterday went to Salvacion for the community fair. Very sparcly attended, but picked up in the evening for the Ms. Banana contest.
We had an exhibit set up there and the staff and interns did a great job making the displays and sharing with the community
There were only 3 contestants for Ms. Banana, Mila and Brenda plus another. Cora and Bea were going to compete, but were told no because they didn’t have all the outfits.
Even Seb
wanted to join.
Good thing they didn’t because would have made a mockery of it. They take Ms. Banana very seriously.
True to Peruvian time it started 2 hrs later and had to be delayed another hour cause of heavy rain.
The contest finally started. Mila and Brenda were awesome. Our staff spent all day and more making their traditional costumes, as well as practicing their answers to the formal questions about bananas.
It was interesting to say the least. There was a Salsa/ Cumbria group playing between the shows
We danced away in our group.. some of the drunk locals came to close and Luis came to the rescue dancing with us and keeping them away. He is such a gentleman. Very conscious of what was going on… I appreciated that.
we were very happy that Brenda won the Ms Banana contest! We chuckled when we learned that the prize was a stay over at a rainforest reserve. Winning made the Mana Learning Center staff and Director very proud and happy. We were happy for the distraction and entertainment of the day/night. It was interesting and amusing all at the same time. Surely not to be forgotten…
To make it even more interesting… that night we all (about 10 of us) slept in one room. We could hear the rain and the music playing most of the night… and then my alarm went off by mistake at 4:40! Went back to sleep until time to catch the car ride and trek to catch the boat back to the MLC. What a bonding experience!
Got back in the morning and had school kids visiting. They were mostly boys and very energetic.
Nice day. Rested some then helped with the school kids. Played a fun game at night. Kinda like gimme gimme, but eliminated slowest one till one winner. I won. Last challenge was to capture a live animal and bring it back. I caught Luis and brought him to my chair… ha ha ha! Won a pisco sour! Seb makes great ones, but strong! We also celebrated Maria’s leaving New adventures. They love to do cake in the face!
Today, Sunday was a rest day. Washed and hung clothes I needed for this week. Rested, practiced the hula. Took a bath and wrote most of my presentation.
A full moon tonight. Very beautiful. I see the same moon as in Hawaii and Alaska… just a different part of it Luis says.
Ready for bed. Collpa is morning at 5 am
Was a good collpa. Lots of birds but no feeding.
Watched media presentation by Bea and Seb. Tilt cancelled due to the media presentation taking long.
Meeting with max and worked on butterfly repair. My presentation cancelled till tomorrow due to lack of electricity. Had dance lesson. Taught Bea and Jackie Hula Hands hula. We will dance for everyone tomorrow after my presentation.
Wed… last day. Can’t believe I made it 4 weeks! This week has been easy due to cancellations on activities. Saved my feet. The presentation went well. I did my goodbye to everyone. Talked about how they inspire me for the future knowing that there are young adults like them who care soo much about others and the community and how I know they will go on to huge things making the world a better place. I think they heard what I said. I meant it and hope my words can inspire them to fulfill their dreams and their destinies.
Well after a long windy 8 hr drive to Cusco we made it. Bea, Seb. Danny. Criss and Max.
After a warm shower we went out for dinner then said our goodbyes.
Oct 12th was my last day. I made it! I have really learned alot about myself and others. I am inspired by the young adults here and it gives me hope for the future. Myself, I feel my age… my body is not equipped for things as this. But my ability to pursue and overcome challenges is evident through this experience. I can be happy to be me in spite of my circumstances. I appreciate and take glory at nature and man’s existence. I am for the better. Give me 15 more good years and another 15 to be at ease. Later on I will attach or link a video presentation. There are soo many unforgettable memories…
Dream, Create, Inspire 