Well hello you all, I have done it…made the quick transition from the depths of the jungle into the fast paced “real world” to try to remember how to use shoes that aren’t rubber boots, clothes that don’t wreak of mold and sweat, a computer and, oh my, write a blog post! After one month traveling in Costa Rica and another in Ecuador during my winter break I have found myself in the coastal humid and cloud forest of Ecuador working at the Jama-Coaque ecological reserve. This beautiful reserve, located a three hour hike uphill from the nearest village of Camarones in Ecuador, is one of the most diverse forests in the world and in dangerous threat of extinction! Including myself, there are six volunteers and we bunk together in a bamboo house. The house is beautiful and as the name implies…made of bamboo! It is completely open which allows a total feeling of living at one with nature. The light breeze cools the hot days and makes for comfortable sleeping..almost. The bugs seem to think that I am the tastiest treat of all, perhaps they can tell I am not a local… I have 100 bug bites on one foot..and that progresses as evenly over the rest of my body. But, it is well worth it for the beautiful life that I have found myself living here. The comforting buzz of cicadas complemented by birds and howler monkeys has become my new norm for the sound of silence. The luscious forest around is old and wild and unbelievably breathtaking. I have yet to use the shower at the house because two minutes away a small fresh waterfall is hidden away, and who would wash in a shower when they could bathe in a private waterfall?
.. I am working as a permaculture intern in the production zone of the reserve. This week we ended our ten day permaculture design course. It was so interesting, and helped me think about alternative lifestyles- further broadening my outlook to the possibilities we have to help the Earth. Along with this joyous work, I have been taking long walks with one of the locals of Camarones who is very knowledgeble about the plant life at the reserve. We have been focusing primarily on medicinal plants and I will be creating a small medicinal garden for the reserve! I spend my free time adventuring along the endless net of trails in the reserve, cooking, and laying in the Hammock…I have begun to sleep in a hammock as well, and can I just say..Glorious! The forest is so full of mysteries and I am so greatful have been given the oppertunity to skim the surface of such a great reservoir of knowledge.
Life is beautiful lots of love,
written by: Sophia J. from the Third Millennium Alliance, Ecuador
…Stay tuned for pictures to come.